Mark,
The Residuary Battalions were formed from troops whose enlistments had not expired when their parent units were mustered out. They were both veterans and recruits. They wore the regulation uniform. The VRC was initially called the Invalid Corps and was made up of soldiers whose physical disabilities kept them from regular field service. The name Veterans Reserve Corps was initiated when some troops took exception at being labeled as Invalids. The sky blue uniform was adopted to distinguish these men as veterans who had suffered dibilitating wounds in combat and were no longer able to perform their regular duties. The Residuary Battalions were made up of men still capable of field service.

Len