Regiment (United States Army)
Derived from the concept originating in European armies, a regiment was historically commanded by a colonel, and consisted of ten companies, for a total of approximately 1,000 soldiers.
The regiment fulfilled both administrative and tactical functions and was the principal maneuver unit of the US Army until being superseded in the 20th century by the division.
[1] During the American Civil War the regiment was considered the fundamental unit of recruitment, training and maneuver of the Union Army.
Efforts during the Civil War to revitalize the GRS and add incentives to encourage enlistment in the Regular Army increased its size but could not overcome most Americans' desire to serve in the Volunteers.
In a large sense these appointments were for political purposes as they could be used to strengthen support for local politicians and allowed for the speedy organization of so many new regiments.
[6] Eventually, as casualties mounted and their constituents' complaints increased, governors took to issuing commissions on the basis of battlefield rather than political competence.
[4] A regiment might start with 1,000 soldiers, but without even having engaged in combat after six months it might only be able to muster 600 or 700 on account of desertions, illness, leave, detachment on special duty, and other factors.
By the time it had seen action, a veteran regiment averaged a little over 400 soldiers, a situation not only accepted as a matter of course but tactically advantageous for its maneuverability and ease of command.
[4] Serious efforts were made to replenish regiments back to their full strength, of which Wisconsin did better than the other states, but it remained a clumsy and unpredictable system.
[8] Eventually the result for many regiments was that attrition continued to reduce their numbers until they were deemed combat ineffective, whereupon they would be disbanded or consolidated with another unit.
While those with years in the Regular Army were well-versed in their craft, many USV staff officers were inexperienced in their new role and so less effective, although experience gained over time eventually improved their performance.
[9][10] In addition to their authorized staff, each regiment in the Union Army was allowed to appoint an ordained Christian minister as their chaplain.
Before the war, the ten original infantry regiments of the Regular Army (1st through 10th) were all authorized ten companies and a regimental staff consisting of a colonel, lieutenant colonel, two majors, an adjutant, quartermaster, quartermaster sergeant, sergeant major, a principal or chief musician and two musicians.
[16] Positioned in the center of the regiment when deployed in line for battle, it was considered a great honor to be picked for the color guard.
[18][19] The next month, Congress made the controversial decision to redesignate the Regular Army's mounted regiments, naming them all Cavalry and numbering them based on their seniority (1st-6th).
Field artillery soldiers were primarily armed with pistols and cutlasses and except for the drivers and Chiefs of Pieces they would march on foot alongside the cannons.
[25] Likewise, the states raised over two hundred individual batteries for federal service, versus approximately forty-six regiments and three battalions.
