Looking for rules which officers resigned their commisions

[Steve Acker]

I have read multiple accounts of officers resigning their commisions early in the war and now have an unanswered question.

Scenerio:
Late 1863, early 1864
Confederate Army of Tennessee
Could junior officers resign their commisions and then leave the army? If so what was the proceedure. If not what order denied that right?

Thanks,
Steve Acker

[Clsinclair]

Re: Looking for rules which officers resigned their commisions

I have a copy of a letter that my ggg uncle, Lt. Hiram Hancock, wrote to his his surgeon asking to resign his commission because he had a severe chest infection. Turned out to be consumption. The surgeon then recommended that he be able to resign. Hiram died a year later. Sickness was one way to resign and for the Confederate army going through the surgeon seemed to be the best route.

Claude Sinclair

[Steve Acker]

Re: Looking for rules which officers resigned their commisions

Thanks Claude.

Steve Acker

[Slouch]

Re: Looking for rules which officers resigned their commisions

My ggg uncle was a 1st LT in the 2nd VA Infantry and I have a copy of his resignation letter, dated October 1862. He wrote;

"I feel it an imposition on the service having so many commissioned officers in so small a company, and prefer serving as a humble private in the cavalry."

His resignation was accepted. Records show he joined Co. B, 12th VA Cav as a private. I have found other sources that still mention him as "Lt Billings", so Im not yet sure if he somehow retained his rank or was quickly promoted later.