Any photos of Confederate Home Guard out there?

[Rusk County Avengers]

I recently bought a batch of unread North & South magazines, a whole year's worth from the early 2000's, and reading through issues that had certain articles I wanted to read there was one with a very interesting an enlightening article on the Confederate Home Guard.

I've always had an interest in them, which has often been frustrated by me not being able to find books on them. But after reading I'm curious, are there any bona fide phots of them? Surely there is and I just ain't came across one. Heck it'd be nice to see one with them armed and ready for lack of a better word, duty.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

I've always had an interest in them, which has often been frustrated by me not being able to find books on them. But after reading I'm curious, are there any bona fide phots of them? Surely there is and I just ain't came across one. Heck it'd be nice to see one with them armed and ready for lack of a better word, duty

I wouldn't be so sure. Photography was so new in the 1860s it was predominantly done in studio. The field photography tended to be done by a very small handful, mostly Union and particularly Brady and his men.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

I wouldn't be so sure. Photography was so new in the 1860s it was predominantly done in studio. The field photography tended to be done by a very small handful, mostly Union and particularly Brady and his men.

I don't know, we got plenty of photos of every other group of soldiers, sailors, militia, and citizens.

 

[Robert Gray]

There are existing photographs of southern militia companies before they were mustered into Confederate service, but I have never seen an image specifically of a home guard unit.

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

I recently bought a batch of unread North & South magazines, a whole year's worth from the early 2000's, and reading through issues that had certain articles I wanted to read there was one with a very interesting an enlightening article on the Confederate Home Guard.

I've always had an interest in them, which has often been frustrated by me not being able to find books on them. But after reading I'm curious, are there any bona fide phots of them? Surely there is and I just ain't came across one. Heck it'd be nice to see one with them armed and ready for lack of a better word, duty.

Not a group photo, but reportedly the leader of a home guard unit in East Tennessee. "Old Bill Parker" is mentioned a good deal in Daniel Ellis' writings. Ellis would have people believe he had horns growing out the top of his head.

Seeking Help With A Photo | Period Photos & Examinations

I located this photo here : http://www.tennessee-scv.org/gallery.htm The caption says, "William John Parker, Johnson County, (TN) Home Guards". In his narrative, east Tennessee Unionist scout/pilot, Daniel Ellis, tells of atrocities committed by, and his eventual killing of "Old Bill"...

civilwartalk.com

 

[Bentonville]

Missouri Home Guard

P.S. Alexander & S.W. Stone

 

[Lampasas Bill]

Missouri Home Guard

I understood that this was a photograph of two members of the Missouri State Guard, the militia force organized by
Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson in 1861 to oppose a Federal takeover of the state. The Home Guards were organized by the Unionist government of Missouri to help protect towns and counties against secessionist guerrillas.

 

[Bentonville]

So These men were partisans not home guard. But the Governor and Ewing, my least favorite person ever in the war, could must a home guard?

I see that as splitting hairs in Missouri in my opinion. Since in was a big shootout over various vendetta, money, ETC.

While I appreciate the info it makes little sense to me. Perhaps you can explain further.

And is there some sort of moral issue involved?

No disrespect intended mins you.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

So These men were partisans not home guard. But the Governor and Ewing, my least favorite person ever in the war, could must a home guard?

I see that as splitting hairs in Missouri in my opinion. Since in was a big shootout over various vendetta, money, ETC.

While I appreciate the info it makes little sense to me. Perhaps you can explain further.

And is there some sort of moral issue involved?

No disrespect intended mins you.

The Missouri State Guard was in effect a State Militia or rather meant as a full State Army in the field. Look up Wilson's Creek, Battle of Lexington, Carthage and so on. They were not partisans...

As for the Missouri Home Guard, that was a Federal formation, early on in civilian cloths with guns from home and white bands or other distinguishing insignia. Later they had blue uniforms and military weapons, though usually obsolete ones.

 

[Seduzal]

Thanks for sharing this awesome post and photos. Enjoyed reading it.

 

[Robert Gray]

These guys worked at Cahaba Prison in Alabama. They sort of have a "home guard" look to them.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

These guys worked at Cahaba Prison in Alabama. They sort of have a "home guard" look to them.

View attachment 446137

They sure do! I like that photo! And I've never seen it.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

What's the difference between home guard and militia units?

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

What's the difference between home guard and militia units?

A State Militia serves the State, back then could go as is or be mustered into regular service as Volunteers in some States, and even rarely in the CW be sent on campaign with the army. They were armed and equipped by the State though not uniformed most of the time and in theory, but rarely in practice, were supposed to be as drilled and disciplined as Regulars, but again in practice that was a "nope" for many, many reasons.

Home Guard were basically militia, but they were to be raised for the defense of a town or county and recognized as a legitimate force by State Governments. They had to provide their own arms and accoutrements, uniform if they decided to wear one, horses, etc. They were made up of nonmilitary age men, or just men who couldn't serve. They served in one area enforcing the law and were supposed to defend it, but they tended to disband when Federal troops came a knocking, though some would attempt to fight, sometimes give a good account of themselves, other times the same problem as with State Militias would rear its head. If there was a POW Camp in their town/county it was also common for them to be pressed into service as guards.

At a glance, no difference, but in depth a lot of differences.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

A State Militia serves the State, back then could go as is or be mustered into regular service as Volunteers in some States, and even rarely in the CW be sent on campaign with the army. They were armed and equipped by the State though not uniformed most of the time and in theory, but rarely in practice, were supposed to be as drilled and disciplined as Regulars, but again in practice that was a "nope" for many, many reasons.

Home Guard were basically militia, but they were to be raised for the defense of a town or county and recognized as a legitimate force by State Governments. They had to provide their own arms and accoutrements, uniform if they decided to wear one, horses, etc. They were made up of nonmilitary age men, or just men who couldn't serve. They served in one area enforcing the law and were supposed to defend it, but they tended to disband when Federal troops came a knocking, though some would attempt to fight, sometimes give a good account of themselves, other times the same problem as with State Militias would rear its head. If there was a POW Camp in their town/county it was also common for them to be pressed into service as guards.

At a glance, no difference, but in depth a lot of differences.

Thanks for the explanation. Seems to be a lot of overlap.

 

[Union_Buff]

I have always held a keen interest in the Confederate and Union Home Guard units during my years of studying and researching the Civil War and how they operated. And late last year, I discovered that myself and my girlfriend had ancestors who were enlisted in such units.

On my side, Josiah Preble - one of my Great-Great-Great-Great-Great Granduncles - served in the Cass County Home Guard, Missouri Cavalry, from its initial organization during June 1861 to its final mustering out on February 28 1862.

On my girlfriend's side, two of her Great-Granduncles, Alvin Benham and John Benham, also served with Union Home Guard units in Missouri - Alvin with Cass County and John with the Stone County Regiment, Missouri Home Guard for both unit's full terms of service.