Civil war soldier vocabulary

 

Artillery - cannon and other large weapons

Bayonet - knife-like weapon attached to the front end of a musket or rifle.

Bedroll - blankets rolled and carried by soldiers, containing personal belongings.

Bummer - soldier that would take needed items from farmers and townspeople.

Canteen - tin or wood container on a strap, used to carry liquid.

Cap - a small device used to explode powder in a musket barrel.

Cap Box - small box of leather attached to the belt to hold caps used to fire muskets.

Cartridge - Paper tube which held a bullet and gun powder.

Cartridge box - box made of leather used to hold cartridges.

Cavalry - group of men fighting from horseback

Corps badge - an army was divided into several units called corps. Each Union soldier wore a badge to show which corps he belonged to.

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

Hardtack - flour, salt and water biscuit that was very hard.

Haversack - small canvas sack used by soldiers to carry their food stuff

Housewife - small sewing kit

Infantry - group of men fighting on foot

Jacket - four-button woolen or cotton coat worn by Civil War Soldiers

Kepi - cap or hat, part of the uniform of the Civil War Soldier

Knapsack - canvas container strapped to a soldiers back, carrying personal belongings.

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

Shoes - made of leather; a necessity and often scarce in the South

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

Suspenders - cloth or leather used to hold up pants

Tin cup - cup used to hold water and cook with

 

(Courtesy of U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service)