The American Civil War - This Mighty Scourge of War

Common soldiers 149

preparing for the inevitable fight. Soldiers in
the Western Theater typically slept in tents
or huts, depending on the weather. The
shelter tent or 'dog tent,' as it was
commonly known for its small size, was the
standard issue by 1862. Soldiers rose at
5.00 am, assembled, drilled, ate breakfast,
then went to their assigned duties. The bugle
sounded lunch at noon, and regimental drill
followed for two to three hours. Soldiers
then returned to their quarters until dress
parade at 6.00 pm, followed by dinner and
free time until 9.00 pm.

Soldiers spent their free time writing
letters home, detailing their reactions to their
new surroundings, politics, and emotions
about missing home. When they were not
writing, they were reading dime novels and
newspapers from home or national
newspapers, including the popular pictorial
papers such as Frank Leslie's Illustrated,
Harper's Weekly, and Southern Illustrated News.
Soldiers frequently indulged in playing cards,
horse racing, drinking, fist-fighting, story-
telling, animal chasing, and other irreverent
activities to escape the loneliness of army life.

When time permitted, theatrical productions

gave the men immense pleasure. Bambasties

Furioso, a farce staged by the Confederate

9th Kentucky, was the hit of the 1862-63

season in the west.

Singing was as popular as letter

writing, and soldiers were just as expressive

in song as they were in writing. Soldiers

voiced their longing for home, their

patriotism to the cause, and their

sentimental feeling for the fight. Billy Yank

and Johnny Reb alike sang 'Home, Sweet

Home,' 'The Girl I Left Behind,' and 'When

This Cruel War is Over.' 'The Bonnie Blue

Flag' and 'Dixie' were popular with

Confederates and Federals enjoyed 'Yankee

Doodle' and 'The Battle Hymn of the

Republic' Northern soldiers passed the hours

marching to the popular tune 'John Brown's

Body.' At the beginning of the war, brass

Brass bands accompanied many units into the

Civil War and soldiers came to greatly appreciate

them. Here the 'Tiger Band' of the 125th Ohio Regiment

poses for a picture. (Massachusetts Commandery

Military Order of the Loyal Legion and the US Army

Military History Institute)