The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1862-10-31
Condition ofsthe Amy.

Campbell,s minority over Johnston S55
Condition Of the Army.
The following article, from the Richmond
Wing Of the 2lst We hope none will pass over
without Thorough perusal. No one who has
not seen it can form an idea Of the destitution
Of sour soldiers, especially nathe Army Of
Northern Virginia, and it is the duty Of every
one, I'VE hope the promptings Of the. heart
will not wait for duty, whether they have
SINS, brothers or husbands in the army or not.
to contribute all they cap for their relief =
We are How. we may say, al the crisis Of the
struggle, and if the people do not comesnp TO
the assistance Of the Government, the army is
bound 20 suffer. and consequently weaken:
We again return to the subject Of the con-
dition Of the Army Of Northern Virginia. As
we remarked in the conclusisn Of our last ar.
sicle, the Government has begun to move in
the matter Of furnishing Supplies to the troops,
and several wagons, loaded with shoes aud
clothing, had reached Winchester al eafly a.
the middle Of last week. We understa nd that
other shipments Of clothing, shoes, and per-
haps blankets. have been made to thusane
destination. These supplies will afford great
relief as far as they 60, and we only regret
they are not ample enough TO meet the waate
of the entire army. Much good will be &C.
comp1ished. however, if even q portion of our
barefooted and ragged defenders have shoes
putsupo their feet and clothing upon their
backs. Many Of them have not changed thar
clothing since they left Richmond. TAey have
slept in it-fought in it--orossel the Potomac
in il marched over dusty roads, and through
storm and sunshine in Il; yet they hare not
changed it or washed it in all this time. no.
cause they had no.other to put on when that
was taken off. The reader will not he spr.
prised to hear, therefore, that many Of the
troops are covered with yermin, and their
clothing rotten and dirty beyond al ythinr
they have ever seen. There Is M negro. ii
Virginia whosis net better %, ID this Inspect,
than come Of the best soldiers and hfss rens
CieMe0 III Ill tue sl0nu. - ~
We understand that the Government has
already forwarded to Gen. Lees army oyer
80, 0O0 garments. and large shipment &c
shoes. This number of garments, Allowing !
coat, pair of pants, and shirt to i nan
will furnish suits, say, for 10. 900 needy men,
This will 50 far towards relieving tas moro
destitute. The Government has in its employ.
in this city, IS tailors who cut out the cloti,.
and ZOO women who make itup into rar.
ments-tho Whole turning oct, on an average,
$, 600 garments per week, or coats, pants and
shirts for 5000 men. There are other estal,.
hshments, in other parts Of the confederacy.
where clothing is being manufactured for the
army, and the force engaged is sufficient. per.
haps, to turn out 20 900 garments per week
AT this rate. estimating our army in The field !
at 400, 900 men, it would require more than |
year to furnish each man with IA singlesuit Of
Clothes If we suppose the various Cavern.
ment establishments will be able to sunnlv !:
200, 900 men by Christmas. there will ssill be-
zoe, 900 left, who will have to look to the peo.
pie at home for their outfits, or 60 without
clothing. IF the Government should provide |
for. 900, 900. the number left for the country
10 clothe would still be frightfully large
LOG, 600 men!
These figures are merely rough estimates,
lad arg only intended to Serve the purpose If
Erecting the attention Of the people to tie
magnitude Of the labor before them. After
he Government shall have done all il can,
here will ssill be much left for the warm
carts and wz1ing hands Of tic peeplo to per-
orm. If they would accomplish this hbor in
ime to benefit those for WHOM, it is underta-
en-, they cannot set about It too soon. The
'eather among the mountains in Northern
'nginia is already cold to the man who sleeps
pom the ground with no tent 10 shelter him
ON she rain and dew, with no shoes upon.i