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**1stMaine** · 06-18-2004, 11:39 PM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects Pt. 2

Comrade,

Wonderful but poignant post. The one thing that jumped out at me, though, was the number of knapsacks. It was spread over different states and regiments. Interesting that even late in 1864, there's still a good percentage of Confederates carrying knapsacks. Also note the overcoats in officer's possesions.
Respects,

**Jim Peterson** · 06-19-2004, 05:50 AM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects Pt. 2

Comrade;

On the never ending issue of vests I find it interesting that only eight out of twenty-six had vests, one with two. That is around 30%.

But again, as with most things, this is only one list from one place.

Jim Peterson
A Rowdy Pard

**Private Longshanks** · 06-19-2004, 09:52 AM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects Pt. 2

WOW!! Cpt. Sheldon was a rich man. $772 on his possession? Hard to believe he was carrying that much cash at that time.

**Vuhginyuh** · 06-19-2004, 10:23 PM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects Pt. 2

Originally posted by Private Longshanks

WOW!! Cpt. Sheldon was a rich man. $772 on his possession? Hard to believe he was carrying that much cash at that time.

And only one of two with hard money.

**K Bartsch** · 06-20-2004, 07:23 AM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects Pt. 2

Originally posted by Jim Peterson

Comrade;

On the never ending issue of vests I find it interesting that only eight out of twenty-six had vests, one with two. That is around 30%.

But again, as with most things, this is only one list from one place.

Jim Peterson
A Rowdy Pard

Jim,
I would'nt read that much into it. As I'm sure you know, this is far too small a sample size for statistical significance. Nevertheless, as you quite rightly point out, its a very interesting snapshot of the possessions of Confederate soldiers at a specific time and place and we're indebted to Neill for taking the time to post it. BTW, did you also notice only one pair of suspenders is on this inventory out of 26 lists of decedents effects?

KBB

**coffee boiler** · 06-20-2004, 08:10 AM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects Pt. 2

Originally posted by K Bartsch

Jim,
I would'nt read that much into it. As I'm sure you know, this is far too small a sample size for statistical significance. Nevertheless, as you quite rightly point out, its a very interesting snapshot of the possessions of Confederate soldiers at a specific time and place and we're indebted to Neill for taking the time to post it. BTW, did you also notice only one pair of suspenders is on this inventory out of 26 lists of decedents effects?

KBB

The lists seem to be inconsistent in their detail. For example only 11 men are listed as having draws.

**1stMaine** · 06-20-2004, 09:28 AM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects Pt. 2

Comrades,

I would venture the opinion, and it is only that, that the items listed are those decent enough to be returned or reissued. I know that, when I was on active duty, I was once tasked with packing up a comrades personal effects after his death. I was instructed to NOT pack up anything uniform-wise that was torn, stained, or otherwise not in top shape. Additionally, anything of a "sensitive" nature such as girlie magazines, etc, were to be discarded as well. His equipment and any stained. torn, etc clothing was turned into the squadron for reissue or reuse, and all of his good-conditioned uniforms and civilian clothing, plus his personal items were turned over to his family.
It seems to me that the lack of drawers could easily be a result of being either to stained or too worn to be reconditioned/reissued. They may, in fact, be simply extra pairs the soldier had on hand. Who knows? As to vests, I am surprised there were that many listed, considering the period and cloth availability at this stage of the war.
Nonetheless, it's an interesting look into what was on hand amongst these fellows at this stage of the war, and this location.
respects,

**Silas** · 06-20-2004, 01:11 PM

Overcoats

There was a surprising number with overcoats. Typical value was ten bucks, but one private's was worth eight and an officer's coat was twenty.

**hiplainsyank** · 06-27-2004, 02:57 PM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects Pt. 2

What in the world was that one guy doing with THREE pairs of shoes?

Curious and fascinating.

Joanna Norris Grimshaw

***markj*** · 06-27-2004, 03:43 PM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects Pt. 2

Originally posted by hiplainsyank

What in the world was that one guy doing with THREE pairs of shoes?

Curious and fascinating.

Joanna Norris Grimshaw

I'm not so sure this was unusual. Company clothing issue records for Company F, 54th Virginia (NARA RG 109) indicate many of its men were veritable spendthrifts. Here's just one example for a lowly private covering the period 8 October 1862 through 31 December 1863:

Private Ross Hardy
‎3 Jackets‎
‎4 Pants‎
‎5 Drawers‎
‎8 Shirts‎
‎5 [pr] Shoes‎
‎3 [pr] Socks‎
‎1 Blanket‎
‎2 Hats‎

‎[Total:] [CS] $155.50‎

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

**coffee boiler** · 06-28-2004, 06:30 AM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects Pt. 2

Originally posted by markj

I'm not so sure this was unusual. Company clothing issue records for Company F, 54th Virginia (NARA RG 109) indicate many of its men were veritable spendthrifts. Here's just one example for a lowly private covering the period 8 October 1862 through 31 December 1863:

Private Ross Hardy
‎3 Jackets‎
‎4 Pants‎
‎5 Drawers‎
‎8 Shirts‎
‎5 [pr] Shoes‎
‎3 [pr] Socks‎
‎1 Blanket‎
‎2 Hats‎

‎[Total:] [CS] $155.50‎

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

Looks like he was clothing more than himself, perhaps a brother or a good friend that was less well-to-do. Either that, or he was speculating that he would be able to sell them at a mark-up down the road.

**Greg Renault** · 06-28-2004, 09:47 AM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects Pt. 2

I am impressed at the high value of the pocketknives--equivalent to a couple of pair trousers, or half an overcoat. Shows how esteemed and expensive they were.

Greg Renault

***markj*** · 06-28-2004, 10:10 AM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects Pt. 2

Originally posted by coffee boiler

Looks like he was clothing more than himself, perhaps a brother or a good friend that was less well-to-do. Either that, or he was speculating that he would be able to sell them at a mark-up down the road.

We'll never know for sure but there were, in fact, recurring reports of Confederate soldiers selling off issue clothing to citizens on the side and the government tried to crack down on this practice (with mixed results). Such side-dealing was apparently also a habit up in the North and a law (or military directive) was enacted around 1863 expressly prohibiting citizens from wearing military-issue clothing.

I have attached my complete notes drawn from the Company F, 54th VA clothing account book so you can draw your own conclusions.

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

**Masked Battery** · 06-28-2004, 04:43 PM

Re: Inventories of Personal Effects Pt. 2

I remember reading one account of some enlisted Rebs getting in trouble for selling their issued clothing to officers.
(Sorry that I can't post the specifics at this time.)

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