
Salaries between the Confederate and Union armies during the American Civil War differed:
- Privates – $11.00 (Confederacy) vs. ...
- Corporals – Both received $13.00
- Sergeants – Both received $17.00
- First Sergeants – Both received $20.00
- Quartermaster Sergeants and Sergeant Majors – Both earned $21.00
- Second Lieutenant – $80.00 (Confederacy) vs. ...
- First Lieutenant – $90.00 (Confederacy) vs. ...
- Captain – $130.00 (Confederacy) vs. ...
Who paid for the Civil War?
The financier of the Civil War, who had made millions with his pyramided system of fractional-reserve lending, filed for bankruptcy on September 18, 1873. Asking who paid for the war is misleading; in a very real sense we’re still paying for it and will be until we return to sound money – money, in von Mises’ words, that obstructs “the government's propensity to meddle with the currency system.”
How were Civil War black soldiers helped the Union win?
Black soldiers had helped the Continental Army against British tyranny during the Revolutionary War, and they had unofficially battled side-by-side with their white counterparts in the War of 1812. Nevertheless, the Civil War represented the first time in history that black soldiers entered military service en masse in the United States of America.
What did soldiers do during the Civil War?
Soldiers had to endure very long hours of drill on a daily basis, bad food, diseases that spread through camp, and living in Civil War tents which made pretty inadequate shelters. They also had to do menial tasks such as gathering wood for campfires and cooking fires had to serve on guard duty for many long hours, had to be on water detail and many other chores that were required to survive in camp.
How many Confederate soldiers died in the US Civil War?
The bloodiest battles of the Civil War were:
- Gettysburg: 51,116 casualties
- Seven Days: 36,463 casualties
- Chickamauga: 34,624 casualties
- Chancellorsville: 29,609 casualties
- Antietam: 22,726 casualties

Did the Confederate soldiers get paid?
Pay for one, two, and three star generals were $315, $457, and $758, respectively. The Confederate pay structure was modeled after that of the US Army. Privates continued to be paid at the prewar rate of $11 per month until June 1864, when the pay of all enlisted men was raised $7 per month.
How much did black soldiers make per month during the Civil War?
$10 per monthBlack soldiers were initially paid $10 per month from which $3 was automatically deducted for clothing, resulting in a net pay of $7. In contrast, white soldiers received $13 per month from which no clothing allowance was drawn.
How much did black Union soldiers get paid in the Civil War?
$10A white enlisted man received $13 a month, an amount equivalent to about $240 in 2013, and his pay included a clothing allowance of $3, to be spent at the soldier's discretion. A black enlistee was paid $10, but received only $7; the remaining $3 was withheld as a clothing allowance.
How much did a private in the Army make in a month during the Civil War?
$13 a month4. Civil War. Union privates in 1863 brought home $13 a month, which translates to $237.51 in modern dollars.
How much were white soldiers paid in the Civil War?
$13 per monthWhite soldiers were paid $13 per month, from which no clothing allowance was deducted.
How much did Vietnam soldiers get paid?
Vietnam War As the conflict progressed, new soldiers were given a salary of $78.00, while those who'd served over four months earned $83.20. In 1963, Combat Pay was renamed Hostile Fire Pay (HFP) and remained relatively the same.
What was the average pay in 1860?
Laborers made about 10 cents an hour ($6 a week, or $300 per year) Privates in the Union army earned $11 a week, or $572 per year. Firemen earned 15 cents an hour ($9.00 a week, or $468 per year) Carpenters earned 14 cents an hour ($8.40 a week, or $436 per year)
When did black soldiers get equal pay?
June 15, 1864Law equalizing pay of black soldiers, June 15, 1864.
How much do you get paid for being drafted to war?
A recruit today is paid $307 per month, and a sergeant with four years of service makes about $450 plus $80 to $120 per month in housing benefits.
How much was the Civil War pension?
Pension payments grew gradually over time starting with that $8/month for a completely disabled private in 1862. A law passed in 1912 increased the rate to a maximum of $30 a month for both Civil War and Mexican War veterans. Funding such a massive pension system was not an easy thing.
How did the Confederacy pay for the war?
The Confederacy adopted three strategies to raise money in the Civil War. The first option was levying taxes on the people of the South. The second solution was issuing bonds that people bought. The last option that had adverse consequences was printing money.
What was the average Confederate soldier fighting for?
Furthering this national ideology that backed the Confederate soldiers McPherson claimed, “ most Confederate soldiers believed they were fighting for liberty and slavery, one and inseparable...for our [Confederate] liberty, against the tyrants of the North” (McPherson 1994, 51).
Revolutionary War
The Revolutionary War saw the US fighting for independence from the British. Over the course of the conflict, the Continental Army consisted of around 150,000 men, with 17,000 serving at any one time.
War of 1812
Those wishing to serve in the Army during the War of 1812 initially needed to sign a five-year contract, with recruits later given the option to join for the duration of the conflict. Upon enlisting, soldiers were given a one-time bounty of $31.00 and 160 acres of land, a total later increased by Congress to $124.00 and 320 acres.
Mexican-American War
Designated the Regular Army during the Mexican-American War, the US forces consisted of specialized infantry, artillery, cavalry and engineering corps. It was made up of only 7,365 at the outbreak of the conflict, with its core consisting of eight infantry regiments.
American Civil War
Salaries between the Confederate and Union armies during the American Civil War differed:
Spanish-American War
The Spanish-American War saw the end of Spanish colonial rule in America and allowed the US to acquire territories in Latin America and the western Pacific. During the conflict, Army privates were paid a monthly salary of $13.00, the same as during the Civil War. However, unlike in previous years, its value was higher, due to deflation.
World War I
World War I was a brutal conflict, featuring trench warfare, bloody battles and the introduction of poison gas. Those serving in Europe received varied salaries based on the number of years they’d served. For example, a private in their first year of service earned $30.00 a month, while corporals received a salary of $36.00.
World War II
Prior to World War II, serving in the military wasn’t everyone’s first choice in career. In 1939, the Army featured a roster of 189,839 servicemen. That changed following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and by 1945 there were 8,267,958 enlisted.
How much did Union privates make in 1863?
Union privates in 1863 brought home $13 a month which translates to $237.51 in modern dollars. Confederate privates had it a little worse at $11 a month. The Confederate situation got worse as the war went on since the Confederate States of America established their own currency and it saw rapid inflation as the war situation got worse and worse.
What was the first war where soldiers could receive discounted life insurance?
World War I was the first war where, in addition to their pay, soldiers could receive discounted life insurance as a benefit. The United States Government Life Insurance program was approved by Congress in 1917 and provided an alternative to commercial insurance which either did not pay out in deaths caused by war or charged extremely high premiums for the coverage.
How much did a private bugler make in 1917?
A private, private second class, or bugler in his first year of service in 1917 was entitled to $30 a month. In exchange for this salary, which would equate to $558.12 today, privates could expect to face the guns of the Germans and other Axis powers.
How much did the grunts get paid in Iraq?
Grunts who went into Iraq to topple Saddam Hussein were paid the princely sum of $753.90 a month in basic pay, unless they somehow managed to make it to Iraq with less than four months of service. Then they received $697.20.
Who won the Battle of New Orleans?
Andrew Jackson wins the Battle of New Orleans two weeks after the War of 1812 ended.
Why did all Confederate generals receive the same base pay?
All ranks of Confederate generals received the same base pay because the Confederate army regulations recognized only one grade above colonel. Generals holding different commands, however, earned additional allowances for additional rations, fodder, fuel, quarters, and seniority.
How often did the 23rd New York Infantry get paid?
Army. 23rd New York Infantry. Library of Congress. In theory, the soldiers of both the Confederate and the Union armies were supposed to be paid every two months. In practice, they usually weren't so lucky because the military paymaster had to keep up with the troops who moved swiftly over long distances. When the paymaster did arrive ...
What is officer allowance?
Officer Allowances: When you notice the discrepancy between the enlisted ranks and the officer ranks, remember that the officer pay included certain allowances, such as additional rations, forage, and fuel allowances. So, for instance, the Union infantry colonel's pay included the cash value for six human and three horse rations a day, which came to $78 a month.
How much did each soldier get paid for the war?
Each soldier was paid $10 bounty. The supposed hard specie handed out was a motley collection of coins from various nations. Later in the war, Washington and his officers had to put down unrest and a few mutinies based on lack of pay for the soldiers.
Why did soldiers get three months pay?
Near the end of the conflict in 1783, soldiers received three months pay from Congress, as that political body decided a large army was not needed further. There was only one problem, Congress did not have the funds to actually pay the soldiery, so Robert Morris issued $800,000 in personal notes. However, these promissory notes were almost worthless and many a speculator bought them cheaply from the rank-and-file before they left camp. Many soldiers sold the notes to pay their way home to loved ones.
Why did the Continental Army offer bounties?
With paltry pay, harsh living conditions, and a chronic shortage of supplies, service in the Continental army was arduous before even stepping onto the battlefield. To compensate for the low wages, the various states offered bounties for enlistment on top of what the enticement by the Continental Congress was. These incentives could include land and clothing as part of the deal. Officers, upon the recommendation of Washington, were also offered half-pay for life as an inducement to continue their service.
How much did the Continental Congress pay for the first non-New England recruits?
These riflemen, hailing from Pennsylvania and Virginia, that served as privates would be paid $6.67 per calendar month.
Why did soldiers sell their notes?
Many soldiers sold the notes to pay their way home to loved ones. States and Congress producing their own money and debt bonds or certificates, along with foreign loans from France, Spain, and the Dutch added a mixture of currency in circulation throughout the thirteen original colonies.
What was the purpose of the Committee of the Continental Army in 1775?
After a debate in Congress, a committee was created in October 1775 that included Washington and delegates from some of the New England states to recommend a rate of pay for soldiers that would enlist in Continental army service for the following year. The debate on whether to decrease the pay was considered and dismissed, along with deeming it improper to increase the pay of officers, calling the latter “inconvenient and improper.”

Revolutionary War
War of 1812
- Those wishing to serve in the Army during the War of 1812initially needed to sign a five-year contract, with recruits later given the option to join for the duration of the conflict. Upon enlisting, soldiers were given a one-time bounty of $31.00 and 160 acres of land, a total later increased by Congress to $124.00 and 320 acres. This was notable, as the financial compensation itself was …
Mexican-American War
- Designated the Regular Army during the Mexican-American War, the US forces consisted of specialized infantry, artillery, cavalryand engineering corps. It was made up of only 7,365 at the outbreak of the conflict, with its core consisting of eight infantry regiments. Those wishing to serve enlisted for five years and were paid around $7.00 a month. The low wage meant those wi…
American Civil War
- Salaries between the Confederate and Union armies during the American Civil Wardiffered: 1. Privates – $11.00 (Confederacy) vs. $13.00 (Union) 2. Corporals – Both received $13.00 3. Sergeants –Both received $17.00 4. First Sergeants– Both received $20.00 5. Quartermaster Sergeants and Sergeant Majors– Both earned $21.00 6. Second Lieutenant –$80.00...
Spanish-American War
- The Spanish-American Warsaw the end of Spanish colonial rule in America and allowed the US to acquire territories in Latin America and the western Pacific. During the conflict, Army privates were paid a monthly salary of $13.00, the same as during the Civil War. However, unlike in previous years, its value was higher, due to deflation. According to a newspaper article publishe…
World War I
- World War I was a brutal conflict, featuring trench warfare, bloody battles and the introduction of poison gas. Those serving in Europe received varied salaries based on the number of years they’d served. For example, a private in their first year of service earned $30.00 a month, while corporals received a salary of $36.00. A full list of pay for each section of the Army, as well as the salary in…
World War II
- Prior to World War II, serving in the military wasn’t everyone’s first choice in career. In 1939, the Army featured a roster of 189,839 servicemen. That changed following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and by 1945 there were 8,267,958 enlisted. Salaries vary depending on the source. According to Moneywise, privates were paid $21.00 prior to the US entering the war, a total that i…
Korean War
- The Korean War has been in the news as of late, as the US and South Korea have been working on a dealto officially end the conflict. The fighting began with 75,000 soldiers from the North Korean People’s Army crossing the 38th parallel, which split it from the Republic of Korea. Three years of intense fighting followed. As with previous wars, the monthly salarya soldier received depended …
Vietnam War
- E-1 wages remained the same between 1952 and ’58, meaning troops among the Army’s lower ranks made the same salary in both the Korean and Vietnamwars. However, when inflation was factored in, those serving in Vietnam were actually earning less. As the conflict progressed, new soldiers were given a salary of $78.00, while those who’d served over four months earned $83.2…
Gulf War
- In August 1990, Suddam Hussein ordered his forces to invade Kuwait. Other Middle Eastern countries called for the US and the United Nations to intervene, and the UN’s Security Council set a deadline for him to withdraw forces by the middle of January 1991. When he failed to do this, the US launched Operation Desert Storm. According to Business Insider, those serving in Iraq with o…