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Essays about the american civil war
Critical analysis of For Cause and Comrades: Why Men Fought in the Civil War
Perspectives from the american civil war
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Civil War Soldiers
Soldiers had various goals that drove them to fight and keep their morale up during the Civil War. Personal situations, attitudes, relationships, goals, and living standards could affect how well a person fought in the civil war. They could have various situations going on in their lives that drove them in different directions. In the three documents given, one can see that obligation, pride, and a longing to see family gave soldiers the desire to make it back safe to their loved ones.
In document 1, Sullivan Ballou writes to his wife, expressing his obligation to lay his life down to fight in the war because he feels the obligation to combat in battles that had kept him safe as he is now. He says that "American Civilization now leans on the triumph of the Government" so this expresses that he has full faith in the government. He feels that he has a debt to pay to his
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He is talking about soldiers who were killed during the battles. His feelings altered throughout the war, and now feels remorse for his fellows. He realizes that the south is fighting a battle for the wrong cause now when he says “through I believe the south first started on just course but our wickedness and disobedience has brought to what we are.” From this quote, you can understand the shift in his feelings of righteousness to being lost with where the goal was in the beginning of the war. He also does not think “the south will stand much longer.” Christian’s faith is clouding his judgement. This is expressed in the way he describes the sun rising over the Virginia hills, which he notes as being very desolate and sad, which makes him feel alone. This diction expresses his negative outlook on the war and he has given up on the strength of the
Nevertheless, an attitude they show is their cause for engaging in the war. On page 110, Lee describes, “With every step of a soldier, with every tick of the clock, the army was gaining safety, closer to victory, closer to the dream of independence.” His words reveal that their reason for coming was to gain their long overdue independence. Without a cause worth fighting for on each side, the war would have no fuel or reason to continue. In like manner, another attitude of the South was their admiration for their commander general. On page 251, Longstreet proclaims, “Colonel, let me explain something. The secret of General Lee is that men love him and follow him with faith in him. That’s one secret.” I believe this clarifies that the bond of brotherhood and respect for each other in this army would allow for these soldiers to follow their leader blindly. The overwhelming amount of faith and trust among the Army of the Northern Virginia is inspiring. The Confederates prove in these appearances that they do indeed have an important cause that they are willing to die
The causes of the war and reasons for fighting parallel each other. The primary cause of the Civil War was the issue regarding slavery. The issue of slavery is brought up several times throughout the book. Arthur Fremantle, the British observer, believed that the South was fighting to protect slavery and their way of life. Colonel Chamberlain also mentioned slavery as a reason for the war and stated that he found it to be appalling. Despite racism and prejudice in the North, many northerners still believed that the slaves should be freed. They saw the institution of slavery as contradictory to the Bible and civilized society. Colonel Chamberlain mentioned that he was fighting for the “dignity of man” (pg. 27). The South was feeling pressure from anti-slavery and abolitionist groups in the North. The South felt that the North was trying to destroy the southern way of life. The North on the other hand, had become more successful in industry and didn’t seem to understand the importance of slavery in the South. The South’s entire society and social structure was based on slavery and they were not willing to end the entire system. The South argued that slaves had their place at...
The book “For Cause and Comrades: Why Men Fought In The Civil War” by James M. McPherson examines the motivations of the soldiers who fought in the Civil War. McPherson wanted to understand why the men fought in the Civil War and why they fought so ferociously for such a large amount of time even though there was a huge possibility of death, disease and injurys.To answer the question regarding the reasons why men fought in the Civil War so viciously, and for such a long period of time, James McPherson studied countless amounts of letters, diaries and other mails that were written or sent by the soldiers who fought in the Civil War.
The book ‘For Cause and Comrades’ is a journey to comprehend why the soldiers in the Civil War fought, why they fought so passionately, and why they fought for the long period of time. Men were pulling guns against other men who they had known their whole lives. McPherson’s main source of evidence was the many letters from the soldiers writing to home. One of the many significant influences was how the men fought to prove their masculinity and courage. To fight would prove they were a man to their community and country. Fighting also had to do with a duty to their family. Ideology was also a major motivating factor; each side thought they were fighting for their liberty. The soldier’s reputations were created and demolished on the battlefield, where men who showed the most courage were the most honored. Religion also played an important role because the second Great Awakening had just occurred. Their religion caused the men who thought of themselves as saved to be fearless of death, “Religion was the only thing that kept this soldier going; even in the trenches…” (McPherson, p. 76) R...
The Confederate jobs, wealth, and property (including slaves) were at stake. “Confederates fought for independence, for their property and way of life, for their very survival as a nation” (McPherson, 27). For this reason, dedication for the cause was strong for Confederates. A collection of letters from Civil War soldiers online, alongside with McPherson’s evidence, shows the patriotism and dedication to their nation and slaves. Confederates stood behind each other and were dedicated to having their own nation; one soldier stated, “that if he was killed, it would be while ‘fighting gloriously for the undying principles of Constitutional liberty and self government’” (McPherson, 11). Private Street, while on his death bed, wrote to his wife: "we must never dispair, for death is preferable to a life spent under the gaulling yoke of abolition rule" (Street, 1862). The reasons that fueled Confederate soldiers were the very practices that they strived on in everyday life; these soldiers naturally had dedication, but patriotism towards their nation and brotherhood is universal between the letters presented, and helped unify the Confederacy.
During winter months, basic huts were constructed from wood when it was available. During the civil war, most of the soldiers fought only 75 percent of the time. When they were not fighting, their day usually started at 5:00 in the morning during the summer and spring, and 6:00 in the morning during the fall and winter. Soldiers would be awakened by fifes and drums, then the first sergeant would take a roll call, and all the men sat down to eat breakfast. During the day, soldiers would be engaged in sometimes as many as five 2-hour long drill sessions on weaponry or maneuvers.
Sullivan Ballou's family suffered a great loss upon his death, he was a loving father and husband. Ballou also realized he experienced a great loss, when he stated “The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them so long.”(p.445) On the date Ballou's letter was written, I believe his life flashed before his eyes, and he was able to collect all of the great memories he shared with his family and expose them in his touching letter. Ballou acknowledged how fortunate he was, when he was enjoying life with his family; he realized the loss he would undergo upon his failure to return to them. Ballou was a honorable man, and although he left behind a family: wife & two sons; Ballou realized it was his responsibility to fight a war that can end suffering for his country as a whole, but in return, the war can create a new form of suffering for his family, upon his death.
Methodist Rev. John T. Wightman, preaching at Yorkville, South Carolina: "The triumphs of Christianity rest this very hour upon slavery; and slavery depends on the triumphs of the South . . . This war is the servant of slavery." [The Glory of God, the Defence of the South (1861), cited in Eugene Genovese's Consuming Fire (1998).]
“Foundly do we hope-fervently do we pray- that this might scourge of war may speedily pass away… With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan - to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations”
The American Civil War, also known as the War Between the States, or simply the Civil War in the United States, was a civil war fought from 1861 to 1865, after seven Southern slave states declared their secession and formed the Confederate States of America . The states that remained in the Union were known as the "Union" or the "North". The war had its origin in the fractious issue of slavery, especially the extension of slavery into the western territories. Foreign powers did not intervene. After four years of bloody combat that left over 600,000 soldiers dead and destroyed much of the South's infrastructure, the Confederacy collapsed, slavery was abolished, and the difficult Reconstruction process of restoring national unity and guaranteeing rights to the freed slaves began.
More than 15 million people were killed in World War 1 making it one of the deadliest conflicts in history. World War 1 began in Europe from 1914 to 1918. The 4 year war included Germany, Russia, Great Britain, France, Austria-Hungary, Italy, United States, and Serbia. Millions of soldiers and civilians died during the war leaving the European nations to blame one another. On June 28th 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were killed by a Serbian member of the Black Hand-Gavrilo (Ms. Cherry Notes).
“We fought this fight as long and as well as we know how. We have been defeated. For us as christian people, there is now but one course to pursue we must accept the situation”.(Robert E. Lee.” BrainyQuote) The meaning of the quote by Robert E says the confederate army fought to there best but now have to accept defeat of the Civil War. Robert E. Lee was born in stafford,Virginia 1807 and commanded the Northern Virginian Army. He soon became the General over all the confederate army in the 13 succeeded southern states. Abraham Lincoln offered Lee a general spot for the north but Lee could not fight against his own people. Robert E. Lee graduated from West Point 2nd in his class. After the Civil War Lee died at Lexington, Virginia 1870 (History.com
Michael Maggiore Mrs. Bojanowski English 12 22 May 2014 Battle of Gettysburg 1863 there was a battle that shocked the entire nation. That battle was the Battle of Gettysburg. “This most famous and most important Civil War Battle occurred over three hot days, July 1 to July 3, 1863, around the small market town of Gettysburg” (Lamath). The grueling battle had nearly 160,000 Americans involved by the end. Roughly half of the soldiers were casualties.
“Why would you want to interview me when there are plenty of people back home that would be easier to interview in person?” asks John Stout. He is about 5’11, has dark black hair and his eyes are a rich chocolaty brown. He is tan and has a strong muscular body. John is currently deployed in Bagram Afghanistan. He departed on July 7th, 2016 and will not return until April of 2017. He grew up in Fort Ripley, MN and graduated from Brainerd High School in 2014. John is very close with his Mother, Father, Brother and Sister. He grew up with a wrench in his hand and always helped his Father work on project cars and fixing things around the house. To John, family is everything. His family always took vacations and every summer, he gets to travel around the United States for Army training. John grew up in a military family. His Father works as a Warrant Officer in the Minnesota National Guard and his Brother, Curtis, is in the Marine Corps and is also deployed right now.John has always wanted to serve his country
A soldier is an enlist individual, man or woman that fight in the military for his or her country. There are numerous reason has to what it means to be a good soldier. Being a good soldier varies depending on the individual. A good solider lives up to the army values, which are duty which is to fulfill your obligations by being able to accomplish tasks as part of a team, loyalty n being able to bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, the Army, your unit and other soldiers, honor, being able to give up to Army values, integrity, do what’s right, legally and morally, personal courage, face fear, danger or adversity (physical or moral, selfless service, being able to put the welfare of the nation, the Army and your subordinates before your own and respect, being able to treat people as they should be treated