Demographics of older recruits

[Hargis, G. 5 A-1]

Re: Demographics of older recruits

Is a regiment meant to be filled with exempt men too singular to be useful, or would the 37th Iowa make a good study?
True, of the 914 officers and other ranks, 86 under aged recruits were mustered in (youngest 15). Almost 600 of them, however, were over 50 years of age (oldest 80).

[ScottCross]

Re: Demographics of older recruits

Is a regiment meant to be filled with exempt men too singular to be useful, or would the 37th Iowa make a good study?
True, of the 914 officers and other ranks, 86 under aged recruits were mustered in (youngest 15). Almost 600 of them, however, were over 50 years of age (oldest 80).

Glen,

It should be noted that in the 37th Iowa "Gray Beards", 145 died of disease, 364 were discharged because of physical disabilities, and that the entire regiment was mustered out of service prior to the expiration of their term of service by recommendation of General Willich. While they were stationed at Rock Island Barracks, an inspecting officer from Washington called them the most unfit group of soldiers he had ever encountered (I paraphrase, since I don't have the exact quote at hand).

[Hargis, G. 5 A-1]

Re: Demographics of older recruits

Glen,

It should be noted that in the 37th Iowa "Gray Beards", 145 died of disease, 364 were discharged because of physical disabilities, and that the entire regiment was mustered out of service prior to the expiration of their term of service by recommendation of General Willich. While they were stationed at Rock Island Barracks, an inspecting officer from Washington called them the most unfit group of soldiers he had ever encountered (I paraphrase, since I don't have the exact quote at hand).

Most of the men of the 37th were indeed old coots (one was a vet from the War of 1812) Their service included provost duty, guarding reb prisoners, and guard duty at various posts.
It should be noted that they DID see action against guerillas and raiders in Tennessee (with several 37th Iowans killed or wounded)

Yes, the regiment was mustered out of service before their initial 3-year term of service was up
Mustered into the service of the United States at Muscatine, Iowa, Dec. 15, 1862, mustered out of service May 24, 1865, Davenport, Iowa. They were hardly the only unit to be discharged early. The Federal government was eager to cut that million dollar per day war cost soon after Bobby Lee gave up the fght (April 9 of '65 was it not?)
The men of the 37th sent their sons and their grandsons AND themselves to live the hard kife of a soldier. They earned the respect of veterans of more active units and, I'm sure you agree that they deserve ours as well.

They do not, by any streatch of the term, qualify as "typical" or "aveage" but such terms appy only to men in the agregate. We relate to people one at a time, and in that we are all unique, yes?

[75thbugler]

Re: Demographics of older recruits

My Great-Great Grandfather Carl Albert Pfluger enlisted January of 1864 with the 15th New York Heavy Artillery at are 47. He survived the war and was musterd out in April of 65. He was wounded in the leg at the Battle of Five Forks.

[ScottCross]

Re: Demographics of older recruits

This image just surfaced in Texas and is up for auction on ebay. This fellow had to have been the oldest corporal in the Union Army:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Texas-Civil-War-Soldier-Framed-Photograph_W0QQitemZ220046060775QQihZ012QQcategoryZ36039QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[AZFarrier]

Re: Demographics of older recruits

Yes the 37th did muster out early and were considered unfit but from what I read of them it was more of a discipline problem and not a physical problem.

Andy Miller
1st CAL Cav
Arizona Rangers