Mercenary soldiers

[archieclement]

Well pretty much every soldier perhaps a few local militia was getting paid..........

So it could be said they were fighting for money. Also up to 1855 the US would give land grants to war veterans.

Personally wouldn't think either makes one a mercenary. Though there is gray areas, bounty jumpers, substitutes, quite a bit of "foraging" or those who would loot bodies after battles would certainly seem to indicate soldiers motivated by personal profit.

 

[archieclement]

Somewhat related but would wonder what amount of well preserved artifacts today go back to items orginally taken as trophies or souvenirs from enemy dead. Would assume a portion of militeria from later wars have that origin.

 

[atlantis]

Would land grants plus pay been enough to entice unemployed in England, France, Italy to hire out for service with the CS.

 

[archieclement]

Would land grants plus pay been enough to entice unemployed in England, France, Italy to hire out for service with the CS.

Would say yes, but they couldn't have afforded passage on a blockade runner, so would be rather mute.

 

[atlantis]

Would say yes, but they couldn't have afforded passage on a blockade runner, so would be rather mute.

The picture that emerges is the firing on Sumter was the mother of all blunders.

 

[archieclement]

Monday morning quarterbacks generally have an easier time then those playing the game on Sunday.

 

[atlantis]

Monday morning quarterbacks generally have an easier time then those playing the game on Sunday.

That is true. Sometimes I think it is impossible to avoid making these kind of blunders, intense pressure, limited or faulty info, you do the best you can.