TIL - Bounty jumpers, people who, during the American Civil war, enlisted in the Union army, collected a bounty then left
From wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bounty_jumper
men who enlisted in the Union or Confederate army during the American Civil War only to collect a bounty and then leave.
A month after the Battle of Fort Sumter the United States Congress passed a law allowing for bounties up to $300. The Confederate government did likewise, starting at $50 and then later in the war increased the bounty to $100.
As the typical Northern private was paid $13 a month, the bonuses were considerable.
Risky, since desertion for them could mean torture or execution, but the money was really good for the time.
4 replies
I was curious about the “bounty” aspect.
The article about the Enrollment Act of 1863 also provides a good explanation
Rich man's war, poor man's fight as it was called.
Valid for many wars before and still valid today
As a side note, I'm aware that Brazil did something similar back in the Paraguay War, but the person who wanted to avoid being conscripted had to pay the govt and offer another person in their place - who would either be bribed or threatened into accepting going as the substitute.