mendicants no more

“spared the pain of becoming objects of national charity” ( VRC company (with little girl) in Washington, D.C., April 1865

Here is an editorial praising the Invalid Corps (later the Veteran Reserve Corps) as a way for slightly disabled volunteers to earn their pension benefit and as a way to free up healthier soldiers for front line duty.

From The New-York Times September 9, 1863:

The Invalid Corps, or “Corps of Honor.”

We do not know precisely to whom the nation is indebted for the idea of organizing an Invalid Corps, but his foresight and consideration entitle him to national gratitude. For the maimed or broken down officer or soldier of the regular army ample provision has always been made — not so for the volunteer. The advantages of a �retired list� do not inure to him; and beyond a pension of a most modest figure indeed, he has nothing to subsist him on his voyage down the �river of time,” unless, perchance, fortune had previously favored him. Even the pension, necessary though it may be to the recipient, is accepted with reluctance, and is often repulsive to the sensitive nature of the brave soldier; for, though a just tribute for his faithful discharge of duty, it is rendered without a present return, and gives rise to a feeling of mendicancy.

For all this the Invalid Corps presents the proper remedy. It furnishes employment for a class of men whose sacrifices in their country’s cause justly entitle them to the nation’s gratitude; and who, in consequence of their services, should be spared the pain of becoming objects of national charity. They are willing to work for the country, but would refuse its alms. They only ask that the work assigned them be such as their physical condition permits them to perform. This work is provided in the discharge of their duties as members of the Invalid Corps.

band of the 10th VRC Corps, April 1865

There is not a commander in our National army who has not, at some critical period of his campaigns, felt the need of more men than he then possessed — and yet knew full well that, could he but gather up the detached soldiers of his command from posts and garrisons, he would have more than the needed reinforcements. Barracks, arsenals and prisons have been garrisoned and guarded by men able for full field duty. Stockades have been manned, and even hospitals, public offices and supply stations have been guarded by the same class of men, and to an extent that weakened materially the effective force of the operating armies. This is now at an end, thanks to this excellent organization.

The Invalid Corps will in future perform such labor; and the able-bodied soldiers who have hitherto been assigned to it will be sent to strengthen the armies in the field — increasing their effective force by at least a score of thousands.

Thus will the country and the army be benefitted, while the brave officers and soldiers who have sacrificed their limbs or their health in our service will be furnished with honorable employment as a reward for patriotic duty, faithfully discharged.

As you can see from the photos the VRC was able to eventually exchange its ridiculed sky-blue coats for the dark blue of other union troops.