Memphis Daily Appeal
Tennessee
May 8, 1861
Tennessee
May 8, 1861
1. One well fed, well equipped, well appointed brigade is worth two that are ill provided.
2. In active service, three men die of undue exposure, bad food, and their own imprudences, where one is killed by shot or stab.
3. An easy, rational, nicely fitting uniform, with warm, substantial blanket, broad soled boots or shoes and good woolen socks, will more conduce to efficiency in service than superiority in weapons.
4. The lightest possible head covering, with a good look out for ventilation, will add a tenth to the distance a regiment can march in a day, while insuring increased comfort.
5. A small cotton handkerchief, or half a yard of the commonest sheeting, moistened with water in the morning and again at noon, and worn between the hat and the head, will protect the soldier from sun-stroke, and greatly diminish the discomfort and fatigue of a hot day’s march.
6. A flat bottle, covered with woolen cloth, the cloth being moistened and the bottle filled with water, in the morning, will keep reasonably cool throughout a long, hot day.
7. Of all villainous concoctions, the liquors sold by camp-followers are the most detestable and dangerous. They are more deadly than rifled cannon, and are sure to be taken just when they should not be. Every soldier who means to do his duty to his country should insist that all venders of these poisons be drummed out of camp.
8. A good cook to each company, who knows how to make salt meat juicy and tender, and to make it ready whenever and wherever it may be wanted, is equal to two doctors and four extra combatants.
9. Officers who love and care for their men while in repose, never have to complain of their conduct when in action.
10. A soldier whose heart is in the cause he fights for, is worth two who fight for their pay.