LIFE IN THE ARMY CHAPTER 16, SECTION 2

KEY TERMS Hygiene – conditions and practices that promote health Rifle – a gun with a grooved barrel that causes a bullet to spin through the air Minié ball – a bullet with a hollow base Ironclad – a warship covered with iron

BELL RINGER Read the quotation on page 488. What reasons does the major give for not wanting his brother to enlist? How do you think the major’s 18 year old brother Jim might have responded to his brother’s warning?

Explain the characteristics and background of a typical solider. Explain why young men were eager to enlist. Explain the conditions soldiers faced in camp. Explain how new weapons made fighting the Civil War more dangerous. Objectives:

Many of these soldiers were young and inexperienced. When the Civil War began, thousands of soldiers volunteered for the Union and Confederate armies. Both sides had their plans, but challenges presented themselves at every turn.

Many of these soldiers were young and inexperienced. When the Civil War began, thousands of soldiers volunteered for the Union and Confederate armies.

THOSE WHO FOUGHT 1. What were the characteristics and background of a typical soldier? years old Born in U.S., some immigrants Farmers Native Americans (on both sides) 2. What obstacles did African Americans face who wanted to serve? They weren’t accepted on either side until later in the war

TURNING CIVILIANS INTO SOLDIERS 3. Why did so many men volunteer? Adventure and glory Escape boredom of factory or farming life Because their friends were going Money Loyalty 4. What training did soldiers receive? Drills in camp Other tasks – guard duty, cut wood, dug trenches, cleaned camp

TURNING CIVILIANS INTO SOLDIERS 5. Why did both armies have problems providing food, clothing, and shoes for their soldiers? Contractors took advantage of the need and supplied shoddy goods. States didn’t always cooperate and share (C.S.A.) Supply trains couldn’t reach them

Life in an army camp was harsh. Soldiers faced boredom, disease, and even death. The camps were dirty and lacked clean water. Captured soldiers faced harsh conditions. Many soldiers died from outbreaks of disease. Thousands died from starvation or exposure in crowded prison camps.

HARDSHIPS OF ARMY LIFE 6. What were the major causes of widespread sickness in army camps? Poor hygiene Soldiers often wet, muddy, or cold Unsanitary and dirty camps Contaminated water or food Poor diet Disease-carrying insects 7. How did scientific ignorance contribute to the spread of disease? People didn’t know that germs caused diseases They didn’t understand why wounds became infected Doctors didn’t wash their hands or their instruments They saw no need for sterilization or even basic cleanliness

Thousands of soldiers died by following orders to cross open fields against these new weapons. Both the North and the South employed new technology during the war. This made the Civil War the deadliest ever fought. Rifles and cannons were faster to load, were more accurate, and had better range. Generals on both sides found it difficult to adapt to the new technologies.

Both sides also used warships covered with protective iron plates, called ironclads. Confederates used ironclads against Union blockades, while Union ironclads helped gain control of the Mississippi.

IRONCLAD BATTLE Confederate Virginia ( Merrimack ) vs. Union Monitor Fought off the coast of Virginia in 1862 Ended in a draw

CHANGES IN MILITARY TECHNOLOGY 8. What effect did changes in weapons have on the way war was fought? Changed battle tactics – cavalry charges and traditional assaults became outdated Increased the casualty rate 9. What contributed to the high casualty rate in the Civil War? Rifles that used minié balls 10. Why were ironclads better than wooden warships? More protected Guns could fire at the enemy from any angle