Children of the Civil War were an essential part of society both on the home front and the battlefield. The civil war impacted everyone whether soldier or civilian, while the battles and monstrosities witnessed had detrimental affects for all. Children were pressured to mature quickly and face the horrible trials of the war at young ages from the perception of the home front and the battlefield. Whether it was the task of keeping things going at home, or heroism and sacrifice at the combat zone, all children of the Civil War not only renounced their innocence the day the war started, but also became strong, cultured Americans.
“In these few months, my childhood had slipped away from me. Necessity, human obligations, family pride and patriotism has take entire possession of my little emaciated body.” Young, twelve-year-old Celine Fremaux of Baton Rouge, Louisiana composes her overwhelming fear documented in Children on the Home Front by Marcia Schwartz. …show more content…
Many children were forced to leave their homes and escape to contraband camps where the conditions weren’t any better, if not worse. Soldiers that entered towns left homes in ruins and stole most goods even if they were unnecessary to possess. I find this factor to be disheartening because civilians opened their homes to soldiers only to not be treated with respect in return. The contraband camps were overcrowded, especially with children, and many civilians faced illness, rough work, and the dangers of the war. Children of former slaves were in the most danger because some did not approve of the employment of contraband and the large congregations of former slaves. Images depicted of escaped slaves with the Union army shown in the Library of Congress gives confirmation of the rough conditions, poor living standards, and diminishing hope expressed through the civilians of the home
“In these few months, my childhood had slipped away from me. Necessity, human obligations, family pride and patriotism has take entire possession of my little emaciated body.” Young, twelve-year-old Celine Fremaux of Baton Rouge, Louisiana composes her overwhelming fear documented in Children on the Home Front by Marcia Schwartz. …show more content…
Many children were forced to leave their homes and escape to contraband camps where the conditions weren’t any better, if not worse. Soldiers that entered towns left homes in ruins and stole most goods even if they were unnecessary to possess. I find this factor to be disheartening because civilians opened their homes to soldiers only to not be treated with respect in return. The contraband camps were overcrowded, especially with children, and many civilians faced illness, rough work, and the dangers of the war. Children of former slaves were in the most danger because some did not approve of the employment of contraband and the large congregations of former slaves. Images depicted of escaped slaves with the Union army shown in the Library of Congress gives confirmation of the rough conditions, poor living standards, and diminishing hope expressed through the civilians of the home