Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

barnegatsailor t1_iyoguwr wrote

Reply to comment by RedmondBarry1999 in [OC] Number of Union Army Units/Companies during the American Civil War. by BLAZENIOSZ

DC had 3 regiments, one cavalry and two infantry.

Fun fact, the 2nd DC Infantry Regiment included a soldier named John Staples. During the Civil War it was customary for wealthy and powerful individuals to pay representatives to be their stand-ins when they were drafted. John Staples, a DC resident who had previously served in the 176th PA but was medically discharged after a battle with typhus, was Abraham Lincoln's stand-in. Lincoln paid him $500 ($18,000 today) to serve in the regiment in his stead. Lincoln requested he not be assigned combat duty and he served the remainder of the war as the clerk to the regiment's commanding officer. If you ever end up in Stroudsburg, PA there is a historical marker on Main Street dedicated to him.

11

SalemDrumline2011 t1_iyoifd6 wrote

Why would Lincoln need a stand-in? He’s Commander in Chief

7

booniebrew t1_iyp3cso wrote

Apparently the War Department had asked citizens ineligible to be drafted to pay someone to fight for them, not in their stead but to provide more troops outside the draft. Lincoln paid Staples to set an example and encourage more people to do it.

7

barnegatsailor t1_iyp2yts wrote

Something to do with supporting the policy or something like that. Idk exactly why but he did.

6