Lincoln Enlistments

[MikeyB]

Is there any record of Lincoln ever considering forceful extension of enlistments? Or was this just so out there that it never was raised by Lincoln or anyone in the cabinet? I'm thinking particularly in 1863 after all those troops were heading home right as Lee moved North with relative troop parity.

 

[Drew]

I don't know about enlistment extension, but they used the military draft. Pulling in new cannon fodder to replace the old had the same effect.

 

[major bill]

Is there any record of Lincoln ever considering forceful extension of enlistments?

Did the law allow this?

 

[Bruce Vail]

I've been reading the diary of Gideon Welles and see no mention of any cabinet discussion of the possibility. Manpower shortages in the Navy were severe at one point during the war, but Welles makes no mention of compulsory reenlistments as a solution.