Section 7( Chapter 16 The War between the Salts, Chapter 17 Red Salt) Summary and Analysis

Chapter 16 begins just before the American Civil War. Aside form their other deficiencies, the south lacked adequate salt supplies for a prolonged war against the north. At this time, America was also consuming huge amounts of salt, much more per capita than Europe. Most of the salt used in the South was imported. Salt is needed not only for medicines and disinfectants but also to preserve meat and for the rations of both soldiers and horses. After the start of the war between the north and south, the north would blockade southern salt imports. With the outbreak of hostilities, Virginia split into West Virginia and Virginia with West Virginia siding with the Union. Immediately after this, southern troops marched in a captured the...