The Union soldier was typically a man in his early 20s, in most
cases, he was a farmer who had either enlisted to fight a war which he
thought wouldn't last more than a few months, or near the peak of the
Civil War, someone who had been drafted. Those who were called to
serve against their own will were often poor, since anyone who could pay
the sum of $300.00 would be exempt from fighting. Still, many of
the Union soldiers had ideals to uphold, and all of them were more than
well equipped to do so, as opposed to their southern enemies. As
the war progressed, even women joined the fight, dressing up as, and
pretending to be men so that they could join the army.
Union soldiers' uniforms were dark blue and made of thick wool. Their only relief from the hot and uncomfortable outfit was
most often a cotton shirt sent to them by their families, as their army
issued shirts were also made of wool. Why all that wool? The
reason was that wool would not take in water, or remain wet like cotton
in the event of rain, and it was also more durable. Union soldiers
also wore woolen caps which had leather visors to provide shade when
aiming in the blazing sun. Union soldiers not only had better
uniforms, they also had better weapons, British made
Enfield rifles were the norm, and they were the most accurate
weapons on the battlefield.
In addition to heavy clothes, Union soldiers carried a heavy
knapsack, a blanket, and a small protective cover called "dog tent".
Like the Confederates, Union soldiers carried a haversack filled with
the usual set of eating implements, the canteen and frying pan being the
most important. Unlike the southern Rebels, the Federals were
required to groom themselves, and maintain a proper appearance,
therefore their kit also included a comb, a razor, and other personal
hygiene products.
Union Infantrymen wore belts on which there were cartridge boxes to
carry multiple rounds of ammunition, a pouch to carry "percussion caps";
a17th Century equivalent of the hand grenade, and a scabbard which
held their bayonets. Union Cavalrymen had similar accoutrements,
but their belts included a pistol holster, and a special straps to hold
their sabers.
While the Union troops were well fed, many died from ptomaine
poisoning, the result of eating poorly canned meat and other tainted
food items. Morale was generally high amongst the Federal troops,
but desertion was a serious issue since many soldiers which had left
their homes in the hopes of fighting a short war, would eventually feel
the need to return to their families and farms. Since many of them
had been drafted, they did not want to be where they were in the first
place. Those who deserted for cowardice were mostly drummed out of
cam with a sign around their neck that read "coward", while others hung
or executed by firing squad for more serious offences such as treason.
Other, less draconian methods of discipline included tying a soldier to
a large wheel for hours on end, and imprisonment.
There exist many photographs of the
Union forces, as their army had greater funding. While they did win the
war, it was not an easy battle, and many lost their lives, not to
mention the thousands who returned home as amputees. It is also
interesting to note that many freed slaves became
fighters for the Union, no doubt motivated by Lincoln's attitude towards
human rights. He is after all, remembered as the "Great
Emancipator".
