Forberg's Brigade

Forsberg's Brigade
45th, 50th, & 51st Virginia Infantry Regiments, 30th Virginia Battalion Sharpshooters
Officially "Wharton's Brigade" initially, this brigade was commanded by Col. Augustus Forsberg, formerly of the Swedish Army.



Strength

present and absent: Sept 1864 2131; Oct 2113; Nov 2696; Dec 2677
present: Sept 1864 578; Oct 792; Nov 1024; Dec 1043
Effective for field: Sept 1864 355; Oct 589; Nov 680; Dec 740

Arms: Enfield and Springfield Rifles.
Accoutrements: In September well over half of men in 45th wearing cartridge box on waistbelt. Other units less than half.
Condition of clothing: In September "bad" in 45th, "poor" in rest. November and December "bad".
Military appearance: November and December "good".
Personal cleanliness: In September "Nearly an entire absence thereof."
General sanitary condition: September "very good", November and December "fair".
Discipline: September and October "lax", November "good", December "tolerable".
Drill: September and October "indifferent", November "pretty well", December "well".
Police of camp or post: In September "very imperfect", October and November "imperfect".

Inspector's Comments
30 September:
Since this report was made the Brigade has been supplied with shoes. A great quantity of clothing is still required to comfortably clothe the troops. The men stand up to their duties heroically, despite their condition, and have marched, picketed and stood guard while barefooted and half clad in the most inclement weather, uncomplainingly. A great evil, the destruction of fencing, can be at once stopped by promptly supplying the troops with axes. Some have been issued but not enough.
The discipline is not all of such a character as is necessary for proper organization of troops. While there are no flagrant violations, there is nevertheless an inattention on the part of company officers that is reprehensible. Company officers have received no issues of stationary for a long while. They make out their necessary papers, etc. on paper furnished by themselves, which is an expense they are not called upon to incur. Attention is respectfully called to this evil.
The inspector respectfully suggests that an order be issued having three roll calls per diem and punishments announced for absence therefrom. Dress parades, when practicable, would materially increase the discipline and prevent straggling through the country.
28 October:
One Regiment of this Brigade has but three officers present and about 50 men. They have no records or data from which a report could be made to account for the large number of absentees. Very many are prisoners of war, while a number are on detached service, absent sick, etc., etc. No report can therefore be made of those absent from the 50th Va Regt. None of the absent officers are, in the opinion of their commanders, sufficiently sick or disabled for retirement. Very many of them are daily expected to rejoin their commands. Company officers are not sufficiently strict in the enforcement of discipline. There appears however a disposition on their part to do all in their power and great improvement is expected by the next monthly report.
There is a great want of jackets among the men. Many have none at all, while a great many have garments so ragged and threadbare that it is cruel to expect duty of them in such rigorous weather. Since this report has been made a very fair addition has been made to the thinned ranks of the 45th and 51st Regiments. These new recruits will be immediately armed and accoutered, and care will be taken that they will be drilled sufficiently.
Swords are needed for the proper equipment of officers. Swords and sword belts are not in the Ordnance Department of the Division and officers are not able to procure them elsewhere. It is respectfully suggested that the ordnance officer be ordered to procure a number of swords, belts and some material of strong texture for the insignia of non-commissioned officers. Non-commissioned officers without the insignia of rank declare their inability to procure the material for their badges. This material the ordnance officer can readily obtain.
28 November:
If ever troops were unfit for duty through the want of clothing, sufficient to hide their nakedness, the soldiers of this Brigade in many instances are. Many are without pants, very many without jackets, and a paper manufacturer would make a fortune by collecting the "suits".
Soap, a time honored institution of our Grandfathers, should again be introduced in the army. In the opinion of the inspectors, the troops would not censure the commissary for issues, provided, they were "like angels visits few and far between." However unfashionable the use of the article may be, the troops may by a little persuasion be induced to take kindly thereto.
"Tobacco and money" is the burden of many a doleful and plaintive ditty, and the saddest stories of insatiate longing for the article are thrust upon the wight who exhibits a "whole plug" or a Confed V. It is dangerous for any one to exhibit a profusion of either. The Quartermaster and Commissary have used every effort to supply the troops.
The condition of arms, accoutrements, etc. is highly gratifying. With very few exceptions the guns are in excellent order.
29 December:
A partial supply of clothing (blankets, shoes and pants) was issued to the troops a few days since. The figure on page [...?...]
There is a very great need of clothing among the troops. This should be immediately remedied, for the rigors of winter are fully upon us, and the shivering troops but illy clad are unfitted to bear the inclement weather. [...?...]
Source: Records of the Adjutant & Inspector General’s Department, NARA, microcopy M935