Drilling During The Civil War

The average day for the common soldier of the Civil War was very well organized but was often so tedious that it became a very boring and menial daily burden. The entire day started at a staggering 5 am Reveille, or wake up and roll call. Depending on the camp, soldiers could then be sent to breakfast or straight to drilling. After breakfast was the posting of guards, sick call, and the other basic chores needed to be performed by the soldiers. When this was done, of course, there was more drilling. At around noontime, there was “dinner,” or the noonday meal, followed by more basic drills. After a few more hours of drilling, the soldiers broke at 5 pm until, in some camps, the dress parade, about half an hour after. Dress parade is where all