Stumper question . . .

coaling · #1 08-09-2002, 12:48 AM

I'm posting this question around on a few forums, because I'm determined to find out the answer . . .

In the military, regiments are composed of companies, labeled alphabetically from A . . . but J is always omitted . . . why?

This interesting fact has existed before, during, and since the Civil War.

I've heard ALL the guesses in the world . . . one of them may even be right, for all I know . . . but no one has yet to answer claiming definite authority . . . so spare me guesses: who knows for sure?

redeye · #2 08-09-2002, 04:53 AM

Hi, Coaling. From "The American Indian Wars 1860-1890", Osprey Military 63 (text by Philip Katcher), this is what I've learned about the cavalry:

"Troops were designated by letters, although the letter 'J' was omitted. A 'J' troop, if there were one at all, was a 'John' or recruit troop."

I guess it was the same for the other branches.

blue_zouave · #3 08-09-2002, 10:20 AM

Coaling, I asked my friend who is a retired military historian from the War College. He said that in the old army, it was to eliminate confusion. The old style handwritten "J" looked too much like the "I" so there was no designated company "J." He added that in his research for the books he has written, he's had a lot of trouble distinguishing the old handwritten letters himself, the I's looking like L's or J's. No handy word processors, or even typewriters, in those old days!

Zou

#4 08-09-2002, 11:35 AM

Zou, that is what my research has indicated also. I have a complete roster of the 17th Mississippi Infantry and when I asked "where's the 'J'" the archivist laughed and said, "When you read the records, you will find plenty of "J's" and they were absolutely correct. Over half of my Company I looked like Company J.

my best BlueZou -- I am so mortified that I did not remember that Rosie was generalizing the Yankees at Chickamauga, and I had to have a dern ole yankee tell me. I am hanging my head in deep shame and consternation, too, btw.

your admirer for bringing me to the light
o.r.

redeye · #5 08-10-2002, 06:15 AM

That's another sound explanation. I didn't know that, thanks. I had wondered about this problem myself when researching and having to name a troop in a fort appearing in a story.