How many regiments were there during the US Civil War?

Answer 1

Regiments were usually formed of about 2,000 men for infantry, somewhat fewer for artillery and cavalry regiments. However, because replacements were rarely used, as men were wounded, killed, captured, became ill, or finished their term of service, the regiment became smaller and smaller. Many famous regiments fought with only 200 - 300 men. For example, the famous 20th Maine Volunteer Regiment began with 1,621 men but had fewer than 300 for the battle of Gettysburg less than one year later.

Answer 2

Usage of the terms battalion, regiment, division, and corps varied somewhat between North and South and between types of unit (cavalry, artillery, infantry, etc.)

It was customary to draw up a regiment by volunteers from a region of a state. Typically a full infantry regiment was about 3,000 men when it was created. In general, replacements were not used, so the day that a full-strength regiment left its home town was usually the last day that it had a full number of men. Injuries, illness, battle casualties, and deserters all reduced the numbers. Most regiments fought with half or fewer of their original number of men. Late in the war, some regiments had only 200 men. Artillery and cavalry units had fewer fighting men, but much more equipment. A regiment was commanded by a colonel, or sometimes by a one-star general.

In the South, irregular regiments of "raiders" were usually much smaller than full regiments, with typically just a few hundred men.

A division consisted of several (3 or more) regiments. Regiments could be pulled from one division to another. Divisions usually were not all of the same state. A division was usually about 5,000 to 20,000 men. Divisions usually included non-combat troops including medical, quartermaster, intelligence, and signals people. A division was commanded by a one-star or two-star general.

A corps was 2 or 3 divisions. For each major operation, the general in command would be given the divisions; corps did not remain together for long.

An army was one or more corps assigned to a major region.

Answer 3

187