Non-military role in the military?

[Annette Bethke]

Not sure if this should go here, please move if needed.

Reading Gideon Lincecum's Sword, letters from an old gentleman in southeast Texas. He writes of his over 40 year old sons who "too in the service". One son was "detailed to attend to the sick in the absent soldiers' families."

Would this have truly been a military role? Has anyone else come across mentions of such a duty?

[bAcK88]

Re: Non-military role in the military?

Did that man really have 40 sons?!?!

[Annette Bethke]

Re: Non-military role in the military?

Oh my!! So sorry; I need to learn to edit. 40 year old sons. Thanks for catching that.

[ephraim_zook]

Re: Non-military role in the military?

Oh, good, Ms Bethke. I thought maybe he was the Sultan of Texas or some other prolific culture. :p

Ron Myzie

[volcav]

Re: Non-military role in the military?

I've not seen any documentation on that type of duty in the Civil War but it is not uncommon for National Guard, Reserve, and Active Duty units today to leave a one or two person contingent behind to handle unit and family affairs while the rest are deployed. What you are referring to may have been a "home guard" type of duty.