If I were a Union Soldier in the Civil War by Zach W

          It was 1861, it was a nice sunny day living a life as a soldier. There thousands more of us soldiers leaving America to fight for our causes. Military service meant many months away from our families and our homes. But for us civilians that left home became soldiers, it was a very hard life and used to the demands of army life. We spent hours drilling in the ground for cover, often inadequate of food and shelter. A soldiers home was a rectangular piece of canvas buttoned to another to form a small two man tent, or as a Dog Tent us soldiers called them. I was first introduced to General Gamble, every union soldier was issued a gun for war. Our drills weres fighting and drilling it was part of our daily routine for all of us union soldier. Infantry soldiers usually drilled as squads or in company formations. For the Infantry drums were used to pronounce daily activities that we did. We always wore a wool uniform, a belt set that included a cartridge box, cap box, bayonet and scabbard, a haversack for rations, a canteen, and a blanket roll or knapsack which contained a wool blanket, a shelter half and perhaps a rubber blanket or poncho. Inside was a change of socks, writing paper, stamps and envelopes, ink and pen, razor, toothbrush, comb and other personal items. A private's salary amounted to $13.00 per month. Despite many orders to the contrary, many soldiers kept pets with them including dogs, cats, squirrels, raccoons, and other wildlife. By far, the food we received has been the source of more stories than any other aspect of army life. Us soldiers received a variety of edibles. Our Meat usually came in the form of salted pork or, on rare occasions, fresh beef. Rations of pork or beef were boiled, broiled or fried over open campfires. Us soldiers loved to sing and there were many tunes popular in both armies. A variety of instruments were available to musically minded soldiers including guitars, banjos, flutes, and harmonicas. Our favorite song was "Home Sweet Home" we always sung it, it just reminded us of our families and homeland.  I remember when I was at Fort Fisher, it was a nice sunny day it was January 13 when all of sudden the confederate pop out and attacked us and then Major General Benjamin Butler told us to attack after 2 years the battle was over the confederate thought they had us out numbered but they were the ones that thought wrong and at the end they surrendered, during that time we were supported by the naval force of nearly 60 vessels to renew operations against the fort.  After that fight we were all were given medals, but alot of us were wounded after that battle of Fort Fisher. I rember another battle in July of 1863, In July of 1863, General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia of 75,000 men and the 97,000 man Union Army of the Potomac, under George G. Meade, concentrated together at Gettysburg.  In taking the army north from the Rappahannock, General Lee's objective was to induce the Union Army to disperse across a broad front along the Mason-Dixon line, and then, by maneuver, draw it to a point far from its base of supply where it could be attacked and beaten in detail.  The Confederate 1st Corps and General A.P. Hill's corps grappled along McPherson's Ridge for several hours. Early that day Reynolds was killed by sniper  bullet in the brain he was a good man. The had went on for two tormenting years but we then finally won. But after many years of battle and have a hard life of a soldier and getting injured alot has taught me alot for fighting in the civil war.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46301609@N00/2989158580 http://www.flickr.com/photos/60576387@N00/2503550550