Civil war soldier vocabulary

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CIVIL WAR SOLDIER VOCABULARY


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Infantry- soldiers trained, armed, and equipped to fight by foot

Cavalry- soldiers trained, armed, and equipped to fight on horseback

Artillery- soldiers trained, armed, and equipped to fight using cannon

Flank- the right or left of a formation

Cartridge Box- box made of leather used to hold ammunition

Cap Box- small box attached to belt to hold caps which fire musket

Haversack- canvas sack used to carry soldier's food

Gum Blanket- made of rubber on one side and canvas on the other, used to sleep on

Dog Tent- very small tent which buttons together in the middle

House Wife- small sewing kit

Ration- a fixed daily food allowance of one person

Hard Tack- very hard biscuit made of flour, water, and sometimes salt

Salt Pork- pork cured in salt or brine

Knapsack- pack carried on soldiers back, holding clothes and personal items

Minie Ball- rifle bullet having a cylindrical body

Fife- small flute with shrill tone used to accompany the drum

Scabbard- leather sheath in which the blade of a sword or bayonet is enclosed when not in use

Cap- small device used to ignite powder in musket barrel

Cartridge- paper tube which contained bullet and gun powder

Sharpshooter- person skilled in shooting

Canteen- tin or wooden container on a strap used to carry water

Foraging- roving the countryside in search of food, sometimes taking from farmers

Sack Coat- four-button woolen coat worn by Civil War Soldier

Kepi- cap or hat, part of uniform

Brogans- shoes made of leather and often scarce in the South

Slouch Hat- wide brimmed hat, sometimes worn instead of kepi

Rifled-Musket- muzzle loading gun, fired with cartridge and cap

Campaign- a connected series of military operations forming a distinct phase of war

CIVIL WAR PHRASES

"Raining cats and dogs."

"Snug as a bug in a rug."

"Simple as pie."

"Fit as a fiddle."

"Smart as a whip."