“Personal Hints to Volunteers”

IN THE EARLY DATS OF TEH CIVIL WAR, RECRUITS WERE OFFERED PLENTY OF ADVICE. IN 1861, NUMEROUS HANDBOOKS WERE PUBLISHED AT A LOW PRICE - SOME ADVICE WAS WELL MEANING, OTHER WERE NAIVE AND SENTIMENTAL IN PREPARING YOUNG RECRUITS FOR NINETEENTH-CENTURY COMBAT (The Military Hanbook & Soldiers Manual)

The following excerpt is from “Personal Hints for Volunteers,” found in the Military Handbook for Soldiers Manual published in June, 1861.

Choose that branch of service - infantry, cavalry, artillery or naval - to which you are best adapted by taste, by physical strength and by desire to excel. 

Make a solemn pledge not to gamble, not to drink ardent spirits, not to swear no use obscene language if you would preserve you own self-respect, as well as the respect of your officers. A soldier's life is embraced by the vicious man from an inclination to indulge his violent propensities, and it should be the volunteer's aim to elevate the service by frowning down whatever tends to injure and debase the service.

When once enlisted, strive, by all diligence and duty, to attain to perfection in the various exercises of the squad, the company and the regiment. An earnest desire to excel, a close attention to duty, and thoughtful observation will soon render you an expert to be pointed out by the captain as "one of the best men." A soldier's profession can only be learned by practice and observation period many a man goes through an entire season's campaign without attaining a knowledge beyond the simplest exercises and maneuvers because of indifference to duty, and inattention.

As very much of the efficiency of this soldier depends upon the state of his health, particular care should be taken to preserve that health. That the utmost attention be given to habits, to food and drink, to sleeping, this state of the body in regard to cleanliness, so far as circumstances will allow. Even poor food, well prepared, will conduce to health, whereas good food, poorly prepared, will prove delivered deleterious.

Finally, in your entire demeanor and habits, be exemplary, steady, studious. Observe all the regulations of the army to the letter. Be not remiss in your respect of the Sabbath, and all religious exercises of your chaplain. Remember that it's better to die on the field of battle as a Christian should die, than to die as one careless of his relations to the great hereafter. With heart open to generous impulses, be as firm and invincible to the duty as steel dash as true to your cause as the stars of the mariner.