To get things started in our revamped forum, I thought I would contribute quotes from a day in the life of those who endured the War.
The first if from 2Lt. Robert M. Collins of Co. I, 6th, 10th & 15th Texas Regiment, from the Winter Quarters of the Army of Tennessee at Tunnel Hill, Georgia, on December 9th, 1863:
“There is quite a difference in the appearance of the winter quarters of an army of volunteers, where every man or mess is left to be the sole judge of size, kind and quality of the houses they will build, and those of the regular army, where the whole matter is under the management of a quartermaster, skilled workmen and a civil engineer. In our winter quarters there was as great a variety of architecture as there is to be found in any city or town in the country. The thrifty, industrious soldier puts up a nice house, his style of architecture is good, everything is kept in its place. While the lazy, shiftless soldier throws up most any sort of pen out of odds and ends that he can pick up here and there, and his larder and outfit for housekeeping is about on the same line, and if his quarters are not inspected every day or two by the officer of the day, he will allow it to get as filthy as a pig pen. In the army, as in civil life, our observations lead us to remark that, “the fittest survive.” In other words, the soldier who takes care of himself, and is watchful and industrious, generally gets enough to eat and is seldom sick, and possesses the powers of endurance. It requires an industrious, temperate man to make a successful soldier. But enough of this philosophy.
In a week or so, we were all tucked away in some sort of style, then commenced the routine of camp duty. While we were not in the immediate presence of the enemy, yet the danger of surprise was great, and our line of picketts was as strong as at Chattanooga, and was placed some mile and a half in front of our main line across the creek.”
Scott McKay, moderator
The first if from 2Lt. Robert M. Collins of Co. I, 6th, 10th & 15th Texas Regiment, from the Winter Quarters of the Army of Tennessee at Tunnel Hill, Georgia, on December 9th, 1863:
“There is quite a difference in the appearance of the winter quarters of an army of volunteers, where every man or mess is left to be the sole judge of size, kind and quality of the houses they will build, and those of the regular army, where the whole matter is under the management of a quartermaster, skilled workmen and a civil engineer. In our winter quarters there was as great a variety of architecture as there is to be found in any city or town in the country. The thrifty, industrious soldier puts up a nice house, his style of architecture is good, everything is kept in its place. While the lazy, shiftless soldier throws up most any sort of pen out of odds and ends that he can pick up here and there, and his larder and outfit for housekeeping is about on the same line, and if his quarters are not inspected every day or two by the officer of the day, he will allow it to get as filthy as a pig pen. In the army, as in civil life, our observations lead us to remark that, “the fittest survive.” In other words, the soldier who takes care of himself, and is watchful and industrious, generally gets enough to eat and is seldom sick, and possesses the powers of endurance. It requires an industrious, temperate man to make a successful soldier. But enough of this philosophy.
In a week or so, we were all tucked away in some sort of style, then commenced the routine of camp duty. While we were not in the immediate presence of the enemy, yet the danger of surprise was great, and our line of picketts was as strong as at Chattanooga, and was placed some mile and a half in front of our main line across the creek.”
Scott McKay, moderator
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