In a message dated 07/29/04 5:40:19 AM US Mountain Standard Time, refaw@alltel.net writes: What inducement, at that time, would entice a young 18 year old to join the army other than possibly getting away from home where he could find no work. A certain number of young men have always been "induced" to enter the military, and most people at most periods of American history have considered it an honorable profession. Was he an officer? What was his rank and how long did he serve? For some background on what was happening with the United States military at that time, which generally was downsizing from the Revolutionary War period, see http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/AMH/AMH-05.htm