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Post by harpskiddie on Dec 3, 2006 12:14:47 GMT -6
Elisabeth:
The more I read about the post-CW Army, the more I wonder why on earth anyone would want to be a part of it. For the Congress, it was all about the money, and making sure that the forts were in their districts. For the troops, it was mostly about being cheap labor, since they spent most of their time building, cutting , mowing etc. etc. And the civilian population had no time for soldiers, unless they needed them for protection.
Gordie
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Post by elisabeth on Dec 3, 2006 12:31:21 GMT -6
And not a lot in it for the officers, either, apart from the guarantee of hardships and no promotion, and the constant threat of cutbacks. A bit of hunting and an outdoor life, but that's about it ...
The closest thing I've seen to an explanation is from General Alexander's wife, Evy (Cavalry Wife, p. 15): "In our profession we are spared all the annoyances of insurance, taxes, & etc. ... and we have only one thing to take care of -- to see that our expenses do not exceed our income. ... Andrew and I very often discuss the pros and cons of army life and we always come to the conclusion that take it all together it is a good place." Sounds a bit thin to me, I have to say! Perhaps Keogh puts his finger on it when he says, in an 1869 letter, "I find that Army life unfits a man for most professions outside of itself". Perhaps if you've been fed and watered (however poorly) at Government expense for a few years, plus have a little independence of action, plus comradeship, plus the occasional excitement of combat to offset the gruelling boredom of knocking around in primitive frontier posts, it's hard to reconcile yourself to 9-to-5 in an office somewhere ...
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Post by markland on Dec 3, 2006 20:57:44 GMT -6
Elisabeth: The more I read about the post-CW Army, the more I wonder why on earth anyone would want to be a part of it. For the Congress, it was all about the money, and making sure that the forts were in their districts. For the troops, it was mostly about being cheap labor, since they spent most of their time building, cutting , mowing etc. etc. And the civilian population had no time for soldiers, unless they needed them for protection. Gordie Gordie, remember the old saying? "Dogs and soldiers keep off the lawn." Typical of American history guys. If it ain't needed immediately, you don't need it. Billy
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