Sickness a Problem for the Confederate Ships on the James River-- Part 1

AUGUST 10, 1864:  One of the additional difficulties of naval operations in the lowlands surrounding the James River, was the high rate of sickness.

This date, Flag Officer Mitchell, commanding the Confederate James River Squadron, wired Major General George E. Pickett:  "Our crews are so much reduced in numbers from sickness that we shall have to discontinue our picket guard at at Osborne's on the James River to enable us to man our batteries, in order that we may act against the enemy.  About one-third of the men are sick."

Later in the month, a board of surgeons inspected the ships of the squadron with a view toward reducing the prevalence of malaria and other disabling diseases.

--Old B-R'er