From whence came those Regulars?

[Stryker65]

McDowell's army fielded twenty-four companies of Regulars at First Bull Run -- 8 infantry, 7 cavalry, and 9 artillery. While it is sometimes said that these were the only Regulars in Washington at the start of the war, at the beginning of the year 1861, there were 0 companies of Regulars in the nation's capital. Hence, every Regular company at First Bull Run had been previously at a different post. Its companies came from all over the United States -- Minnesota, Texas, Pennsylvania, Kansas, to name a few. Here is the breakdown of these companies' arrival:
Infantry:
- Company C, 2nd U. S. Infantry: This company began the year at Fort Ripley, Minnesota. The company evacuated the fort on June 7, 1861, and proceeded (along with post commander Col. John J. Abercrombie) via the Mississippi River, the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, and the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad to Pittsburgh (PA) on June 11. From there, it would join the Regular contingent massing under Maj. Gen. Robert Patterson at Harrisburg, before being detached to Washington June 17.
- Company K, 2nd U. S. Infantry: This company began the year at Fort Ripley, Minnesota, but moved April 18-24 to Fort Ridgely, Minnesota. The company evacuated the fort on June 1, 1861, and proceeded via the Mississippi River, the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, and the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, to Pittsburgh (PA) on June 4. From there, it would also join Patterson's Regular contingent at Harrisburg, before also moving to Washington June 17.
- Company B, 3rd U. S. Infantry: This company began the year at Fort Clark, Texas, but moved February 20-21 to Fort Duncan, Texas. The company evacuated the fort on March 20, 1861, arriving at Green Lake on the Texas coast on April 7, where it then embarked for New York City at Pass Cavallo on April 13. The company was then sent to Washington on May 8, where they arrived June 6.
- Companies D, G, H, and K, 3rd U. S. Infantry: These companies began the year at Fort Clark, Texas. These companies evacuated the fort on March 20, 1861, arriving at Green Lake on the Texas coast on April 7, after which it followed the same path as Company B, 3rd U. S. Infantry.
- Company G, 8th U. S. Infantry: The original company had been disbanded at Fort Bliss, Texas in February, and the company was reorganized with new recruits at Fort Wood, New York. Using recruits from the nearby Fort Columbus depot, the company was officially organized May 1, 1861. The unit was moved to Chambersburg (PA) June 6-7, and then joined Patterson's Regular contingent at Harrisburg, before also moving to Washington June 17.
Cavalry:
- Company A, 1st U. S. Cavalry: This company began the year at Fort Arbuckle, Indian Territory. The company evacuated the fort on May 3, 1861, and proceeded (along with post commander Maj. Delos B. Sacket) to a rendezvous on the Washita River, where the company joined ten other Regular companies from various posts in the Indian Territory. Pursued by Confederate cavalry, the Regular column moved for Fort Leavenworth May 9, arriving there May 31. From there, the company moved to Washington on July 2, arriving there July 9.
- Company E, 1st U. S. Cavalry: This company began the year at Fort Smith, Arkansas, but moved April 23-30 to Fort Washita, Indian Territory. The company evacuated the fort on May 1, 1861, and proceeded (along with post commander Lt. Col. William H. Emory) to a rendezvous on the Washita River, joining ten other Regular companies, after which the company followed the same path as Company A, 1st U. S. Cavalry.
- Company B, 2nd U. S. Cavalry: This company began the year at Camp Colorado, Texas. The company evacuated the camp on February 25, 1861 due to its capture by secessionist forces, arriving at Green Lake on the Texas coast on March 28, before embarking for New York City at Powderhorn Lake on March 31, arriving there April 12. The company then moved April 14 to Carlisle Barracks, and to Washington May 6, arriving there May 10.
- Company E, 2nd U. S. Cavalry: This company began the year at Camp Hudson, Texas. The company evacuated the camp on March 17, 1861, arriving at Green Lake on the Texas coast on March 22, after which it followed the same path as Company B, 2nd U. S. Cavalry.
- Company G, 2nd U. S. Cavalry: This company began the year at Fort Inge, Texas, but moved February 10-?? to Fort Brown, Texas. The company evacuated the fort on March 20, 1861, arriving at Green Lake on the Texas coast on March 22, after which it followed the same path as Company B, 2nd U. S. Cavalry.
- Company I, 2nd U. S. Cavalry: This company began the year at Camp Ives, Texas, but abandoned the camp (as part of a general downsizing, not due to secession) and moved to Camp Verde, Texas on January 28. The company evacuated the camp on March 7, 1861, arriving at Green Lake on the Texas coast on March 19, after which it followed the same path as Company B, 2nd U. S. Cavalry.
- Company K, 2nd U. S. Dragoons: This company began the year at Fort Scott, Kansas, but moved January 7-12 to Fort Riley, Kansas, and then moved January 29-February 3 to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The company was ordered to Washington July 2, arriving there July 9.
Artillery:
- Company G (light), 1st U. S. Artillery: This company began the year at Barrancas Barracks, Florida, but evacuated the barracks January 10 to garrison nearby Fort Pickens, Florida instead. After sufficient reinforcements arrived as to not require the company's services, it embarked for New York City May 14, arriving May 26. After a brief period of garrison duties at Fort Hamilton, the company moved to Washington July 8, arriving there July 9.
- Company I (light), 1st U. S. Artillery: This company began the year at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, but was ordered to Fort McHenry, Maryland January 7. The company arrived at the fort January 12, and remained in garrison duties for just over two weeks, before moving to Washington January 29.
- Company A (light), 2nd U. S. Artillery: This company began the year at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, but was ordered to Washington January 7, where it arrived January 13. It was the first Regular company to arrive in Washington. The company was then ordered April 4 to New York City, where it arrived April 5, before embarking April 7 for Fort Pickens, Florida. The company arrived there April 19, and remained in garrison duties there until July 5, when it embarked again for New York City, arriving there July 14. From there, it moved to Washington for the second time, arriving July 16.
- Company D (light), 2nd U. S. Artillery: This company began the year at Fayetteville Arsenal, North Carolina. The company evacuated the arsenal April 22 due to its capture by secessionist forces, and embarked for New York City April 27, where it arrived May 7, and moved for Washington that day, arriving May 8.
- Company E (light), 2nd U. S. Artillery: This company began the year at Augusta Arsenal, Georgia. The company evacuated the arsenal January 24 due to its capture by secessionist forces, and embarked for Washington February 1, where it arrived February 7.
- Company G (light), 2nd U. S. Artillery: This company began the year at Fort Mackinac, Michigan. The company evacuated the fort on April 28 and moved for Washington, arriving May 4.
- Company M (light), 2nd U. S. Artillery: This company began the year at Fort Brown, Texas. The company moved March 9 to the mouth of the Rio Grande, embarking March 13 for New York City, where it arrived March 30. However, on April 7, the company re-embarked for Fort Pickens, Florida, where it arrived April 17. Later, on June 30, it moved to Fort Jefferson, Florida, and then to Fort Taylor, Florida on July 4. On July 8, from that place, it was re-embarked once more for New York City, where it arrived July 12. From there, it moved to Washington, arriving July 14.
- Company E (light), 3rd U. S. Artillery: This company began the year at Fort Ridgely, Minnesota. The company moved April 14 for Elkton, Maryland, and arrived there April 24. It then was ordered to Washington on May 8, where it arrived May 10.
- Company D (light), 5th U. S. Artillery: This company began the year at West Point, New York as a detachment of U. S. Dragoons temporarily serving as artillerymen at the Military Academy. Known as the "West Point Light Artillery," the company moved to Washington January 31, arriving there February 2. On June 18, the "West Point Light Artillery" was denominated as Company D, 5th U. S. Artillery, backdated to May 14, 1861.

Of these twenty-four companies, the following officers resigned to join the Confederacy:
- Capt./Bvt. Lt. Col. John B. Magruder (I, 1st US Artillery), resigned April 20
- Capt./Bvt. Maj. Samuel S. Anderson (D, 2nd US Artillery), resigned April 17 dated April 27
- Capt./Bvt. Maj. Joseph Selden (G, 8th US), resigned April 22 dated April 25
- Capt. William N. R. Beall (A, 1st US Cavalry), resigned August 20 while on a leave of absence
- Capt. Edmund K. Smith (B, 2nd US Cavalry), resigned March 3
- Capt. Charles W. Field (B, 2nd US Cavalry), resigned May 30 dated May 22
- Capt. William R. Bradfute (G, 2nd US Cavalry), resigned March 20 dated March 21
- Capt. William Steele (K, 2nd US Dragoons), resigned May 16 dated May 30
- Lt. Andrew Jackson, Jr. (D, 3rd US), resigned May 7 while on a leave of absence
- Lt. Walter H. Jenifer (B, 2nd US Cavalry), resigned April 19 while on a leave of absence
- Lt. John F. Minter (I, 2nd US Cavalry), resigned March 31
- Lt. Fitzhugh Lee (I, 2nd US Cavalry), resigned May 16 dated May 21
- Lt. Julius A. DeLagnel (D, 2nd US Artillery), resigned May 1
- 2nd Lt. Gabriel H. Hill (E, 3rd US Artillery), resigned April 27 dated April 23

 

[redbob]

There were also Regular Marines from the Naval Yard/ Marine Corps Headquarters.

 

[Stryker65]

There were also Regular Marines from the Naval Yard/ Marine Corps Headquarters.

I've been looking for information on them, but I couldn't find much. I didn't want to just say that they all came from the Naval Yard...did they?

 

[redbob]

Headquarters Marine Corps is also located at 8th & I in Washington so there would have been a garrison there. Marines were also assigned to Naval ships that would have been in the Naval Yard.

 

[Stryker65]

Do you know if the FBR companies were actual companies? Or were they just provisional companies formed with as many Marines as could be found in the area?

 

[redbob]

Do you know if the FBR companies were actual companies? Or were they just provisional companies formed with as many Marines as could be found in the area?

I believe if memory serves, there was a 350 man battalion (mainly made up of recent recruits) that left the barracks at Wahington and took part in the Battle at Bull Run.

 

[Hannover]

The Marines were recruits that had just three days training prior to the battle. Reports give their numbers as between 353 to 350 pfd.
This would mean an engaged strength of around 324 of which 9 were killed, 19 were wounded and 16 captured or missing, a total of 44 or 13%. They were distinctive wearing dark blue frockcoats with white cross-belts and white trousers.

 

[14NYSM]

Thank you for the info on the Regulars. Reading it, I wondered how many Regular enlisted men disappeared along the way.
Fort Columbus was on Governor's Island in NY Harbor. It had been a recruit depot for years, including the Mexican War. Fort Wood, also in NY harbor, is now the base of the Statue of Liberty.
After the 6th Mass was attacked while passing through Baltimore on the way to DC, troops went by ship around it to Annapolis. There must have been Marines at Annapolis.

 

[Stryker65]

Thank you for the info on the Regulars. Reading it, I wondered how many Regular enlisted men disappeared along the way.
Fort Columbus was on Governor's Island in NY Harbor. It had been a recruit depot for years, including the Mexican War. Fort Wood, also in NY harbor, is now the base of the Statue of Liberty.
After the 6th Mass was attacked while passing through Baltimore on the way to DC, troops went by ship around it to Annapolis. There must have been Marines at Annapolis.

The Union brass always trumpeted the "fact" that all of the Regular Army enlisted men stayed loyal (since they were from all over the continental US), but this has been proven to be false -- a study on certain Confederate units raised in Texas and Louisiana by Richard P. Weinert demonstrated that from a sample of six Regular regiments (out of nineteen total), approximately 400 enlisted men deserted during the first four months of 1861. If this sample is extrapolated to the entire total, that would mean approximately 1,300 Regular enlisted men deserted the army.

This is most likely an exaggeration, since Weinert's study focused exclusively on regiments deployed in Texas, and therefore those regiments had ample means to desert, compared to regiments out west in Utah or California, but it can be strongly assumed that 500+ Regular enlisted men vanished from their commands during the opening months of the war.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

Great research.

- Company B, 3rd U. S. Infantry: This company began the year at Fort Clark, Texas, but moved February 20-21 to Fort Duncan, Texas. The company evacuated the fort on March 20, 1861, arriving at Green Lake on the Texas coast on April 7, where it then embarked for New York City at Pass Cavallo on April 13. The company was then sent to Washington on May 8, where they arrived June 6.
- Companies D, G, H, and K, 3rd U. S. Infantry: These companies began the year at Fort Clark, Texas. These companies evacuated the fort on March 20, 1861, arriving at Green Lake on the Texas coast on April 7, after which it followed the same path as Company B, 3rd U. S. Infantry.

I'm surprised these and other units you mentioned departed Texas seemingly without difficulty. I thought at least some of the Army units in Texas were detained from leaving, at least for a time.

Also, 3rd Infantry barely got out ahead of Fort Sumter or they might not have gotten to leave at all.

The company evacuated the fort on May 1, 1861, and proceeded (along with post commander Lt. Col. William H. Emory) to a rendezvous on the Washita River

I didn't realize Emory was a Lt. Col. when the shooting started. That someone with that high of a pre-war rank, with service in both Engineers and Cavalry, was basically sidelined in tertiary roles until reinforcements were needed in Virginia in mid-1864 probably says a lot about how much that impulsive resignation letter damaged trust in him.

- Company D (light), 2nd U. S. Artillery: This company began the year at Fayetteville Arsenal, North Carolina. The company evacuated the arsenal April 22 due to its capture by secessionist forces, and embarked for New York City April 27, where it arrived May 7, and moved for Washington that day, arriving May 8.

This was after Fort Sumter's surrender. How on earth did they managed to get out of North Carolina? Was it a technicality because the state had not officially declared secession yet?

 

[Stryker65]

I'm surprised these and other units you mentioned departed Texas seemingly without difficulty. I thought at least some of the Army units in Texas were detained from leaving, at least for a time.

Oh, some were. Two companies of the 1st, the other five companies of the 3rd, and all nine companies of the 8th Regulars were captured by Van Dorn after Sumter happened.

I didn't realize Emory was a Lt. Col. when the shooting started. That someone with that high of a pre-war rank, with service in both Engineers and Cavalry, was basically sidelined in tertiary roles until reinforcements were needed in Virginia in mid-1864 probably says a lot about how much that impulsive resignation letter damaged trust in him.

He was a new lieutenant colonel, having been promoted from a 1st Cavalry major after Hardee resigned.

This was after Fort Sumter's surrender. How on earth did they managed to get out of North Carolina? Was it a technicality because the state had not officially declared secession yet?

Not really. It was the same thing that happened to Anderson at Fort Sumter -- the garrison was allowed to leave freely without parole, and the Confederate state(s) got to keep the position. It didn't help much either that both COs of the Regular company at the NC Arsenal were Confederate sympathizers, and later resigned to follow that trajectory.

 

[Trooper "D"]

McDowell's army fielded twenty-four companies of Regulars at First Bull Run -- 8 infantry, 7 cavalry, and 9 artillery. While it is sometimes said that these were the only Regulars in Washington at the start of the war, at the beginning of the year 1861, there were 0 companies of Regulars in the nation's capital. Hence, every Regular company at First Bull Run had been previously at a different post. Its companies came from all over the United States -- Minnesota, Texas, Pennsylvania, Kansas, to name a few. Here is the breakdown of these companies' arrival:
Infantry:
- Company C, 2nd U. S. Infantry: This company began the year at Fort Ripley, Minnesota. The company evacuated the fort on June 7, 1861, and proceeded (along with post commander Col. John J. Abercrombie) via the Mississippi River, the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, and the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad to Pittsburgh (PA) on June 11. From there, it would join the Regular contingent massing under Maj. Gen. Robert Patterson at Harrisburg, before being detached to Washington June 17.
- Company K, 2nd U. S. Infantry: This company began the year at Fort Ripley, Minnesota, but moved April 18-24 to Fort Ridgely, Minnesota. The company evacuated the fort on June 1, 1861, and proceeded via the Mississippi River, the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, and the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, to Pittsburgh (PA) on June 4. From there, it would also join Patterson's Regular contingent at Harrisburg, before also moving to Washington June 17.
- Company B, 3rd U. S. Infantry: This company began the year at Fort Clark, Texas, but moved February 20-21 to Fort Duncan, Texas. The company evacuated the fort on March 20, 1861, arriving at Green Lake on the Texas coast on April 7, where it then embarked for New York City at Pass Cavallo on April 13. The company was then sent to Washington on May 8, where they arrived June 6.
- Companies D, G, H, and K, 3rd U. S. Infantry: These companies began the year at Fort Clark, Texas. These companies evacuated the fort on March 20, 1861, arriving at Green Lake on the Texas coast on April 7, after which it followed the same path as Company B, 3rd U. S. Infantry.
- Company G, 8th U. S. Infantry: The original company had been disbanded at Fort Bliss, Texas in February, and the company was reorganized with new recruits at Fort Wood, New York. Using recruits from the nearby Fort Columbus depot, the company was officially organized May 1, 1861. The unit was moved to Chambersburg (PA) June 6-7, and then joined Patterson's Regular contingent at Harrisburg, before also moving to Washington June 17.
Cavalry:
- Company A, 1st U. S. Cavalry: This company began the year at Fort Arbuckle, Indian Territory. The company evacuated the fort on May 3, 1861, and proceeded (along with post commander Maj. Delos B. Sacket) to a rendezvous on the Washita River, where the company joined ten other Regular companies from various posts in the Indian Territory. Pursued by Confederate cavalry, the Regular column moved for Fort Leavenworth May 9, arriving there May 31. From there, the company moved to Washington on July 2, arriving there July 9.
- Company E, 1st U. S. Cavalry: This company began the year at Fort Smith, Arkansas, but moved April 23-30 to Fort Washita, Indian Territory. The company evacuated the fort on May 1, 1861, and proceeded (along with post commander Lt. Col. William H. Emory) to a rendezvous on the Washita River, joining ten other Regular companies, after which the company followed the same path as Company A, 1st U. S. Cavalry.
- Company B, 2nd U. S. Cavalry: This company began the year at Camp Colorado, Texas. The company evacuated the camp on February 25, 1861 due to its capture by secessionist forces, arriving at Green Lake on the Texas coast on March 28, before embarking for New York City at Powderhorn Lake on March 31, arriving there April 12. The company then moved April 14 to Carlisle Barracks, and to Washington May 6, arriving there May 10.
- Company E, 2nd U. S. Cavalry: This company began the year at Camp Hudson, Texas. The company evacuated the camp on March 17, 1861, arriving at Green Lake on the Texas coast on March 22, after which it followed the same path as Company B, 2nd U. S. Cavalry.
- Company G, 2nd U. S. Cavalry: This company began the year at Fort Inge, Texas, but moved February 10-?? to Fort Brown, Texas. The company evacuated the fort on March 20, 1861, arriving at Green Lake on the Texas coast on March 22, after which it followed the same path as Company B, 2nd U. S. Cavalry.
- Company I, 2nd U. S. Cavalry: This company began the year at Camp Ives, Texas, but abandoned the camp (as part of a general downsizing, not due to secession) and moved to Camp Verde, Texas on January 28. The company evacuated the camp on March 7, 1861, arriving at Green Lake on the Texas coast on March 19, after which it followed the same path as Company B, 2nd U. S. Cavalry.
- Company K, 2nd U. S. Dragoons: This company began the year at Fort Scott, Kansas, but moved January 7-12 to Fort Riley, Kansas, and then moved January 29-February 3 to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The company was ordered to Washington July 2, arriving there July 9.
Artillery:
- Company G (light), 1st U. S. Artillery: This company began the year at Barrancas Barracks, Florida, but evacuated the barracks January 10 to garrison nearby Fort Pickens, Florida instead. After sufficient reinforcements arrived as to not require the company's services, it embarked for New York City May 14, arriving May 26. After a brief period of garrison duties at Fort Hamilton, the company moved to Washington July 8, arriving there July 9.
- Company I (light), 1st U. S. Artillery: This company began the year at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, but was ordered to Fort McHenry, Maryland January 7. The company arrived at the fort January 12, and remained in garrison duties for just over two weeks, before moving to Washington January 29.
- Company A (light), 2nd U. S. Artillery: This company began the year at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, but was ordered to Washington January 7, where it arrived January 13. It was the first Regular company to arrive in Washington. The company was then ordered April 4 to New York City, where it arrived April 5, before embarking April 7 for Fort Pickens, Florida. The company arrived there April 19, and remained in garrison duties there until July 5, when it embarked again for New York City, arriving there July 14. From there, it moved to Washington for the second time, arriving July 16.
- Company D (light), 2nd U. S. Artillery: This company began the year at Fayetteville Arsenal, North Carolina. The company evacuated the arsenal April 22 due to its capture by secessionist forces, and embarked for New York City April 27, where it arrived May 7, and moved for Washington that day, arriving May 8.
- Company E (light), 2nd U. S. Artillery: This company began the year at Augusta Arsenal, Georgia. The company evacuated the arsenal January 24 due to its capture by secessionist forces, and embarked for Washington February 1, where it arrived February 7.
- Company G (light), 2nd U. S. Artillery: This company began the year at Fort Mackinac, Michigan. The company evacuated the fort on April 28 and moved for Washington, arriving May 4.
- Company M (light), 2nd U. S. Artillery: This company began the year at Fort Brown, Texas. The company moved March 9 to the mouth of the Rio Grande, embarking March 13 for New York City, where it arrived March 30. However, on April 7, the company re-embarked for Fort Pickens, Florida, where it arrived April 17. Later, on June 30, it moved to Fort Jefferson, Florida, and then to Fort Taylor, Florida on July 4. On July 8, from that place, it was re-embarked once more for New York City, where it arrived July 12. From there, it moved to Washington, arriving July 14.
- Company E (light), 3rd U. S. Artillery: This company began the year at Fort Ridgely, Minnesota. The company moved April 14 for Elkton, Maryland, and arrived there April 24. It then was ordered to Washington on May 8, where it arrived May 10.
- Company D (light), 5th U. S. Artillery: This company began the year at West Point, New York as a detachment of U. S. Dragoons temporarily serving as artillerymen at the Military Academy. Known as the "West Point Light Artillery," the company moved to Washington January 31, arriving there February 2. On June 18, the "West Point Light Artillery" was denominated as Company D, 5th U. S. Artillery, backdated to May 14, 1861.

Of these twenty-four companies, the following officers resigned to join the Confederacy:
- Capt./Bvt. Lt. Col. John B. Magruder (I, 1st US Artillery), resigned April 20
- Capt./Bvt. Maj. Samuel S. Anderson (D, 2nd US Artillery), resigned April 17 dated April 27
- Capt./Bvt. Maj. Joseph Selden (G, 8th US), resigned April 22 dated April 25
- Capt. William N. R. Beall (A, 1st US Cavalry), resigned August 20 while on a leave of absence
- Capt. Edmund K. Smith (B, 2nd US Cavalry), resigned March 3
- Capt. Charles W. Field (B, 2nd US Cavalry), resigned May 30 dated May 22
- Capt. William R. Bradfute (G, 2nd US Cavalry), resigned March 20 dated March 21
- Capt. William Steele (K, 2nd US Dragoons), resigned May 16 dated May 30
- Lt. Andrew Jackson, Jr. (D, 3rd US), resigned May 7 while on a leave of absence
- Lt. Walter H. Jenifer (B, 2nd US Cavalry), resigned April 19 while on a leave of absence
- Lt. John F. Minter (I, 2nd US Cavalry), resigned March 31
- Lt. Fitzhugh Lee (I, 2nd US Cavalry), resigned May 16 dated May 21
- Lt. Julius A. DeLagnel (D, 2nd US Artillery), resigned May 1
- 2nd Lt. Gabriel H. Hill (E, 3rd US Artillery), resigned April 27 dated April 23

Quite a bit of info. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers!

 

[General Casey]

The Union brass always trumpeted the "fact" that all of the Regular Army enlisted men stayed loyal (since they were from all over the continental US), but this has been proven to be false -- a study on certain Confederate units raised in Texas and Louisiana by Richard P. Weinert demonstrated that from a sample of six Regular regiments (out of nineteen total), approximately 400 enlisted men deserted during the first four months of 1861. If this sample is extrapolated to the entire total, that would mean approximately 1,300 Regular enlisted men deserted the army.

This is most likely an exaggeration, since Weinert's study focused exclusively on regiments deployed in Texas, and therefore those regiments had ample means to desert, compared to regiments out west in Utah or California, but it can be strongly assumed that 500+ Regular enlisted men vanished from their commands during the opening months of the war.

Longstreet has an account of when he resigned and he and a bunch of other officers are heading east, he encountered a Southern Sergeant and several privates who had deserted from their regiment in the hopes of heading east to join the Confederates. Longstreet apparently gave the men a tongue lashing, denouncing them for deserting and telling them that they needed to return to their command, as they had signed a contract with the Army to serve a specific number of years.