Recruiting, Early Training and Wages

What system of recruiting did the Confederates use?
Since the South's territory was beginning to be taken over by the northerners, a draft was put in place to recruit more soldiers.The confederate government put it into place on April 16, 1862. The Southerners felt that it took away there rights and were very unhappy. All men 18-35 were liable to serve for three years. They soon realized that the north had more soilders so in September of 1862 they changed to age limit to be 17-50! Imagine going away to the army when your only 17 years old. Thats only about three years from now!

What was the Union draft?

On the First draft for the Federal government was the act of Enrolling and Calling out the National Forces. It was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on May 3, 1863. It asked for men ages 18-45 to serve in the war. Unlike the Confrederate's draft, it used a system called Lottery System. Registered men within the required age limits would be drawn from a wheel. Many man volunteered though, that is because you received $100 from the Federal Government! Therfore the draft was seldom needed. The draft could also be avoided if you hired a man to subsitute or pay 300 dollars. Also men with important jobs such as: railroad workers, river workers, civil officers, telegraph operators, miners, druggists, and teachers could avoid the draft. That is because they were needed at home.

What was the training for soldiers like?

Being a soldier was not easy. They indured long hours of battling and marching. Here are some of the things a soldier had to train for and learn:
1) Order formations

2) How to march in colums

3) How to interact with other soldiers

4) How to do a right face

5) How to pick up and shoulder a musket

They also had to learn things that before the war, only woman really knew. Like how to properly cooks with the scarce rations they were given. They learned how to help avoid camp dieses such as scurvy and typhus and the necessity of maintaining their clothes, shoes, and weapons. The soldiers often had to sew together their uniforms if it was ripped. The soldiers all practiced drills related to their rank.

How much did Soldiers earn for their hard fighting?

Even though African Americans and Whites were equal fighters, there was still discrimination. Soldiers of African Descent were paid 10.00 dollars a month, plus $3.50 for clothes. Whereas white soldiers got paid $13 per month and $3.50 for clothing.