- Joined
- Aug 27, 2011
- Location
- Central Massachusetts
Privates in cavalry, artillery, and infantry, on the other hand, along with second class privates in sappers, miners, and pontoniers, corporals of heavy artillery and infantry, and buglers in cavalry receive each $13 a month and one ration per day. Privates, musicians, artificers, and noncommissioned officers in the volunteer services are allowed $3.50 a month for clothing. One dollar a month is held back from each private’s pay, until the expiration of his term of service. It will be handed to him when he is mustered out (less any fines or debts he may have accumulated).
Between these extremes is a vast and fascinating story. There are dozens of different ratings, each carefully itemized.
We learn, for instance, that female nurses in general hospitals are allowed 40 cents a day and one ration. One steward, ten nurses and two cooks are allowed to each regiment of infantry; and two stewards, twelve nurses, and two cooks to each regiment of cavalry. Female nurses and matrons are not allowed in regimental hospitals. Furthermore, every officer making over $50 a month has to pay a 3% tax on all income over that amount.