Jim Martin
Fraternization
Wed May 2 13:31:25 2001


I started to send you a list of sites on the internet discussing fraternization between Union and Confederate troops; however, there are so many that would be impossible. Almost every account of units and soldiers who spent long periods of time in proximity with the enemy refer to fraternization with a host of different anecdotal stories describing its more unusual aspects.

Specifically, at the lengthy sieges of the Civil War, namely Vicksburg, Petersburg, Mobile, Charleston, Port Hudson and others, fraternization was a daily occurrence and included trading tobacco, food, newspapers and other items of value. In other instances the soldiers actually participated in card games and other diversions.

I would suggest you go to http://www.google.com (my favorite search engine) and enter the following phrase:

"civil war" and fraternization

You'll be amazed at the number of links.

I found an interesting thesis online at:

"Where Youth and Laughter Go:" Trench Warfare from Petersburg to the Western Front
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-5946112339731121/unrestricted/THESIS.PDF , which has an entire chapter devoted to this subject.

Jim Martin