Lesson 4 - Life as a Civil War Soldier Civil War Unit Lesson 4 - Life as a Civil War Soldier

Objectives The students will be able to participate in a class discussion and review session on the Civil War. Students will understand the differences and similarities of Northern and Southern soldiers. Concept Objective(s) a. Students will develop an awareness of how science, technology, and economic activity have developed, changed, and affected societies throughout history. Lesson Content Northern vs. Southern states: Yankees and Rebels Clara Barton, “Angel of the Battlefield,” founder of the American Red Cross Skill Objective(s) a. The students will be able to participate in a class discussion and review session on the Civil War.

Vocabulary Yankee – nickname given to the Northern army Rebel – nickname given to the southern army Billy Yank – nickname for a Northern soldier Johnny Reb – nickname given to a Southern soldier

Civil War Soldiers The life of a soldier during the civil war wasn't easy. Not only did soldiers face the possibility of getting killed in battle, their daily lives were full of hardships. They had to deal with hunger, bad weather, poor clothing, and even boredom between battles. 

Civil War Soldiers Today we are going to learn about the Confederate Rebels and the Union Yankees. While I describe each soldier you will color the soldiers’ uniforms the right colors. Rebel or Johnny Reb Yankee or Billy Yank

Directions Cute around the square making sure not to throw away the title Glue the sheets into you history journal. On on each page At the end of the lesson glue in the information sheet to the correct soldier’s sheet.

Rebel or Johnny Reb The Confederate Uniforms were less standard than the Union's. At the start of the war, many Confederate soldiers just wore their own clothes into battle. Eventually they settled on a uniform that had a waist length grey coat and light blue trousers.  Due to costs and a lack of materials during the war, many Confederate soldiers did not have adequate uniforms. They often wore combinations of what they could find and steal as well as their own clothes. They also didn't have very good shoes and sometimes had to go without any shoes at all.  Sometimes the grey coats of the Confederates were trimmed with green or yellow information from :http://www.ducksters.com/history/civil_war/military_uniforms.php

Yankee or Billy Yank The Union uniform consisted of a dark blue wool coat with light blue trousers and a dark cap called a forage cap. They typically wore shoes that went up to their ankles called "brogans".  The coat often had bright buttons that sometimes indicated the rank of the soldier or what state they represented. Other markings on the coat like piping or badges usually indicated the rank of the soldier.  information from :http://www.ducksters.com/history/civil_war/military_uniforms.php

Life as a Soldier Confederate soldiers, as well as Union soldiers were very young. The median age was 24. If you were wealthy you did not have to fight in the war. If you owned more than twenty slaves in the south you did not have to fight. Southern soldiers often went hungry and many died of disease from bad food and health conditions. information from :http://www.ducksters.com/history/civil_war/military_uniforms.php

Confederate Soldiers Jemison, Edwin Francis, Pvt. 2nd Louisiana Regiment, C.S.A. Reproduction number: LC-B8184-10037 (copy photograph) Jemison, Edwin Francis, Pvt. 2nd Louisiana Regiment, C.S.A. Cook, Enoch Hooper, Jr., Pvt. Co. H., 38th Alabama Infantry

Union Soldiers Graffam, George Henry, Pvt. 30th Maine Infantry Brownell, Francis E., Pvt. 11th New York Infantry, U.S.A.

Life as a Soldier There were many similarities between the two soldiers. Many of them were friends or family and fighting on separate sides. This led the soldiers to be friendly when not fighting and when given a command they would kill each other. Union soldiers were also very young and if you were wealthy enough to pay someone else to go to war for you, you did not have to fight. The Union soldiers were better fed and had more supplies but many still died from illness. information from :http://www.ducksters.com/history/civil_war/military_uniforms.php

Life as a Soldier Weapons - The typical soldier had a musket or rifle and possibly a knife or a sword for close combat. Some rifles had bayonets at the end that they would use for close combat. Officers often had pistols and a sword to fight with. 

Other Gear - Soldiers carried their other gear in a backpack called a knapsack. They carried a blanket, a fry pan for cooking, and a canteen for water. Other items often included a comb, a sewing kit to repair their uniforms, silverware, a Bible, and a pocket knife.  Union haversacks were superior, and prized by Confederates Soldiers.

Songs Soldiers on both sides of the war had songs they liked to sing to keep their spirits up. A popular marching song for the Northern, or Union army was “ When Johnny Comes Marching Home” The words of this song described what it would be like when the war was over and the soldier went back to their families. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3OZwmOtPz4 The most popular song in the south was actually written by a Northerner. It was called “Dixie”. “Dixie” was the nickname of the south. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zji2Jd7pyg

Review What do you know about a Confederate soldiers life during the Civil War? What do you know about a Union soldiers life during the Civil War? What are something a Civil War soldier would carry into battle?