Civil War Soldiers Cleaning up before town
I think this is a toughie. The Eight Texas Rangers have just arrived at Camp Pratt on Spanish Lake in Louisiana from a week's journeying (days of tramping across Louisiana mud and creeks). They are covered in mud and soon will board a steamboat for further travel to New Orleans. There are approximately five companies of 117 men each who haven't washed since they left Houston a week ago.
Does anyone know if Camp Pratt had washing facilities in 1861? Enough for so many men, even if some of them didn't care about cleanliness. Some of these men are white-collar sorts and likely used to being clean (lawyers, clerks, etc.). Spanish Lake might do, only the only picture I have seen is contemporary and shows it covered with green scum, which likely wouldn't stop these guys except it is also full of alligators.
I have researched several books on the life of Southern soldiers, googled "military cleanliness, 1860," "how did soldier wash up in 1860s" and "Camp Pratt on Spanish Lake, Louisiana."
Any info on how so many men would wash up in this situatio, likely clothes included, would be appreciated.
Does anyone know if Camp Pratt had washing facilities in 1861? Enough for so many men, even if some of them didn't care about cleanliness. Some of these men are white-collar sorts and likely used to being clean (lawyers, clerks, etc.). Spanish Lake might do, only the only picture I have seen is contemporary and shows it covered with green scum, which likely wouldn't stop these guys except it is also full of alligators.
I have researched several books on the life of Southern soldiers, googled "military cleanliness, 1860," "how did soldier wash up in 1860s" and "Camp Pratt on Spanish Lake, Louisiana."
Any info on how so many men would wash up in this situatio, likely clothes included, would be appreciated.