Chat
|
Daily Search
|
My GenForum
|
Community Standards
|
Terms of Service
|
|
|
1) Before the war, almost every white man of military age belonged to the militia. Unless a man joined a volunteer company, militia duty was mandatory for all those not exempt within the prescribed age range for the state. Citizens were required to make an appearance when called, assembly points depending on their county and beat (or precinct) of residence. Civil officers, physicians, ministers &c were exempt, and exemptions could be purchased.
2) Influential men in the community (attorneys, merchants, civil officers) often were elected company officers. The truly rich had better things to do than enlist in the military and generally remained at home during the war. I'd be surprised to find a millionaire sergeant in the army in 2009 or 1861.
3) Men having actual experience in the regular U.S. army or as a volunteer in the Mexican War were relatively few in number. A typical regiment probably included no more than a half-dozen or so per thousand, nearly all of these being commissioned officers. To the best of my knowledge, standard bounty acts gave no preference to prior military service.
4) Company members elected company officers, so that part is correct. Company officers appointed non-commissioned officers such as sergeants and corporals. If a sergeant and corporal did not (or could not) perform their duties, they were reduced to the ranks and some other company member appointed in their place.
A portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the wall? Not in my house.
Notify Administrator about this message?
Followups:
|
| http://genforum.genealogy.com/civilwar/messages/26115.html | ||
 |
Link to GenForum Add Forum |
|