Invalid?

This is coolbert:

Here is another example - - from the American Civil War - - of military personnel, NOT fit for combat duty, but still willing and able to contribute to the war effort, continued in the ranks - - often performing yeoman duties.

"yeo·man [duty] - - 6. performed or rendered in a loyal, valiant, useful, or workmanlike manner, esp. in situations that involve a great deal of effort or labor"

The Invalid Corps.

"The Veteran Reserve Corps (originally the Invalid Corps) was a military reserve organization created within the Union Army during the American Civil War to allow partially disabled or otherwise infirmed soldiers (or former soldiers) to perform light duty, freeing able-bodied soldiers to serve on the front lines."

"soldiers . . . rendered unfit for active field service on account of wounds or disease contracted in line of duty, but who were still fit for garrison or other light duty, and were, in the opinion of their commanding officers, meritorious and deserving"

Troops, enfeebled quite often from wounds but:

"still able to handle a musket and do some marching, also to perform guard or provost duty"

Camp Douglas, Chicago, a prisoner-of-war [POW] camp for Confederate soldiers, was guarded by the Invalid Corps. Also, those Union troops confronting the hoodlums during the New York city draft riots of 1863 were also invalided soldiers, not fit for front line duty. [this was not made apparent during the movie: "Gangs of New York"?]

The spirit is willing, even though the body is weak? But commensurate duty and function can be found, and WAS!

coolbert.