Extra Credit Questions

[L Verge]

I asked this question at the beginning of this month and never got a response:

This is not a question, but actually a homework assignment: In reading about Beast Butler's contempt for Rose Greenhow, I saw the statement that Butler was the only Civil War general never to lead men into battle. Is that true?

[Wild Bill]

Yeah, he stayed off the field as far as I can determine. But I assume that many other generals did not lead men into battle, e.g., James Oaks, who served on all sorts of boards and courts martial but never led men into combat.

[L Verge]

Yeah, he stayed off the field as far as I can determine. But I assume that many other generals did not lead men into battle, e.g., James Oaks, who served on all sorts of boards and courts martial but never led men into combat.

Thanks, Bill. Extending the question further, did Lee ever lead men into battle? You know that I am totally stupid when it comes to military history...

[Wild Bill]

Yes, or at least he tried to. There are several "Lee to the rear" incidents, open of which occurred in the Wilderness in 1864, involving the Texas Brigade. The men would Not let him lead but promised to drive the Yankees back, and they always did.

[L Verge]

Here's a general Civil War trivia question: In June of 1863, Southern forces took over the town of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and demanded quite a list of things. One thing near the top of the list was a food item. What was that food, and why was it in such demand from those Confederates?

[RJNorton]

I have no idea, but I love bacon, so I'll guess bacon.

[Eva Elisabeth]

I like grits, so I go for that.

[Wild Bill]

coffee

[Eva Elisabeth]

coffee

(My actual #1...)

[Gene C]

Hershey's Chocolate

Although I think Wild Bill and Eva are right

[L Verge]

Sorry, folks, nope, nope, nope, and nope.

Hint #1 - The demand was for 25 barrels of this food item.

[RJNorton]

Molasses?

[Eva Elisabeth]

Reminds me of the workers who built the Egyptian pyramids - they were paid in beer because that was also a rich diet. Beer?

[LincolnMan]

How about oats?

[L Verge]

Roger, Eva, and Bill: Great guesses and very logical thinking, but incorrect.

Eva is getting warm in answering why this food item was demanded by suggesting "rich diet." This particular food item is not necessarily rich, but it does have definite health benefits -- one that the Confederates were definitely in need of. That's your second hint.