In the Review Queue: Lincoln’s Mercenaries

Lincoln's Mercenaries:

Economic Motivation among

Union Soldiers during the Civil War

By William Marvel

In Lincoln’s Mercenaries, renowned Civil War historian William Marvel considers whether poor northern men bore the highest burden of military service during the American Civil War. Examining data on median family wealth from the 1860 United States Census, Marvel reveals the economic conditions of the earliest volunteers from each northern state during the seven major recruitment and conscription periods of the war. The results consistently support the conclusion that the majority of these soldiers came from the poorer half of their respective states’ population, especially during the first year of fighting.

Marvel further suggests that the largely forgotten economic depression of 1860 and 1861 contributed in part to the disproportionate participation in the war of men from chronically impoverished occupations. During this fiscal downturn, thousands lost their jobs, leaving them susceptible to the modest emoluments of military pay and community support for soldiers’ families. From newspaper accounts and individual contemporary testimony, he concludes that these early recruits―whom historians have generally regarded as the most patriotic of Lincoln’s soldiers―were motivated just as much by money as those who enlisted later for exorbitant bounties, and that those generous bounties were made necessary partly because war production and labor shortages improved economic conditions on the home front.

A fascinating, comprehensive study, Lincoln’s Mercenaries illustrates how an array of social and economic factors drove poor northern men to rely on military wages to support themselves and their families during the war.

ISBN 978-0807169520, LSU Press, © 2018, Hardcover, 352 pages, Photographs & Illustrations, Tables, End Notes, Bibliography & Index. $34.95.  To purchase this book click HERE.

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: March 1, 1864

Working along towards Spring slowly. A dead calm after the raid scare. We much prefer the open air imprisonment to confinement. Have considerable trouble with the thieves which disgrace the name of union soldier. Are the most contemptible rascals in existence. Often walk up to a man and coolly take his food and proceed to eat it before the owner. If the victim resists then a fight is the consequence, and the poor man not only loses his food but gets licked as well.

SOURCE: John L. Ransom, Andersonville Diary, p. 37

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: February 30 [sic], 1864

Rebels in hot water all night and considerably agitated. Imagined we could hear firing during the night. This morning small squads of tired out union soldiers marched by our prison under guard, evidently captured through the night. Look as if they was completely played out. Go straggling by sometimes not more than half a dozen at a time. Would give something to hear the news. We are all excitement here. Negroes also go by in squads sometimes of hundreds in charge of overseers, and singing their quaint negro melodies. It is supposed by us that the negroes work on the fortifications, and are moved from one part of the city to another, for that purpose. Our troops have evidently been repulsed with considerable loss. We hear that Dahlgreen has been shot and killed. At the very first intimation that our troops were anywhere near, the prisoners would have made a break.

SOURCE: John L. Ransom, Andersonville Diary, p. 37

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: October 31, 1864

Arrived at Jersey City all right, this morning. Crossed the Hudson River by Cortlandt Street ferry. On the march up Cortlandt Street we were hooted and jeered at by the toughs. We passed along without taking any notice of it. Our march was up Broadway. At Martinsburg, West Virginia, we were sent off with cheers. In New York City which had many thousands of its good citizens in the Union army, Union soldiers were insulted as they marched on through the streets. At the railroad station, Fourth Avenue and 27th Street, we were soon on board train for New Haven.

We enjoyed the trip. When we crossed the line cheers were given for good old Connecticut. We arrived late this afternoon. Line formed, we marched through the streets, making a good appearance, every man doing his best, from the drum corps all down the line. Passed under a large Lincoln banner, cheered by each company as we passed along. We marched out to Grapevine Point, East Haven, going into camp at Conscript Camp, there to remain on duty until further orders. This camp is used by the state. All recruits are sent here and sent from here to the different regiments.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 133