The American Civil War: Soldier Motivation--Similarities and Differences


Figure 1.--Here we see an unidentified Federal officer with a 'contaband' slave boy in May 1862. Slaves fled their owners in numbers to the Union lines as soon as the War reached where they lived. Note the boy's foot is bandaged. He may have walked some distance to reach the Federal lines. The primary motivation for Federal soldiers was the preservation of the Union. That said, destroying slavery was a fervently held goal, albeit a minority of Federal soldiers. This number increased, especially as black soldiers were allowed to join the fight. The photograph is from a James F. Gibson stereograph titled 'Cumberland Landing, Virginia. Group at Mr. Foller's farm.' Cumberland Landing is located east of Richmond, probably an area occupied by the Federals during the 1862 Peninsula Campaign. We are left wondering if the officer took the boy with him when McClellan evacuated. Click on the image for a larger view of the Federal officer and his new friend. Source: Library of Congress. Call number: LC-B815- 637 [P&P] LOT 4179.

Motivation varied. In some ways motivation was similar in both North and South. Civil war regiments were raised locally. Thus the men who fought side by side often came from the same small community. Thgey knew each other are who had friends and family in common. These were not anonanous individuals drawn together. Thus it was imprtant how tgey fought. Not only did thy not want to let down their unit and comrade, but they knew that what they did would be known to their family and friends. he men knew this and knew there was no way they could return home if they dishonored their friends and family. The issues involved, however, were very different. Southerners had a new nation and they were being invaded. Slavery was also an issue. A minority of southners owned slaves, but even those who did not felt that blacks should be restricted and controlled by state authority. Northners on the other hand had a union to preserve. It is notable how strongly this was felt theoughout the North, even by men who had little or no education. Slavery was also an issue in the north, albeit from a different perspective. This was by fae the greatest issue. Many albeit a minority were also committed to abolition and ending slavery. Some passionately so.

Common Motivations

In some ways motivation was similar in both North and South. Civil War regiments were raised locally. Thus the men who fought side by side often came from the same small communities. They knew each other or had friends and family in common. These were not anonamous individuals drawn together. Thus it was imprtant how tgey fought. Not only did thy not want to let down their unit and comrades, but they knew that what they did would be known to their family and friends. The men knew this and knew there was no way they could return home if they dishonored their friends and family. There were other reasons such as community and family spirit. When family and fiends go off to war there was a strong motivaion to follow.

Differing Motivations

While there were common motivations, the issues involved were very different. Motivation in the South was in some way similar, but there were major differences. While the War was largely fought over slavery. Most Confederate soldiers did not own slaves. The basic issue for them was patriotism. Many because of the anti-slavery sentiment in the North had come to see themselves as living in a different country. And once the War began came to see themselves defending their states from a foreign invader. This was by far the strongest motivaing factor. Southerners had a new nation and they were being invaded. One historian explained the reaction when a Federal soldier asked a captured Confederate why he was fighting. He replied simoly, "Because you are here." [Foote] Slavery was also an issue. A minority of southners owned slaves, but even those who did not felt that blacks should be restricted and controlled by state authority. Northeners on the other hand had a union to preserve. It is notable how strongly this was felt throughout the North, even by men who had little or no education. The single strongest motivation in the North was preservation of the Union. To an extent this was patrioic nationalistic fervor. And Lincoln played upon this by maneuvering to ensure that the Confederacy began the war by firing on Fort Sumter (April 1861). But to an impressive extent Federal soldiers understood that America was the best hope of humanity. At the time, America was the only democratic republic of any importance. Democracy was still essentilly an experiment. The rest of the world was ruled by monarchies, some of which were still absolutist in character. One is tempted to think that young Americans at the time understood the importance of their country better than is the case today. Lincoln managed to capture this essential point in his Gettysburg Address. Slavery was also an issue in the north, albeit from a different perspective. This was by far the greatest issue. Many albeit a minority were also committed to abolition and ending slavery. Some passionately so. Freeing the slaves was another motivating factor, but Lincoln understood very well it was not as important as preservation of the Union. In fact the two were related. The slaves could not be freed unless the Union was preserved. Thus Lincoln did not issue the Emancipation Proclamation until after 2 years of fighting (January 1863).

Sources

Foote, Shelby.









CIH -- Civil War









Navigate the CIH Civil War Pages:
[Return to Main Civil War soldiers motivation page]
[Return to Main Civil War soldiers page]
[About Us]
[Biographies] [Campaign] [Causes] [Emancipation] [Families and youth] [Fiscal policy] [Formations and units] [Law]
[Railroads] [Reconstruction] [Slavery] [Soldiers] [Uniforms] [Weaponry]
[Return to the Main Civil War page]
[Lost Cause] [Segregation] [Civil Rights movement]
[Return to CIH Home page]





Created: 3:40 AM 3/28/2015
Last updated: 3:40 AM 3/28/2015