Tennessee737
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2020
- Messages
- 11
So I'm doing a bit of winter research on some bivouac and camp areas around Middle TN. I have read a lot of the OR reports and have a few properties in mind I would like to ask permission. I have read "Finding Civil War Camps in Rural Areas" but I still find myself unsure of a few things. How far off the roads would the soldiers usually camp? I know when Hood was passed by in Spring Hill the soldiers reported being able to see the Confederate camp fires and a few Union soldiers even wandered over into the Confederate camps...so I'm thinking maybe 2-300 yards? I'm sure a lot of it was location/geography dependent.
The book I read also mentions camps on the south/southwest side of the hills in winter. I can see this as beneficial for warmth but wouldn't the other sides of the hill be just as beneficial for other reasons such as staying hidden. Would it matter in the summer? Would wooded vs. pasture play a role in the location decision? Should they camp closer to the water or the road? I can see the advantages of each. Looks like sleeping right next to the road would leave you pretty vulnerable to attack if anyone snuck by your pickets.
Anyway, sorry for the ramblings but any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I'm really new to all this and trying to find a bit of direction.
Cheers!
The book I read also mentions camps on the south/southwest side of the hills in winter. I can see this as beneficial for warmth but wouldn't the other sides of the hill be just as beneficial for other reasons such as staying hidden. Would it matter in the summer? Would wooded vs. pasture play a role in the location decision? Should they camp closer to the water or the road? I can see the advantages of each. Looks like sleeping right next to the road would leave you pretty vulnerable to attack if anyone snuck by your pickets.
Anyway, sorry for the ramblings but any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I'm really new to all this and trying to find a bit of direction.
Cheers!