A Soldier's Life

Military service meant months or years away from home, endless hours of drill, inadequate food or shelter, disease, and long days marching on hot, dusty roads or in driving rain — all punctuated by moments of sheer terror. In this chapter, we’ll explore the life of a Civil War soldier — camps, food, uniforms, music, and arms, as well as disease, amputation, prison, desertion, and death.



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