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- Aug 25, 2012
The Union recruited volunteers from Confederates held at Prisoner of War camps. With the man power shortages the Confederacy suffered from, was there any movement to recruit Confederate volunteers from Union prisoners they held?
Yes. The US government reported that about 3,170 US prisoners joined the enemy. Most of them had come from Salisbury prison in NC. Many of them were Irish immigrants. Several battalions were formed including the 1st and 2nd Foreign Battalions.The Union recruited volunteers from Confederates held at Prisoner of War camps. With the man power shortages the Confederacy suffered from, was there any movement to recruit Confederate volunteers from Union prisoners they held?
There is a NY times article about Union desertion written about 1891 that CSA Today pulls out when we debate desertion. In that article the CSA did recruit some Union POWS but many went back to the Union Army or where recaptured. There where some Union deserters that did join the CSA but they are outnumbered by CSA deserters joining the Union Army.The Union recruited volunteers from Confederates held at Prisoner of War camps. With the man power shortages the Confederacy suffered from, was there any movement to recruit Confederate volunteers from Union prisoners they held?
There were some Federal pows recruited by the Confederates. But, since the great majority of Federals were volunteers, while a much larger proportion of Confederates were conscripts, the difference in numbers is not surprising. Besides, most 'Galvanized Yankees,' I understand, were assigned to frontier duty, where they would be facing Indians, not their former comrades, thus running less risk of capture ad execution as deserters ... the Confederates did not have that option.
I had an ancestor that was a "Galvanized Yankee" and he was recruited out of Camp Douglas. They wanted cavalrymen, but turned them into infantry and they joined with the understanding that they would not have to fight the South; so they were sent to the frontier (Minnesota and points West). These regiments had some of the lowest desertion rates in the Union Army and they served for several years after the war ended when they were relieved by the "Buffalo Soldiers". Many of these Southerners continued West as there were probably real questions if they would be accepted back in the South.There were some Federal pows recruited by the Confederates. But, since the great majority of Federals were volunteers, while a much larger proportion of Confederates were conscripts, the difference in numbers is not surprising. Besides, most 'Galvanized Yankees,' I understand, were assigned to frontier duty, where they would be facing Indians, not their former comrades, thus running less risk of capture ad execution as deserters ... the Confederates did not have that option.
“YANKEE PRISONERS TAKING THE OATH.
On Sunday morning last, two hundred native Irishmen who have been Federal prisoners in our hands for over twelve months past, reached Augusta, from Florence, (S.C.) and passed through on their way to join Hood’s army....”
Hi Major Bill,The Union recruited volunteers from Confederates held at Prisoner of War camps. With the man power shortages the Confederacy suffered from, was there any movement to recruit Confederate volunteers from Union prisoners they held?
Interesting but Scot was an exception to the rule. Far more Confederate deserters fought loyally for the Union.One such interesting case was that of a local fellow Michael Scott, a native of Kilkenny, Ireland. Scott enlisted in Co. D. 23rd North Carolina on May 30, 1861. He was captured at Chester Gap Virginia in July 21-28, 1863 and sent first to Old Capitol prison in Washington, DC and then to Point Lookout. Released on February 5th, 1864 after taking oath of allegiance and joining Co. D. 1st Regiment US Volunteers. Escaped on an unspecified date and returned to duty with Co. D 23rd North Carolina on July 20, 1864.
True but the OP thread is about Yankee POW's being recruited by the CSA. Interestingly enough the US and other nations recruited soldiers from POW camps at least a hundred years later i.e. the"Kit Carson" program of Vietnam.Reality check. You're a Confederate in a Yankee prison. Some guy comes around and offers you a way out. Go west. Get fed and paid or sit and rot here. What do you do?
Unfortunately, most were sent west to fight in the union's indian eradicationInteresting but Scot was an exception to the rule. Far more Confederate deserters fought loyally for the Union.
Leftyhunter
Interesting but Scot was an exception to the rule. Far more Confederate deserters fought loyally for the Union.
Leftyhunter