According to Captain
Hartwell Osborn, the Federal Eleventh and Twelfth Corps traveled 994 miles by
rail when sent from Washington to Bridgeport, Alabama, in 1863. With the 17,
500 men went 45 guns and 717 wagons and ambulances.
Aside from horses
required by officers, said Osborne, 3,402 animals were taken south to pull
vehicles of the fighting units.
One of Osborne’s
comrades, who made the nine-day trip by rail with him, arrived at a different
count. According to him the Eleventh Corps had in its quartermaster’s train 261
six-mule wagons, 75 two-horse ambulances, and 3 two-horse spring wagons. The
Twelfth Corps carried 165 four-horse teams, 1,156 six-mule teams, and 75
two-horse ambulances. To These nearly 3,400 animals were added those of ten
batteries, some 1,100 in number, and the horses of the field and staff
officers.
