The Civil War was a war unlike many others that occurred throughout that span of the United State of America’s History. The war was fought between the citizens between the northern states and the southern states. Some call this war a war that pitted brother against brother. The fighting broke out among people that had common qualities, but different views when it came to political, social and economic issues. For instance, the debate on State’s rights or slavery was heavily debated prior and during the Civil War from the early to mid-1800. In the book, For Cause and Comrades by John M. McPherson, the stories of enlisted soldiers of the Union and Confederate Army are explained in detail. The book goes into detail on what influences drew men
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Since this war was fought in only the United States, a man’s duty and loyalty was to his section of the country. Many soldiers in this war wanted to have a part or a hand in the action. When they were in the state of inaction, it could be considered dishonorable, and that was something no individual or regiment wanted thrusted upon them. In the book, the author states “A South Carolina cavalry officer whose company had been on picket far from the scene of First Manassas felt shame when he encountered those who had fought there” (31). The shame came from his cavalry’s inaction and how others on the confederate side were engaged in action. Fighting for a cause and something you believed in was considered upholding honor, where inaction did nothing for the cause at hand. Honor and responsibility played a large role in the enlistment of soldiers on the Union side as well. A physician from the Kentucky side claimed “I will not enlist for a period longer than three months unless my country needs me, in which event I would enlist for life” (23). In this case, the physician felt a responsibility to fight for the objectives of the Union.
In conclusion, the book The Cause and Comrades explains the factors that were responsible for drawing men of the northern and southern regions to the Union and Confederate armies. Those factors included religion, ideology and honor which played their own independent and large part in getting men to sign up as soldiers in the Civil War and continue fighting that war that lasted longer than anyone had
Since this war was fought in only the United States, a man’s duty and loyalty was to his section of the country. Many soldiers in this war wanted to have a part or a hand in the action. When they were in the state of inaction, it could be considered dishonorable, and that was something no individual or regiment wanted thrusted upon them. In the book, the author states “A South Carolina cavalry officer whose company had been on picket far from the scene of First Manassas felt shame when he encountered those who had fought there” (31). The shame came from his cavalry’s inaction and how others on the confederate side were engaged in action. Fighting for a cause and something you believed in was considered upholding honor, where inaction did nothing for the cause at hand. Honor and responsibility played a large role in the enlistment of soldiers on the Union side as well. A physician from the Kentucky side claimed “I will not enlist for a period longer than three months unless my country needs me, in which event I would enlist for life” (23). In this case, the physician felt a responsibility to fight for the objectives of the Union.
In conclusion, the book The Cause and Comrades explains the factors that were responsible for drawing men of the northern and southern regions to the Union and Confederate armies. Those factors included religion, ideology and honor which played their own independent and large part in getting men to sign up as soldiers in the Civil War and continue fighting that war that lasted longer than anyone had