Recruitment in the Civil War

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at the overall recruitment methods during the Civil War and explores whether or not the draft was needed in Connecticut and whether the draftees were given the same benefits as volunteers. It looks at the bounties, pay rates, and pensions given to soldiers. It also discusses the monetary benefits Connecticut offered to men if they volunteered for service in the Union Army and how they compared with the federal government's benefits. It focuses on the effectiveness of these recruiting methods and how they compared to the recruitment methods of other states. It explores the manner in which the families of slain or injured soldiers were provided for. It also looks at Connecticut's efforts to recruit African-Americans.

Outline
Introduction
History of Civil War Recruitment
Recruitment in Connecticut
The Draft
Bounties, Pay Rates and Pensions
Pay Rates
Pensions
Monetary Benefits for Volunteers by Connecticut and Federal Government
Families of Slain or Injured Officers
Recruitment of Black Soldiers
Overall Effectiveness of Recruiting Methods
Causes for War
The Aftermath of the War
Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Volunteers in Connecticut were paid for their services. It is reported that the Westport Board of Selectmen was authorized to take $2,000 from the town's budget to pay volunteers to enlist in the Army. 10 Additionally individuals could avoid having to enlist in the military by paying other individuals $300 to take their place. This particular practice was known as substitution and was a common practice in Connecticut and other Northern states. By July of 1864 the city of Westport budgeted another $20,000 to pay substitutes for their enlistment.10 Eventually this payment system led to an informal class structure, in which poor Irish families served in the army so that their financial needs would be met."

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