As to the animals that pulled the wagons, etc, I suggest you hunt up an article that was in Civil War Times Illustrated Magazine a few years ago. I do not remember the year, but it was entitled something like Army Mules. The animals used by teamsters were obtained (purchased/confiscated) by the army and not brought from home. In addressing your questions about the men that comprised the teamsters, I know of no major work that gives information on them. However, reading enough diaries and service records you can tell that they were mostly on that duty temporarily, although a few had an affinity for it and were permanently given that assignment. I do not recall any references that told of them being uneducated or cowards. I do not know what references you have seen to determine that, but the most I have read refer to infantry units in the Confederate Army of Tennessee or Trans-Mississippi Theater and do not state anything close to that. It was just an assignment, although I am sure there probably were some notable characters as there were in all branches. The same can be said of the pioneer corps, simply another group of men on temporary assignment that were supposed to clear passage areas and water sources. In fact, pioneers were more common and less documented. As to rank, there was not an independant system of teamsters, they kept whatever rank that entered the assignment as. I am sure that the assignment was given at the brigade level (or at least that is what most I have seen were assigned to, teamster for such in such brigade). I seem to recall a person on temporary assignment described as a wagon master. That would seem to be the extent of a different 'rank'. Judging by the fact that most of the men I have seen service records for returned to service, I see no hesitation to fight by them. In fact, wagon trains being attacked at various times have proven that many do. For a reference, see the Battle of Jackson Crossroads in Louisiana. It was an attack on a Federal wagon train accompanied by black troops who tried to fight off their attackers. It should be easily found online in the War of the Rebellion series.