Roles Of Children During The Civil War

During the Civil War, many children participated in the war by joining the army as drummers or soldiers. Many others did not participate in the war but supported the household by helping mothers out when his or her fathers were at war. For those who were left behind at home, they did underground work and were the leaders of the family. Most children went to school and Southern boys went to military school in the South. Children of all ages stepped up to the plate and helped the war effort, some even joined the army. If it were not for the children's help, the war would have played out differently. The children from the North and the South in the Civil War played important roles and continued their education by managing the household and participating
In the North, the children helped out at home when their fathers were gone during the war and when their mothers were too busy. In the South, even though some boys were at the war, others stayed home and took on their father’s roles in the family. Children who lived in farms had to take on different tasks in the household and in the farm. “Farm children washed dishes, milked and fed cows, built fires, carried wood and worked in the garden. Most of them cared for younger siblings and helped with laundry,” (Graves, pg. 26). Children who lived in the farms had to run the whole farm when their parents were gone. Furthermore, city children of all ages did their chores and found other ways to earn money for their families. “City children helped at home with cleaning, caring, and cooking for younger siblings. Some children also had part-time jobs to help support their families,” (Graves). In the South, the children led the family as well, but experienced the war more because many of the battles of the Civil War were in the South and they needed to support it. “Girls rolled bandages for injured soldiers. They sent boxes of soap, writing paper, and face-cloth to the boys in the gray
Since most of the war was fought in the South, the Southern children had to find ways to support the war. “Children raised money by holding fairs or musical concerts. They sold hand-knit mittens and socks, embroidered items, and homemade cakes and Jellies,” (Graves, pg.19). “ Many children helped the war effort by raising money and making supplies. They often scraped linen cloth to produce lint, which was then made into bandages,” (Graves, pg.19). Southern boys also stayed at home to protect their homes. “In the later years of the war, teenage boys became part of “Home Guard” units. These soldiers patrolled their towns to protect citizens from Union troops,” (Graves, pg.19). The Northern children also helped support their children through different ways than the South. “Northern children sent letters and packages to relatives who were away at war. Northern children also raised more than $16,000 for the Union selling photographs of President Lincoln,” (Graves, pg.27). Children lead a huge role in funding for the war and it was their way of participating in it. Children of different ages took on their parents tasks and helped fund for the war. These events show that children were a vital part of the war.
Although many boys joined the war as soldiers, others children stayed behind and helped out at home. Through many different means they helped support the war and took care of their homes while