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Allen, Kellen. Why they served. Retrieved from https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T34748H9
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TitleWhy they served
Degree Date2013-05
Date Created2013
SubjectHistory, Soldiers--New Jersey--Psychology--History--19th century, United States.--Army--History--Civil War, 1861-1865, New Jersey--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Psychological aspects
DescriptionThis paper expands upon theories presented by John A. Lynn in Bayonets of the Republic and James McPherson in For Cause and Comrades, which focus on soldiers’ initial, sustaining, and combat motivations. These authors argue that a soldier’s motivations can be divided into categories focusing on why the soldier enlisted, why they continued to serve, and the choice to engage in combat. Previous authors have created a general study of soldiers, and this trend is slowly being applied to Civil War soldiers. For my discussion, I have narrowed the focus to Civil War soldiers in New Jersey while still maintaining the overall framework set forth by Lynn and McPherson. In doing so I hope to expand the narrative and produce a more inclusive discussion of motivations. Specifically I investigate the cornerstones of the motivation discussion: the cause and comrades, while also making the critical inclusions of economics, personal interest, religion, and a desire for adventure. To explore these motivational influences I grounded my research in the writings, predominantly letters, of Civil War soldiers. Supplementing this is other contemporary sources such as newspapers, the 1860 census, and the New Jersey Adjutant-General’s report, among others. Using these sources, supplemented by modern historical works, I have provided a more comprehensive overview of Civil War soldiers in New Jersey. By localizing my discussion in New Jersey, I have produced a somewhat different result compared to the more generalized histories. While the cause and comrades feature prominently in a New Jersey soldier’s motivations, economics and personal gain also have a strong influence. In addition, a desire for adventure and religion also play a subordinate role. Perhaps the most interesting result is the strange relationship with slavery within the state. Many soldiers seem to have been indifferent towards the issues of slavery and emancipation, yet there is also evidence that others were willing to serve in the U.S.C.T. alongside Black soldiers. My research shows a complexity of motivations influence the Civil War soldier, all of which played a role in their decision-making. This research clearly shows that there is a strong need for a more complex and detailed discussion of Civil War soldiers.
NoteM.A.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
NoteIncludes vita
Noteby Kellen Allen
Genretheses, ETD graduate
Persistent URLhttps://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T34748H9
Languageeng
CollectionGraduate School - Newark Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.