Osprey Warrior 31 : Union Infantryman 1861-1865

The Union infantrymen were the 1,700 regiments of foot soldiers who became the mainstay of 'Mr Lincoln's Army'. It was these long-suffering, hard-fighting Yankees from farmsteads, hamlets, and urban centers, that saved the Union. Their hopes and fears, joy and sorrow, cowardice and bravery were recorded in diaries, letters, memoirs and legions of histories. This book draws on these narratives, and together with contemporary images and photographs and meticulous archival research, provides a vivid account of how the common Union infantryman was recruited and trained, and how he lived and fought. The soldier's struggle was not insignificant - it was to preserve a nation torn asunder, where brother fought against brother. Text by John Langellier with illustrations by John White.

Contents

• Historical Background
• Chronology
• Recruitment
• Renewing the Ranks
• 'No Plaster Saints' - Soldier Life
• Organization
• Tactics
• Training
• Marksmanship
• Ammunition and Weapons
• Routine and Pastimes
• Food
• Crime, Vice, and Punishment
• 'Last Full Measure' - On Campaign
• 'Just Before The Battle Mother'
• Representative Engagements
• Aftermath
• Badges of Courage
• 'With Malice Toward None'
• Hallowed Ground
• Battlefields And Museums
• Re-Enactors
• Collecting
• The Legacy
• Bibliography
• Full Colour Plate Commentary