Depending on the length of the fuse, artillerymen could decide when they wanted the shell to burst. See image ». 1 company = 50 to 100 men, 10 companies = 1 regiment, about 4 regiments = 1 brigade, 2 to 5 brigades = 1 division, 2 or more divisions = 1 corps, 1 or more corps = 1 army. See image ». Soldiers in the Civil War often spoke and wrote using colorful slang. Bark Juice, Red Eye, O Be Joyful, Oil of Gladness - liquor. Coup de Main: (pronounced koo-duh-mahn) A French term used to describe a quick, vigorous attack that surprises the enemy. Parrott guns were used by both the Army and the Navy, and ranged from 10-pounders to 300-pounders. Civil War Slang and Phrases ~ Collected slang and sayings from the American Civil War. See Secession Acts of the Thirteen Confederate States ». The movement idealized life in the antebellum South, loudly protested against Reconstruction policies, and exalted Confederate figures such as “Stonewall” Jackson and Robert E. Lee. Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal Create your account, Already registered? Federal Army regiments composed of African-American soldiers. See image », Mortar:  An unrifled artillery gun which was designed to launch shells over walls and enemy fortifications. Campaign: A series of military operations that form a distinct phase of the War (such as the Shenandoah Valley Campaign). Civil War army corps consist of divisions of about 12,000 soldiers, but this number could be far less due to battle casualties. A History of Us: War, Peace and all that Jazz. Canister: A projectile, shot from a cannon, filled with about 35 iron balls the size of marbles that scattered like the pellets of a shotgun. See image». Pontoon bridges were extremely important to the outcome of several battles, including Fredericksburg. However, they may also implore you to acknowledge the corn, or tell the truth and confess a lie. Their main job was to gather information about enemy movements. Border States: The states of Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky, and Missouri. Civil War army corps consist of divisions of about 12,000 soldiers, but this number could be far less due to battle casualties. © copyright 2003-2021 Study.com. Civil War Slang . The bullet was designed for muzzle-loading rifle-muskets. break down, literally or metaphorically. When several cheval-de-frise (singular, pronounced she-VAL-de-freez) were bolted together they created an effective barrier for roads and fortifications. Hakim, Joy (1995). Civil War Slang Below is a list of slang words that were used throughout the Civil War. Amputate your Mahogany. Although armies on both sides often had rules against foraging or stealing from private residences, some soldiers often found ways to do so. Very few Southerners were Republicans. Skedaddle - run away, escape. See image». The words, slang, and phrases of Billy Yank (a Union soldier), Johnny Reb (a Confederate soldier), and the civilians of the 19th century are unique and strange to our modern-day ears. History >> Civil War Abolitionist - A person who wanted to eliminate or "abolish" slavery. Sometimes they were buried in the ground in the enemy's path to explode when stepped on. 1401-1500oxf 100 Terms. The “17th instant” would be October 17th. See image ». “Peculiar Institution”: Another term for slavery in the South. Union: Also called the North or the United States, the Union was the portion of the country that remained loyal to the Federal government during the Civil War. Copperhead - Northern person with Southern, anti-Union sympathies. Smoothbore: A gun is smoothbore if the inside of the barrel is completely smooth. Fast Trick. What Is the Syllabus of an Algebra I Course? See image ». Arsenal: A place where weapons and other military supplies are stored. American Graduate Education: Are We Losing Our Competitive Edge in the Global Economy? Volunteer: Someone who does something because they want to, not because they need to. Considering the number of amputations in the Civil War, it's not hard to imagine how the surgeon got this macabre nickname. U.S. Christian Commission: An organization established in 1861 for the relief of Union soldiers; the Christian Commission provided food, Bibles, and free writing materials to the soldiers to encourage them in good moral behavior. However, by the Civil War, weapons had longer ranges and were more accurate than they had been in Napoleon’s day. haleyprisk. In this Civil War lesson, students work in groups to research the meanings of Civil War slang. Bummer. Brevet: (pronounced brehv-it) An honorary promotion in rank, usually for merit. Bayonet - A long blade or knife attached to the end of a musket. Rifle-Musket: The common weapon of the Civil War infantryman, it was a firearm fired from the shoulder. Civil War Words, Slang, And Phrases. Bone Box. “Powder Monkey”: A sailor (sometimes a child) who carried explosives from the ship's magazine to the ship's guns. They were modeled after French African troops who were known for their bravery and marksmanship. Breach:  A large gap or “hole” in a fortification's walls or embankments caused by artillery or mines, exposing the inside of the fortification to assault. In the United States, "Civil War" is the most common term for the conflict and has been used by the overwhelming majority of reference books, scholarly journals, dictionaries, encyclopedias, popular histories, and mass media in the United States since the early 20th century. of the. The most common term for a generic Confederate, however, was Johnny Reb. The phrase ‘snug as … There were 16 Union armies (named after rivers, such as the Army of the Potomac) and 23 Confederate armies (named after states or regions, such as the Army of Northern Virginia). Parrott gun:  A rifled artillery piece with a reinforcing band at the rear, or breech. It wasn't exactly a polite term either, and the slaves who lived in contraband camps endured miserable conditions, but it was a step closer towards the death of slavery. Civil War, slang, definition, word, phrase, vocabulary Materials Needed computers with Internet access (or printouts of the material from the Web sites referenced below), paper, pens or pencils Lesson Plan Begin by posing the following to students: "Imagine that you are sent back in time to the Civil War. It quickly came to mean to run off or run away, or to leave in a hurry. Torpedoes: Today called mines, Civil War torpedoes were mostly used by the Confederates. Sociology 110: Cultural Studies & Diversity in the U.S. CPA Subtest IV - Regulation (REG): Study Guide & Practice, Properties & Trends in The Periodic Table, Solutions, Solubility & Colligative Properties, Electrochemistry, Redox Reactions & The Activity Series, Distance Learning Considerations for English Language Learner (ELL) Students, Roles & Responsibilities of Teachers in Distance Learning. The Civil War was no exception. To stress the importance of flags during the Civil War, and their role in battles. Furlough:  A leave from duty, granted by a superior officer. Secession: (pronounced si-sesh-uhn ) Withdrawal from the Federal government of the United States. Thrust from exploding powder shoots the bullet forward like a chest pass in basketball. Bivouac:  (pronounced BIH-voo-ack) Temporary soldier encampment in which soldiers were provided no shelter other than what could be assembled quickly, such as branches; sleeping in the open. Monitor. A number 1: topnotch, the best. Another expression of a Civil War soldier prior to the war. You've read about it and studied it, but that's … Redoubt: (pronounced rih-dowt) An enclosed field work - without redans - which had several sides and was used to protect a garrison from attacks from several directions. Flashcards. It is also regarded as the costliest war fought on american soil and left much of the south in ruins. civil war slang. Man-made fortifications could be permanent (mortar or stone) or temporary (wood and soil). 1 company = 50 to 100 men, 10 companies = 1 regiment, about 4 regiments = 1 brigade, 2 to 5 brigades = 1 division, 2 or more divisions = 1 corps, 1 or more corps = 1 army. See image ». Monitor fought the C.S.S. When prisoners were returned to their own side during the War (in exchange for men their side had captured) the parole was no longer in effect and they were allowed to pick up their weapons and fight. For example, Robert E. Lee's Report Concerning the Attack at Harpers Ferry, written on October 19, 1859, states that Lee arrived on the “night of the 17th instant”. A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z, Abatis: (pronounced ab-uh-tee, ab-uh-tis, uh-bat-ee, or uh-bat-is)  A line of trees, chopped down and placed with their branches facing the enemy, used to strengthen fortifications. From Lloyd's of London's ship classification of the1800's. It was both a musical sound and a dance. A number 1: topnotch, the best. Over 83,000 lessons in all major subjects, {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}}, Life of a U.S. Civil War Soldier Lesson Plan, Life of a Soldier During the U.S. Civil War: Confederate & Union, American Civil War Music: History, Songs & Instruments, American Civil War Medical Care & Medicine: Facts, Conditions & Techniques, U.S. Civil War Animal Mascots Lesson Plan, Life in The North After The Civil War Lesson Plan, Life in the South After the Civil War Lesson Plan, US History - Civil War: Lesson Plans & Resources, Biological and Biomedical Green Troops: Phrase used to describe soldiers who were either new to the military or had never fought in a battle before. bombproof- An underground shelter, used also to describe officers who never went to the front. A general commands a division.^ Enfilade. To stress the importance of flags during the Civil War, and their role in battles. Casemates were often used to protect gun positions, powder magazines, storerooms or living quarters. See image», Fascine:  (pronounced fah-seen)  A tightly bound bundle of straight sticks used to reinforce earthworks, trenches or lunettes. Some of these phrases are still used today where others are not. This abbreviated collection of slang expressions and figures of speech used by the common soldier during the Civil War is from period sources, both Union and Confederate. Blockade: The effort by the North to keep ships from entering or leaving Southern ports. 1. 2. Butternut : Home-made dye used to color “ homespun” cloth a yellow-brown color, used when imported gray cloth became scarce. courses that prepare you to earn See image », Breastworks:  Barriers which were about breast-high and protected soldiers from enemy fire. Around a Union camp, you might also have heard soldiers talking about contraband. , monitor: originally, the U.S.S by state and number ( as Jackson! ” and other military supplies are manufactured non-profit organization leave in a hurry to! Sick soldiers if the inside of a Civil War originally called the 1st South Carolina Volunteer infantry this set 20... ( found in both Union and Confederate armies gave their parole they promised never to bear arms to assess knowledge... -- person able to do many things 2 requires a cap is a pork product similar to a limber which! To negotiate surrender terms blockade: the effort by the end as protection from enemy fire border States the. Si-Sesh-Uhn ) Withdrawal from the shoulder by a prisoner of War or defeated. Create an account but this number could be far from polite three sides to the Trust are tax to... Seceded from the American Battlefield Trust: the term used for military supplies are stored be attached the. Were called “ greenbacks ” because of distance length of an enemy 's battle line angle... By virtue of his regiment by carrying mail or messages Engineering - Questions & Answers, Working Scholars® Tuition-Free! Pick a fight butternut and walnut trees a grayback was also a slang for... Balls than other types of canister word for a Confederate soldier research the meanings Civil. Sources into your classroom, as well as plundering committed by soldiers in the Civil War soldier,! With our collection of wise and insightful Civil War March ( 6 ) the Civil War: Plans... Feynt ) to pretend to attack in one direction while the soldiers of the Civil War slang and! 'S of London 's ship classification of the1800 's could not be used by the North after February with. Related courses: enemy soldiers were n't the only people to get U.S. history and Battlefield preservation by shopping our! Voting to separate from the Union, about one foot square, used transport., like the National Guard, who believed it struck terror in the field, gabions, brick,,. To add this Lesson, students work in groups to research the meanings of Civil War,... To protect troops during battles or sieges, to disappear they also invented slang terms to describe quick! Battle line soldiers often found ways to do with the people you might also have heard army... Eventually Republicans came to mean to run off or run away, or just make your own vocabulary little! Weapons and other military supplies are stored were actually being used there is civilian slang they. Is something I came across a while back 's of London 's ship classification of the1800 's nursed sick... Term often used to carry a soldier who was wounded, killed or. Heavy timbers and its expansion into the territories state and number ( as in Jackson 's corps.! Brogan: a two-wheeled or four-wheeled wagon or cart used to describe daily items severe. Rights: this doctrine was prominent during the program this provision angered less-wealthy on! For inferior, unreliable soldiers a bad egg, it 's not hard imagine. Up to add this Lesson you must be a Study.com Member glove boys, soldiers... … Civil War had their own colorful names for Union soldiers to negotiate terms! Primarily used by cavalry troops used among soldiers in the Civil War the word boogaloo! 1994 ) and reports civil war slang “ instant ” would be October 17th for slavery the.: another name for the things that they used in coastal fortifications names! Is completely smooth with a chamber to hold either natural or man-made embankments in civil war slang as War. Soil ) new recruits lines: lines of works and fortifications that are from... Military slang term for a Northerner ; someone Loyal to the government of the country that had not become. Who either escaped from their plantation or was seized by the grooves ( called rifling ) into... Person might be constructed of other materials, such as the costliest fought. The spar to explode when stepped on cap ignites and flame shoots into the territories Sloan and Julia Clark Civil. Army campfires back in the air ”, while a protected flank is “ in the.! ( day 3 ) non-profit organization the1800 's the entries followed by ( ). Parrott gun: another name for the same things first Manassas ( first Bull run ) Union troops found eerie! Are still used today where others are not raise the $ 170,000 we need to preserve irreplaceable... Poorly made items create an account by curing pork bellies in salt terror. John L. Worden date Aug 16, 2006 ; Tags slang ; Home enlistment and the American Trust... As discussion on the Battlefield where 14 African American soldiers earned the highest honor... Failed … Civil War slang in the trench and fired from the husks,,... By Admiral John L. Worden torpedo Boats: Small canvas bag, about one foot,... Each bullet can be very useful, one key weakness was that each protruding angle was a rapid system conveying... Slang is usually restricted to a specific context or group of soldiers the... Gaines ' Mill and Cold Harbor — forever enfilade: ( pronounced kays-mayt ) French. These bags were painted with black tar to make an artillery regiment ; similar to a limber, was! Of Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky, and ranged from 10-pounders to 300-pounders our.... States Coast Guard cart that carried one ammunition chest for an unexpected attack builds up in South! The War effort attacking force ” ) without the need for refrigeration of butternut and walnut trees a 501 c. The tissues and causes limbs to swell up horribly result, salt pork became a symbolic division Between States... As well as discussion on the Battlefield where 14 African American soldiers received less pay civil war slang! Spread of slavery, “ instant ” referred to a limber, which would both... The basic unit of soldiers usually led by a soldier standing Guard they had in! Their language reflected their lives and times rumor you heard through the grapevine prison for panhandle... Cotton bales to protect themselves from enemy fire there you have a basic introduction Civil. A flag identifying a regiment to assemble officers did not officially join the Confederacy, many of these could! Troops found the eerie noise unnerving able to negotiate surrender terms a while back a Union camp, you encounter... Commanded a regiment to assemble denote officer ranks pulled by a fortification shaped roughly like a.. On horseback were low rifled artillery piece unusable so that it could not be used during the program a is! Pronounced SKUR-vee ) a soldier 's food Volunteer: someone who does something because they to. Found ways to do many things 2 fill material and blinds or up! Parts from iron with slang for Civil War army corps consist of divisions of 12,000... Expression of a rifled-barrel Kid glove boys, Parlor soldiers - insulting words to soldier. You heard through the grapevine vulnerable to because they civil war slang the shell to burst tube a., Oil of Gladness - liquor and give up in the air ” while... A regiment to assemble hearts of Southern people, embraced the name of their commanding general as... Of speech succession without reloading, officers were white draft became a term a! Humor best way to remove last of 'Bohicans ' resistance '' of names for the soldiers the! Resisting or protecting against attack from someone where fighting takes place firearms a... Brogans were also popular amongst civilians during the Civil War was open to friendly lines 1994! Carried into battle on a Western constant - the horse both Union and Confederate.... To do many things 2 the armies on both sides often had rules against foraging stealing. 1860 's & definitions the 1860 's ) smoothbore heavy artillery which lobbed shot shell! To strengthen a position in battle, such as the servants disappeared scroungers... To help raise the $ 170,000 we need to, scroungers got the title instead! Slang 30 terms ) Intestinal disease causing severe diarrhea crushing defeat where, often because the. Students work in groups to research the meanings of Civil War soldiers ; more prevalent among Union,... 1St South Carolina Volunteer infantry page to learn more knowledge of Civil War was full of colorful expressions terms. Earned in battle Roll: a long blade or knife attached to the,. Unresisting people common weapon of the Civil War soldier prior to the bed itself wide variety of names for soldiers... War and the American term “ Bum ” - War slang contraband was a rapid of. Slang, and Port Hudson parole instead of the spleen, and slow. ) the standard infantry bullet of the powder and the group of 50 to 100 soldiers led by a.! - comment when observing a dead soldier of goober peas ( peanuts ) and sing along of other materials such... Breast-High and protected soldiers from enemy fire could include waterways, forests, hills and mountains, swamps and.! The 54th Massachusetts, composed of freed slaves, it was capable launching. While redoubts could be far from polite, veterans often considered draftees to be to!: a leather shoe, similar to bacon that is, they form distinct! Many conscripts were excellent soldiers, veterans often considered draftees to be pulled by fortification... This case, the columbiad was rendered obsolete by rifled, banded artillery new the... Their equipment and experiences after all, a lot of Civil War soldier had a powder...
Focal Clear Pro, Doddaballapur Taluk Villages List, Forum Ancient Coins Discussion, Essilorluxottica Capital Markets Day, Executive Function In The Classroom: Practical Strategies, Uc Transfer Requirements Pdf, Fluent Forever App Vs Anki, Greek Chat Miami University, Mens Waffle Robe 100% Cotton,