Section 2: Life in the Army Section 3: No End in Sight

The Soldiers: Both sides Most were between years old (but some very old and some very young). Most were between years old (but some very old and some very young). About half of all soldiers had been farmers – and most of them had never been very far from home. About half of all soldiers had been farmers – and most of them had never been very far from home. Most were American by birth, but there were some immigrant soldiers. Most were American by birth, but there were some immigrant soldiers. Even from the beginning African Americans wanted to fight – but didn ’ t get to until later (in the North). Even from the beginning African Americans wanted to fight – but didn ’ t get to until later (in the North). Most were volunteers – many of whom wanted to get off their farms and look for some “ adventure. ” Most were volunteers – many of whom wanted to get off their farms and look for some “ adventure. ” Some signed up for the money they ’ d make as a soldier. Some signed up for the money they ’ d make as a soldier. 2 million men soldiers fought for the North. 2 million men soldiers fought for the North. 1 million soldiers fought for the South. 1 million soldiers fought for the South.

Life as a soldier was unpleasant Most soldiers lived in heavy tents – in all weather. Most soldiers lived in heavy tents – in all weather. Drill, drill, drill, drill, drill, drill, drill…. Drill, drill, drill, drill, drill, drill, drill…. “ Extra ” time? Cut wood, clean up camp, check guns and equipment, dig latrines…. “ Extra ” time? Cut wood, clean up camp, check guns and equipment, dig latrines….

But, they got a uniform (usually either blue or grey) But, they got a uniform (usually either blue or grey) Sometimes it might even fit. Sometimes it might even fit. Clothes were not as comfortable in the 1860 ’ s as they are today. Clothes were not as comfortable in the 1860 ’ s as they are today. Shoes were sometimes scarce. Shoes were sometimes scarce. After battles, soldiers would go through the bodies and look for shoes/clothes they could use. After battles, soldiers would go through the bodies and look for shoes/clothes they could use.

At first, food was not an issue But, later in the war, as more farms were destroyed, there might not be as much food - or supply lines cut off. But, later in the war, as more farms were destroyed, there might not be as much food - or supply lines cut off. Soldiers need to be fed (drilling, fighting, working ADL). Soldiers need to be fed (drilling, fighting, working ADL). Even still, it was army food and you can probably guess what that’s like. Even still, it was army food and you can probably guess what that’s like.

Again – just like the miners… If it ’ s only men (and a lot of them) – who have little hope of any “ companionship ” for any reason, they might not always be living very nicely. If it ’ s only men (and a lot of them) – who have little hope of any “ companionship ” for any reason, they might not always be living very nicely. Weeks without bathing or washing their clothes. Weeks without bathing or washing their clothes. Bodies, clothing, and bedding often had lice an fleas. Bodies, clothing, and bedding often had lice an fleas.

And they didn ’ t understand about diseases (they come from germs you know) They didn ’ t have that figured out. They didn ’ t have that figured out. Their was a lot of widespread sickness. Their was a lot of widespread sickness. Most soldiers had chronic “ intestinal disorders. ” Most soldiers had chronic “ intestinal disorders. ” Doctors would not wash their hands. Doctors would not wash their hands. Instruments would be used over and over again (without being cleaned). Instruments would be used over and over again (without being cleaned). The same bandages might be used over and over. The same bandages might be used over and over.

Next slide: you may not want to look at…

During the civil war, new technology also affected the fighting The were new kinds of muskets, bullets, and cannonballs. The were new kinds of muskets, bullets, and cannonballs. And they decided to start using iron on their ships (called “ironclads”) And they decided to start using iron on their ships (called “ironclads”)

There were a lot of famous battles

The Southern general in charge: Robert E Lee The Southern general in charge: Robert E Lee The Northern General in charge: many… The Northern General in charge: many… Lincoln was not too happy with most of the union generals, and he kept replacing them with new generals. Lincoln was not too happy with most of the union generals, and he kept replacing them with new generals. One of the better Union generals was Ulysses S. Grant One of the better Union generals was Ulysses S. Grant Another famous Union general: George McClellan – but he “drilled” too much and didn’t actually fight enough. Another famous Union general: George McClellan – but he “drilled” too much and didn’t actually fight enough.

The Fall of New Orleans… The Fall of New Orleans… …is a famous battle because when the Union won their, it split the South into 2 parts. …is a famous battle because when the Union won their, it split the South into 2 parts. Antietam is another. Antietam is another. It was the “bloodiest battle of the Civil War.” It was the “bloodiest battle of the Civil War.” 25,000 men dead or wounded. 25,000 men dead or wounded. Neither side really was victorious, but the South lost a lot of soldiers Neither side really was victorious, but the South lost a lot of soldiers