Spy Companies

[Nhoffman01]

Hi,

I was wondering if someone could explain the role of a spy company for me. Is this basically a fancy name for "scouts"? Also, how large are these companies?

I noticed on Army Forces chart in the book All Along the Black Hawk Trail, that each Illinois Volunteer Brigade had what is listed as "Spy BN". I'm not quite common with this term either, or how these brigades are laid out?

Please bear with me as I am attempting to learn completely new terms that are just not found in my common period...the SYW!

Thanks a lot,
Nick Hoffman

[Robert Braun]

Nick.. "spies" are just as you indicated: scouts.

Average sized companies in the BHW were about 60 or so men. This normally included three officers, one orderly sergeant, three sergeants, four corporals, and about 50 or so privates. At least two companies made up a battalion; Maj. Ewing's Spy Battalion attached to Henry's Brigade had four companies... but two were on detached service by the time of the chase to Wisconsin Heights. Lincoln's last enlistment was with Captain Jacob Early's Spy Company.

About 6 companies made up the average volunteer regiment. Less than that often made up a battalion. The terms "battalion" and "regiment" seem to be used less interchangably in this time period than say the American Revolution.

Captain Dickson's spy company (attached to Dodge's squadron) was small by normal company size for the BHW, but about the right size for a spy company... right around an estimated 20-30 men.

r.