"Dick O'Donnell" <dickod@mindspring.com> wrote: -snip- >In these papers there is reference to a bounty being paid. The use of >the word today implies that a capture was made but I have the feeling >that it was a more normal payment at that time. The bounty in this case is what we would call a 'signing bonus' today. When the call went out for more troops in 1863[?], each state sent the counties a quota that needed to be filled based on their population. If the quota was filled by volunteers the counties wouldn't need to draft anyone. $100-$200 seems to be the norm, but Schenectady was offering $1000 by the winter of 1864. [and not getting many takers]. The bounty money was mostly provided by private individuals who donated it to the county. You might see the terms 'bounty men' or 'two year men' referred to in some Civil War letters & correspondence. It was a derogatory term applied by the old timers who enlisted 'for the duration' before the bounties were offered. Just something to think about. Your ancestor, who joined an already formed Regiment and joined them with practically no training was probably looked down upon by his new unit until the first battle they faced together. [It's been my experience that after sharing some incoming together nobody much cares where you came from, or how you got there. At that point you become a brother.] jim