Note 10 — THE NUMERICAL STRENGTH OF THE CONFEDERATE ARMY
Reading edition
A consideration of the portentous difference between the number of men borne on the regimental rolls and the number actually available on the battlefield, suggests that it may be in large degree accounted for by the number of men detailed for service in the industrial army.
Thus in the army of Northern Virginia just before Fredericksburg, Nov. 20, 1862:
Aggregate present and absent 153,773
Aggregate present for duty 86,569
Soon after Gettysburg:
1863:Present and absent 109,915
Present for duty 50,184
Before Wilderness campaign:
1864:Present and absent 98,246
Present for duty 62,925
On reaching Petersburg, July 10, 1864:
Present and absent 135,805
Present for duty 68,844
As to exemptions it was customary to exempt farmers who engaged to raise a certain amount of corn.
Again the practice was extensively pursued of granting furloughs for recruiting service. Such men continued to be borne on the rolls of their commands in the field.