The Confederate States Marine Corps was comprised mainly from United States Marines from southern states that had resigned their commission in the Union Army at the beginning of secession to defend their homeland. The Corps was never very large. By most accounts there were supposed to have been six 100-man companies; Company A, B, C, D, E, and F. Because the new Confederate States of America paid Confederate Marines 11 dollars a month as opposed to the 13 dollars a month that the regular Army received, there were many desertions and recruitment was always a problem. For that reason, Company E and F were never fully staffed.
A Confederate Marine was trained as a infantry sharpshooter, an artillerist, and as a guard. He was expected to work on a ship as a member cannon crew, as a sharpshooter or guard. The training took place at a camp outside Richmond, Virginia called Drewry’s Bluff. They served with distinction at the First Battle of Bull, Fort Fischer, and Sailor’s Creek.
The highest ranking officer in the Confederate States Marine Corps was Colonel. At the beginning of the Civil War, many commissions as Lieutenant and 2nd Lieutenant were given to the sons of wealthy Southern statesmen. This fact eroded morale and discipline among the veterans that had served in the Mexican War.
Some less know facts about Confederates States Marines were that three of the six men that served on the CSS Hunley were Marines. The gun crews on the CSS Virginia, also known as the CSS Merrimac, were Marines.
This is a short general summary of the CSMC history. Please come out to our reenactments to learn more.
