The steady drip of bad news within the Confederacy continues. The summer and fall of 1863 witnessed a growing number of soldier desertions, a problem that only worsens during the cold days of winter. Already short of manpower, military officials (unlike earlier in the war) now routinely execute deserters who are unfortunate enough to be…
In terms of the war, the winter months are spent rather quietly. Harsh weather allows but few troop movements. Generals spend their time training troops and planning strategies, while soldiers’ main concern is to stay warm and fed. Boredom is not uncommon in the camps, and many turn to recreation – cards and other games…
Festive moments are hard to come by for many families during the nearly two-year old war. Few are the families not impacted by the great conflict, and times of laughter and joy inevitably fade away against the backdrop of a vast canvas of death and destruction from which there is no true escape. And yet,…