For cause and comrades : why men fought in the Civil War / / James M. McPherson.

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For cause and comrades : why men fought in the Civil War / / James M. McPherson.

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McPherson, James M., author.

For cause and comrades : why men fought in the Civil War / / James M. McPherson.

New York : Oxford University Press, [1997]

xviii, 237 pages ; 24 cm

Related Elec. Res.:

Contributor biographical information http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy0726/96024760-b.html

Publisher description http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy0604/96024760-d.html

Why did the conventional wisdom -- that soldiers become increasingly cynical and disillusioned as war progresses -- not hold true in the Civil War? It is to this question that Civil War historian James M. McPherson now turns his attention. He shows that, contrary to what many scholars believe, the soldiers of the Civil War remained powerfully convinced of the ideals for which they fought throughout the conflict. McPherson draws on more than 25,000 letters and nearly 250 private diaries from men on both sides. Civil War soldiers were among the most literate soldiers in history, and most of them wrote home frequently, as it was the only way for them to keep in touch with homes that many of them had left for the first time in their lives. Significantly, their letters were also uncensored by military authorities and are uniquely frank in their criticism and detailed in their reports of marches and battles, relations between officers and men, political debates, and morale. For Cause and Comrades lets these soldiers tell their own stories in their own words.

Bibliography Note:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 189-232) and index.

This war is a crusade -- We were in earnest -- Anxious for the fray -- If I flinched I was ruined -- Religion is what makes brave soldiers -- Band of brothers -- On the altar of my country -- The cause of liberty -- Slavery must be cleaned out -- We know that we are supported at home -- Vengeance will be our motto -- The same holy cause.

United States. Army -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.

Confederate States of America. Army -- Biography.

Soldiers -- United States -- Psychology -- History -- 19th century.

Combat -- Psychological aspects -- History -- 19th century.

United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Psychological aspects.

United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives.

United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Diaries.

Rogers D. Spotswood Collection.

Why men fought in the Civil War

For cause & comrades

Catalog Source No.:

(OCoLC)ocm34912692

Horizon Information Portal 3.24_7488

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