Specific enlistment questions

[Yankeedave]

In the union army you joined a regiment. That regiment then entered service of the u.s. government. On the government roster your regiment became a number, something like the first regiment, of the first brigade, of the first division, of the first corps. The difference in time between enlisting in a regiment, and that regiments induction as government troops caused the mutinies we hear of.

 

[huskerblitz]

-would a new volunteer report to a recruitment office, complete paperwork and submit to physical examination, and then immediately be transported to a training camp? Or would one usually complete those necessary tasks and then be given a later date to report to the camp (a week later or so)?

I found this and it may be helpful, though it is dated for 1863.
https://archive.org/stream/62430200R.nlm.nih.gov/62430200R#page/n3/mode/2up

 

[huskerblitz]

I also found this:

" The next step was a medical examination to determine physical fitness for service. Each town had its physician for this work. The candidate for admission into the army must first divest himself of all clothing, and his soundness or unsoundness was then decided by causing him to jump, bend over, kick, receive sundry thumps in the chest and back, and such other laying-on of hands as was thought necessary. The teeth had also to be examined, and the eyesight tested, after which, if the candidate passed, he received a certificate to that effect.
His next move was toward a recruiting station. There he would enter, signify his errand, sign the roll of the company or regiment into which he was going, leave his description, including height, complexion, and occupation, and then accompany a guard to the examining surgeon, where he was again subjected to a critical examination as to soundness. Those men who, on deciding to "go to war," went directly to a recruiting office and enlisted, had but this simple examination to pass, the other being then unnecessary. It is interesting to note that in 1861 and '62 men were mainly examined to establish their fitness for service; in 1863 and '64 the tide had changed, and they were then only anxious to prove their unfitness."
http://www.civilwarhome.com/enlisting.html
Source: " Hard Tack and Coffee or The Unwritten Story of Army Life" (Chapter II, Enlisting) by John D. Billings

 

[Waterloo50]

Was there an upper age limit on recruits and how old was the oldest soldier?

 

[BrianB]

There was an upper age limit (45, I think) but it was avoided by understating one's age (much as teenage boys would overstate one's age to enlist).

One entire regiment, however, the 37th Iowa, was composed of men over the age of 45. It was used for guard and garrison duty. Curtis King of the 37th Iowa is usually cited as being the oldest Civil War soldier. Born in 1783, he enlisted 11/9/62, served about 6 months, discharged March, 1863, and died later that year of natural causes. He was about 79 when he enlisted.

However, there was actually an older soldier -- George Stewart joined Company A, 101st Ohio at age 90 in 9/62. He only served about a month and was sent home in 10/62, apparently because of age. He died about a month thereafter.

There was also John Rogers (8th Mo. State Militia Cavalry), served 2/64 to 5/65 at the reported age of 80, but I have not investigated or verified that claim. Likewise, I have not checked out the claim that John Trausfield of Company K, 5 Mo. Inf. was 77 years old at enlistment.

 

[huskerblitz]

In my research of a Kentucky regiment, I have also found that many of the men who enlisted above the age of 40 never saw the end of the war. Most were released by a Surgeon's Certificate of Disability, many listed age and general debility as the reason they could no longer serve.

 

[BrianB]

I have investigated John Rogers (8 Mo State Militia Cav) more thoroughly -- his compiled military service record states that he was 81. He is, however, buried in Delaware County, OK, where he died in 1916. Cemetery information would suggest that his actual age at enlistment was 31.