Question re 12 Month Enlistments (CSA)

[TerryB]

I'm having a hard time constructing a time line for an ancestor, who should have been at Shiloh. Old Co. B of the 9th Miss Inf was organized in March 1861 of companies formerly in state service. I've come across a resume for this ancestor that says he joined in March 1861, which is consistent with the info on the bottom of the cards used by the National Archives. However, the card also says "Enlistment date, June 3, 1861." The last card of his for Old Co. B is for the 31st of March, 1862. That makes me wonder if he didn't re-up when the 12 months ran out, and did the 12 months mean 12 months to include state service? I'm thinking the June 3 date may mean his tour was extended when the 9th was consolidated with the 10th just before Shiloh. I notice many men in the 9th re-upped into the 10th, others just let their enlistments run out, and some joined Morgan's Cavalry. My ancestor joined the cavalry some time in June, July or August, 1862, but his resume and his widow's pension claim both say he was not home ten days before he joined the cavalry (after his 12 months expired). The resume says he joined in August 1862, but a doc from the US Govt published in 1891 says his commission dated from July 20, 1862. All these different sources can't be right, so I'm wondering what 12 months means? From enlistment in the state troops or the CSA?

 

[Bonny Blue Flag]

TerryB, hope this points you in the right direction.

The only thing that comes to mind is several examples I came across of civilians enlisting into the military but the military was unable to take them into service right away. It might have been a few days or a month before the military was able to take them into service.

Either date could be listed as the official enlistment date.

Something to consider.

--BBF

 

[gary]

One may enlist into a local company, but it may be a while before the company and the other nine companies are accepted by the state or national government. This also applied to the Federals.

 

[TerryB]

Thanks guys. This ancestor seems to have free-floated after the enlistment ran out in June. The official story, from two separate sources, was that he was not home ten days before he joined Wheeler's Cavalry, but that's just not possible. Wheeler was not ordered to relieve Chalmers until July 18, 1862. My feeling, based on stories in newspapers that say this man was only 17 when he enlisted (he was almost 20) my feeling is that since he was the youngest son and the only one at home his parents fudged his age to delay his inevitable conscription. His correct birthday was never a question because the family kept too many good records. So after his 12 months ran out, he was able to help out at home until Wheeler showed up with an offer of a commission. Long after the war he sometimes claimed to be three years younger, but on his passport app in 1888 he gave the right month, day and year. So I had to come up with a theory to explain all that. I also think the story about being home less than ten days was to CYA in case he ever needed to file for a pension. That story was in his resume and in his widow's pension claim.

 

[Bonny Blue Flag]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing this!

--BBF