November 7, 1862 (Friday): Heavy Weather

Winter Quarters (Library of Congress)

GENERAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS RIGHT WING,
ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, Numbers 47.
November 7, 1862.
I. The inclement season having set in, commanders will every method of protecting and quartering their men from the weather in their present exposed situation. To this end company and regimental commanders will take care that fires are kept burning during the entire day, and will at night see that the men can make their bivouac on the earth thus warmed during the day. The bivouacs made in this manner are warmer and drier than any that can at present be devised. The attention, forethought, and ingenuity of commanders can at all times be exercised to advantage in anticipating the wants and preparing for the hardships and necessities to which their men are unavoidably exposed.
II. It having been found impracticable at the present juncture to fully supply this army corps with shoes, the attention of commanders is dericted to the advantage employment of the raw hides of slaughtered cattle in the manufacture of a strong and warm covering for the foot. Experience has shown that an excellent subsistence for the shoe can be made out of this material. Hides are hereby authorized to be used for this object, and the energy and practical judgment and the experience of the commander will always be shown in making the most of small resources for the comfort and protection of his men.
    By command of Lieutenant-General Longstreet:


   G. M. SORREL,
   Assistant Adjutant-General.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 51, Part 2, Page 642.

Krick's "Civil War Weather in Virginia" records dropping temperatures in Northern Virginia with high winds during the first week of November.  On this day snow came, five inches in total.  The high temperature for the day was 38 degrees at noon, with a fall to 30 degrees by 9 p.m.  It was early in the season but a hard winter was developing.  This would also be the day the orders relieving McClellan of command reached the general, the snows making the final leg of the trip more arduous.