1864 Confederate report CONSCRIPTS at CAMP LEE

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Offered without reserve: Scarce original 1864 Confederate imprint, "REPORT OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE TREATMENT OF CONSCRIPTS AT CAMP LEE, &c. &c. &c." [ Richmond: William F. Ritchie, Public Printer ].Recorded in Swem, Bibliography of Virginia (Virginia State Library, 1917), as no. 15248.Contains the committee's report (at pp. 3-5) signed in type by G. W. Lewis, C.S.C., and B. H. Magruder, C.H.C.; communications by James A. Seddon, Secretary of War (at pp. 6-7) datelined War Department, March 3, 1864; followed by brief communications, each dated February 19, 1864, from William H. Fry, Capt. & Adjt. Post (at Head Quarters Camp Lee), J. Patterson, Capt. in charge Pa. and Ex. Prisoners (at Hd. Qrs. Paroled and Exchanged Prisoners), Arthur Doyle, Lieut. Com'g Virginia Conscripts (at Head Quarters Virginia Conscripts), R. E. Hawks, Lieut. Comg Confed. Guard (at Head Quarters Confederate Guard), J. C. Shields, Col. Com'g (at Head Quarters Camp Lee), S. B. Davis, Lieut. & A. I. Gen. (at Head Quarters Department Henrico), J. W. Pegram, A. A. General (at Head Quarters Department of Henrico), Geo. F. Maynard, Maj. & Quartermaster (at Quartermaster's Office Camp Lee). In part: " It may be proper to state , as a fact developed in the course of our investigation, that many of the newly arrived conscripts do suffer for the want of clothes and blankets. This is not the fault of the commandant or his officers. It results from the circumstance that conscripts recently enrolled are sometimes hurried to camp without an opportunity being afforded to them to visit home and provide themselves with clothes and blankets, and make other preparations for camp life, but often from their own neglect to do so after ample notice . . . . " As far, tfore, as your committee could pursue their investigation - and it was as searching as the nature of the case and their sources of information admitted - they could discover no instance of a death, cruelty, inhumanity, or even of extreme suffering or hardship. Hardships t undoubtedly are, and have been, but only such and not more severe than are incident to camp fare and a soldier's life. . . The committee concludes: " Although it was generally understood at camp that the committee had made the visit to ascertain if t existed, or had been practiced any abuses, yet no compaints were made; nor in answer to inquiries could we learn that any existed upon which complaints could be founded. No facts at least were brought to our knowledge. Your committee takes the pleasure in reporting this as the result of their inquiries. They believe that the investigation will have a good effect, and was, under the circumstances and the gravity of the charges, alike due to our conscripts and the officers of the post. It will show to our people that the general assembly are not insensible to the wants and sufferings of our noble soldiers, in whatever field or camp they are called to render service to their country, nor faithless to her solemn obligations to extend a parental care over them, and to shield and protect them whenever oppression and distress may come upon them. It will accomplish more; it will relieve the minds of distant families and friends as to the supposed treatment of husbands, sons and brothers in Camp Lee, and mitigate something of that repulsiveness and dread with which that military post is viewed by conscripts who are sent t pursuant to military regulations ."Octavo (5 1/2 x 8 7/8 in.). 10 pages, complete. Removed from bound volume of House of Delegates documents. Very good overall; aging and offsetting, typical for Confederate imprints of this era. An outstanding primary resource.THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST! read more

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