Methods Used To Recruit Combatants 1700-1850 Flashcards
What happens to methods of recruitment over this period?
They remained largely unchanged for the most of this period
Professional soldiers: include what this means and why
By 1700 most soldiers where professional soldiers meaning it was their job and for most their only means of earning a wage
This was possible because of Englands permanent standing army (established in 1660) which became the British army in 1707 when Scotland and England joined
What motivated men to join?
- many had no formal education meaning it was one of their only options
- a bounty: this was the money paid to a man when they enlisted the amount varied but it was around 12 geuineas by 1806 which was a substantial amount
What was the main way of recruiting soldier in 1700-1850
Recruiting parties
- sent to local fairs and public houses to try and attract recruits
- often paid 2 guineas this acted as an incentive to make the soldiers work harder at getting more people
- those recruited would be paid a bounty which was a decent sum of money
2nd method of recruitment: the militia
The militia was an organisation whose members were equipped and trained to provide basic local defence
Men aged 18-45 where selected from a ballot to serve 5 years in the militia
Militias where not part of the army and were not expected to serve overseas
Many Militiamen where encouraged to transfer to the army with a bounty payment larger than normal recruits
How effective was the Militia method of recruitment?
It appears to of been very effective with as many as 100,000 men joining the regular army between the years 1805-1815
3rd method: Kidnap
Some men where forced to join the army, victims where often drunk and help captive until they swore the oath to enlist. Know as crimps the kidnappers should brought forward men to enlist to where incentivised by a bounty payment
It was common during the napoleonic wars but not so much afterwards
Desertion: problem or not?, why and what was the punishment
It was a constant problem
Most took place after men had enlisted and before they actually joined a regiment
Between 1803-1812 53,00 men deserted
It was punishable by death but rarely imposed unless they deserted to the enemy side
Many deserters had public sympathy and sometimes where housed by the public when hiding
How where officers recruited? Attitudes towards it and compared to normal recruits
Officers including cavalrymen were recruited very differently from infantry men
Most where wealthy upper middle and aristocratic classes.
It was seen as an appropriate career for the younger sons of the aristocracy and gentry( the eldest son would inherit the family estate)
What was the purchase system?
Positions as officers where traditionally bought for money in what was known as the purchase system
It didn’t mean officers where not brave or skilful but it meant they might well not be as they was no formal training required
Expected to learn through experience
Nepotism was also common in the military
Promotions where usually bought
This system of recruitment was only reformed in the 1870’s
What was attitude of officers ? Did enlisted ranks ever manage to become officers
It was rare but sometimes an enlisted soldier could become an officer
Some officers believed ‘ soldiers and soldiers but officers are soldiers and gentlemen’ showing the attitude of officers at the tim
