Recruiting and Registration

The armies were so small the men were paid to fight. At the time of registration, soldiers were measured and sized. Their complexion, hair color, and eye color were noted so they could be identified if they were killed during battle. Lake County offered a $50 bonus in addition to the federal government's $100 bounty for new recruits. In 1863, Lincoln instituted a draft and by law, men between the age of 20 and 45 were required to enroll. Though the draft only required people of those ages to enroll, the average age of a soldier was between 16 and 48.

From Taylor:

"You speak the draft and I agree with you that it is right, and should be enforced, if a man has not got patriotism enough to come out for one year and put the finishing stroke that will end rebellion forever, they should be made to come by force. I think every young man should know his duty to the government. If he stays at home and suffers the war to linger and finally end with the destruction of the Union, he is unworthy the name of an American."