American War Library - The Civil War: Life Among the Soldiers and Cavalry

Discusses life among Civil War soldiers and cavalry, including joining up, uniforms and rifles, training and discipline on the march, battle, and returning home.

Gr 7-10-Corrick concentrates on the men who filled the ranks of the army, cavalry, and navy on both the Union and Confederate sides. He details the typical experiences of soldiers from the time they joined the military to their postwar lives. For most, the halcyon days of recruitment and enlistment soon faded as they endured unhealthy conditions in camp, poor diets, and inadequate medical care. In his clear descriptions of the confusing and frightening battlefield conditions, the author provides students with an insightful look into the war as experienced by those on the front line. Each chapter is illustrated with black-and-white period photographs. Sidebars covering a range of topics, including quotes from soldiers' diaries and from well-known works such as Henry Steele Commager's The Blue and the Gray, add interest and color. Used alone or in conjunction with Civil War diaries, this is a valuable resource.-Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL

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