I'm wondering if I'm understanding this correctly.
In late 1863 at the formation of the USCT, Marion Patterson was chosen as a commissioned officer and assigned to be a 1st Lieutnant in the 22nd USC Inf. Except for time when he wasn't present with his regiment on duty with Court Martial panels, he appears to have been commanding the Company he was with, or at least that's how I'm reading the service records attached. In Dec. 1864, he is promoted to Captain to serve another USCT Regiment, 19th USC Inf. "to fill an original vacancy" where he commands a company as Captain until the regiment's term expires in Jan 1867.
I've attached copies of his service records which refer to his receiving pay as a 1st Lt. for commanding two different companies in the 22nd USCI. Was there no Captain for these Companies which were being led by a 1st Lt? The service records are not perfectly clear, but it appears he receives the pay increase for commanding a company at all times when he is with the company and not on detached duty.
I've read that Congress controlled the number of commissioned officers of all ranks and the Army could not promote someone to higher rank if the Congressional quota for that rank was filled. Is that what was going on here? With the creation of all of the federal USCTroops in that time period, end of 1863, beg of 1864, was authorization for more officers delayed in Congress? Or am I misreading the records? Or is there another explanation? Is there any way I could find out if at the very outset a Captain had been assigned to these companies?
As always I will be appreciate any comments and guidance.
In late 1863 at the formation of the USCT, Marion Patterson was chosen as a commissioned officer and assigned to be a 1st Lieutnant in the 22nd USC Inf. Except for time when he wasn't present with his regiment on duty with Court Martial panels, he appears to have been commanding the Company he was with, or at least that's how I'm reading the service records attached. In Dec. 1864, he is promoted to Captain to serve another USCT Regiment, 19th USC Inf. "to fill an original vacancy" where he commands a company as Captain until the regiment's term expires in Jan 1867.
I've attached copies of his service records which refer to his receiving pay as a 1st Lt. for commanding two different companies in the 22nd USCI. Was there no Captain for these Companies which were being led by a 1st Lt? The service records are not perfectly clear, but it appears he receives the pay increase for commanding a company at all times when he is with the company and not on detached duty.
I've read that Congress controlled the number of commissioned officers of all ranks and the Army could not promote someone to higher rank if the Congressional quota for that rank was filled. Is that what was going on here? With the creation of all of the federal USCTroops in that time period, end of 1863, beg of 1864, was authorization for more officers delayed in Congress? Or am I misreading the records? Or is there another explanation? Is there any way I could find out if at the very outset a Captain had been assigned to these companies?
As always I will be appreciate any comments and guidance.