In another thread, a new theory was mentioned related to increased emphasis on Confederate usage of domestic material to supply its armies, as opposed to imported supplies from England (i.e. uniforms, equipment, etc.) during the late 1863 through 1865 time frame. It appears the basis of this theory relates to utilization of the Confederacy's domestic resources to supply its army during the mid to late war period, in part due to economic considerations, and exhorbitant import prices required by foreign contractors.
Personally, I have done extensive research on this subject at the National Archives, and through reading of secondary sources. Based upon my research, it is my personal opinion that the Confederate armies, particularly the Army of Northern Virginia, were issued tremendous quantities of English uniforms starting in late 1863 through 1865. Of course, CS domestic production did continue right up until the end of the war, but the increased reliance upon English and other foreign imports for war material, as well as domestic consumer goods is apparent.
Further, it is well documented that the South was experiencing a severe wool shortage crisis starting in the summer of 1862. Just as King Cotton was plentiful, wool was equally scarce. For primary and secondary source documentation, see generally Richard D. Goff, Confederate Supply, Duke University Press 1969 (available sometimes via www.abebooks.com). See also Harold S. Wilson, Confederate Industry: Manufacturers and Quartermasters in the Civil War, Univeristy Press of Mississippi (2002) for discussion of the "wool famine" pages 21, 23-24, 27, 29-31, 33, 37, 39, 43, 62, 64, 81, 138, 160, 218, 224, 307.
Given that we are entering a 1864 cycle of events, I thought I would share a small amount documentation (primary and secondary sources) that you may wish to consult to draw your own conclusions. This list is not definitive by any means, but a good starting point for serious scholarship on this subject.
Primary sources:
National Archives, Records Group 109, [Confederate] Quartermaster Department Letters Sent, XVIII 554-55, Lawton to Lee, January 20, 1864 [hereinafter QMDLS] (regarding foreign supply and blockade run uniforms, blankets and shoes).
For Peter Tait Contracts with CS Quartermaster Department: Cross to Dillard Dec. 26, 1863, p. 469, QMDLS, XVIII; Lawton to Tait, Dec. 19, 1863, pp. 447-48 (regarding contract with Peter Tait & Co. for 50,000 each of overcoats, suits of jackets and pants, flannel shirts; 100,000 blankets, pairs of shoes and pairs of socks for a three month period from January 1, 1864 through March 31, 1864).
Secondary Sources:
Confederate Blockade Running through Bermuda, 1861-1865; Letter and Cargo Manifests, Frank Vandiver, ed., (univeristy of Texas Press 1947).
The Supplies for the Confederate Army, How They Were Obtained in Europe and How Paid For. Personal Reminiscenses and Unpublished History. Caleb Huse (CS purchasing agent in Europe), T.R. Martin, 1904.
Lifeline of the Confederacy, Blockade Running During the Civil War, Stephen R. Wise (university of South Carolina press, 1988).
I could list more, but this should be a good start. I will post in a separate thread an example of one day of uniform fabric inventory at the Richmond Depot in October 1864 to show the near complete reliance on English wool, as opposed to domestic manufactured uniform fabric.
Lets try to emphasize more scholarship and less speculation on this Forum.
My couple of cents,
respectfully,
Bret Sumner
4th Virginia, SWB
bretsumner@hotmail.com
Personally, I have done extensive research on this subject at the National Archives, and through reading of secondary sources. Based upon my research, it is my personal opinion that the Confederate armies, particularly the Army of Northern Virginia, were issued tremendous quantities of English uniforms starting in late 1863 through 1865. Of course, CS domestic production did continue right up until the end of the war, but the increased reliance upon English and other foreign imports for war material, as well as domestic consumer goods is apparent.
Further, it is well documented that the South was experiencing a severe wool shortage crisis starting in the summer of 1862. Just as King Cotton was plentiful, wool was equally scarce. For primary and secondary source documentation, see generally Richard D. Goff, Confederate Supply, Duke University Press 1969 (available sometimes via www.abebooks.com). See also Harold S. Wilson, Confederate Industry: Manufacturers and Quartermasters in the Civil War, Univeristy Press of Mississippi (2002) for discussion of the "wool famine" pages 21, 23-24, 27, 29-31, 33, 37, 39, 43, 62, 64, 81, 138, 160, 218, 224, 307.
Given that we are entering a 1864 cycle of events, I thought I would share a small amount documentation (primary and secondary sources) that you may wish to consult to draw your own conclusions. This list is not definitive by any means, but a good starting point for serious scholarship on this subject.
Primary sources:
National Archives, Records Group 109, [Confederate] Quartermaster Department Letters Sent, XVIII 554-55, Lawton to Lee, January 20, 1864 [hereinafter QMDLS] (regarding foreign supply and blockade run uniforms, blankets and shoes).
For Peter Tait Contracts with CS Quartermaster Department: Cross to Dillard Dec. 26, 1863, p. 469, QMDLS, XVIII; Lawton to Tait, Dec. 19, 1863, pp. 447-48 (regarding contract with Peter Tait & Co. for 50,000 each of overcoats, suits of jackets and pants, flannel shirts; 100,000 blankets, pairs of shoes and pairs of socks for a three month period from January 1, 1864 through March 31, 1864).
Secondary Sources:
Confederate Blockade Running through Bermuda, 1861-1865; Letter and Cargo Manifests, Frank Vandiver, ed., (univeristy of Texas Press 1947).
The Supplies for the Confederate Army, How They Were Obtained in Europe and How Paid For. Personal Reminiscenses and Unpublished History. Caleb Huse (CS purchasing agent in Europe), T.R. Martin, 1904.
Lifeline of the Confederacy, Blockade Running During the Civil War, Stephen R. Wise (university of South Carolina press, 1988).
I could list more, but this should be a good start. I will post in a separate thread an example of one day of uniform fabric inventory at the Richmond Depot in October 1864 to show the near complete reliance on English wool, as opposed to domestic manufactured uniform fabric.
Lets try to emphasize more scholarship and less speculation on this Forum.
My couple of cents,
respectfully,
Bret Sumner
4th Virginia, SWB
bretsumner@hotmail.com
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