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Archiver > Scotch-Irish > 1999-02 > 0919617501


From: "Dick" <>
Subject: Re: Military History
Date: Sun, 21 Feb 1999 11:18:21 -0600


>
> In many countries during the last century and earlier it was possible
for a
> person joining the army to have some choice into which regiment to
enlist.
> I was wondering if in Ireland and Scotland if members of the same
families
> or clans tended to join the same regiments. For instance, would a
Ross join
> something like the Black Watch Regiment because 15 cousins were in
that
> outfit? Would a Merle join the Royal Irish Fusiliers because he had
three
> brothers already belonging?

This was also true of US forces through, I believe, WW I. We had copied
the British regimental system of making up armies and, thus they were
pretty well complimented of men from the same immediate geographical
area. In the case of the US this led to less acts of cowardice and
desertion. This, of course, resulted from having come from the same
home town or county and having to go home together. Often they were
related to one another. I've just been discovering these relationships
among my ancestors in the 30th Illinois Infantry Regiment of the US
Civil War.

I added this to assist those who might be looking for S-I relatives who
served in US forces. There are in fact web sites that give participants
in some of the states. I know that Illinois has such a site for the
Civil War.

Regards,

Dick Hudson

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