Summary:
This abstract of an 1864 Confederate inspection report for Gordon's Division
mentions that when the division left Staunton in June, much of its baggage was
discarded for ease of movement.
There has been but one regular inspection of troops in this division since it left Richmond on the 13th of June last. It will sufficiently account for this to say that since this date to the present time it has performed 800 miles of route marching, independent of movements in the presence of the enemy; that it has been engaged in seventeen battles and skirmishes, some of which have lasted through two and three days, an in which it has captured 500 prisoners, and that it has been almost constantly in the presence of the enemy, either in the advance or in retreat. Under such circumstances regular inspections have been impossible, and inspectors have been compelled to make their observations whilst moving along the column on the march. On leaving Staunton in the latter part of June the transportation of Lieut.-Gen. Early's command was reduced so as to allow neither company nor field officers an ounce of baggage, except such as they could carry themselves or on their horses; hence records have been left behind and reports are irregular and incomplete. For the same reasons officers of the quartermaster's and commissary departments have been compelled to leave the most of their papers in rear and carry only such as were indispensable.
The discipline in this command is lax. It will be remembered that York's brigade is composed of the discordant fragments of Hay's and Stafford's brigades, and that Terry's is made up of the remnants of the Stonewall, Jones', and Steuart's brigades, formerly of Johnson's division, comprising the remains of fourteen regiments. Both officers and men bitterly object to their consolidation into one brigade. Strange officers command strange troops, and the difficulties on fusing this incongruous mass are enhanced by casualty so may and such valuable officers as to interfere seriously with its good management. I am pleasant to be able to add that the discipline of the command is improving, and that in spite of all defects, the division has fought with conspicuous gallantry and constant success. The clothing of the troops, though poor, is better than could be expected in so active a campaign, and under the difficulties of transporting supplies so great a distance. Ordnance stores have been supplied to the full extent of need from battle-fields, and it has been a matter of regret that want of transportation has prevented our saving more ordnance supplies from the same source. Our animals have been worked hard and very poorly supplied with grain; grazing and hay have, however, been abundant, and they are in excellent condition. The troops have been well supplied whit rations of flour and beef, to which the country has added milk, butter, and vegetables; are consequently in good health.
EDWIN L. MOORE,
Maj. and Assistant Inspector-Gen.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 43, Serial No. 90, Pages 609-610, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
