The available Confederate force capable of active service in the field did not during the entire war exceed six hundred thousand (600,000) men. Of this number, not more than four hundred thousand (400,000) were enrolled at any one time; and the Confederate States never had in the field more than two hundred thousand (200,000) men capable of bearing arms at any one time, exclusive of sick, wounded and disabled. If the preceding calculation be correct, we have the following figures illustrating the losses of the Confederate armies during the war:
Confederate forces actively engaged, 1861-5, 600,000. Total deaths in Confederate States army, 200,000. Losses of Confederate States army in prisoners, 1861-5, which may be considered as total losses, on account of the policy of exchange by United States, 200,000. Losses of Confederate States army by discharges, disability and desertion, 100,000.
If this calculation, which is given only as an approximation, be correct, one-third of all the men actively engaged on the Confederate side were either killed outright upon the field, or died of disease and wounds; another third of the entire number were captured and held for an indefinite period in Northern prisons, and of the remaining two hundred thousand at least one-half were lost to the service by discharges and desertions.
At the close of the war the available force of the Confederate States numbered scarcely one hundred thousand effective men. The resolution, unsurpassed bravery and skill with which the Confederate leaders conducted this contest is shown by the fact that, out of 600,000 men in the field, about 500,000 were lost to the service.
At the close of the war the 100,000 Confederates were opposed to one million (1,000,000) Federal troops. Your approval or disapproval of this calculation is most respectfully solicited.
The distinguished ability with which you discharged the responsible and arduous duties of Adjutant-General of the Confederate army, qualifies you above every other officer of the late Confederate States to decide how far such calculations may approach to accuracy.
With great respect and the highest esteem,
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
Joseph Jones, M. D.,
Secretary and Treasurer Southern Historical Society, Professor of Chemistry,
Dr. Joseph Jones, Secretary and Treasurer "Southern Historical Society,"
New Orleans, Louisiana:
Dear Sir—I have had the honor to receive your kind and interesting letter of the 2d instant and beg you will accept my best thanks for same.
