Info on Muster

[w.z]

I'm writing a historical fiction book where my main character and his brother are mustered into the C.S.A. There is documentation that the actual town that this scene is based in actually had a general muster and I'm assuming it was a sort of town celebration? It is stated in multiple history books that the town had a dinner after it was all over. Would I be too forward to think that this was a kind of town get-together; kind of like a fair or something? Was this common in other musters? Also, would there have been speeches made to the general public from like a podium of sorts; where men were encouraged to "come join the Confederate Army!"

I want my book to resemble as close as possible the actual history of the location, so I don't want to fabricate something that was unheard of. Unfortunately, the sources of this said muster do not go into much detail of the event.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Ole Miss]

Welcome from the Shiloh/Pittsburg Landing Forum and North Mississippi! Be sure and visit the Forum soon.
I am sure someone will be along soon to assist you with your request.
Regards
David

 

[huskerblitz]

I'm writing a historical fiction book where my main character and his brother are mustered into the C.S.A. There is documentation that the actual town that this scene is based in actually had a general muster and I'm assuming it was a sort of town celebration? It is stated in multiple history books that the town had a dinner after it was all over. Would I be too forward to think that this was a kind of town get-together; kind of like a fair or something? Was this common in other musters? Also, would there have been speeches made to the general public from like a podium of sorts; where men were encouraged to "come join the Confederate Army!"

I want my book to resemble as close as possible the actual history of the location, so I don't want to fabricate something that was unheard of. Unfortunately, the sources of this said muster do not go into much detail of the event.

Any help would be much appreciated.

It was a type of celebration but I'm not sure it was like a 'fair-type' celebration everywhere. In my research of the 22nd Kentucky, ladies of the area made pies and fed the men and I'm sure there were small celebrations when they presented hand-sewn flags for the regiment. The newspapers made some reference to short speeches being made by the commanders. So I don't think you're out of line with history, it would just very from place to place.

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

like a podium of sorts; where men were encouraged to "come join the Confederate generals Army!"

Welcome !

With some regiments, the men would have already enlisted. Mustering would be the organization of the regiment. Captains and Lieutenants of the various companies would have been elected by the rank and file. I can see it being somewhat of a celebration in some places with politicians and perhaps generals making speeches, parades, etc. that type of thing

 

[w.z]

So I'm guessing that I wouldn't be too out of line if I were to have a locally known General to make a speech then correct?

Would anyone have any of these said speeches that I may study them and get some insight and ideas on how it was to sound? Definitely not looking to plagiarize, but simply get some ideas.

 

[lelliott19]

In this example from Georgia, the speech was given by Howell Cobb. Cobb was a former governor of Georgia, former congressman, former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, and had recently resigned from his position as US Secretary of the Treasury under Buchanan in Dec 1860. One of the three companies described in the article would muster into service in Richmond as part of "soon-to-be Colonel" (June 22, 1861) Howell Cobb's 16th Georgia Infantry. The other companies would serve in the 15th Georgia and the 18th Georgia. Howell Cobb was later promoted to Brigadier General.

Southern Banner. (Athens, Ga.), June 12, 1861, page 2.

 

[AUG]

That sort of thing was usually done after a company was organized within their home town or county before marching off to war, usually accompanied by the presentation of a flag from the local ladies, the presenter and/or the receiver giving a speech. Often local prominent citizens would give speeches as well. As in the above account, I've also read of festivities put on by towns and communities that the troops passed through on their way.

Regiments were typically organized and mustered into service in camp or a camp of instruction. Civilians were not always present in that event, though I could see an officer or general making a speech to the troops. I have read of celebrations held for a flag presentation to the regiment then or not long after it was organized, however. An event was held at the Richmond fairground for the presentation of a flag to the 1st Texas Infantry shortly after its organization and arrival in the city, Present Davis himself giving a speech to the troops and presenting them the colors.

 

[w.z]

I thought that I'd share that the particular unit that my characters would be in were a Partisan Ranger company. More in particular the Thurmond's Partisan Rangers of Virginia. I've read that these companies were loosely associated with the actual C.S.A and were used as a sort of scouting and hometown defense.

 

[drezac]

I can give one example that might help. The Cleveland Light Artillery was an Ohio Militia battery consisting of 6 guns. They volunteered for a 3 month enlistment, and were told to report for duty. They met in Cleveland to depart as a battery, one could consider this to be the militia battery being mustered into service. They were given a very elaborate send-off in Cleveland, and boarded a train for Columbus as a unit. Then once arriving, they were mustered into Federal service as the 3 month 1st Regiment of Ohio Light Artillery. In this case, the were an existing unit that reported for duty as a unit. After being mustered out of Federal Service, they returned to Cleveland as a unit, and then were mustered out of Militia service.

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy

 

[w.z]

I can give one example that might help. The Cleveland Light Artillery was an Ohio Militia battery consisting of 6 guns. They volunteered for a 3 month enlistment, and were told to report for duty. They met in Cleveland to depart as a battery, one could consider this to be the militia battery being mustered into service. They were given a very elaborate send-off in Cleveland, and boarded a train for Columbus as a unit. Then once arriving, they were mustered into Federal service as the 3 month 1st Regiment of Ohio Light Artillery. In this case, the were an existing unit that reported for duty as a unit. After being mustered out of Federal Service, they returned to Cleveland as a unit, and then were mustered out of Militia service.

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So the Militia volunteered itself into the primary Army for 3 months, where they were shipped to where they were needed. Then after their time was over, they were shipped back into regular Militia service and then relieved of duty all together. I didn't know this could happen. I wonder if the Confederacy had the same protocols?

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

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So the Militia volunteered itself into the primary Army for 3 months, where they were shipped to where they were needed. Then after their time was over, they were shipped back into regular Militia service and then relieved of duty all together. I didn't know this could happen. I wonder if the Confederacy had the same protocols?

A North Carolina relative of mine kept a journal. He began the war in the 1st NC Infantry, (Company B out of Wilkes County). He talks of much marching and drilling. Right before the regiment leaves for Virginia from Raleigh I believe, he says every man (I assume as a group), swore Allegiance to the State of North Carolina, and the Confederacy.

 

[63rdOVI]

Welcome from another West By God Virginian! I've got family from Fayette County -- during the war -- but I'm from Kanawha County myself.

I'm pretty sure there are many published examples of the kind of speeches you're interested in.