The Lives of Civil War Soldiers by Course Materials https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl Week 14 Unit II en-us 2017-04-16 02:19:26 UTC 2022-11-28 15:05:07 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Moderncam.png . coursematerialbackup https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/166447804 2017-04-16 02:19:26 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/166447804 INSTRUCTIONS coursematerialbackup https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/166447805 After watching lecture "To The Bitter End" part 1, and reading this unit's primary sources, make TWO posts: 
 
ONE: Choose a photograph of Civil War soldiers from the following archive and create a Padlet post that includes:
  • A screenshot of an image from this archive: https://www.archives.gov/research/military/civil-war/photos
  • Who is shown and when the image was taken (if that information is provided)
  • What you believe is happening in the image
  • How this image relates to what we have learned about the lives of Civil War soldiers
Tie your post to at least one specific piece of evidence from the primary documents or lecture

Each image may only be used once
 
TWO: Make a substantive reply to another student’s post. You may agree, disagree or expand on what they say. Like all posts, however, remember to tie it directly to evidence from the documents. 

Be sure to put your name in the title of both of your posts!

You are by no means limited to JUST these posts. The more we interact in our groups the more we will all take away from the class. The more conversation the better!

 All posts must be completed by Sunday at 8:00 PM

]]> 2017-04-16 02:19:26 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/166447805 Morale - Samantha Dukes https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2398327199 Both Union and Confederate soldiers struggled during the Civil War. If they weren’t being killed by bullets or cannons, they were suffering from poor nutrition, inadequate shelter, and rampant disease. I can imagine the toll on their mental well-being would be enormous. The image I chose is “Religious services in camp, Catholic. Probably 69th New York State Militia. (Matthew Brady).” The image shows a chaplain performing church services out of a tent with a group of soldiers gathered around. The Civil War era was a different time, where faith and church attendance was very much a part of daily life and soldiers were no exception. The soldiers in the image are likely attending for their weekly service, or maybe some are in need of reassurance and comfort to get through the troubling times they’re encountering. Keeping morale up was important to having productive soldiers, but the hunger, cold, sickness, and trauma of watching their friends be grievously injured or killed, of having to kill others, likely kept them all pretty somber. “I never had spent such a sabbath in my life before I have seen the horror of war,” Joseph Milton Elkins in a letter to his wife. Church services were a way to give troops some sort of normalcy and a chance to connect with God, something that likely gave them reassurance and helped keep them going. ]]> 2022-11-26 00:51:44 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2398327199 Week 12 Unit II-Jack Johnson https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2398751272 This picture shows the Engineers of the 8th New York State Militia grouped up in front of a tent, the picture was taken in 1861. The militia seems to be taking some rest time, possibly from a battle. When I served in the Marine Corps we would stack our rifles like that in boot camp, usually when we were about to be somewhere for a prolonged period of time and two recruits would be responsible for keeping watch. So based off of that personal experience these soldiers probably plan on being at that tent for a little while to rest or to eat. I noticed that there is one black soldier off to the side sitting by himself, I wonder why he is choosing to sit alone. 

Based off of what I have read in Document 4 from the primary source: "The Letters of Civil War Soldiers", these men probably are not eating all too well, in that document Zachariah H J Benefield goes into detail about the rations that he receives while enlisted with the Franklin Volunteers, Company "G" 7th Georgia Regiment of Infantry: "Jane we ar faring verry bad for something to eat we git flour with the brand in it & it is half oats & man cant hardly eate it we dont git half A nuf if it We steal A little & prearsh A little"(Primary Source: The Letters of Civil War Soldiers, Document 4). The rations that Zachariah describes are all carbs, I did not see him mention any kind of meat or dairy of any kind, so it's no wonder why soldiers during the Civil War were constantly starving. ]]> 2022-11-26 20:46:24 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2398751272 Reply-Jack Johnson https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2398752934 With everything you mentioned about the soldiers receiving poor nutrition, while also suffering constant trauma it really surprises me how these men were able to march, stay in formation and even battle for large amounts of time. It fascinates me how ill equipped both the North and South were during the Civil War but still managed to keep pressing on. Belief in some higher power was crucial to morale like you mentioned, it probably kept a lot of the soldiers fighting when it felt like all hope was lost. ]]> 2022-11-26 20:51:41 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2398752934 Week 12 Unit II Alexis Surbrook https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399147321 The image depicts confederate soldiers who were captured in the Shenandoah Valley being guarded in a Union camp in May 1862. I believe that the image clearly depicts what the image says, it seems that a bunch of men are being guarded over in a very large camp. They are separated from all the other soldiers. This image relates to what we are learning about especially in the lectures since it mentions that Confederate soldiers and Union soldiers had POW camps and would keep prisoners of war. ]]> 2022-11-27 16:06:33 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399147321 Alexis Surbrook reply to Jack Johnson https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399149295 I definitely agree with you on what the image is depicting it seems that the soldiers were resting from a battle or waiting for the next orders to come in. I like how you reflected and used the image to bring up memories of when you were in the Marine Corps. It's amazing how images from the past can bring up memories and events. ]]> 2022-11-27 16:10:12 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399149295 Week 12 Unit 2- Jake Ammori https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399206420 This picture shows soldiers at rest after drill in Petersburg, Virginia. This picture took place In 1864, and shows the soldiers enjoying life outside of war by playing cards and reading letters and papers. It shows us that these soldiers were like us in a sense they liked doing other things except being a soldier. They enjoyed hobbies and free time. It must have been a nice break for them being able to play games and not worry about all the death around them. Mr. Merill talked about the soldiers having lives outside of war. ]]> 2022-11-27 17:44:11 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399206420 Reply-Jake Ammori https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399208953 I believe you are right in a sense that the image shows soldiers being captured. What do you think happened to prisoners of war? Could not have been fun. Since the union outnumbered the Confederate by such a vast amount, the capturing of any soldiers was a win for the Union. Every Confederate soldier was skilled but not every Union soldier was skilled so the capturing of them at Shenandoah Valley was a win for the North.

]]> 2022-11-27 17:48:35 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399208953 Week 12- Brianna Lound https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399244377 This picture shows a pontoon across Rappahannock River, VA. It does not saw when it was taken. I believe that the picture is depicting a platoon or company of soldiers crossing a river and to a base camp. This relates to the way that soldiers were living because of constant movement of the war. There was not just one area that they were stationed or where they fought. There is a constant moving battle across the land forcing the soldiers to move with them and to also have to move to get home. This is reinforcements from the federal cavalry so in support of the union. The Union out numbered the Confederacy as well as they had a lot more reinforcements to help them win the war.]]> 2022-11-27 18:54:29 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399244377 Reply to Jake Ammori - Brianna Lound https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399246215 I think that you are right. What we are often taught is just the political and war side of history. It never really allows us to realize that these were people too with lives outside of the war. It is interesting to see the soldiers in a relaxed position and joking with their comrades. the fact that Merill Touched on their lives and not just the war was great.]]> 2022-11-27 18:58:10 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399246215 Week 12 Unit 2 Dan Luberto https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399258790 This photo of Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant standing by a tree in front of a tent, Cold Harbor, Virginia. The photo was taken around June 1864, and shows Grant in uniform posing at a Union camp in Virginia. Private Christie refers to high ranking officers in the camp being very populated " 50,000 men is a good many to be within sight Gen. Sherman is here."]]> 2022-11-27 19:21:21 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399258790 Week 12 - Alexia Crispin https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399341808 This image is a picture of Clara Barton, a nurse during the Civil War and the founder of the American Red Cross. There is not much happening within the image since it is a portrait of Clara, so they can have a photo of someone who risked her life to bring supplies and support to the soldiers (https://www.redcross.org/about-us/who-we-are/history/clara-barton.html). 

This image adds to the lives of Civil War soldiers because the women that were part of the war were primarily nurses to help them with their injuries. This can get bad in the heat of the battle, ranging from gunshot wounds to diseases. Many women and men would try to help injured people by volunteering at hospitals. But, "hospital conditions were often so bad that many volunteer nurses quit soon after beginning..." always having a fluctuating number of nurses (americanyawp.com, Chapter 14 Section 4). Those who stayed as long as they did were considered heroes because of their bravery through all the gruesome wounds they had seen. Even Susie Taylor stayed part of the army as a nurse and laundress to help those in battle. She waited until the end of the fight, witnessing all kinds of terrible things from others, to the point that "those fleshless heads and grinning jaws... I had become accustomed to worse things and did not feel as I might have earlier in my camp life." ("Reminiscences of my Life in Camp").]]> 2022-11-27 22:17:15 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399341808 Tyler Martin- Infantry resting from drills https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399352822 - Soldiers in 1864
- According to the title of the photograph, the image shows soldiers at rest after drills in Petersburg, Va. The soldiers are seated reading letters and playing cards.
- In The Letters of Civil War Soldiers, we have learned that the lives and travels of soldiers can be somewhat unpredictable. Based on A letter written by Private Robert W. Christie just a month after enlisting in Company E of the 29th Indiana Infantry on September 26, 1861, "I do not know what his business is but I think we will not stay long some of the officers say we will leave this week but they do not know any more than I do. We have a good time of it today our orders are to let no person through without a pass and when any one comes that has no pass we have to take him to headquarters..." These soldiers use their free time in search of reading letters from their friends and family while awaiting next orders and drills. ]]> 2022-11-27 22:44:03 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399352822 Tyler Martin- Reply https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399357972 I found it interesting that in addition to your post, this photograph matches with the timeline of Ulysses S Grant's proceedings in Richmond, Virginia. As stated in The American Yawp, "Van Lew was from a prominent Richmond, Virginia, family and spied on the Confederacy, leading to her being 'held in contempt & scorn by the narrow minded men and women of my city for my loyalty.' Indeed, when General Ulysses Grant took control of Richmond, he placed a special guard on Van Lew. In addition to her espionage activities, Van Lew also acted as a nurse to Union prisoners in Libby Prison. For pro-Confederate southern women, there were more opportunities to show their scorn for the enemy," (American Yawp, Chapter 14, Section III). Later on, Ulysses appointed Van Lew postmaster of Richmond in 1869. She is now known as one of the most effective spies of the Civil War. ]]> 2022-11-27 22:56:47 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399357972 Reply - Alexia Crispin https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399368452 I agree that soldiers constantly had to move from location to location during the war. There was always some change on the battlefield, whether they gained or lost lands from the opposition. In one of the letters, they would also add about their malnourishment and constant moving. I believe that many of them had gotten even sicker when moving across rivers on pontoons due to lack of food and motion sickness.]]> 2022-11-27 23:22:19 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399368452 Week 12 Unit II Kasiah Wentz https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399381333 In this image it shows an Amputation being performed in a hospital tent in Gettysburg. Created in July 1863. As said in the title it shows a doctor about to preform an amputation on a solider while other soldiers stand around him for support. You can also see that a few of the soldiers are holding down the man getting the amputation. During this time the medicine they had was scarce so it was a very gruesome sight to see and to hear the screams when a soldier had to be amputated. In document 3 Joseph Milton Elkins wrote a letter to his wife. In the letter he says " I had to be up all night to guard the wounded- it was the saddest thing I ever saw to hear the moans of the wounded and dying. I saw the surgeons operating on them, it made me shed tears to see how they suffered, some had to have both arms cut off and some of their legs. " In these war there are a lot of soldiers injured. A lot of which either died or needed amputations. Soldiers would guard the hospital tents and some were needed in help to do the amputations because of how painful it was. These hospital tents where something that was extremely needed in these wars to help save the countless soldiers that fought. ]]> 2022-11-27 23:48:33 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399381333 "Ringgold Battery on drill." Isaiah Ross-Walker https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399385801 The time period provided for this image is 1860–ca. 1865, so essentially sometime around the Civil War. The image shows an artillery battery doing a drill. I can only hope these soldiers didn't die horrendous deaths such as being shot in the leg, evacuated to Virginia and dying of gangrene on November 10th, 1862, similar to the unfortunate Joseph M. Elkins.]]> 2022-11-27 23:56:46 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399385801 Reply to Alexis Surbrook https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399388285 I agree with what you said about how they would take prisoners in the war. I also like how you explained how the prisoners were kept separate from everyone else. Evidence you could use in talking about this picture is in document 3 when Joseph Milton Elkins was writing a letter to his wife. In the letter he says "we took 1,300 prisoners and 125 horses, baggage wagons, and 64 pieces of cannons which was great many things." As he says in the letter, as they did take in a lot of prisoners from the war. They also took more than that. They would take anything that they could that would help them win the war or get more to use. Such as what he said things like weapons, horses, and other things that could be very useful to them. ]]> 2022-11-28 00:00:58 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399388285 Response to Kasiah Wentz Isaiah R-W https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399389696 I'm not sure how developed standards of cleanliness were at the time either, so a lot of the time options may have limited to amputation, or just praying your wound didn't get infected. Anesthesia was used in the way of chloroform or sulfuric ether, but it was possible to be undersupplied. I'm just happy we don't have to worry about losing limbs over anything trivial as much as they did.]]> 2022-11-28 00:03:32 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399389696 reply Brianna Lound BY GIBSON augustgbson https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399432755 This is a really great post very informative and it shows so much detail about the time period. This is quite an interesting aspect of the time period. I see how the landscape of war looked at the time. The army soldiers and the grass and everything despite the just fight that had to take place in favor of protecting the U.S's sovereignty.]]> 2022-11-28 00:57:37 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399432755 "Federal supplies deposited on the landing" Jiayi Yuan https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399434236 -This photo was shot in July 1864, at City Point, Virginia. It features a dock area near the sea, where masts and ropes of many ships can be seen. These ships had transported a large amount of supplies for the federal army; these supplies were packed in wooden barrels piling up in the dock area. Many laborers were busy carrying them to the warehouses for future distribution, with the help of railway as well as wagons, which were both shown right next to the dock. 

-This photo reminds me of what I read in Primary Sources, Document 4: A letter from Zachariah H J Benefield to his wife, Sarah Jane Gore on, April 4,1864. In this letter, Zach Benefield, a Confederate soldier, complained much about their food shortage: "we git flour with the brand in it & it is half oats & man cant hardly eate it we dont git half A nuf if it." Despite their arduous military duties of long distance march under rain and snow, they were fed with a mixture of "oats & rye & wheat." As the Confederate army suffereing more and more losses on the battlefield, their logistics were also beginning to break down, which only further demorallize their soldiers.]]> 2022-11-28 00:59:17 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399434236 Reply to Crispin Alexia by Gibson augustgbson https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399434815 I apreciate and value nurses so much and the equity that they produce for society. What a great representation you made. Women wore apart of the war in many ways this is a great representation of that.]]> 2022-11-28 00:59:57 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399434815 Week 12 Unit 2 Gibson augustgbson https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399472064 This image has union soldiers in it. These soldiers are preparing to head into war. They are doing their daily prepatory exercises convening for a meeting. Camp 7th Calvary ]]> 2022-11-28 01:38:07 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399472064 Caden Martines https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399565443 In this picture John Brown appears to be taking a picture. This picture of John Brown was taken in 1856. John Brown was famous for doing a couple things regarding slaves. One of the things that John had done to the slaves was he led a raid and it had killed one slave owner and that killing of the slave owner had freed 11 slaves. That right there showed that Brown was all in for freeing slaves and putting his life out there to do so. He also wanted to help win justice for enslaved black people. Soon after all that stuff Brown had gotten into trouble and was soon tried and charged with treason, murder and conspiring with slaves to rebel. ]]> 2022-11-28 03:09:50 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399565443 Caden Martines:reply to Jack Johnson https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399570370 I agree with your post. These soldiers look like there in for a little bit and are getting well rested up and getting some food in their bodies to prepare for later. I also think it's weird that to the left there is just one Black soldier kind of sitting by himself while everyone else is gathered around the tent.]]> 2022-11-28 03:15:01 UTC https://padlet.com/coursematerialbackup/rkzrc7smffrl/wish/2399570370