To allay any suspicions, this article has nothing to do with seances, or the paranormal. To an extent, it has nothing to do with religion, either. Instead, this article is intended to shed some light on the mentality of the common Civil War Soldier. I am only 18 and I have never been in the military. But I have spoken with many veterans of many wars and the similarities between their experiences led me to consider the parallels of their experiences and those of the millions of soldiers in the War Between the States.

But how, and what did the average soldier think about? To guess, we can look at diaries, letters, and the contemporary experiences of our veterans. Several priorities show in many soldier's correspondence. First, came the stomach. Napoleon said "an army moved on it's stomach." Getting sufficient food was a priority for both sides. Hunger pains were alleged to "wrack the body," and "despair the spirit." Next, came sleep. Soldiers had, (and still have) a propensity for being able to sleep anywhere, anytime, and under any conditions. Stories abound of soldiers sleeping in standing water, being too tired to move out of it. (Think Shiloh J ) Comfort shared 3^rd place with convenience. Soldiers were known to spend time mud-daubing chimneys in winter huts, but then not bothering to change them when it is discovered that it flooded the hut with smoke. Cleanliness and appearance both have a strange distinction in that to some soldiers they meant quite a good deal, while to others they meant little or nothing. Some fastidious soldiers were known to wash religiously at every camp with water available while some would let a shirt rot to pieces on their body for the lack of taking it off.

So how can we apply attitudes such as these to our impression? First of all, we need to be realistic with ourselves. We can never fully portray a Civil War soldier's misery until we suffer dysentery in lieu of a porta potty and toilet paper, and scratch graybacks as we skim maggots from a hardtack and coffee mix. We shouldn't however roll in the mud like children to "get ready" for an event. Why ever would a real soldier have done this? He wouldn't. Would they get dirty, yes. Would many of them wash off what they could, when they could? Yes. So leave the Chickamauga dust in the uniform, and the Grant vs. Lee mudstain can stay on the bottoms of your trousers.

So many reenactors try to portray a "Devil-may-care" attitude toward their impression, especially Confederates. Their evidences for this type of impression are accounts of observers of the army on the march. This impression is not altogether unfounded, but we need to temper this style with the realization that although they were not professional soldiers, within a year or so, they were among the best armies that ever had, (or ever will) march the earth. Both armies became adept at drill and the routine of army life. Most did not like it, but the preponderance of soldiers settled in to the grim task of seeing the war through to its completion.

What, ultimately, must be done to better portray the men who did it for real?

1) Let's get the drill knocked out. I believe that units should practice drill every event at least. On top of this, effort should be made to form with other units so that some experience can be had with battalion and brigade sized formations, when possible. 2) Company commanders and NCO's should learn their duties. There are many good articles about drill and duties available on the Authentic Campaigner's Website at http://members.tripod.com/pcalloway . 3) We should all try and do some diary reading of common soldiers. I recommend first and foremost "Co. Aytch." by Sam Watkins. Diaries such as these are imperative for gaining insight into the motivations of the common soldier. And finally, 4) Let's try and adopt a more military attitude in our camp impressions. Keep your uniform and equipment in good organization. Make sure your weapon is in good repair and is clean. Remember, "Without my rifle, I am useless. Without me, my rifle is useless?" Soldiers knew it back then too. Do your duty and remember you are portraying a soldier.