Dear ACers,
I have been thinking about the relationship between the different enlisted men--privates, corporals, sergeants.
In Germany, there is a long tradition of the "Unteroffizierskorps," which means that noncoms were a kind of distinct class of career soldiers with a certain esprit de corps. They were (and still are) the ones who trained privates, and there always was a kind of "gap" between privates and noncoms (and another with regards to officers)--the noncoms were somehow "something better," or at least that is what many of them thought.
Most Civil War soldiers were volunteers and not regulars. But what were their attitudes? It seems that in the American military, they were officially "one" group: the enlisted men. But did corporals and especially sergeants feel distinct from privates and even felt a need to distinguish themselves as a group? Would they separate themselves from privates? Or was it rather the other way around, that they also were in mess groups with privates, had a friendly relationship with each other, all while the hirarchy of giving and obeying orders was still in effect?
Maybe this is a question about "military etiquette." Maybe this question could also encompass the "lower" officer grades like lieutenants. I understand that there is no definitive answer--I suppose that training, garrision duty, and on campaign are all settings which might play into this--but maybe some of those who have studied primary documents can shed light on the more prevailing attitudes.
Thanks a lot!
I have been thinking about the relationship between the different enlisted men--privates, corporals, sergeants.
In Germany, there is a long tradition of the "Unteroffizierskorps," which means that noncoms were a kind of distinct class of career soldiers with a certain esprit de corps. They were (and still are) the ones who trained privates, and there always was a kind of "gap" between privates and noncoms (and another with regards to officers)--the noncoms were somehow "something better," or at least that is what many of them thought.
Most Civil War soldiers were volunteers and not regulars. But what were their attitudes? It seems that in the American military, they were officially "one" group: the enlisted men. But did corporals and especially sergeants feel distinct from privates and even felt a need to distinguish themselves as a group? Would they separate themselves from privates? Or was it rather the other way around, that they also were in mess groups with privates, had a friendly relationship with each other, all while the hirarchy of giving and obeying orders was still in effect?
Maybe this is a question about "military etiquette." Maybe this question could also encompass the "lower" officer grades like lieutenants. I understand that there is no definitive answer--I suppose that training, garrision duty, and on campaign are all settings which might play into this--but maybe some of those who have studied primary documents can shed light on the more prevailing attitudes.
Thanks a lot!
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