Lives+of+Common+Soldiers

__ 2. THE LIVES OF COMMON SOLDIERS __ // Billy Yank and Johnny Reb, pp. 468-9 // In what ways were the common soldiers of northern and southern armies alike? Different? Similarities: -common commitment to patriotic spirit of 1776 and the cause of liberty, independence, and government -reflected the societies from which they came North: -more literate and intellectual -adapted to army discipline quicker South: -more emotional and religious -defending their beliefs -disrespect for authority

Long marches, picket duty, uniforms full of lice, and boring hours in camp characterized most of the time passed by Civil War soldiers; shorter stretches of sheer terror, brutality, and bedlam punctuated their lives. In particular, what extreme hardships did both northern and southern men endure? -dull routine of camp life -disease: malaria -food shortages -uniforms deteriorated -traumatic experience of combat