These are all good questions. First, I don’t think that Atilla Hinson would have had any problem joining the 4th Wisconsin Cavalry. The 4th Wisconsin Infantry had already been around awhile since its muster into service in Racine in 1861. The regiment’s redesignation as cavalry in early September of 1863 changed nothing with regard to the officers’ hierarchy or the length of the soldiers’ enlistment periods. In fact, when the regiment became cavalry, several officers were given leave to return to Wisconsin in order to recruit additional “volunteers.” Their goal was to bring the 4th Wisconsin Cavalry’s complement of men up to and over, if possible, 400 troopers. This recruiting effort took place in several areas of the state including Columbus (Company M), Milwaukee (Company L) and the Tomah area. William S. Jackson, from Tomah, WI, enlisted on January 2, 1864 in order to receive the Federal enlistment bounty of $300. Back in those days $300 was a huge chunk of change. A typical Federal soldier received $13/month, a mere $156/year, for fighting for Abe Lincoln. The Federal bounty was twice that. I have a feeling that a Federal enlistment bounty may have been a potential reason for Atilla enlisting in early 1864 as well. Towns in Wisconsin also offered enlistment bounties in order to help meet their “volunteer” quotas. When initial volunteers for Company M were recruited in the Columbus, WI, area, many of the soldiers claimed they were from nearby Calamus, WI, because that town offered the highest enlistment bounty ($150) of any in the state. Perhaps Lincoln, WI, or a nearby town was also offering a hefty bounty for enlistment in the service. If Atilla wasn’t yet living in Lincoln, he could have learned of these bounties from a friend or relative that resided in that portion of Wisconsin. Second, with regard to the lengthy distance between Macoupin County, Illinois, and NW Wisconsin, I would certainly have had no problem making that trip for the chance at a $150 bounty. The 4th Wisconsin Infantry and Cavalry did include a fair number of volunteers from outside the state of Wisconsin. Members of the regiment came from Leroy, Illinois, Cary Station, Illinois, Bangor, Maine, Locke, Michigan, Williamsville, NY, St. Charles, Illinois, Lakeland, Michigan, Owasso, Michigan, St. Paul, Minnesota, Lakeland, Minnesota, Elmira, NY, Winooski, Minnesota, Phoenix, NY, Chicago, Illinois, Clinton, Michigan, Lawrence, Ohio, Madrid, NY, Ft. Wayne, Indiana . . . just to name a few. So it would not have been unusual for Atilla to enlist in a regiment outside his home state. Finally, the birth of Atilla’s son fits in perfectly with his enlistment date. If you knew you were going off to war soon and there was a chance that you might not come back, one of the first things that you and your newlywed wife would probably take care of is getting that family started. Atilla’s enlistment on 1/21/1864 fits in perfectly with the birth of his son in September of that year. Hope this helps.

Mike Martin