Fighting "on his own hook"

[rosefiend]

I've been that expression used a few times -- it seems to mean that this fellow went out and fought independently, unattached to a regiment.

(Here's an account in which an old resident of Gettysburg "fought on his own hook" during the conflict: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18631224.2.19# )

But then I have this one newspaper account about a soldier who was attached to a Kentucky regiment. While he was in the army, he was "often ordered to do extra service" (I would like a definition of that) and at night would "steal out of camp at nights" to fight on his own hook. Which made me wonder, what exactly do they mean by that? because hostilities ended when the sun went down. If you're already in a regiment, why would you sneak out of camp to go fight somewhere else? Especially if the army was encamped because there was nothing going on around you!

Unless somebody is being sly and there's some kind of Civil War double entendre going on here.

 

[James B White]

To pick fights, like brawls with civilians or other soldiers in town or other camps?

 

[rhettbutler1865]

On this day at Shiloh, fighting continued well after dark...Just thought I'd mention that.

 

[John Hartwell]

Could describe an "independant" Buskwhacker.

 

[E_just_E]

I think that the meaning of that phrase changed a bit in the Civil War. Earlier, especially during the western expansion, it meant fighting on his own, detached, with own provisions, ammunition etc etc.

I think by the Civil War it meant fighting without any organization or without being a solid unit or a solid army. Here is this gem describing Union forces during Pickett's Charge. And here is another account of another day in Gettysburg using that expression the same way.

 

[peteanddelmar]

I think that the meaning of that phrase changed a bit in the Civil War. Earlier, especially during the western expansion, it meant fighting on his own, detached, with own provisions, ammunition etc etc.

I think by the Civil War it meant fighting without any organization or without being a solid unit or a solid army. Here is this gem describing Union forces during Pickett's Charge. And here is another account of another day in Gettysburg using that expression the same way.

So it meant freelancing during battle?

 

[E_just_E]

So it meant freelancing during battle?

Kinda. More like "every man on his own".

 

[johan_steele]

It could mean several things to include falling in w/ another unit after being seperated from your own. An incident I recall (I'm a bit fuzzy on the details) references an occurance where an Infantry Private was seperated from his unit in the smoke and chaos of an attack; instead of going back to the rear he fell in w/ an arty unit and assisted in handling the gun. A while later a bursting shell killed or wounded everyone else manning the gun; he continued on working the gun alone. A while later he saw an Infantry Regt advancing and fell in with them for the attack.

In short he would have been "on his own hook" with the Arty battery and later w/ the advancing Regt that was not his.

There are many examples of units or elemenst of units falling in with others after a rout or skirmishers having been seperated from their Regt falling in with another unit. In the heat of battle they would have been welcomed.

 

[ErnieMac]

While he was in the army, he was "often ordered to do extra service" (I would like a definition of that) and at night would "steal out of camp at nights" to fight on his own hook.

@rosefiend - I was wondering if these two phrases were used in the same sentence or thought or referring to separate instances of his service.

 

[leftyhunter]

I've been that expression used a few times -- it seems to mean that this fellow went out and fought independently, unattached to a regiment.

(Here's an account in which an old resident of Gettysburg "fought on his own hook" during the conflict: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18631224.2.19# )

But then I have this one newspaper account about a soldier who was attached to a Kentucky regiment. While he was in the army, he was "often ordered to do extra service" (I would like a definition of that) and at night would "steal out of camp at nights" to fight on his own hook. Which made me wonder, what exactly do they mean by that? because hostilities ended when the sun went down. If you're already in a regiment, why would you sneak out of camp to go fight somewhere else? Especially if the army was encamped because there was nothing going on around you!

Unless somebody is being sly and there's some kind of Civil War double entendre going on here.

In a"Savage Conflict" by Professor Sutherland that term meant Confederate soldiers deserting their conventional regiments and fighting has guerrillas against Union forces on their home turf. A very risky business for if caught fighting without a uniform Union forces could by regulation execute them on the spot.
Leftyhunter

 

[Patrick H]

Good question and I'm finding the various responses to be equally interesting. I suspect there were several possible interpretations of this expression and I think we're seeing many of the options.

 

[James B White]

One thing to keep in mind is that it wasn't a military phrase, so it didn't have a unique military meaning. Bartlett's defines it in 1859:

On One's Own Hook. A phrase much used in familiar language, denoting on one's own account; as, " He is doing business on hisown hook," i. e. for himself.

I now resolved to do business entirely alone — to go on my own hook. If I get rich, the money will all be mine. —Perils of Pearl Street, p. 195.

Every man on his own hook is the system in action of the American volunteer soldier; and trusting to, and confident in, their undeniable bravery, they go ahead and overcome all obstacles. — Ruxton's Adventures in Mexico, p. 179.

We have every reason to believe that the time is fast approaching when we shall have our American Pope, our American Catholic Cardinals, and American Catholic every thing on our own hook. —N. Y. Herald, October, 1845.

I went to the opera in London, where I kept lookin' round; and when anybody laughed, I laughed too, and when they 'plauded, I 'plauded too; and sometimes, jest to make 'em think I was a reglar Frenchy, I'd laugh right out on my own hook.—N.Y. Family Companion.

 

[rosefiend]

These are fascinating responses. @John Hartwell and @leftyhunter seem to have some ideas that could fit in with what he was up to. Remember, this was an encamped army that our soldier was leaving at night (possibly crossing the picket lines, now that I think about it) to "fight on his own hook."

@rosefiend - I was wondering if these two phrases were used in the same sentence or thought or referring to separate instances of his service.

I think they are two different things. Extra service during the day, fighting on his own hook at night.

I don't know what extra service he'd be ordered to do -- work around camp? Detailed as orderly? Possum hunting? The possibilities are endless.

 

[ErnieMac]

These are fascinating responses. @John Hartwell and @leftyhunter seem to have some ideas that could fit in with what he was up to. Remember, this was an encamped army that our soldier was leaving at night (possibly crossing the picket lines, now that I think about it) to "fight on his own hook."



I think they are two different things. Extra service during the day, fighting on his own hook at night.

I don't know what extra service he'd be ordered to do -- work around camp? Detailed as orderly? Possum hunting? The possibilities are endless.

My thoughts were that either or both activities might have involved foraging. Corporal, Sergeant or Captain suggests a little chicken might go good with the hardtack and coffee, but nothing on the record.

 

[rosefiend]

My thoughts were that either or both activities might have involved foraging. Corporal, Sargeant of Captain suggests a little chicken might go good with the hardtack and coffee, but nothing on the record.

Now THAT makes all kinds of sense! Thank you!

 

[leftyhunter]

These are fascinating responses. @John Hartwell and @leftyhunter seem to have some ideas that could fit in with what he was up to. Remember, this was an encamped army that our soldier was leaving at night (possibly crossing the picket lines, now that I think about it) to "fight on his own hook."



I think they are two different things. Extra service during the day, fighting on his own hook at night.

I don't know what extra service he'd be ordered to do -- work around camp? Detailed as orderly? Possum hunting? The possibilities are endless.

Hi Rosefind,
Here is the problem with a soldier in a conventional unit fighting at night. Fighting at night means killing pickets the problem with killing pickets is when its your turn to do so it ain't going to be fun city. Also your fellow soldiers will be lets say not very polite because now it is revenge time. Eilsha Hunt made it clear in his memoirs that killing pickets was murder. Pickets most of the time did not even shoot at each other.
In WW2 my friends Moms boyfriend recounted that sometimes marines would go out and slash some throats but the Japanese would do the same so all fair in love and war. The CW though was less vicious then some of the modern wars at least some times plenty of exceptions to the rule. More or less conventional units followed a unwritten code of honor vs guerrilla/bandits/insurgents and militia units or COIN units.
I would go with the definition if your fighting on your own hook you are with a guerrilla or has they called them back then "Partisan Ranger" outfit meaning their is very little contact with CSA headquarters and no need to take prisoners.
Leftyhunter

 

[AndyHall]

Unless somebody is being sly and there's some kind of Civil War double entendre going on here

I would've initially thought it meant he was sneaking away to get into trouble on his own -- carousing, drinking, brawling. But now that you mention it. . . .

 

[TerryB]

I used to encounter it a lot and it seemed to mean "not forming up," but rather you are an individual in the combat. Would be nice to know if it originally meant something like a fish not hooked with other fish, after being caught and strung up. Rebel charges were often described as "every man fought on his on hook, in a ragged line," as if they were not at all concerned with dressing their lines.