My Yankee ancestor, James Wesley Gray, enlisted as a Sergeant, then made 2nd then 1st Lieutenant in the 15th Kentucky Infantry. My Rebel ancestors, were brothers and both Colonels in two all Native American Confederate regiments.
Excellent video. I was just promoted to 1st Lieutenant of my Company and this has helped me very much. I knew a fair amount but this clarifies so much for me!
Phenomenal Video! I had no idea about officers having to buy their own food and going hungry on campaign - it is wild that such an antiquated system remained in place at this time!
Very good! Each of these segments could make a whole video. The individuality of officers is what strikes me, especially as a member of our modern armed forces with all our uniformity. Gen. Custer was described as wearing a suit of black velvet trimmed with gold lace under his cavalry jacket and a bright crimson necktie - hardly the regulation uniform!
Now this was just awesome. Perfectly presented in plain English, easy for any layman to understand and pretty comprehensive. I have one question: Could a Union officer opt out of wearing either a sash or sword and instead carry two revolvers?
Most officers didn't wear sashes (ones who did were worthy of comment in people's letters and memoirs), but I think swords were pretty common in the field. I see no reason why someone wouldn't carry two revolvers if they wanted to. They wouldn't be issued, so they would be private purchase, but if someone wants the trouble of carrying them around even an enlistedman could have them. Even an item as cumbersome as a bowie knife is mentioned in some enlisted soldiers' memoirs, though they were used mostly as can openers.
Usually an officer would need to be focused in command, not defending himself with a revolver, so carrying 2 revolvers would become extra weight. However, to your point, they usually did not wear a sash in battle because it was completely non functional and just got in the way
Wonderful video! I would love if you did a version of this but for Confederate junior officers. To help me make my 2nd Lt impression and to help teach the public on CS junior officers.
Great video. I wanted to ask everyone in the comments- is the term "civil war" blacklisted by youtube for you guys? I start typing and it brings up recommendations, but as soon as I hit that second space the search suggestions disappear. It's the exact same thing that happens in the search bar if you type a curse word. This means that I have to fully type out "civil war digital digest" every time I want to look them up, and if the term is blacklisted I worry that these great videos are being supressed by youtube. Anyone else experiencing this or is it just me?
Weird, but would not surprise us. We are also putting more of our programming with the history streaming service HistoryFix. Their search functions will show you Civil War the first time you look for it.
What I noticed is that the equipment of NCOs is barely mentioned. What was a Sergeant equipped with? I know about the Model 1840 NCO Sword, so I conclude that a Revolver would also be part of their equipment. Maybe you guys would like to be the first who make a detailed video about this topic somewhen cin the future? (And if Im confusing terms or misunderstanding something, please let me know, I have an excuse: Im from Germany ;-D) Thank You for all your great work!
I think your English is quite good! This video is about junior officers, which would be the ranks of 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant, and Captain. That's why NCOs aren't mentioned. I know sergeants were entitled to carry a sword, but I don't know about corporals. I believe NCOs typically fought with muskets or rifles.
NCOs during the civil war were seen as senior enlisted men, and would have fought primarily with rifles. Pistols/revolvers were not issued to infantry NCOs during the civil war. The sword was used while wearing the dress uniform and occasionally in the field
Usually not Sharp at all. In fact, if someone sharpened a sword or saber, it was a noted exception. Generally, sword blades are straighter and saber are more curved.
I believe chaplains weren't officers and didn't have any rank. They were civilians who volunteered to go with their local regiments. They did receive pay from the government, though, and like officers they had to buy everything they needed.
Chaplians at this time were non combatants and did not have a rank. They had the same privileges and pay as a second lieutenant and were treated mostly the same way as officers. To become a chaplain, a man had to already be ordained and then apply with the war department. They had the same carrer path and retirement as officers
One of the best episodes yet, well done!
Thank you! It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun to do.
My Yankee ancestor, James Wesley Gray, enlisted as a Sergeant, then made 2nd then 1st Lieutenant in the 15th Kentucky Infantry. My Rebel ancestors, were brothers and both Colonels in two all Native American Confederate regiments.
My 2nd great grandfather was a Sgt in the 27th Kentucky (US).
Excellent video. I was just promoted to 1st Lieutenant of my Company and this has helped me very much. I knew a fair amount but this clarifies so much for me!
Glad it helps!!
I'm in a very similar position and this will go great in advancing my impression
I would love a demonstration on how a cravat would be tied
Phenomenal Video! I had no idea about officers having to buy their own food and going hungry on campaign - it is wild that such an antiquated system remained in place at this time!
Very good! Each of these segments could make a whole video. The individuality of officers is what strikes me, especially as a member of our modern armed forces with all our uniformity. Gen. Custer was described as wearing a suit of black velvet trimmed with gold lace under his cavalry jacket and a bright crimson necktie - hardly the regulation uniform!
Thanks Andy. Filled in gaps I hadn't even noticed in my picture of army life. Well done, as always.
Now this was just awesome. Perfectly presented in plain English, easy for any layman to understand and pretty comprehensive. I have one question: Could a Union officer opt out of wearing either a sash or sword and instead carry two revolvers?
Most officers didn't wear sashes (ones who did were worthy of comment in people's letters and memoirs), but I think swords were pretty common in the field. I see no reason why someone wouldn't carry two revolvers if they wanted to. They wouldn't be issued, so they would be private purchase, but if someone wants the trouble of carrying them around even an enlistedman could have them. Even an item as cumbersome as a bowie knife is mentioned in some enlisted soldiers' memoirs, though they were used mostly as can openers.
@@Beaguins Thank you for a great answer. I'd ditch the sword, carry two Remington revolvers, a bunch of ammo, and a decent kepi or two - that's it.
Usually an officer would need to be focused in command, not defending himself with a revolver, so carrying 2 revolvers would become extra weight. However, to your point, they usually did not wear a sash in battle because it was completely non functional and just got in the way
Excellent video, Andy! Well done as always!
Another great video gentlemen! Well done for those coming into and improving their impressions.
I've been waiting on this topic, thank you all
Enjoy!!!
Wonderful video! I would love if you did a version of this but for Confederate junior officers. To help me make my 2nd Lt impression and to help teach the public on CS junior officers.
Excellent episode. Refreshing break from the sh*t show unfolding around us. Bless you.
Great video
Thank you!
Great video. I wanted to ask everyone in the comments- is the term "civil war" blacklisted by youtube for you guys? I start typing and it brings up recommendations, but as soon as I hit that second space the search suggestions disappear. It's the exact same thing that happens in the search bar if you type a curse word.
This means that I have to fully type out "civil war digital digest" every time I want to look them up, and if the term is blacklisted I worry that these great videos are being supressed by youtube. Anyone else experiencing this or is it just me?
Weird, but would not surprise us. We are also putting more of our programming with the history streaming service HistoryFix. Their search functions will show you Civil War the first time you look for it.
its because of that movie or whatever right?
What I noticed is that the equipment of NCOs is barely mentioned. What was a Sergeant equipped with?
I know about the Model 1840 NCO Sword, so I conclude that a Revolver would also be part of their equipment. Maybe you guys would like to be the first who make a detailed video about this topic somewhen cin the future?
(And if Im confusing terms or misunderstanding something, please let me know, I have an excuse: Im from Germany ;-D)
Thank You for all your great work!
I think your English is quite good! This video is about junior officers, which would be the ranks of 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant, and Captain. That's why NCOs aren't mentioned. I know sergeants were entitled to carry a sword, but I don't know about corporals. I believe NCOs typically fought with muskets or rifles.
@@Beaguins Thank You!
NCOs during the civil war were seen as senior enlisted men, and would have fought primarily with rifles. Pistols/revolvers were not issued to infantry NCOs during the civil war. The sword was used while wearing the dress uniform and occasionally in the field
@@ilsmawandfarm1767 Thank You!
I learned a lot thank you! Is there a difference between a sword and a saber? Were the very sharp?
Usually not Sharp at all. In fact, if someone sharpened a sword or saber, it was a noted exception.
Generally, sword blades are straighter and saber are more curved.
When one is a Civil war reenactor and you get killed early on, is it then ok to sleep till the battle is over ?
I've seen it done
Sure, find shade first.
Do a thorough tick check
What about chaplains. ? How did they receive there rank? How long did they stay in?
I believe chaplains weren't officers and didn't have any rank. They were civilians who volunteered to go with their local regiments. They did receive pay from the government, though, and like officers they had to buy everything they needed.
Chaplians at this time were non combatants and did not have a rank. They had the same privileges and pay as a second lieutenant and were treated mostly the same way as officers. To become a chaplain, a man had to already be ordained and then apply with the war department. They had the same carrer path and retirement as officers
great content here. plenty of interesting details for historians of all levels
21:14, 24:37- totally fine when yankees do it right