The Missouri in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Playing both sides??
In Response To: Playing both sides?? ()

Frequently in SE Missouri recruiting was at the end of the gun barrel. Young to middle age men would be "voluntold" to join what ever unit was strongest in the neighborhood at the moment they came calling. I've seen side switches as many as 3 times in some muster card histories. Gets real interesting when it comes pension time. I ran into a fellow who was collecting a federal pension for his time in the MSM late in the war as well as a state pension for his confederate time in an Arkansas Confederate unit. Seems he was wounded at Iuka, came home to heal up and then took the oath and signed on to the MSM. Better than being sent to Gratiot on a trumped up ex-rebel charge. Double dipping for sure! I suspect if you look hard you'll find its a relatively common happening.

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Playing both sides??
Re: Playing both sides??
Re: Playing both sides??