Issue From Naval Stores - For Army Personel

[latigerrebjim]

Wondering, during the Red River Campaign, a number of Army troops were assigned to protect the Navy. They followed the warships in transports. Would they have been 'allowed' to draw gear from Naval stores, if they would have been available (i.e., pants, jacket, underdrawers, etc.)?
Been looking but can't find a good direction. Am guessing probably not, unless there were some emergency that required such an issuance.
Thanks for any direction that can be provided.
JIM Tebbetts
8th La/33rd Wis

[floridawar]

Re: Issue From Naval Stores - For Army Personel

Howdy Jim,

Not having any evidence whether such an issue actually occurred, I would suggest the circumstance highly unlikely. This is because while US soldiers had a clothing allowance from the government, the sailors of the US Navy had to purchase their clothing from the ship's pursers. Ships were outfitted with just enough "slop" clothing and cloth before a cruise to suit the needs of the crew over a certain period of time. Crewmen could save money and get a better fit by purchasing cloth from the purser and sewing up their own clothes... There are a couple good books on the Navy like "Union Jacks" or "Life in Mr. Lincoln's Navy" which give more on the subject.
Regarding US Soldiers being transported by sea, the transports often carried the army baggage of the units. An example which has yielded an enormous treasure is the transport Maple Leaf sunk by a Confederate torpedo in the St. Johns River and which was excavated some years ago with mountains of intact military baggage preserved in the river mud. I recall seeing a fine pair of boots still complete (tho' some of the thread had disintigrated.)

cheers.

Archie marshall
Tampa, FL

[Marine Mike]

Re: Issue From Naval Stores - For Army Personel

I don't recall much army personnel on those Navy ships in my readings of the Red River Campaign. Army would have been on Army Transports. Cooperation seems to have been a moment to moment sort of thing as in helping the Navy escape but all bets were off when seizing cotton. Also General Nathaniel Banks earned his reputation of being the Commisary Service of the Confederacy.

[latigerrebjim]

Re: Issue From Naval Stores - For Army Personel

Thanks for information. Also, as for transports, thought they were Navy 'ships' but you are right they were Army transports.
JIM Tebbetts

[latigerrebjim]

Re: Issue From Naval Stores - For Army Personel

Thanks for information. Also, as for transports, thought they were Navy 'ships' but you are right they were Army transports.
JIM Tebbetts