Civil War Vocab
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Artillery
Large, powerful weapons such as mortars and cannons.
Photo by Thiophene_Guy
Assassination
The murder of a prominent person such as President Abraham Lincoln.
Battery
I unit of four or six cannons, or a fortified position on which they are placed.
Photo by Matt. Create.
Battle
Large-scale combat between two Armed Forces (skirmishes and engagements are smaller scale and briefer)
Photo by Texas.713
Blockade
The closing off, using naval forces, of a city or other area of traffic and communication
Photo by Allen Gathman
Border state
Slaveholding states that did not secede from the union: Delaware, Kentucky Missouri, and Maryland.
Photo by BrianSwan
Casualty
A person killed, wounded, captured, or missing during the war.
Photo by Peter E. Lee
Cavalry
Soldiers mounted on horseback fighting as a unit.
Photo by The U.S. Army
Chloroform
The liquid drug used to anesthetize wounded soldiers of the war.
Photo by Ron Cogswell
Confederacy or CSA
The alliance of 11 southern states to form the Confederate states of America.
Photo by rvanarsdale
Contraband
Goods illegally traded during wartime. Slaves were sometimes called contraband during the war.
Photo by Steve -
Copperhead
A Northern Democrat who agreed with Southern session and clamor end for peace during the war.
Photo by Jim Surkamp
Desertion
To leave ones military post, or to run away from battles, often punishable by death.
Photo by archer10 (Dennis) (70M Views)
Dixie
Slang term for the Confederacy, also a polar southern song.
Photo by rvanarsdale
Draft or Conscription
The selection of citizens for mandatory military service.
Photo by Trondheim byarkiv
Drill
The process of instruction recruits how to march and practice the military arts as a unit.
Photo by Defence Images
Envelopment
An attack against the flanks an enemies army in hopes of eventually encircling it.
Photo by MilitaryHealth
Emancipation
The formal release of slaves from bondage, as it happened in January 1863.
Photo by Richardzinho
Flanks
The sides of an army's line in battle. A flanking movement is attacking the sides.
Photo by jon_a_ross
Forage
the search for food by soldiers often at the expense of the farmers in a battle area.
Photo by gilmorec
Greenback
Paper money used in the Civil War by the North.
Photo by PhotoAtelier
Hard tack
A 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch thick hard cracker eaten by Civil War soldiers also known as biscuits, crackers, and army bread.
Photo by djwtwo
Haversack
Cloth bag carried by soldiers to carry rations and food
Photo by Ross Merritt Photography
Infantry
Foot soldiers marching and fighting together. The vast majority of Civil War were infantry.
Photo by The U.S. Army
Ironclad
A ship covered in iron plates, used in the Civil War such as the Monitor and Merrimac
Photo by Vernon Barford School Library
Minie Ball
The standard rifle bullet used in the war. From France, it made the rifle more accurate and led to staggering casualties.
Photo by dbnunley
Picket
One or more soldiers responsible for Guard duty, always watchful of enemy approach.
Photo by Jim Nix / Nomadic Pursuits
Rank
Military leadership in order of importance and decision making responsibilities.
Photo by Defence Images
Rations
Military word for food.
Photo by Leo Reynolds
Rebel, Confederate, Butternut, Gray back, Johnny Reb, Reb
Slang term for Confederate soldier.
Photo by dbnunley
Recruit
A soldier who has just signed up to be a soldier without battle experience.
Photo by LeJyBy
Rifled musket
Standard weapon .58 caliber or .577 caliber. The rifle fired a minie ball with more velocity and accuracy
Photo by vastateparksstaff
Salt Pork
The most common meal ration during the war, along with hardtack and coffee. It was salted to preserve it.
Photo by archer10 (Dennis) (72M Views)
Secede
To withdraw from the Union, as 11 southern states did in 1860-1861.
During the war, southerners were frequently called secesh by Northerners.
Photo by cliff1066™
Strategy
Military command as to an overall plan of war. How to deploy troops and where to deploy troops are components of strategic planning.
Photo by sickmouthy
Sutler
Dry goods salesmen who traveled with the Union armies. Often cheated and overcharged military customers.
Photo by Michael Kappel
Torpedo
Civil War term for underwater mine that exploded. Used on rivers to defend against enemy ships.
Photo by Susanne W
Turning Movement
Sending troops around the enemy's flank to attack his line of communication in the rear battle line.
Photo by Bephep2010
Union
The 23 northern states which fought the rebellious Confederacy during the Civil War, the USA.
Photo by Jim Surkamp
Yank, the blue, Federal, Billy Yank
Term for a soldier who fought for the Union.
Zouave
Soldiers in colorful uniforms patterned after French infantry soldiers, who specialized in precision drilling.
Photo by Allen Gathman
