An American Melting Pot: Foreign Born Soldiers
Foreign-born Soldiers in the United States Regular Army Through the smoke of thousands of cannons, rifles, and small brush fires, Corp. Peter Petroff of the 14th United States Infantry could see his comrades moving ahead across an open field. Petroff, a recent immigrant from St. Petersburg, Russia, had been pressed into service by army recruiters almost as soon as he touched American soil. His commanders were so impressed with his soldierly dedication that they promoted him to corporal, despite the fact that he couldn't speak a word of English! Now, in May 1864, he found himself in the middle of a Civil War, moving toward the "Stonewall" Brigade of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in an area known as "the Wilderness." Suddenly, Petroff was wounded in the left arm, losing consciousness. Later carried to safety, Petroff's arm was amputated. He survived the war to become a leading figure in the veteran's organization "The Grand Army of the Republic."
This was not an unusual situation. In fact, for most of the 19th century, the United States Regular Army was staffed by great numbers of foreign-born men. At times foreign-born soldiers made up over half of the Regular Army enlisted ranks. In an era in which recruitment difficulties and high numbers of desertions plagued the service, immigrants filled the empty ranks of the army and, in doing so, made significant contributions to the development and westward expansion of the nation. The mixture of soldiers from many nations, including men born in America, created a true "melting pot" where cooperation was necessary for survival. Immigrants who became soldiers had to live, work, eat, train, socialize, and sleep together in the small confines of many small frontier military posts.
Americans of the 19th century tended to dislike the idea of a standing regular army. George III's use of the British Army against the colonists in the American Revolution remained in the consciousness of most Americans, and resulted in continual recruitment problems for the professional U.S. Army. The army was also unattractive due to low pay, deplorable living conditions and locales, poor food, and harsh discipline. The pay of a 19th century infantry private ranged from $5 per month in the early century to a later high of $20 per month. Common laborers during this same period earned approximately one dollar a day. During the Civil War the private's pay was increased from $13 a month to $16, but in 1872 Congress failed to maintain emergency legislation and dropped the pay back to its pre-war levels. Fully one- third of the enlisted complement of the Regular Army deserted within the next twelve months. Out of this paltry salary the government garnished its share for retirement and a portion to be held until the soldier was discharged, in an attempt to prevent desertion.
During the period of westward expansion, most infantry, dragoon, and cavalry regiments were spread out along the borders of the frontier in sparsely populated areas, far from towns and cities. Artillery units rotated between frontier service and garrisoning eastern coastal forts. The duties of the frontier regulars included patrolling overland trails, protecting the mail, and protecting settlers and relocated American Indian people. Soldiers were often used as common laborers, building roads, bridges, and buildings, and spent very little time engaged in military activities. These mundane duties added to morale problems, as did the poor quality of the food. Inadequate supply services and the lack of fresh foods such as vegetables often limited the soldier's diet to beans, bread, and salt pork. Fresh meat was available only if there was adequate game in an area. These diet problems did not usually affect those Regular Army units stationed in Atlantic coastal forts, since they could be supplied by ship, but sickness due to being located near southern swamps was common.
The new Immigration Army
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Originally Posted by KafirChobee
). Personally I think it's good to allow immigrants to be granted citizenship after a certain time served in the military. Just as long as they can speak passable English.
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