With the numerous discussion we've had on the CSA homefront and the myth of the ragged rebel, I would like to intitate the death of another misconception concerning the contributions of Southern merchants and blockade runner companies.
I read two years worth of period advertisements and several articles and books concerning the blockade runners. I have a theory that the purpose of the blockade runner wasn't to support the Confederate war effort, the purpose of the blockade running companies was to turn a high profit off the misfortunes of war. The merchants and retailers who prurchased their goods also profited from the demands/needs of the "wealthy" vs. providing low cost war supplies and food to a nation that was broke.
January 8th 1864. Anyone involved with the CSA war effort is desperately seeking donations to support the troops in the field.
Augusta Chronicel and Sentinel Classified Ad:
Blankets
It is found to be useless to cut up carpets to make soldiers blankets. Crumb cloths, piano covers and common blankets lined with homespun suit exactly.
Many families in this city have already given all their blankets, but there are others who have fortunately waited till now to meet wants , such as our army has never felt before. Blankets cannot be bought here or imported in large quantities and the only hope of the soldiers is to get them from the comfortable homes of the Confederacy. Shall we who owe to Bragg's Army , the present quiet possession of our homes, dwell in comfort while our brave defender suffer cold? Surely that army has a right to all that we can give.
The most convenient dimensions for a blanket are eight feet by six. Through the liberality of friends lining can be obtained free of charge at the store of the "GEORGIA RELIEF AND HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION. "
Mr. Potter the superintendent will receive and forward all parcels sent to the above place. Let the name of the giver and the number of blankets accompany each parcel.
Meanwhile for sale, direct from the port of Charleston at your local merchant:
(same paper)
100 English Uniforms suits, coats and pants (no price) Long & Co.
Also:
50 cases of gold lace
50 gross hair pins
Assorted goods of all types
White and fancy shirts
100 French felt hats
2 bales of Ladies HEAVY CLOTH OVERCOATS
1 case of Wellington Boots
1 case of Cavalry boots
2 cases of Congess boots
2 cases of heavy brogans
20 cases of felt hats
Mountains of goods are advertised for sale, to the highest bidder. Everything from fine English brandy to Rio coffee is available. The family of the common soldier can't afford it and neither can the Confederate government. The blockade runners and merchants begin to specialize in goods that are in demand by the rich alone, who have the greenbacks, commodities, silver and gold. Remember "blankets" can't be bought or imported in large quantities. Why? Because the local robber-baron-war-profiteer needs his champagne, grand piano and the 50 odd cases of French hats.
The majority of the blockade runners aren't risking their lives for the cause of the CSA. They are risking total loss for a chance at high profits. Any pracitcal goods that would be useful to the common soldier are sold to the CSA government at a high cost, until they run out of hard cash.
June 5th, 1864
Auction sale in Wilmington
By Wilkes Morris Auctioneer
DIRECT IMPORTATION
Commencing at 10 o'clock pm. I will sell at my sales room, No. 2 Granite Row, Wilmington, N.C. the following imported goods:
2 cases linen prints
2 bales fancy prints
4 cases English prints
2 cases colored muslins
2 bales do do
1 bales Linenen Cambrie handkerchiefs
1 bale negro do do
1 case long cloth
1 case hoop skirts
This list continues with every fancy article of clothing known to the period and to add insult, one (1) case of choloroform has been included. The cargo manifests change dramatically from 1861 to 1865. In 1863 on the Steamers Sirius and Kate, it's war stuff like (1 case) 1,000,000 GD percussion caps along with needed food stuffs, naval stores, english matches and very light on the "ladies shoes" and other nic nacs.
January 20th 1865:
Latest arrivals in Charleston, for sale as usual.
1 case Jaconet Cambric
1 case Irish Linen
1 case English Pins
1 case Large needles
1 case superior long cloth
2 cases Low's genuine Windsor soap
4 cases of imitation Windsor soap
2 cases of Liverpool Bar soap
6 cases of Spanish Castle soap
1 case black flax thread
3 cases womens shoes
1 case of super letter paper
1 case of super envelopes
800 dozen black spool cotton
600 dozen white coats cotton
50 dozen super madras handkerchiefs
1 pieces of heavy blue cloth
1200 pairs of Leather ,leaf card
5 pieces of white flannel
5 bbls. of crushed sugar
5 sacks coffee
3 cases of French Brandy
5 chests tea
10 boxes sperm candles
5 chests of old BOURBON whiskey
So where are the Enfields, the breech loading carbines, the copper, the brass,
the lead, the hand greandes, the blankets, uniforms, medical supplies, saddles, leather gear, percussion caps, railroad equipment, and everything one would need to run a war? The space was reserved for "50 dozen super madras handkerchiefs". The precious cargo was safely escorted in to Charleston harbor by the brave defenders of Fort Sumter, the CSN and the CSA Army.
If one argues that the Union Naval blockade was instrutmental in the defeat of the Confederate nation, one must also lay the blame at the so called "brave" bloackade captains, the merchants and the greedy desire to place profits ahead of their country. The Confederates should have placed a heavy tax on all luxury goods and confiscated cargos and ships that used their facilities to import "English Ladies black bomorals for riding skirts" and such.
I read two years worth of period advertisements and several articles and books concerning the blockade runners. I have a theory that the purpose of the blockade runner wasn't to support the Confederate war effort, the purpose of the blockade running companies was to turn a high profit off the misfortunes of war. The merchants and retailers who prurchased their goods also profited from the demands/needs of the "wealthy" vs. providing low cost war supplies and food to a nation that was broke.
January 8th 1864. Anyone involved with the CSA war effort is desperately seeking donations to support the troops in the field.
Augusta Chronicel and Sentinel Classified Ad:
Blankets
It is found to be useless to cut up carpets to make soldiers blankets. Crumb cloths, piano covers and common blankets lined with homespun suit exactly.
Many families in this city have already given all their blankets, but there are others who have fortunately waited till now to meet wants , such as our army has never felt before. Blankets cannot be bought here or imported in large quantities and the only hope of the soldiers is to get them from the comfortable homes of the Confederacy. Shall we who owe to Bragg's Army , the present quiet possession of our homes, dwell in comfort while our brave defender suffer cold? Surely that army has a right to all that we can give.
The most convenient dimensions for a blanket are eight feet by six. Through the liberality of friends lining can be obtained free of charge at the store of the "GEORGIA RELIEF AND HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION. "
Mr. Potter the superintendent will receive and forward all parcels sent to the above place. Let the name of the giver and the number of blankets accompany each parcel.
Meanwhile for sale, direct from the port of Charleston at your local merchant:
(same paper)
100 English Uniforms suits, coats and pants (no price) Long & Co.
Also:
50 cases of gold lace
50 gross hair pins
Assorted goods of all types
White and fancy shirts
100 French felt hats
2 bales of Ladies HEAVY CLOTH OVERCOATS
1 case of Wellington Boots
1 case of Cavalry boots
2 cases of Congess boots
2 cases of heavy brogans
20 cases of felt hats
Mountains of goods are advertised for sale, to the highest bidder. Everything from fine English brandy to Rio coffee is available. The family of the common soldier can't afford it and neither can the Confederate government. The blockade runners and merchants begin to specialize in goods that are in demand by the rich alone, who have the greenbacks, commodities, silver and gold. Remember "blankets" can't be bought or imported in large quantities. Why? Because the local robber-baron-war-profiteer needs his champagne, grand piano and the 50 odd cases of French hats.
The majority of the blockade runners aren't risking their lives for the cause of the CSA. They are risking total loss for a chance at high profits. Any pracitcal goods that would be useful to the common soldier are sold to the CSA government at a high cost, until they run out of hard cash.
June 5th, 1864
Auction sale in Wilmington
By Wilkes Morris Auctioneer
DIRECT IMPORTATION
Commencing at 10 o'clock pm. I will sell at my sales room, No. 2 Granite Row, Wilmington, N.C. the following imported goods:
2 cases linen prints
2 bales fancy prints
4 cases English prints
2 cases colored muslins
2 bales do do
1 bales Linenen Cambrie handkerchiefs
1 bale negro do do
1 case long cloth
1 case hoop skirts
This list continues with every fancy article of clothing known to the period and to add insult, one (1) case of choloroform has been included. The cargo manifests change dramatically from 1861 to 1865. In 1863 on the Steamers Sirius and Kate, it's war stuff like (1 case) 1,000,000 GD percussion caps along with needed food stuffs, naval stores, english matches and very light on the "ladies shoes" and other nic nacs.
January 20th 1865:
Latest arrivals in Charleston, for sale as usual.
1 case Jaconet Cambric
1 case Irish Linen
1 case English Pins
1 case Large needles
1 case superior long cloth
2 cases Low's genuine Windsor soap
4 cases of imitation Windsor soap
2 cases of Liverpool Bar soap
6 cases of Spanish Castle soap
1 case black flax thread
3 cases womens shoes
1 case of super letter paper
1 case of super envelopes
800 dozen black spool cotton
600 dozen white coats cotton
50 dozen super madras handkerchiefs
1 pieces of heavy blue cloth
1200 pairs of Leather ,leaf card
5 pieces of white flannel
5 bbls. of crushed sugar
5 sacks coffee
3 cases of French Brandy
5 chests tea
10 boxes sperm candles
5 chests of old BOURBON whiskey
So where are the Enfields, the breech loading carbines, the copper, the brass,
the lead, the hand greandes, the blankets, uniforms, medical supplies, saddles, leather gear, percussion caps, railroad equipment, and everything one would need to run a war? The space was reserved for "50 dozen super madras handkerchiefs". The precious cargo was safely escorted in to Charleston harbor by the brave defenders of Fort Sumter, the CSN and the CSA Army.
If one argues that the Union Naval blockade was instrutmental in the defeat of the Confederate nation, one must also lay the blame at the so called "brave" bloackade captains, the merchants and the greedy desire to place profits ahead of their country. The Confederates should have placed a heavy tax on all luxury goods and confiscated cargos and ships that used their facilities to import "English Ladies black bomorals for riding skirts" and such.
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