CSA gov't and recruiting efforts

[Glorybound]

July 12, 2012, 12:30 pm

Rebel Whimper

By KENNETH W. NOE

Library of Congress - A cartoon satirizing Confederate Army efforts to recruit reluctant Southerners.


"Generally a bit older and notably less ideological than their predecessors, these soldiers largely rallied to the colors for reasons that had much to do with their growing fears that invading Yankee "vandals" would deprive them of land, property, slaves and ultimately their families' economic survival. About 1 in 10 men also cited the bounty and a broader need for making a living in hard and inflationary times. For many of them, like Lee, soldiering was a job, and one of the few available."


http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/12/rebel-whimper/#more-131297

 

[ExNavyPilot]

North or South, there were always some (and sometimes many) who didn't necessarily want to fight and who whined, dragged their heels, and made a fuss when forced to become a Johnny Reb or Billy Yank.

 

[BillO]

North or South, there were always some (and sometimes many) who didn't necessarily want to fight and who whined, dragged their heels, and made a fuss when forced to become a Johnny Reb or Billy Yank.

lCan't say that I'd blame them either.

 

[jessgettysburg1863]

July 12, 2012, 12:30 pm

Rebel Whimper

By KENNETH W. NOE

Library of Congress - A cartoon satirizing Confederate Army efforts to recruit reluctant Southerners.


"Generally a bit older and notably less ideological than their predecessors, these soldiers largely rallied to the colors for reasons that had much to do with their growing fears that invading Yankee "vandals" would deprive them of land, property, slaves and ultimately their families' economic survival. About 1 in 10 men also cited the bounty and a broader need for making a living in hard and inflationary times. For many of them, like Lee, soldiering was a job, and one of the few available."


http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/12/rebel-whimper/#more-131297

Terrific artical once again Lee.

 

[ExNavyPilot]

lCan't say that I'd blame them either.

Me neither. Some people just don't belong in the military. It takes a certain outlook and attitude to do well in it, or even to just tolerate and survive it.

Consider the all-volunteer force of today; some politicians or sociologists have recommended the US restart the draft to get a better mix of inductees, spread the "sacrifice" and to get more buy-in across the cultural spectrum from those back at home. However, I haven't heard anyone who's now active duty (or were in the service over the last 30 years or so) agree with that idea. No one wants to serve with people who don't want to be there. Volunteers are more committed and motivated.

 

[BillO]

Me neither. Some people just don't belong in the military. It takes a certain outlook and attitude to do well in it, or even to just tolerate and survive it.

Consider the all-volunteer force of today; some politicians or sociologists have recommended the US restart the draft to get a better mix of inductees, spread the "sacrifice" and to get more buy-in across the cultural spectrum from those back at home. However, I haven't heard anyone who's now active duty (or were in the service over the last 30 years or so) agree with that idea. No one wants to serve with people who don't want to be there. Volunteers are more committed and motivated.

I agree entirely. I didn't serve but did go through the 19 year old lottery back in 1971 during the last of Viet Nam era. I don't think the people who want to go back care much about it's effect on the military they are just playing some silly social engineering game.

 

[matthew mckeon]

Fighting the Civil War wasn't "just a job" for Lee.