My ancestor James Adolphus Goodell enlisted Sep. 8, 1862 in the 97th Illinois, Company B and was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant. He's a 27 year old farmer with no previous military experience. How was he able to obtain this rank upon enlistment? His older brother enlisted about the same time in a neighboring county and his rank at enlistment was private. The 97th Illinois was attached to Sherman and active in the Yazoo Campaign and the siege of Vicksburg. My Lieutenant ancestor is from Erie Co. PA and had only recently settled in Illinois. Knowing the involvement of the navy in the quest to secure the Mississippi, is it possible my ancestor has some maritime experience that I don't know about or ???