Talk about Big Sibling … here a newspaper seems to have a real good idea of exactly how much money is being sent home by local soldiers in the 33rd New York Volunteers.
From a Seneca Falls, New York newspaper in July 1862:
Money from the Thirty-Third.
During the past week there has been a large amount of money received in this village from the volunteers in the Thirty-Third. Capt. GUION’S Company has sent home over $1700, and Capt. MCGRAW’S Company an equal if not larger amount. The Regiment was paid off to the first of May.
The Civil War created economic winners and losers. In Seneca Falls the Knitting Mills Company was going full bore thanks to government contracts to supply socks for the troops. Overall things weren’t going that great. According to a local directory published about March 1862 (page 29): “Manufacturing and business is checked for the time being, in consequence of the terrible Civil War which is now devastating a portion of our country; yet the recent victories of the Federal Army encourage us with the hope of a return of that Peace and Prosperity which smiled so auspiciously upon us in days gone by.” The remittances from the soldiers undoubtedly helped.
Uncle Sam giveth and Uncle Sam taketh away.
Leave it to Uncle
