Announcement

**Holy Joe** · 02-06-2004, 12:13 AM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects

Wow! What a great resource. Thanks for sharing...

Perhaps it is a bit early to draw "conclusions", but looking at the data provided, it seems that the valuation of the items must have taken into consideration materials, quality, and wear (or lack thereof). Looking at the information here, it appears that shoes are one such example....in many cases you have [seemingly] expensive shoes belonging to one individual and relatively "cheap" shoes belonging to another, all within a fairly narrow time-range;

30 August 1864
-1 pr shoes-$5.00

7 September 1864
-1 pr shoes-$5.00

21 October 1864
-1 pr shoes-$2.00

18 November 1864
-1 pr shoes-$1.00

29 December 1864
-1 pr shoes-$5.00

4 January 1865
-1 pr shoes-$2.00

It also appears that socks follow this model;

13 November 1863
-3 pr socks @$0.25-$0.75

29 November 1863
-1 pr socks-$0.50

29 Dec 1863
-2 pr socks-$1.00 ($0.50/pr.)

25 July 1864
-1 pr socks-$1.00

30 August 1864
-1 pr socks-$0.10

23 October 1864
-9 pr socks-$9.00 ($1.00/pr) [geez, this guy breaks all the conventions, doesn't he?!?!]

18 November 1864
-3 pr socks-$15.00 ($5.00/pr!!!)

4 January 1865
-3 pr socks-$1.50 ($0.75/pr.)

Would be interesting to compare findings of inspection reports and/or Compiled Service Records to these statistics. Perhaps therein lies insight into what these men were getting, where, when, and in what condition they remained for a specific period of time.

Bully for you! Keep up the great work!

BTW: does the compiler/researcher state where he found his information? Did he stick to the state archives or were NARA holdings used? I'd be interested in studying similar hospital records for other localities, so any insight on this matter is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

**Iron Scout** · 02-06-2004, 08:30 AM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects

Hey Gary,

I'm glad you enjoyed seeing this interesting information. The volume seems to have been printed and bound "in-house" at the SCDA&H as there is no publisher, date, etc. There are a good many books in the reference section like this which usually means the original documents are held (in some form or condition) by the Archives themselves. Mr. Knudson has also compiled transcribed copies of other similar manuscripts over the last few years. I'll post more effects as I weed through the work. How about the guy with 10 shirts, etc!? He must'a been starting his own sutlery!

Regards,

Neill Rose
PLHA

**LWhite64** · 02-06-2004, 09:22 AM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects

Neal,
Very Cool item, I have seen similar things in CSRs, but nothing that lists so many personal items. Of note about the items with no prices, you are right, those represent items that belong to the Govt. Also of interest is the 12. Checking the name in the Broadfoot Index, there isnt a J.B. Goodman for any VA unit other than Militia, BUT there is one for the 32nd GA. I spoke about him with Jim Ogden and we have theory about him, since he has sooooo much stuff, it may indicate that he was on his way from home with items for his company when he came down with the fever. Also in regards to the shoes, the $5.00 shoes may indicated canvas shoes, since they tend to be a lot more expensive than the plain leather ones.

Lee

**Michael Comer** · 02-06-2004, 11:02 AM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects

While I know this is not a definitive resource on what soldiers carried I would like to make the following observation:

There are very few of what we commonly term "haversack stuffers" with the exception of pocketknives and shaving articles for the most part. Most of us probably carry the minimum anyway but I think this source could be used to document such if the trend keeps on as you go through these lists.

I also noticed that only 2 of the men had tobacco. I wonder how wide-spread the use was, especially of the smoking kind. Perhaps the widespread use of the weed we see now is more of a reenactorism instead of typical?

**JACKSONVC** · 02-06-2004, 11:43 AM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects

Excellent stuff!

What is more telliing is what is not listed, cartridge boxes, cap boxes, bayonets. I know for a fact that in the Confederate armies, the Ordnance Sergeant in each regiment was responsible for collecting up weapons and ammunition, but in all of the regulations of the time, I have seen no mention of leather gear being collected. I am wondering if cartridge boxes, cap boxes, etc.. were considered "arms" or part of the weapon. Is there any reference in the log book that these items were being collected at the hospital and being sent back to the depot? Is there any mention of personal letters in the effects?

**LWhite64** · 02-06-2004, 01:31 PM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects

In regards to the last few posts, No, I dont think the large use of tobacco is a reenactorism....way too many accounts show how much it was used. Also, the stuff on this list is what they had at the time of death in the hospt. So if someone entered there with it and then used it up, it wouldnt be reflected. Also in most cases the items in a soldier's haversack or knapsack are not reflected. When a soldier went in they typically had these items put in storage there, hence why you also dont see weapons and accoutrements being listed, they would go to the Ord. Sgt.

Lee

**Dignann** · 02-06-2004, 02:24 PM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects

Lee,

It appears "J.B. Goodman" is Joseph B. Goodman of Co. F, 34th Virginia Infantry. According to his entry, derived from his CSR, in Johnny L. Scott's 34th Virginia Infantry, Goodman:

Enlisted 4/21/61 in Meadville, Virginia. He transfered to the 34th Va 5/25/63. Present until detached to hunt deserters 8/63. Present until sick 12/63. Detached to Hosp. Charleston, S.C. 2/2/64. No further record. Poswtar record states that he died from fever 10/64. He is buried in Charleston, S.C.

Goodman started out his military service as a Sgt. in Co. H, 14th Virginia Infantyr. It looks like perhaps he may have been in the hospital from February through to his death in October 1864.

Eric

**markmason** · 02-06-2004, 03:12 PM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects

I find the quantity of some items in possesion to be quite interesting. Refering to this example for instance. Three jackets....

4) Blalock, J.D., Pvt
Barnwell Battery, GA Light Artillery
Died: 4 January 1865
Cause: gunshot wound

Articles:
1 coat-$25.00
3 jackets-$24.00
1 pr shoes-$2.00
1 shirt-$1.50
3 pr socks-$1.50
2 caps-$3.00
1 pr gloves-$1.00
1 quilt-$10.00
1 pr shoes-$5.00
1 knapsack-
2 blankets-$20

I wonder if this would be the norm carried in his knapsack or the "total" of his possesions he aquired along the way, yet stored away..

having something to change into after a good soaking would be handy

**SCTiger** · 02-06-2004, 03:21 PM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects

Neil:

Great thread! Are you going to sort every entry under each state, i.e. Virginians with Virginians, SC with SC. Did they all have shoes? Were most of them buried in Magnolia cemetery?

**Iron Scout** · 02-06-2004, 04:00 PM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects

Greg et al.,

The inventories are listed alphabetically so there's no provision for arranging by state. I agree with others' assessments that the ordinance goods were probably collected prior to admission to the hospital. I'm sure some effects especially tobacco were either consumed or shared with others. As far as I can tell, all the deceased had shoes. I'm sure many of these men had some of the effects stored and not carrying on one's person per se, but it's interesting all the goods went to the hospital with them. Glad folks are enjoying...

Regards,

Neill Rose
PLHA

**DonSmithnotTMD** · 02-06-2004, 04:24 PM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects

[QUOTE=LWhite64]In regards to the last few posts, No, I dont think the large use of tobacco is a reenactorism....way too many accounts show how much it was used.

SIDENOTE: If somebody is in the hospital with a fever or some other kind of debilitating disease, they might not be too inclined to use tobacco. Thats how my grandmother quit (not that it helped).

[QUOTE=LWhite64] Also in most cases the items in a soldier's haversack or knapsack are not reflected. When a soldier went in they typically had these items put in storage there, hence why you also dont see weapons and accoutrements being listed, they would go to the Ord. Sgt.

QUESTION: How is this stuff accounted for? What I mean is (in modern terms) These things are company property and the commander is signed for them, although they are "sub hand receipted" to the soldier. Is there a method for returning the equipment to the company or transferring to someone else so the company can draw replacements. Or am I thinking too much about this?

Don Smith

**Ken** · 02-06-2004, 05:21 PM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects

Originally posted by markmason

I find the quantity of some items in possesion to be quite interesting. Refering to this example for instance. Three jackets....

4) Blalock, J.D., Pvt
Barnwell Battery, GA Light Artillery
Died: 4 January 1865
Cause: gunshot wound

Articles:
1 coat-$25.00
3 jackets-$24.00
1 pr shoes-$2.00
1 shirt-$1.50
3 pr socks-$1.50
2 caps-$3.00
1 pr gloves-$1.00
1 quilt-$10.00
1 pr shoes-$5.00
1 knapsack-
2 blankets-$20

I wonder if this would be the norm carried in his knapsack or the "total" of his possesions he aquired along the way, yet stored away..

having something to change into after a good soaking would be handy

I think this individuals possessions are even more interesting:

12) Goodman, J.B. Pvt
Co. F, "39th Virginia Vols."
(34th Va. Inf.?)
Died: 23 October 1864
Cause: yellow fever

Articles:
2 coats-$50.00
2 jackets-$20.00
10 linen shirst-$100.00
3 flannel shirts-$9.00
5 pr drawers-$7.50
9 pr socks-$9.00
1 cap-$1.00
2 vests-$6.00
5 pr pants-$50.00
12 Books-$120.00
1 Trunk-
Cash-$6.50

Ten Linen shirts at a total cost of $100 or how about the 5 pairs of pants at $50. This individual is listed as a private and yet their seems to be a trunk included in his possessions? I would say his list of items would make more sense if he was an officer.

Ken Raia

**Iron Scout** · 02-06-2004, 05:59 PM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects

Here's an officer:

14) Holley, Turner Willingham, 1LT
Co. K, 1st SC Cavalry
Died: 3 October 1864
Cause: yellow fever

Articles:
1 trunk-$20.00
1 paper coffee-$1.00
4 shirts-$20.00
1 pkg envelopes-$1.50
1 revolver-$50.00
1/4 qr. paper-$1.50
2 pr gloves-$10.00
1 hat-$5.00
1 pr boots-$25.00
5 pr pants-$30.00
3 coats-$100.00
1 dirk-$10.00
1 bullet mould-$0.50
2 neckties-$5.00
2 pr drawers-$5.00
1 bottle wiskey-$25.00
4 doz. Quinine pills-$20.00
4 pr socks-$10.00
2 vests-$10.00
2 undershirts-$5.00
1 pr shoes-$10.00
1 pr spurs-$5.00
cash-$26.50

Remarks:
Turned over to Cpt Angus Brown, C0. K, 1st SCC, 20 October 1864
**The 1st SCC served in Hampton's Brigade until the Spring of 1864 when transferred back to SC and replaced with Butler's Brigade.

Neill Rose
PLHA

**Bill** · 02-06-2004, 11:20 PM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects

Originally posted by JACKSONVC

Excellent stuff!

I am wondering if cartridge boxes, cap boxes, etc.. were considered "arms" or part of the weapon. Is there any reference in the log book that these items were being collected at the hospital and being sent back to the depot? Is there any mention of personal letters in the effects?

While accoutrements, other then bayonets, were not considered weapons. They were considered ordnance equipment. and were issued through the Ordnance Department. There is a section, starting on page 215, in the 1863 Ordnance Manual concerning accoutrements. Accoutrements were policed up from the battlefields, and shipped back to the arsenals for repair and reissue. I can't believe the same thing wasn't done at the hospitals.

Announcement

Announcement

Inventories of Personal Effects

Inventories of Personal Effects

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment