Foraging was common in the Civil War. It is defined as “living off the land” by confiscating civilian food and supplies to supplement the army’s logistics. It differs from looting which can be defined as the stealing of non-military items. Foraging is sanctioned by military traditions, but looting is not. However, in a war like the Civil War, the distinction between the two can get blurred. At first, foraging was discouraged by moral constraints and military orders to refrain, but as time went on most officers looked the other way and many were “on the take”. It started with helping yourself to fruit, then to livestock like chickens. Soon, soldiers raided cellars and smokehouses for food. Officers and the rank and file began to justify increased foraging by arguing it would weaken the enemy’s war effort. Once you believe that, it is a small jump to looting. The idea was to make the war painful to the civilian population which supported the war effort. Thievery, vandalism, arson, and destruction of crops became increasingly common, especially by Union armies. Invasion of secessionist areas brought constant reminders of why the men were suffering the hardships of soldiering. Plantations became symbols of these hardships. Looting was aided by slaves ratting out master’s hiding places for valuables. And the slave tales inflamed the Yankees. Two Union generals became exemplars of “enhanced” foraging. Sheridan carried out an offensive scorched earth policy in the Shenandoah Valley. After ordering the burning of crops, he famously said: “If a crow wants to fly down the Shenandoah, he must carry his provisions with him.” Gen. Sherman took the policy one step further. Sherman’s March became the template for making the South howl. Chimneys standing amidst the smoking rubble of plantation homes were called “Sherman’s sentinels”. When you let loose the dogs of war, you get the atrocities that besmirched Sherman’s army. (These atrocities would pale in comparison to foraging done in future wars, of course.) Deserters trailed the army and were nothing short of bandits. More famously, the “bummers” were soldiers that would temporarily leave the ranks to loot plantations. The sketch is of a type of foraging that seldom is mentioned. Horses have to eat, too.
Foraging for Hay – Library of Congress
https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/applied-and-social-sciences-magazines/foraging-and-looting
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