Invalid Corps in combat

[josh54739]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone knew of Invalid Corps in combat. I have found out about the 18th Regiment, 2nd Battalion, serving in defense of White House Landing, in which their commander, Colonel Johnson, was asked if his men would run, to which he replied, "Tell the general that my men are cripples, and they can't run."
I was also wondering if men could enlist directly into the Invalid Corps.
Thanks,
Josh Nieters

 

[rpkennedy]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone knew of Invalid Corps in combat. I have found out about the 18th Regiment, 2nd Battalion, serving in defense of White House Landing, in which their commander, Colonel Johnson, was asked if his men would run, to which he replied, "Tell the general that my men are cripples, and they can't run."
I was also wondering if men could enlist directly into the Invalid Corps.
Thanks,
Josh Nieters

To the best of my knowledge, they were used as support troops, guarding supply bases and such, freeing up front-line troops for combat.

And soldiers couldn't enlist into the corps from what I've read.

R

 

[Day Williams Al-Mohamed]

I know several regiments were put to the defense of Washington DC for Jubal Early's raid in July 1864 and I believe the 9th regiment did some skirmishing then. VRC soldier George O. Gorton was killed at the Battle of Fort Stevens.

 

[major bill]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone knew of Invalid Corps in combat. I have found out about the 18th Regiment, 2nd Battalion, serving in defense of White House Landing, in which their commander, Colonel Johnson, was asked if his men would run, to which he replied, "Tell the general that my men are cripples, and they can't run."
I was also wondering if men could enlist directly into the Invalid Corps.
Thanks,
Josh Nieters

At first the only way to get into the Invalid Corps was to get put there because of disabilities. Later in the war the name was changed to the Veteran Reserve Corps. During the last two years of the War anyone who had served their two year enlistment in the Army or Marine Corps could join the Veteran Reserve Corps without regards to disability. For example many of the Veteran Reserve Corps who guarded the border at Detroit had been discharged after their two years and then joined the Veteran Reserve Corps. In the Detroit area, soldiers who had opted not to reenlist in the Army were actively recruited for the Veteran Reserve Corps.

 

[Northern Light]

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Always thought it very odd they were looked down on, considering most were wounded vets? Read here on the forum they finally had to change the color of their uniforms because it made them too visible and open for derision from active duty men. My grgrgrandfather ( 50th PA ) was in the 21st ( or 26th, rats, can't remember ), VRC after a wound at Spotsylvania, wasted no time getting back to the 50th.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Two of the VRC in Washington, DC.

9th VRC, LoC

10th VRC, LoC