A Dozen Inexpensive Ways to Improve Your Personal Impression (By Cal Kinzer)

[Duuring]

Let me play devils attorney here.

They say the generals horse's leg were ormanted with them. Now, how many gaiters would fit on four horselegs? A few dozen? 60? 100? 200?

Certainly not the entire batallion - this was done by a minorty of the regiment, probably all in 1 company (One guy took the lead, others followed).

Gaiters were part of high fashion in those days, so saying it looks ridicious has hardly got anything to do with. And eventually men regretted trowing away the gaiters, because why else would they fit their pants in their socks?

[Docm30]

Could they really get away with destroying their gaiters in those armies? in the 19th century British army the deliberate destruction of issued items was punishable by death. Most got off with a flogging, though.

[munky-wunky]

Could they really get away with destroying their gaiters in those armies? in the 19th century British army the deliberate destruction of issued items was punishable by death. Most got off with a flogging, though.

well i dont really know about punishment,  but the civil war soilder would have thrown away grear that sould make them less stremline on marches.

[munky-wunky]

Could they really get away with destroying their gaiters in those armies? in the 19th century British army the deliberate destruction of issued items was punishable by death. Most got off with a flogging, though.

On September 6th, 1862, the 16th Maine left their great coats, tents, knapsacks, bedrolls and other supplies when they left DC because they thought the war would be short. They were finally resupplied on Nov 27th, 1862.

I think the army wasn't as strict on their regulations as other countries.

Right, im sure the army was pissed at  haveng to resuppy them but only to some extent And that is how the U.S.  army works

[munky-wunky]

i think gators sould only be used for early war impresstions but that they were "lost" very quickly and there for dont use them! no matter how pretty they look.

and besides i like mud on my boots and pants 

[Millander]

Could they really get away with destroying their gaiters in those armies? in the 19th century British army the deliberate destruction of issued items was punishable by death. Most got off with a flogging, though.

Such is an army of volunteers.

[Duuring]

Could they really get away with destroying their gaiters in those armies? in the 19th century British army the deliberate destruction of issued items was punishable by death. Most got off with a flogging, though.

Such is an army of volunteers.

The British army consisted fully out of volunteers.

Of course some men didn't have much choice, but you know what I mean.

[munky-wunky]

Could they really get away with destroying their gaiters in those armies? in the 19th century British army the deliberate destruction of issued items was punishable by death. Most got off with a flogging, though.

Such is an army of volunteers.

The British army consisted fully out of volunteers.

Of course some men didn't have much choice, but you know what I mean.

"Volunteers"

[Duuring]

They had, for example, the choice between deportation or enlistment, or the noose or enlistment.

Those men were a far minority, though, and by the greatest part of the people signed up just to make a living. You're not telling me no ACW soldiers enlisted to run away from problems at home.

[munky-wunky]

and then you got the "press gangs"

"we will hit you until you join the navy"

[Duuring]

Spoiler

Could they really get away with destroying their gaiters in those armies? in the 19th century British army the deliberate destruction of issued items was punishable by death. Most got off with a flogging, though.

Such is an army of volunteers.

The British army consisted fully out of volunteers.

Of course some men didn't have much choice, but you know what I mean.

When he says army of volunteers, he is referring to the United States Volunteers (which was called The Volunteer  Army of the United States at the time) which were separate from the Regular Army.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Volunteers

[close]

I know. My point is that just because an army is made out of volunteers is no reason they were less disciplined or less punished. Even though he was probably only joking; I just like making points!

and then you got the "press gangs"

"we will hitt you ntil you going the navy"

That's the navy, and I don't think they ever really became violent until AFTER you had signed up.

[munky-wunky]

Spoiler

Could they really get away with destroying their gaiters in those armies? in the 19th century British army the deliberate destruction of issued items was punishable by death. Most got off with a flogging, though.

Such is an army of volunteers.

The British army consisted fully out of volunteers.

Of course some men didn't have much choice, but you know what I mean.

When he says army of volunteers, he is referring to the United States Volunteers (which was called The Volunteer  Army of the United States at the time) which were separate from the Regular Army.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Volunteers

[close]

I know. My point is that just because an army is made out of volunteers is no reason they were less disciplined or less punished. Even though he was probably only joking; I just like making points!

and then you got the "press gangs"

"we will hit you until you join the navy"

That's the navy, and I don't think they ever really became violent until AFTER you had signed up.

really, well that the american version of it, but im sure its wrong

[Duuring]

Ah, you silly Americans. Thinking people were violent in the early 19th century! Ha!

[munky-wunky]

Ah, you silly Americans. Thinking people were violent in the early 19th century! Ha!

What peoplewere violent!!!  I thought everyone was frolicking in field drinking French wine and Switz chocolate in the 19th century!!! 

[Millander]

I don't think your understanding what I meant duuring. Although it wouldn't be the best description of it but think the US volunteers as a better trained militia. Where as ditching equipment and such would be frowned upon and punished in the regular army (before the war) the volunteers often commanded by volunteer commanders cared less about that and did what what the men preferred.

 If somebody didn't like their equipment they would throw it away. Only arms and leathers were required to be in good order.

 To be frank I don't think your understanding that the Volunteer armies were more nonchalant than their European counterparts.