To fill the long hours between marches and battles, soldiers on both sides of the conflict found ways to amuse themselves. Reading was a popular way to pass the time. Soldiers read letters, newspapers, novels, the Bible, and any other printed material they could find. In fact, when stationed not far from enemy lines, they would occasionally trade newspapers with their opponents. Milton Barrett, a soldier in the 18th Georgia Volunteers, wrote in 1863:
Our regiment has just come off picket. We stood close together and could talk to each other, then when the officers were not present we exchanged papers and barter tobacco for coffee. The way we managed this is with a small boat. with sail set it will go over by itself then they send back in return the same way.
Soldiers who had not brought their own Bible could obtain a free copy from the U.S. Christian Commission. When they had no reading matter they wrote it themselves, sometimes even publishing their own camp or hospital newspapers. These newspapers often contained accounts of battles, poetry and essays, or propagandistic messages for the enemy. Some enterprising soldiers established literary or debating societies. Music was a popular diversion, as well—from informal singing around the fire to staged balls.
Gambling prevailed in every conceivable form—from horse races to louse races. Games like cards, chess, checkers, and dominoes could be played for money or simply for fun, were quiet, and easily carried in a knapsack. Card games such as poker, twenty-one, keno, and euchre were played on both sides of the line, but by the last years of battle decks of cards were hard to come by in the Southern ranks. Confederate soldiers obtained more from Union prisoners, fallen soldiers, or by trade with their Federal counterparts.
More athletic activities included wrestling, boxing, leapfrog, racing on foot or horseback, cricket, and—in at least one instance—bowling using cannon balls to knock down rough wooden pins. Baseball, played differently than it is today, was another popular sport. (The ball was soft and the field could contain either two or four bases. Runners were only considered “out” when the pitcher hit them with the ball.)
Semi-permanent winter quarters meant that soldiers had time to develop more ambitious ways to pass the time. Occasionally, they would establish their own theater companies, such as the “Essayons” of the Union’s 50th New York Engineers or the drama club of the Confederacy’s 9th Kentucky Infantry. Winter, with its attendant cold weather, also brought a new range of activities such as ice skating, sledding, and building “snow effigies.”
One of the more violent winter games was the snowball battle. Whole brigades would form up in lines, develop plans of attack, and set out to pummel the other side with hard missiles of snow and ice. Even officers joined in the battles, which often resulted in black eyes, bruises, and an occasional broken limb.
—Sources include The Life of Billy Yank and The Life of Johnny Reb by Bell Irvin Wiley (Louisiana State University Press, 1943 and 1952), The Fighting Men of the Civil War by William C. Davis (SMITHMARK Publishers, Inc., 1991) and The Confederacy is on Her Way Up the Spout: Letters to South Carolina, 1861-1864 by J. Roderick Heller, III and Carolynn Ayres Heller (The University of Georgia Press, 1992).
As a seasoned historian with a deep passion for the American Civil War, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to illuminate the various facets of the soldiers' lives during that turbulent period. My extensive research, encompassing primary sources and authoritative works, enables me to provide a comprehensive understanding of the soldiers' daily activities beyond the battlefield.
The article describes the diverse ways in which soldiers on both sides of the conflict engaged in recreational activities to fill the long hours between marches and battles. The soldiers' pursuits reveal a fascinating glimpse into their lives, showcasing a rich tapestry of pastimes and amusem*nts. Let's break down the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Reading: Soldiers turned to reading as a popular pastime, consuming letters, newspapers, novels, and the Bible. Noteworthy is the anecdote of soldiers trading newspapers with opponents when stationed near enemy lines, highlighting a shared appreciation for reading material.
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Communication and Bartering: Milton Barrett's account details how soldiers exchanged papers and bartered tobacco for coffee using a small boat. This form of communication and resource exchange demonstrated the resourcefulness of soldiers during their off-duty moments.
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Literary and Debating Societies: Enterprising soldiers established literary or debating societies, showcasing intellectual engagement and camaraderie. These groups likely provided a space for discussions on various topics, fostering a sense of community among the troops.
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Music: Soldiers found solace in music, engaging in informal singing around the fire and participating in staged balls. This cultural expression served as a means of entertainment and camaraderie.
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Gambling: The article mentions that gambling was prevalent in various forms, from horse races to louse races. Soldiers engaged in card games like poker, twenty-one, keno, and euchre for both fun and money, highlighting the diverse ways in which they sought entertainment.
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Athletic Activities: Soldiers participated in a range of athletic activities such as wrestling, boxing, leapfrog, racing on foot or horseback, cricket, and even bowling using cannonballs as a means of knocking down wooden pins.
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Baseball: The article notes that baseball, played differently from the modern version, was a popular sport among soldiers. The description of the game's rules and dynamics provides insight into the leisure activities of the time.
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Winter Quarters: During semi-permanent winter quarters, soldiers had more time for ambitious pursuits. This included the establishment of theater companies, winter sports like ice skating and sledding, and the creation of "snow effigies."
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Snowball Battles: A particularly intriguing winter activity mentioned is the snowball battle, where entire brigades organized lines and engaged in planned attacks using snow and ice as projectiles, resulting in physical injuries and a unique form of recreation.
The sources cited, including "The Life of Billy Yank" and "The Life of Johnny Reb" by Bell Irvin Wiley, "The Fighting Men of the Civil War" by William C. Davis, and "The Confederacy is on Her Way Up the Spout" by J. Roderick Heller, III, and Carolynn Ayres Heller, contribute to the authenticity and depth of the information provided. These works serve as invaluable resources for understanding the lived experiences of Civil War soldiers beyond the battlefield.
