Captains Corner:

1^st Sergeant’s Desk:

Abatis - One of the oldest forms of defense. Usually, fell trees, sharpened at one end and facing towards the enemies front. Abatis was designed to prevent an enemies advance. While not used extensively in the Civil War due to the intense labor required, semi-permanent camps often saw its use.

Aide-de-camp - A sometimes confidential ex officio officer appointed by general officers. This person reported directly to their commanders and took orders only from him. The aide must be thoroughly knowledgeable with tactics and maneuvers and be able to modify or change orders in the absence of authority. Also known as the generals right-hand-man.

Barbette - A raised wooden platform, normally found in permanent fortifications, that allowed an artillery piece to be fired over a wall without exposing its gun crew. Mound or earthen dirt often took its place.

Battery - Usually, six guns, each attached to a limber which is a two wheel ammo chest, drawn by three pairs of horses in tandem. A standard battery consisted of 155 men with various jobs to perform. Cannons are said to be in-battery while in use.

Bivouac - The Civil War term defined by the U.S. Army in 1861: "When an army passes the night without shelter, except such as can be hastily made of plants, branches, etc., it is said to be in bivouac."

Blockade - The term referred to the blockading of essential waterways, inlets, by ships of war. During the Civil War, the North used this method extensively and had a Blockade Bureau, fully assigned to 1) determine targets of blockades, 2) assign effective ships and 3) to refine blockading methods. The intent was to deprive the South of much needed war material and to prevent foreign ships from delivering war material. Blockading also prevented the South from selling and moving its exports abroad and in the South, this normally meant cotton and other raw goods.

Border States - Considered by the Lincoln administration as being Maryland, Kentucky, Delaware and Missouri. This was due to their geographical location and questionable loyalty to both the Union and the Confederacy. Lincoln courted them and considered the border states a key to Union victory.

Bounties - A monetary sum of money, sometimes $500 for short term enlistment and $1500 for a three year enlistment to augment the armies of both the North and South. The bounty system was riddled with problems. Men would often enlist, then jump regiment hoping to reenter with another unit. The Federal government and local governments paid 600 million in bounties during the war.

Brevet Rank - A Civil War term Borrowed from the British during the Revolutionary War. Different from a commission, officers were often awarded a higher rank due to meritorious service in combat or to allow them to serve on staff positions. Many West Pointers were awarded brevet rank because there were not enough vacancies in the regular army. The rank also allowed volunteers to be promoted. It has not been used in the military since 1918.

Brigade - The common tactical infantry and cavalry unit of the Civil War. The brigade had 4-6 regiments, sometimes less, sometimes more. Operated by the brigade general, the brigade could be commanded by a colonel, dependant on its size. Brigades were not of equal strength on both sides of the war. The Confederate brigade was said to have greater numbers than the Northern brigade.

Buck and Ball - A close range musket load having 3 large buckshot bound on top of a .69 calibre, smooth bore musket ball, encased in paper. It was most often found in Confederate hands and was not commonly used during the war simply because it was highly inaccurate at a distance.

Buck and Gag - A form of corporal punishment used during the Civil War era. The soldier set on the ground, and had his hands and feet bound. His knees were drawn up between his arms and a rod inserted under the knees and over the arms. A stick was placed in his mouth sideways. The offending soldier was normally placed in full view of the command and had to endure this punishment for hours. It was normally reserve for shirkers, stragglers and drunkards.

Bummers - The term applies to foraging or marauding soldiers in the war. Military rules often disallowed foraging but when allowed, supposedly, had strict rules. A discreet officer was placed in charge; soldiers could not use threatening or abusive language; they could not trespass in a private dwelling and must leave enough for family subsistence. Too often, these soldiers became marauders, answering to no one as they gathered their spoils of war with their own methods.

Butternut - Many soldiers of the Confederacy wore uniforms colored a yellowish-brown by dye made of copperas and walnut hulls. The term later became a synonym for the soldier.

Davis Boot - Named for Jefferson Davis when he was Secretary of War under President Franklin Pierce, this soldier's foot apparel was worn by both North and South. Said to fit most men with a few standard sizes, this boot became identifiably famous as did the Kepi, the Civil War cap. Postwar, the boot helped to pave way for mass-produced manufacturing of clothing.

Dictator - Mortar - The oldest form of artillery. The "Dictator" saw service at Vicksburg and Petersburg. It was mounted on a railroad flatcar and could heave a 220 lb. bomb, 4,325 yds with elevation of 45 degrees. It had a 20 lb powder charge.

Division - The second largest unit of military in the Civil War. Normally about 12,000 men and in Union armies, commanded by a brigadier or major general. On the Southern side, brigadiers commanded brigades and major generals, divisions.

Embalmed Beef - Civil War slang by soldiers for issued canned beef.

Engagement - Term used to employ combat of different scales: a full scale battle or limited action in advance of a full scale battle. In descending order: battle, engagement, skirmish, action and affairs.

Envelopment - To pour fire along the enemy's line. A double envelopment meant to attack both flanks of an enemy - a risky venture. A strategic envelopment was not directed against the flanks, but a turning movement designed to a point in the rear whereupon the enemy had to vacate his position to defend it.

Fascine - A bundle of sticks used to reinforce earthworks. This was a field substitute for a sandbag or cotton bale - the most preferred reinforcing material. It sometimes gave the appearance of being an Abatis.

Feint - When armies meant to attack a position, they often put into action a "Feint," or smaller action at another point in a defensive position. This was meant as a distraction to ensure the enemy would pull troops out of the main area of primary assault and commit manpower to the lesser area of attack. This tactic was often used during the Civil War.

Flanking Position - To arrange a defenders battle lines so that 1 or more lines thrust forward at an angle fom the main line, is said to be a flanking position. If troops in flanking positions have sufficient strength and are anchored tightly, they can be wheeled to squeeze the enemy between themselves and main line defenders. This tactic was a favorite of General Stonewall Jackson, C.S.A.

Flying Battery - The Civil War term whereupon 2 or more horse drawn cannons whipped along the battle front, unlimbering, setting up, firing, limbering up and riding off to another position. Confederate Maj. John Pelham refined the practice. It gave the impression many guns were in use when actually only a smaller number were being deployed.

Foraging - A Civil War term meaning to "live off the land." The term also applied to plundering. Receipts were often exchanged for goods taken and these in turn, would be owed or paid by the quartermaster. Too often, the term is more accurately applied to stealing by undisciplined officers and soldiers alike. Many soldiers felt the goods taken were payment for their fighting in the war. It has been said, cavalry was more prone to foraging than infantry. This is because the infantry normally was followed by supply wagons, sutlers and the like. This system of supply was not practical to the cavalry since they were so mobile.

Frontal Attack - A holdover from the 18th century, this tactic, often used in the Civil War, was disastrous to many a soldier. The era of the smooth bore musket had passed and the invention of the rifle changed this tactic forever. Gettysburg, Cold Harbor, Virginia, and Franklin, Tennessee were examples of the deadly attack.

Furlough - Any leave granted to a soldier by his superior. A soldier on furlough left his arms and accoutrements behind. He carried furlough papers detailing his leave dates, assignment and return to duty date. Since photos were noticeably absent, such furlough papers gave a physical description of the man.

Gabion - Another Civil War fortification. They were cylindrical wicker baskets filled with dirt and stones. Often used to fortify field works and temporary positions.

Grape shot/cannister - An artillery round. Usually 9 shot placed between two iron plates. Canister, was iron plates having iron balls with 4 tiers and packed with sawdust. Both of these rounds were used in close quarters combat and were highly effective and gruesome in their use. Charging infantry were virtually eliminated as they approached these batteries. Very few walked away. Batteries changed over to grape and canister when the position appeared to be overrun or had the potential of being overrun.

Habeas Corpus - One of a variety of writs, by law, issued to bring a party before a court or judge, having as its function the release of a party from unlawful restraint. President Lincoln invoked it during the Civil War at the outbreak of hostilities. The suspension saw 18,000 persons arrested in the North for suspicion of disloyalty, especially in the border states. The military released most quickly. Congress pass the Habeas Corpus Act in 1863, giving Lincoln the official backing to invoke the Act. It was also suspended by Confederate President Jefferson Davis in the Southern states. Most in the South saw the act as a step toward despotism even through Davis used it sparingly. The Confederate Congress failed to renew the act despite Davis' appeal to do so.

Hardtack - A quarter inch cracker made of unleavened flour. It was a staple of Northern and Southern soldiers alike. Often worm infested, the cracker was unpopular and unpalatable, but it had shelf life...

Havelock - The white kepi or cap cover that has a tail covering the neck and shoulders of a combatant. Originally designed to prevent sunstroke by Sir Henry Havelock, British commander in India, the Havelock fell out of grace when American Civil War Combatants learned it cut off circulation around the head and face. It saw use early in the war but was later abandoned.

Haversack - A white canvas bag about a foot square. It has a strap and was carried over the shoulder. It carried an enlisted mans rations and personals. Officers sometimes had theirs made out of leather. The Haversack displayed a number or identification thereon. The Haversack had a water proof lining and a flap that buckled down. Like many Civil War issues, it too was often regarded as cumbersome and eventually, many just carried their items rolled up in a blanket or halved tent.

Hot Shot - Used during the Civil War were solid iron shot, heated in a furnace and fired at wooden vessels of war. Shot furnaces were found aboard ships and at coastal fortifications. The projectile would embed itself in the ship, smolder and then set the vessel on fire.