Christina,+The+Everyday+Life+of+a+Private

__**The Every Day Life of a Private:**__ 

Enlistment:
For every war in the history of the world, you need soldiers. In the time of the civil war the North needed soldiers so there weretoc “Enlistment officers” who went around collecting signatures for enlistment. At first there was no limit to the amount of time you spent in the war, this soon changed. On May 3rd Lincoln issued the order that one had to serve for three years. In the beginning there were so many men that wanted to be soldiers; they had to refuse people until later. Sometimes people would come in large groups (approximately 30-50 in number) and they would enlist with the understanding that one in their number would be “commissioned captain.” They were usually met with open arms and got what they wanted; as a result of this many captains were ill trained and not as functional as they should be.

Steps in enlistment: ~ enlist--sign up for the army ~ After enlisting there was a fitness test were they checked how fit you were, checked your teeth and made sure you were physically able: after done, got a certificate ~ went to a recruiting station where you are assigned to a regiment and given another physical examination ~ sent off!

Rankings:
In the army there was a ladder of power that soldiers tried to climb, below are the major ones:

~ General ~ Colonel ~ Major ~ Captain ~ Lieutenant ~ Warrant Officer ~ Sergeant ~ Corporal ~ Private

﻿Food in the Camps:
During the Civil War, the food came in many different forms. Throughout the war, you had to cook your dinner. The food media type="youtube" key="zN3B4Yt7GLI" height="314" width="382" align="right"for both the Union and Confederate soldiers was provided by their Commissary Departments, but the daily rations given to the soldiers were uncooked. However, if you were a general or another officer then they had cooks while the majority of soldiers gathered in small groups to prepare their food. These groups were called "messes" and would refer to others in the group as "messmates." Messmates would take turns observing the meals they cooked over the open campfire in a cast iron skillet or kettle and occasionally on a spit. If there was time, soldiers tried to think of ways to make their meals a little more varied either by catching wild game or picking berries

A Ration list for the soldier John Billings was "salt pork, fresh beef, salt beef, rarely ham or bacon, hard bread, soft bread, potatoes, an occasional onion, flour, beans, split peas, rice, dried apples, dried peaches, desiccated vegetables, coffee, tea, sugar, molasses, vinegar, candles, soap, pepper, and salt.”

John Billings. There was only one type of meat served, and this was usually pork. A solider is entitled to “have had twelve ounces of pork or bacon, or one pound four ounces of salt or fresh beef; one pound six ounces of soft bread or flour, or one pound of hard bread, or one pound four ounces of corn meal. With every hundred such rations there should have been distributed one peck of beans or peas; ten pounds of rice or hominy; ten pounds of green coffee, or eight pounds of roasted and ground, or one pound eight ounces of tea; fifteen pounds of sugar; one pound four ounces of candles; four pounds of soap; two quarts of salt; four quarts of vinegar; four ounces of pepper; a half bushel of potatoes when practicable, and one quart of molasses. Desiccated potatoes or desiccated compressed vegetables might be substituted for the beans, peas, rice, hominy, or fresh potatoes. Vegetables, the dried fruits, pickles, and pickled cabbage were occasionally issued to prevent scurvy, but in small quantities.”

Remembering Home:
Sept the 6 1861 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dear Cousin
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This letter is one written by James Booker: In it he says:

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I received your <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">kind letter last eavning which <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">gave me great releaf I had not <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">hird from //[// home //]// in nearly a month <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I had //[// concluded //]// that you all had forgoten <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">us intirely I told the boys if <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">my relation wanted to hear from <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">me thay would have to write <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">to me for I had writen three <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">letters to thare one, and if thay <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">would not write to me, I //[// [//unclear//: w] //]// <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I would not write to them, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">tho I will excuse you for <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">this time if you will not <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">do so eny more,

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The letter goes on to explain all the sick people in his regiment, he signs off saying:

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">John joins me in <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">love to you all <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">so good eavning write <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">soon to <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">your <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">affectionate Cousin

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">//James Booker// || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As you can see in the above letter, communication with family members and friends was very important. Most of the letters that I read mentioned the long time it had taken for their loved ones to write. They hung on to these letters above all else, because it was a connection to home. They were in contact with the ones they loved and that was important. Many soldiers relied on it as a constant, a little piece of home that they could carry with them. Letters was also a way of informing them about the outside world.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Disease/Dirt" and Wounds:
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In the civil war two out of three deaths were because of disease. The lack of sterile environments and close living conditions were the main source. The cramped living conditions resulted in widespread disease; if anybody in the regiment had a disease then the whole regiment was in danger of catching it. The lack of hygiene was also a major cause of death. Each soldier had a uniform however many did not have anything other than that, and they couldn't bathe normally. In result of this their clothing were filled with bugs. The hospitals set up were the same way, to the point that many soldiers preferred their comrades to treat them to doctors. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">If you were wounded on the battle field, things weren't much better. Doctors were inadequately trained, and any serious injury was amputated, which was about three out of four injuries (see Nurses). Most soldiers died from infection because of the lack of a sterile environment. When you were injured and could not walk to a field hospital you were “taken care of” by whoever won the battle. Meaning if your side won you would be dealt with quickly, whereas if you were on the opposing side the wait could be quite long. Because of this many soldiers died, when they could have been saved.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">﻿Pastimes:
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Many Soldiers kept a log or diary and frequently wrote letters. This was a tie to home and a huge boost of morale, all soldiers loved getting letters from home. Soldiers (especially in the winter) had lots of time on their hands; this resulted in many assorted activities that were on-going around the camp. One of these activities included dice and cards, which kept them (somewhat) out of trouble, and didn't take up too much space in their pack. Another activity they played a lot was baseball. This was very fun and more carefree and lifted their spirits, the winners anyway. Soldiers would sometimes fall prey to alcohol and smoking, because of this it was better to keep soldiers drilling. One of the main sources of entertainment was sports; though baseball was most common they also played ice hockey, hopscotch, football, and more.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Where they lived:
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They had "dog tents" which were little canvas things that were strung between what ever was available. The design was nicebecause soldiers could post them up with rifles. There were two soldiers per tent. This was in the Union. The Confederates did not have them, in a Confederate regiment they had lean-too's because of this many Confederates took the Union's provisions sometimes because of the superior quality. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the winter they built more permanent lodging because they weren't on the move as much. They sometimes built shelters like the Confederate one above. The attraction to the winter lodging was so great that they didn't want to leave; it gave them a chance to live in a house, to create a home away from home. The Town (above) was a very detailed one. Some troops made churches with altars and chandeliers made with tin cans. They sometimes acquire furniture, which is impossible during other seasons because you would have to carry it from place to place. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Routine at Camp Cameron:
|| <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> ||

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">of all the present soldiers: || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">General sticks head in and calls for attention. They all fall into a line, the General calls out everyone's names, when you hear yours, you yell "Here!" This can take a while if you have a large regiment ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Time or Title: || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Thing: || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">What it meant/details: ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Rising: || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Waking up: || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">An assortment of sounds were made in order for soldiers to get up. Gun shots, assorted instruments, etc... ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Role Call: || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Taking an inventory
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Assigns who is on guard. || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The select few guard the camp to look out for enemies. || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">A ruthless day of marching back and forth, regardless of the weather conditions. ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Washing || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Bathing: || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">This is a pleasure that many soldiers did not have, especially in battle; this was only if they were in a fixed camp. ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Assigns the drills of the day. || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Tells everyone what they are going to do. || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">This is quick, but can determine the fate of your day. ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Drills before the meal || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Gets people's muscles loose || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Usually includes marching and form drills. How to carry a rifle, etc. ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Breakfast: || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">You get to eat! || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Soldiers went to a large tent and received their rations; they had to prepare their own food. Sometimes people would cook things for many people using their rations as well. ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Drills: || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Exercise: || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Drills include marching for two or three hours, bayonet practice, marching in sync, etc... See Drills. ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">12:00 || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Dinner: || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">After hours of marches and drills is "dinner" (lunch), this is a chance to break and to eat. ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Middle Hours: || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Visiting hours || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">They have "free" time where they visit surrounding regiments ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Evening || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Return to camps || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Sing and hang out in their tents, rumor time. ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">10:30 || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Taps || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">All lights go out in tents ||

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">﻿Bibliography:
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Beller, Susan P. //Billy Yank and Johnny Reb. Soldiering in the Civil War.// Minneapolis: Twenty First Century, Division of Lerner Group., 2008. Print.

Billings, John D. "Enlisting in a Civil War Army." //Shotgun's Home of the American Civil War//. 30 Nov. 2004. Web. 19 May 2011. <http://www.civilwarhome.com/enlisting.htm>.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Billings, John. "Hardtack and Coffee." //Shotgun's Home of the American Civil War//. 7 Jan. 1997. Web. 15 May 2011. [].

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Booker, James. "Letter to Chloe Unity Blair." //Virginia.edu//. University of Virginia. Web. 11 May 2011. [].

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Chabotte, Steven. "Civil War Food - What Union and Confederate Soldiers Ate." //Ezine Articles//. Ezine. Web. 6 May 2011. <http://ezinearticles.com/?Civil-War-Food---What-Union-and-Confederate-Soldiers-Ate&id=366537>.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Civil War Food, Food in Civil War, Hardtack." //Civil War Academy.com//. 17 Apr. 2011. Web. 6 May 2011. <http://www.civilwaracademy.com/civil-war-food.html>.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Heiser, John. "THE CIVIL WAR SOLDIER. What Was Life as a Soldier like in 1863?" //National Park Service//. National Park Service, 1 May 1998. Web. 6 May 2011. <http://www.nps.gov/archive/gett/soldierlife/cwarmy.htm>.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Library of Congress. Web. 6 May 2011. [|http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?cwnyhs:12:./temp/~ammem_c74h::@@@mdb].

Ratliff, Thomas. //You Wouldn't Want to Be a Civil War Soldier! A War You'd Rather Not Fight.// Brighton: Franklin Watts, Scholastic, 2004. Print.

"US Military Ranks, Lowest to Highest." //Military Factory//. Military Factory, 2011. Web. 19 May 2011. [].

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Winthrop, Theodore. "A Typical Day in Camp Cameron." //Shotgun's Home of the Civil War//. 14 Jan. 2004. Web. 06 May 2011. <http://www.civilwarhome.com/typicalday.htm>.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Notes: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">﻿[|Notes for food and wounds] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">﻿ - [|Notes for enlistment]<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">