Learn more about the U.S. Civil War

1861 – 1865

Cost of Equipment - July 4,1861

The following is a list of what it cost New Hampshire to outfit each volunteer.

Coat and Pants $7.00

Cap $1.10

Overcoat $7.87

Shoes $1.25

Blouse $3.00

2 pair socks $ .62

2 shirts $1.92

1 pair drawers $ .46

Blanket $1.87

Knapsack $2.25

Haversack $ .76

Canteen $ .75

Gun sling $ .50

Cartridge box belt

Scabbard, belt and

Cap box $5.50

Making the total cost of uniforming and equipping each private $34.84.

Organization of the CONFEDERATE and UNION Armies

ORGANIZATION OF THE ARMY INFANTRY

COMPANY:

The basic unit was the company, commanded by a Captain.

Company = 100 men = 2 platoons = 4 sections = 8 squads

1-Captain...1-1st Lt....1-2nd Lt....1-1st Sgt....4-Sgts.....8-Cpls

REGIMENTS and BATTALIONS

10 Companies = Regiment, commanded by a Colonel.

4-8 Companies = Battalion, commanded by a Major or Lt. Col.

BRIGADE:

3-6 Regiments = Brigade, commanded by a Brigadier General.

DIVISION:

2-6 Brigades = Division, commanded by a Major General

CORPS:

2-4 Divisions = Corps, commanded by a Major General for the UNION side or Lt. General for the CONFEDERATE side

ARMIES: (Geographically Assigned a Name)

1-8 Corps = Armies, commanded by a Major General for the UNION or Full General for the CONFEDERATE

ORGANIZATION OF THE ARMY CAVALRY

COMPANY or TROOP

100 men = Troop/Company, commanded by a Captain.

When in battle, one man in four guarded the horses.

REGIMENT and BATTALION

12 Cavalry troops = Regiment for the UNION side commanded by a Colonel.

10 Companies = Regiment for the CONFEDERATE side.

BRIGADE, DIVISION and CORPS

Initially, each UNION cavalry regiment was assigned to an infantry division.

The CONFEDERATES brigaded their cavalry together. The Union eventually adopted this organization as well.

The arts of tactics and strategy were revolutionized by the many developments introduced during the 1860's. Thus the Civil War ushered in a new era in warfare with the:

First practical machine gun.

First repeating rifle used in combat.

First use of the railroad as a major means of transporting troops and supplies.

First mobile siege artillery mounted on rail cars.

First extensive use of trenches and field fortifications.

First large-scale use of land mines, known as "subterranean shells.

First naval mines or "torpedoes".

First ironclad ships engaged in combat.

First multi-manned submarine.

First organized and systematic care of the wounded on the battlefield

First use of formaldehyde to embalm bodies.

First Navy nurses during the Civil War were the Holy Cross Sister who volunteered and served on the hospital ship "Red Rover"

First widespread use of rails for hospital trains

First to use ambulances.

First organized military signal service.

First visual signaling by flag and torch during combat.

First use of portable telegraph units on the battlefield.

First military reconnaissance from a manned balloon.

First draft in the United States.

First organized use of Negro troops in combat.

First voting in the field for a national election by servicemen.

First income tax---levied to finance the war.

First photograph taken in combat.

First Medal of Honor awarded an American soldier.

- From "The Civil War" centennial handbook by William H. Price