Lincoln Needs Troops (1861)
This Day
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Motivations Behind Enlistment in the Civil War
This chapter examines the initial call for troops after the Fort Sumter attack, revealing how motivations were primarily centered around duty and loyalty to the Union rather than abolitionist ideals. It discusses the complex social dynamics at play in states like Indiana and Massachusetts, highlighting both personal convictions and historical legacies that drove enlistment. The narratives of soldiers reflect a mix of honor, national pride, and responses to perceived aggression, setting the stage for a transformative conflict.
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