...Nancy Roebuck College Writing December 8, 2015 Life as a Union Civil War Soldier On June 2010 at Bedford Village, in Bedford Pennsylvania, our company, “The 105th Pennsylvania Company E” was called upon to battle as the confederates were preparing to gather. The men grabbed their rifles and equipment and fell into line. I was thirteen years old and was ordered to carry the flag of our country. As we joined our battalion, we were told that our company would be head of the battalion. Our company was at the center of the line with my flag being the head of the entire battalion. I was about fifteen yards in front of about 400 men and I was the center point for leading our battalion. I was thirteen years old leading an army into battle. More people should go through the experience of the men and women that kept their town together during times of war and today, in times of peace. Hundreds of fires dotted the battlefield that night. It was in the evening of July 1st 1863 in some small town in Pennsylvania called Gettysburg. The first days fighting had the Confederates pushing us through the town into the hills beyond. The confederates held the town of Gettysburg. The Union soldiers were setting up breastworks, and making rock walls to prepare to defend the high ground on the next day. The bugle call sounded at five o’clock A.M, no sleep this night, heart racing, and thinking of family. I grabbed my gear and prepared for battle. It was a humid, sticky morning and I was already...
Words: 2422 - Pages: 10
...The American Civil War was a testing period of opposing wills between the Union and the Confederacy. The main focal point for the war was on the issue of slavery. Headed by Abraham Lincoln, the Union desperately tried to emancipate the slaves while Jefferson Davis, head of the Confederates, tried to lead the Confederate rebellion against this emancipation. The two sides met numerous times in many battles that were spearheaded by brave soldiers. The soldiers of the American Civil War had many things in common including volunteers in their respective armies, military life, and some technology, but the overarching difference was the support of the African Americans the Union possessed. In February 1861, the Confederate States of America were formed which consisted of eleven states that seceded from the Union for their preservation of the right of slavery, states’ rights, and political liberty. Led by Jefferson Davis, the...
Words: 1430 - Pages: 6
...because of war; people want a reason for why their fighting. Some wars are inevitable and some are not, it all depends on what they are fighting for. In James M. McPherson’s book “For Cause and Comrades” he discusses the reasons why men fought in the civil war. 1. What are the primary sources used by McPherson to explain the motives of the 3 million soldiers who fought in the Civil war? What are the advantages and drawbacks to this approach? In the book, For Cause & Comrades—Why Men Fought in the Civil war, James M. McPherson uses collected diary entries and letters written by soldiers that were fighting for either the Confederate or Union army as his primary resources for this book. McPherson gives us these primary sources to give us insights into the life of soldiers fighting in the civil war. He explains that the “evidence consists of the personal letters written by soldiers during the war to family members, sweethearts, and friends, and the unrevised diaries that some of them kept during their service” (pg.11). These personal descriptions of life on the battlefield reveal the real motives behind the about 3 million soldiers that decided on fighting in the civil war. Some entered the fight with this mentality, “The man who does not dread...
Words: 1677 - Pages: 7
...states or different groups within a nation or state. Throughout the ages there have been countless numbers of wars that have taken place for many different reasons in our world as we know it, whether it be to be for a political reason or to conquer neighboring lands. Along with wars comes philosophers and strategist that attempt to study all of their opponents moves and motives to ultimately gain the upper hand on their opponent. Possibly the most successful strategist known in history was a man that was known best by the name Sun Tzu. Sun Tzu authored what is known today as the greatest military strategic guide known in history which is used as guides to not only be successful in the military but also the corporate world as well as every day life. Many generals have used these strategic guides in order to be victorious in their conquests. However there also have been many generals that have failed to use these strategies correctly or did not use them altogether and ended up paying the ultimate price for refusal of doing so. The most notable general to do so was the Confederate’s general General Robert E Lee. During the battle of Gettysburg if Lee would have followed only a fraction of the rules and guid lines set by Sun Tzu he could have without a doubt been successful in arguably the most important battle in American history and could have possibly changed the outcome of the Civil War and ultimately changing the United States as we know it, but instead Lee would ignore the guidelines...
Words: 1747 - Pages: 7
...history of slavery in America dates back to the seventeenth century when slaves were brought to Virginia in 1619. The era of slavery in US can be broadly divided into three sections, The Antebellum, Slavery during the Civil War, The Reconstruction We will be focusing our attention on the lives of slaves during the Civil War - a war many believe was fought for their emancipation. But before we get an insight into this subject, it is important to know in brief the events that led to the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln was elected the President of United States in 1860, and this propelled anxiety and fear in the minds of the southern states who believed that the government will pass laws that will dampen their economy and the 'southern way of life.' This was primarily because of the reason that northerners hadn't too much at stake in the institution of slavery. Their economy chiefly depended on industries and factories. South, on the other hand, depended on slaves heavily for their work. The plantations of indigo, tobacco, rice, and cotton (after the invention of cotton gin) required hard labor and the slaves were made to work for long hours so that profit was maximized. Many people believe that the Civil War was about North's struggle to emancipate the slaves and South's fight to continue the slave trade. However, it should be remembered that the North did not go to war to emancipate the slaves, instead Abraham Lincoln, before becoming the President...
Words: 1977 - Pages: 8
...During the Civil War in in 1861, native americans fighting in the war had just as many challenges as other soldiers. Many Native Americans had to put their freedom and life on the line during the Civil War. In the Native American language, solider means warrior, protector, and helper. The war itself, brought everyday hardships on everyone but especially the Native Americans. The life of a native american soldier in the Civil War was not always easy. Although the Native Americans knew that they would possibly be giving up their freedom and the land they possessed, they still did what they needed to do for their culture. Approximately 20,000 native americans served in both the union and confederate armies and fought in many battles. Native...
Words: 923 - Pages: 4
...all sitting up in their beds. Puzzled, she remembered where she was. Suzanne had joined the Union Army under the name “Henry Louis” in hopes to serve the country that she loved. Not telling her parents where she was going, Suzanne stole her brothers clothes and fled to join the army even though it was unlawful for a women to join. If any anyone discovered her true identity, punishment and even death might happen to Suzanne. However, she decided that it was a risk she was willing to take. The Civil War Years introduced devastation and internal conflict to the United States....
Words: 1999 - Pages: 8
...Experiences of the American Civil War (1861-1865): Honor, Duty and Death Introduction The following pages are an essay on the cause of the American Civil War (1861-1865) and the effects that the war had upon the soldiers, women and African Americans of the North and the South. In this essay I will write about the following topics and present a view of how the war was witnessed by these different groups of people. In regards to the soldiers of the North and the South, I will answer the following questions: What was the enthusiasm of the soldiers from the North and the South before the war? What was their perspective after the fighting had started? How did the soldiers of the invading armies treat the civil population? The horrors of the Civil War witnessed by the soldiers of the North and the South? Then I will answer some of the following questions about women and the Civil War: What role did women play during the war? What respect did women attain for their role? How did women help the soldiers to endure the hardships of the war? The questions dealing with African Americans are: Did the Civil War change how their comrades in arms viewed African Americans? How did African Americans help in fighting the war? Why did African Americans fight in the war? What did African Americans hope to gain from fighting in the war? The Causes of the American Civil War The American Civil War (1861-1865) occurred because the two principal regions of the country, the North and...
Words: 3517 - Pages: 15
...American Civil War Experiences of the American Civil War (1861-1865): Honor, Duty and Death Introduction The following pages are an essay on the cause of the American Civil War (1861-1865) and the effects that the war had upon the soldiers, women and African Americans of the North and the South. In this essay I will write about the following topics and present a view of how the war was witnessed by these different groups of people. In regards to the soldiers of the North and the South, I will answer the following questions: What was the enthusiasm of the soldiers from the North and the South before the war? What was their perspective after the fighting had started? How did the soldiers of the invading armies treat the civil population? The horrors of the Civil War witnessed by the soldiers of the North and the South? Then I will answer some of the following questions about women and the Civil War: What role did women play during the war? What respect did women attain for their role? How did women help the soldiers to endure the hardships of the war? The questions dealing with African Americans are: Did the Civil War change how their comrades in arms viewed African Americans? How did African Americans help in fighting the war? Why did African Americans fight in the war? What did African Americans hope to gain from fighting in the war? The Causes of the American Civil War The American Civil War (1861-1865) occurred because the two principal regions of the country...
Words: 3501 - Pages: 15
...extraordinary- the dedication of soldiers from the same nation fighting against each other. The Confederacy was formed by the seven states and they got separated from the American Union. It got fed up with the Federal Government’s and claimed that it was superior to state laws and rights. When they fought the civil war, they felt that they had been betrayed by the government that the original thirteen states had created. They started the civil war as they are fighting a second Revolutionary war and started fighting for their independence once again against a despotic government. The Confederates soldiers fought for their independence, for their property and way of life and for their very...
Words: 647 - Pages: 3
...tolls, poverty, and general animosity. “He felt that in this crisis his laws of life were useless. Whatever he had learned of himself was here of no avail. He was an unknown quantity. He saw that he would again have to experiment as he had in early youth. He must accumulate information of himself, and meanwhile he resolved to remain close upon his guard lest those qualities of which he knew nothing should everlastingly disgrace him” (Crane, 25).In this passage it shows Henry’s initial fear about whether he has the courage to face battle or not. He thinks that war is created just to make heros and when men turn into soldiers it will...
Words: 1329 - Pages: 6
...The book What They Fought For written by the author James M. Pherson on 1995 explains the life of the Civil War soldiers and asking what exactly they are fighting for? In the first chapter “The Holy Cause of Liberty and Independence” McPherson explores the life of the soldiers and explains the letters and journals the soldiers wrote during the Civil War. The letters of the soldiers contain passages like “Is it better to spend our all in defending our country than to be subjugated and have it taken away from us”? (Pherson, 12). “I am sick of war…No gratification could exceed that if my being safe at home with you” (14). That shows how difficult the war period was, debating whether to keep fighting for the country or stay home safe, but as soldiers...
Words: 633 - Pages: 3
...Blue Flag.” At the same time, the Union troops who were waiting on the Seminary Ridge were listening to “The Star-Spangled Banner” (Walch). The soldiers would also sing songs when they obtained victory such as “Marching Through Georgia.” When soldiers from the North and South marched off to war, they took with them a love of song that transcended the political and philosophical divide between them (“Music of the 1860's”). Besides being used for military operations, music was also an important part of the soldiers’ lives in camp. Music would pass the time, entertain and comfort, bring back memories of home and family, and strengthen bonds between comrades as well as help forge new ones. In Lincoln and the Music of the Civil War, Kenneth A. Bernard wrote, “In camp and hospital they sang -- sentimental songs and ballads, comic songs, and patriotic numbers… The songs were better than rations or medicine.” The soldiers would...
Words: 792 - Pages: 4
...Northern states, Union states, and the Southern states, Confederate states. It all started because of some differences between the states, such as; the idea of slavery, state rights, tariffs, and trade. The war began when Confederate forces bombarded Fort Sumter in Charleston Bay, South Carolina, which was being controlled by the Union. There were approximately six thousand battles and engagements fought during the war. The bloodiest battle during the Civil War was Gettysburg, with 51,000 casualties. There were not even half as many casualties in Shiloh, which had almost twenty-four thousand casualties. Vicksburg had the least amount of casualties, with almost twenty thousand casualties. Southern states started to secede from the Union even before the war. There were a total of eleven states that seceded, those states were; South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and lastly Tennessee. Though these states didn’t secede at the same time, it was still a big deal because at the time secession wasn’t legal, but it also hadn’t been ruled illegal yet. It was ruled illegal after the war. Many families and their homes were destroyed across the nation, north and south. During the Civil War, about three million men went sent to war and between 640,000 and 700,000 soldiers were killed. Over 260,000 of the those soldiers were Confederate soldiers and over 360,000...
Words: 1849 - Pages: 8
...on the front line at times during battles; those men were later adopted by the regiment. Tens of thousands of men may have served, willing or otherwise. In 1863, in the middle of the war, when more Confederate soldiers were needed, state militias of freed black men were offered to the Confederate war office, but refused. Still, the trust was not there between the men. “On March 13, 1865, legislation was finally passed that would free black slaves if they enlisted in the Confederate Army, although they had to have...
Words: 677 - Pages: 3
