Promotions

[30th_il]

I received this question from person and I really don't have an answer for him. Does anybody have any thoughts?

"James Lawrence Daugherty was one of the five Daugherty brothers from Clinton County to join the 30th, Company K. James died at Belmont. (I have forwarded you a copy of his military records.) They indicate that he was a 2nd Lieutenant.

Do you have any theories as to how he made Lieutenant while his brothers were all privates. they all enlisted at the same time and there are no records of him being promoted. What could have made him be recognized higher than his brothers?"

[ole]

Some thinking out loud:

At that time, companies elected their own officers. Maybe James was the eldest or the most gregarious? Maybe he was friends with the guy who was elected captain?

ole

[M E Wolf]

Dear 30th_Illinois;

I am also 'thinking outloud via text'--that education had an influence on promoting someone into an officer's position.

Being Second Lieutenant, required reading and writing, math was also helpful. Leading a company was also important, to which often fell on a Second Lieutenant in the Union military, as much as it did on the Confederate military.

A person's manners also was something people would be attracted to. Seeing if there were leadership skills, conduct in battle as well as off, how the person treated others and followed orders. In addition, how well others liked the chap.

Might be he made himself useful and may have done little things to treat his commanding officer. Like making coffee and have it ready for the commander, had a fire going, volunteering for duty requiring an officer of his rank. And, just being lucky to be picked, as ole mentioned.

There must also be considered the promotion was a brevet promotion. Paid and keeping the same rank, a brevet promotion often was an honorary position until it was approved by the Government. In other words--on field promotion.

Just some thoughts.

Sincerely,
M. E. Wolf

[gary]

If he enlisted as a lieutenant, then he probably raised quite a number of men who enlisted with him. Sometimes it was also done by general election. Other times, it was politically appointed. He could also have climbed up the promotional ladder by demonstrating knowledge of drill, tactics, military protocol and even good handwriting. Bravery on the battlefield counts too (and being alive at the time of recognition).