In the volunteer regiments of 1861, the men often chose their own corporals and sergeants. Companies were raised from a single town or county, and the stripes went to whoever the neighbors trusted: a popular farmer, a foreman, a man with some militia experience. The first battles sorted that out quickly. NCOs who froze were replaced, and the men who kept their heads under fire were promoted into the empty slots, many of them from the ranks. By 1863 the corporals of a veteran regiment like the 83rd Pennsylvania had earned their two stripes in action. They were expected to lead from the front of their squads in a charge, and they were hit at a higher rate than the privates behind them.

The figure is on the move, leaning into the charge with his rifle musket and fixed bayonet held low and ready and his eyes fixed on the objective. The corporal's chevrons on his sleeve are sky blue, the infantry branch color. He wears K&C's 83rd Pennsylvania uniform, a dark blue chasseur jacket with yellow trim, green shoulder tufts, sky-blue trousers, and white gaiters, with a red corps badge on his forage cap and full kit including knapsack, blanket roll, and haversack. Lead a charge with Infantryman Charging, pair him with Corporal Shouting as a squad of NCOs, or put him ahead of the Sergeant with Regimental Flag.

King & Country model CW128. 1/30 scale (approximately 60mm), matte-painted metal. Single foot figure of an 83rd Pennsylvania corporal charging with fixed bayonet, on a sculpted groundwork base. Boxed.