Trivia 10-25-16 Age Minumum??

[Trivia Master]

What was the minimum age of Volunteers for the 37th Iowa "Greybeard" Regt?

credit: @Rio Bravo

 

[MRB1863]

Over forty-five years of age in good physical condition and able to perform the duty of soldiers.

 

[Wallyfish]

The regiment age requirement was composed of men who were over forty-five years old.

http://www.historynet.com/george-w-kincaid-and-the-37th-iowa-infantry-in-americas-civil-war.htm

 

[ErnieMac]

Minimum age was 45.

 

[57th Indiana Infantry]

Proposal for the regiment composed of men aged 45 years and up, however the age minimum was ignored, and allowed officers to recruit any man willing to join. When the 37th was mustered into service, 86 underage soldiers took the oath, one of them only 15 years old. Citing the official age limits authorized for the unit, the mustering officer took exception, but in the end the youngsters were kept.

 

[Stony]

From the date of its organization, it came to be generally known and designated as the "Graybeard Regiment." Special authority was obtained from the Secretary of War to organize one regiment, composed of men who were over forty-five years of age, but who were in good physical condition, and therefore able to perform the duty of soldiers.
source-http://iagenweb.org/benton/civil_war/37th/37th-history.htm
source-http://wesclark.com/jw/iowa_graybeards.htm
source-https://www.facebook.com/Henry-Coun...36/photos/?tab=album&album_id=212967035385988
source-https://bqc.wikispaces.com/Greybeards

 

[truthckr]

45

The Thirty-seventh Regiment of Iowa Volunteer Infantry occupies a distinct and unique position in the history of the great War of the Rebellion. It was composed exclusively of men who were exempt from the obligations of military duty. From the date of its organization, it came to be generally known and designated as the "Graybeard Regiment." Special authority was obtained from the Secretary of War to organize one regiment, composed of men who were over forty-five years of age, but who were in good physical condition, and therefore able to perform the duty of soldiers

 

[Copperhead-mi]

One had to be at least 45 years of age according to some sources while other claim over 45 years old.

 

[Northern Light]

Special authority was obtained from the Secretary of War to organize one regiment, composed of men who were over forty-five years of age, but who were in good physical condition, and therefore able to perform the duty of soldiers.
http://iagenweb.org/benton/civil_war/37th/37th-history.htm

 

[1stMN]

45 years and older!

 

[adisciu9]

45

 

[kholland]

45 years of age

 

[CadmusWilcox]

45.
Thanks for the question, as I had forgotten about this.

 

[MajGenl.Meade]

The brainchild of a flamboyant, 50-year-old Iowa farmer named George W. Kincaid, the 37th Iowa Infantry seemed to be an answer to Iowa's military leaders' most pressing concerns. Early in 1862, Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood and Adjutant General Nathaniel B. Baker fretted as Iowa's once overwhelming recruitment numbers began to dwindle. Far to the east, the Civil War was entering its second year and showing every sign of becoming a long, costly fight. Kirkwood and Baker wanted the young men of Iowa to do their share and more to bring about victory for the Union. Even though the state was meeting its federal quota of volunteers, both men wanted higher enlistment figures. They favored conscription, but knowing that drafts–always unpopular–could have negative political consequences, they hoped for a better solution. Kincaid's proposal for a regiment composed of men aged 45 years and up seemed to have promise, and Union Secretary of War Edwin Stanton applauded the notion.

But sadly....

One of Kincaid's first acts as an officer was to defy his commanders. As he began organizing his regiment, he ignored the age minimum, and allowed his officers to recruit any man willing to join. When the 37th was mustered into service in December, 86 underage soldiers took the oath, one of them only 15 years old. Citing the official age limits authorized for the unit, the mustering officer took exception, but in the end Kincaid kept the youngsters.

http://www.historynet.com/george-w-kincaid-and-the-37th-iowa-infantry-in-americas-civil-war.htm

 

[Brenal]

Officially the minimum age was 45, but in practice it didn't quite work out that way.

http://www.historynet.com/george-w-kincaid-and-the-37th-iowa-infantry-in-americas-civil-war.htm

 

[GELongstreet]

45 years.

 

[FarawayFriend]

"Special authority was obtained from the Secretary of War to organize one regiment, composed of men who were over forty-five years of age, but who were in good physical condition, and therefore able to perform the duty of soldiers"
http://iagenweb.org/benton/civil_war/37th/37th-history.htm

Col. George W. Kincaid

http://www.iowanationalguard.com/Militiaman/2016 March.pdf

Hmm, seems to involve a bit of interpretation. Does "over 45" mean 45 and older - or starting at 46 years?
I have asked some people here how they see it and all said "over 45" means at least 45 years old, so my final answer is the minimum age was 45.

 

[roberts]

The Graybeards were originally intended to recruit volunteers age 45 and up. However, when George Kincaid was appointed the regiment's colonel he ignored this restriction and enrolled 86 underage soldiers including one who was only 15.

 

[Aussie Billy Sherman]

45

 

[JOHN42768]

composed of men who were over forty-five years of age.
Source: http://iagenweb.org/benton/civil_war/37th/37th-history.htm