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From: "Bette McIntosh" <>
Subject: Re: [G-P-L] [GERMANY-PASSENGER-LISTS] Conscription
Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2006 10:51:27 -0500
References: <mailman.6342.1157395421.28309.germany-passenger-lists@rootsweb.com><44FD734B.6030603@comcast.net>


Hello "Masugu" (et al),

I found your observations regarding emigration and Prussian conscription
interesting. To add further to your posting, in my own research of extended
family, I found it curious that an emigrant from Pomerania, born in 1836,
would enlist at the age of 28 in the American Civil War in 1864, serve
honorably and be "mustered out" at Vicksburg, MS in 1865. Having served the
American military effort, on the side of the Union I might add, his
honorable discharged earned him automatic American citizenship without his
having to complete the *three step* Naturalization process, incurred by
other immigrants who did not join the American military. In addition, this
Prussian (Pomeranian) born immigrant is buried in the military section of a
U.S.A. cemetery while his Prussian born wife's remains are located elsewhere
in the same cemetery.

For what it's worth.
Bette


> Since the Prussians required registration for conscription at a very early
> age
> (15, if I remember correctly), and since the young men felt absolutely
> no loyalty to Prussia, many fled elsewhere to avoid the draft. Once
> having arrived in the US however, their point of view in re citizenship
> often did a 180. Thus the irony that many who fled Prussia to avoid the
> draft ended up enlisting in US Federal or CSA military units.
> Cheers, Masugu


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