A. Lincoln’s ‘Blackhawk’ company elected him captain after a brief wrestling contest.
They expressed their disappointment at seeing no hostile action, and went home.
Yes, but he still had more military experience than the current CinC.
An intelligent thoughtful man can gain a lot from limited military service, and Lincoln would have had much to think about since he knew the realities of the time, of life and death on the frontiers and carried command responsibilities as a Captain during war.
He didn’t have a lot of experience, but it very well may have been equal to or more than a hitch in the military for the average GI of our modern generations.
In other words it can’t be totally dismissed.
“”Abraham Lincoln served as a volunteer in the Illinois Militia from April 21, 1832 – July 10, 1832 during the Black Hawk War. Lincoln never saw combat during his tour but was elected captain of his first company. He was also present in the aftermath of two of the war’s battles, where he helped to bury the militia dead. He was mustered in and out of service during the war, going from captain to private and finishing his service in an independent spy company commanded by Captain Jacob Early.
Lincoln’s service had a lasting impression on him and he related tales about it later in life with modesty and a bit of humor.””