Patrollers and the CS Army

[Baggage Handler #2]

Have been reading about the Underground Railroad, and am struck by the extent and capabilities of the "Patrollers" in the years leading up to the war.

The fact that the southern states had a ready and practiced militia in those years leads naturally into the development of a much more effective army in 1861 than thought possible.

Thoughts? Comments?

 

[ole]

In my opinion, the pattyrollers were not exactly the cream of the crop. And I wouldn't consider them as part of a ready and practiced militia.

There were militia-type companies on both sides. Nowdays we'd call them drill teams. Few were ready for actual battle. A notable exception was the Washington Artillery out of Louisiana. Four of five batteries went east and did major damage to the Feds. One remained in the west and did similar damage.

There were a few on the Federal side as well. For the most part, none of these units were ready for a shooting war. But they were the first source of warm bodies when the shoving started.

Ole