Note number 18, regarding fatigue details, page 3

TitleNote number 18, regarding fatigue details, page 3
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CollectionsThomas Benton Brooks Papers

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Transcriptioncenter of the works, hence the distance of four miles had to be marched each tour of duty, adding greatly to the labor.  The siege has been conducted through the hottest part of the season July, August, and September yet the troops have suffered but little from excessive heat on account of the large proportion of night work, and the almost constant sea breeze which was always cool and refreshing.  The amount of sickness was great, too much work being the probable cause.  On the 7th of August the percentage was the smallest observed during the siege being 18.6 at this date the aggregate garrison of Morris Island was 9353 of which 1741 were sick on the 17th of August, the percentage of infantry sick (which averaged 2 percent greater than the whole garrison) was 24.3.  This date was the period of greatest sickness.  The percentage of sickness was least in the troops when it never exceeded [blank] percent and greater among the white infantry troops.  The colored infantry average about one half the amount of sickness of the whites.  It was found by experience that men under these circumstances could not work more than one fourth the time.  A greater amount at once increased the sick list.  Eight hours in thirty two, or eight hours on and twenty four off was

TopicsUnited States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Armed Forces
South Carolina--History

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