Soldiers, Families, and the Military/Government During the War

Chapter 9 Discussion
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Chapter 9 Discussion
“The carnage created by the Civil War’s major engagements, and even the casualties of smaller skirmishes, presented an immediate challenge to those still reeling from the fighting’s physical and emotional impact.” Page 232.
Soldiers expressed concerns regarding their remains after circumstances impeded customary reverence. One soldier was horrified by the idea that he would be trampled or left in neglected places, as he witnessed in multiple graves. Some expressed hope of being transported back home, and others encouraged their peers to bury them deep to avoid exposure to animals. Some were worried their bodies would be exposed to the enemies’ desecrations.
The families were also concerned about the indecent and inhumane handling of bodies. As such, a significant number embraced battlefields after hostilities ceased primarily to reclaim the bodies of their loved ones. The intention was to give...