War Stories: Suffering and Sacrifice in the Civil War North (Poems about Long Ago and Now)

This “layered, nuanced, and focused study” of Civil War era writings reveals a popular sense of patriotism and hope in the midst of loss ( Journal of American History ). The American Civil War is often seen as the first modern war, not least because of the immense suffering it inflicted. Yet unlike later conflicts, it did not produce an outpouring of disillusionment or cynicism in public or private discourse. In fact, most people portrayed the war in highly sentimental and patriotic terms. While scholars typically dismiss this everyday writing as simplistic or naïve, Frances M. Clarke argues that we need to reconsider the letters, diaries, songs, and journalism penned by Union soldiers and their caregivers to fully understand the war’s impact and meaning. In War Stories, Clarke revisits the most common stories that average Northerners told in hopes of redeeming their suffering and hardship—stories that enabled people to express their beliefs about religion, community, and personal character. From tales of Union soldiers who died heroically to stories of tireless volunteers who exemplified the Republic’s virtues, War Stories sheds new light on this transitional moment in the history of war, emotional culture, and American civic life. This "layered, nuanced, and focused study" of Civil War era writings reveals a popular sense of patriotism and hope in the midst of loss (Journal of American History). The American Civil War is often seen as the first modern war, not least because of the immense suffering it inflicted. Yet unlike later conflicts, it did not produce an outpouring of disillusionment or cynicism in public or private discourse. In fact, most people portrayed the war in highly sentimental and patriotic terms. While scholars typically dismiss this everyday writing as simplistic or naIve, Frances M. Clarke argues that we need to reconsider the letters, diaries, songs, and journalism penned by Union soldiers and their caregivers to fully understand the war's impact and meaning. In War Stories, Clarke revisits the most common stories that average Northerners told in hopes of redeeming their suffering and hardship'stories that enabled people to express their beliefs about religion, community, and personal character. From tales of Union soldiers who died heroically to stories of tireless volunteers who exemplified the Republic's virtues, War Stories sheds new light on this transitional moment in the history of war, emotional culture, and American civic life The American Civil War is often seen as the first modern war, not least because of its immense suffering. Yet unlike later conflicts, it did not produce an outpouring of disillusionment or cynicism, as most people continued to portray the war in highly sentimental and patriotic terms. While scholars typically dismiss this everyday writing as simplistic or naïve, Frances M. Clarke argues that we need to reconsider the letters, diaries, songs, and journalism penned by Union soldiers and their caregivers to fully understand the war's impact and meaning. In War Stories, Clarke revisits the most common stories that average Northerners told in hopes of redeeming their suffering and loss—stories that enabled people to make sense of their hardship, and to express their beliefs about religion, community, and personal character. From tales of Union soldiers who died heroically to stories of tireless volunteers who exemplified the Republic's virtues, War Stories sheds new light on this transitional moment in the history of war, emotional culture, and American civic life. The American Civil War is often seen as the first modern war, not least because of its immense suffering. Yet unlike later conflicts, it did not produce an outpouring of disillusionment or cynicism, as most people continued to portray the war in highly sentimental and patriotic terms. While scholars typically dismiss this everyday writing as simplistic or naïve, the author argues that we need to reconsider the letters, diaries, songs, and journalism penned by Union soldiers and their caregivers to fully understand the war's impact and meaning. This book revisits the most common stories that average Northerners told in hopes of redeeming their suffering and loss--stories that enabled people to make sense of their hardship, and to express their beliefs about religion, community, and personal character The American Civil War Is Often Seen As The First Modern War Not Least Because Of The Immense Suffering Generated. However Literary Output Of The Time Is Not Imbued With The Disillusionment And Cynicism That Informed Later Writers After Other Conflicts. Frances Clarke Explores The Reasons Why. Suffering In Victorian America -- Heroic Martyrs -- Exceptional Sufferers -- Labors Of Love -- Noble Monuments -- Honorable Scars. Frances M. Clarke. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Revisits the most common stories that average Northerners told in hopes of redeeming their suffering and loss - stories that enabled people to make sense of their hardship, and to express their beliefs about religion, community, and personal character. This title sheds light on this transitional moment in the history of war and emotional culture.