Militia in Gettysburg Campaign

[matthew mckeon]

I re checked "Devil's Own Work," the Gettysburg campaign is a sideshow, briefly described. The state authorities send most of the militia regiments from New York City, over the protests of the city, to join the Army of the Potomac. In the letters quoted, the militiamen are eager enough to engage the now retreating Lee, and are attached to a AoP brigade. After a bit of marching and waiting around, the AoP fails to engage Lee effectively.

IMO, the trouble with large militia units engaging ANV is (1) lack of experienced troops (2) lack of command and control, since the larger militia formations are cobbled together for the crisis, without the division or brigade commanders having much time to work together, or practice in manuevering large formations effectively.

[matthew mckeon]

Antebellum New York City had a rough history of class and ethnic violence and well as plenty of "regular" criminal activity. Attempts to modernize the police met with objections from city politicians who wanted patronage jobs, and faction fighting among various groups, with the police taking sides.

The state militia became the last resort in restoring order and suppressing riots, although they were often formed from specific class or ethnic groups.

City officials were keenly aware that militiamen going to confront Lee's invasion, coupled with the new draft law, was a set up for a riot. The State of New York promised that the militia would be back inside New York City within thirty days. Too long as it turned out.

[whitworth]

"New York Militia sent to Maryland and Pennsylvania between June 15 and July 3, 1863 ....13971"

"Pennsylvania volunteers and militia called into service during the Gettysburg campaign..."
"Total emergency militia 7461
Total ninety-day militia 23 807
Total six-month volunteers 5459
Total 36727

Source: Gettysburg OR's