Chapter 16 Section 2 LIFE IN THE ARMY

Frank ….?

Jacob’s great-great-great grandfather, Frank Ruehl was a captain for the union in Missouri during the Civil war.  He was with the Missouri militia. As You know, Missouri was a split state.  Frank and his family came over from the Alsace Lorraine area of Germany in 1859, came up through the Mississippi River and landed in St Louis at about 14 years of age.  You have to love old Frank's mutton chops!

Main Idea Both Union and Confederate soldiers endured many hardships serving in the army during the Civil War. Why It Matters Now The hardships endured led to long-lasting bitterness on both sides.

THE TYPICAL CIVIL WAR SOLDIER What were some of the characteristics of a typical Civil War soldier? Image THE TYPICAL CIVIL WAR SOLDIER Age Between 18 and 30 Occupation Farmer Training Many long daily drill sessions Hardships Inadequate food and clothing, crude shelters, dirty camps that stank, poor personal hygiene, chronic sickness, poor medical treatment

• How were the wartime experiences of Northern and Southern soldiers alike? • What factors contributed to the spread of disease among soldiers? • How did the use of the rifle and minié ball change combat tactics in the Civil War?

• How were the wartime experiences of Northern and Southern soldiers alike? Both endured hunger, cold, dirty living conditions, constant sickness, and poor medical treatment. • What factors contributed to the spread of disease among soldiers? Contaminated water and food; poor diet; exposure to cold and rain; unsanitary conditions • How did the use of the rifle and minié ball change combat tactics in the Civil War? Cavalry charges and traditional assaults became outdated

a majority of the soldiers were between 18 and 30 years old most were farmers, nearly half

African Americans who wanted to fight were not allowed to at the start of the war eventually the North allowed African Americans to join the army

in total, about 2 million men served for the Union army and about 1 million for the Confederate army

men joined the army for various reasons: adventure glory escape from factory/farm money loyalty to state/country

soldiers lived in tents and moved often, food rations were limited! Video Clip on “Extreme Eating”

training followed strict schedule – awake at dawn, drills and chores at camp Click for Video Clip of Civil War Training

Union army was usually uniformed in BLUE Confederate army was usually uniformed in GRAY

both sides had problems getting proper supplies camps were often dirty and soldiers had poor personal HYGIENE (practices and conditions which promote health)

people were not yet aware that disease was spread through germs

weapons of war had advanced much since the Revolutionary War

RIFLE – gun with a grooved barrel that causes a bullet to spin through the air Video Clip of Civil War Technology

MINIE BALL – bullet with a hollow base, shot further and more accurate than a musket

IRONCLADS – warships covered in iron plates to protect it

a major Confederate ironclad was the VIRGINIA (MERRIMAC)

CSS VIRGINA (MERRIMAC)

a major Union ironclad was the MONITOR

USS MONITOR

USS MONITOR

USS MONITOR

their famous battle ends in a tie after four hours of hitting each other

THE MERRIMAC VS THE MONITOR

THE MERRIMAC VS THE MONITOR

THE MERRIMAC VS THE MONITOR

THE MERRIMAC VS THE MONITOR

OTHER CIVIL WAR IRONCLADS

after the first two years of fighting neither side had gained a decisive advantage

THE END

Forming and Supporting Opinions What were the motives that led individual soldiers to fight in the Civil War? Think About • the multiple reasons that people had for enlisting • what you consider valid reasons for fighting Back to Home