"The southern Mississippi Valley was the Cotton bowl of the south and there was a lot of money to be made in confiscated or otherwise obtained cotton from this region. Almost every union Commander in the area was interested in getting his share, except Maybe Grant. This is the reason that both Butler and Banks setting in New Orleans, both were interested in the Red River Valley and the cotton at Shrevesport. They even sold contriband runaway slaves back to unionist planatation owner for their cotton. There were "Treasury Agents" all up and down the Mississippi River buying Cotton and selling it overseas to pay for the Union war debts. And money was being made by the barrelful in the mark up in the prices paid and what it was sold for. It was a "Target Rich" enviroment."
TR,
Is that "southern mythology" or is there some where that I can read about this. i am aware that Sherman sent tens of thousands of cotton bales to the government for use in northern mills. As far as buying cotton, that was not hard, as David points out, that would be easy, the planters were eager to sell to the highest bidder whether it be the agent from the north or the buyer in Cuba or at Bermuda. The southern planters made out like bandits during that time. Sent the poor whites off to fight the battles and used their ground to raise only enought food for their personal needs and the needs of their slaves while they stiffed the families of the poor whites and the soldiers themselves in order to fill their personal treasure chests.
Have a great day, Frank