Payment

[LondonLincoln]

This may seem a dumb arse question BUT here goes.
I was reading the other day about soldiers moral going up when they received their pay.
so two things 1 how did they get paid ie bank cash etc and two where would they spend money if at war.

 

[Kurtlg]

They were paid with paper money bimonthly , but pay was often late. Money was often sent home but sutlers sold various items while in camp . Gambling would also account for some of the pay. Even on campaign soldiers would sometimes buy milk, eggs, baked goods , etc. From farmers or local citizens.

 

[Pollaco]

Let's not forget the brothels. There seemed to be an influx of business when soldiers had the "cash".

 

[LoyaltyOfDogs]

Did sutlers follow the armies? Or did they only set up shop when troops made camp for an extended period?

 

[Kurtlg]

Sutlers sometimes did follow the armies on campaign

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

I'm always surprised by the number of soldiers who sent home large amounts of cash in envelopes addressed to their families. They must have really trusted the Postal Service. Trusted local members of the unit, often chaplains, also carried the cash back home for individuals.

 

[Story]

Did sutlers follow the armies? Or did they only set up shop when troops made camp for an extended period?

Short version, sutlers were authorized to sell to specific Regiments (often by a vote from the Regimental staff) and followed the unit whereever it went, making sure they were well-stocked on paydays (to not only sell fresh stock but collect on debts/chits).

Sutlers often worked in 'teams', where one or the other would go back and purchase *more* of whatever the soldiers' wanted them to buy.

Those base metal sutler coins were minted because there was a severe lack of specie in the north during the war.