Memoir 3, Page 2, Corduroy Road

"I and the other prisoners were made Corduroy the road"

A corduroy road is made of logs laid perpendicular to the course of the road. Such roads are typically an emergency measure for impassable or difficult roads. This practice has a long history and was used extensively by both sides during the American Civil War. The term comes from the appearance of the road, as it resembles the pattern of corduroy fabric. For an example of what a Civil War corduroy road looked like, click here.