Civil War Diaries:

The Untold Story of the Union and

Confederate Soldier
Elihu Washburne (Elizabeth) and Sylvannus Cadwaller (Vivian)
Compiled by John Washburne

A Brief Introduction
My name is John Washburne.
I am the brother of Elihu Washburne, a dear friend of late Sylvannus
Cadwaller.
The Civil War has just ended. The South is in ruins. Some Confederates
wish to push the South back into war. But I believe there has been too much
conflict, and further efforts would only be futile, as they would lead to
bloodshed yet achieve nothing.
My brother is a good man. His friend, Sylvannus was a good man, who
fought valiantly for the North but died in battle.
Elihu and Sylvannus grew up together, in the North. However, Elihu and I
moved down to the South when we were 12 years old, with our Ma and Pa.
Even though Elihu was in the South and Sylvannus was in the North, they
still exchanged letters every weekend to update each other on their daily
lives.
Not only did they do this while at home; they also did so during the war.
To commemorate Elihu and Sylvannuss friendship, I have gathered the
remaining letters from both and copied them into this journal.
-John Washburne
July 21
st
, 1861
Dear Eli,
As you know, the war has just begun. Today was
the first day we set up camp and received our
uniforms.
Our uniforms are made of dark blue wool. My cap
has the words 12
th
Regiment, Maryland Infantry
written on it in bronze. However, I must admit that
the uniform is very itchy. Along with the uniform,
each of us has a belt set with a canteen, as well as
a blanket roll with a poncho.
My home at camp is simply a rectangular piece of
canvas buttoned to form a tent-like shape. Many
joke, calling it a dog-tent, since it is very small.
However, I must admit that it is easy to construct.
That is all for now, as I must go to the drills. I pray
for you and your brothers safety. Know that we shall
always remain friends, no matter what happens.
Your friend,




Union soldier uniforms were
made of dark blue wool, and were
often itchy; however, they were
much nicer than those of the
Confederate soldiers.
Dog tents- Union soldiers
stayed in these small tents
made out of canvas.

Some Confederate units were
provided with a variation of a
tent.
Sylvannus Cadwaller
(12
th
Regiment, Maryland Infantry)
August 4
th
, 1861
Dear Sylvannus,
I hold every confidence that you will make your new
regiment proud, and set an example to be followed by all
of your comrades.
I still pray every day; its not like I dont have the time. And
I will use whatever divine help I can get to make sure we
both get through alive. The regimental chaplains have
been a big help with keeping religion as a part of our lives.
I heard some chaplains grant unconditional absolution to
soldiers for their actions on the battlefield by their
chaplains. I suppose whatever helps them sleep through
the night would be preferable to the alternative.
Always keep God close, and remember to keep the
testament that my brother gave to you to carry around in
good condition. After all, it is named John.

Corporal Elihu Washburne
(8
th
Regiment, Virginia Cavalry)
Religions also played a
part in a soldiers daily
life. For those who
were religious, faith was
easily accessible and
many attended church
everyday.
August 22
nd
, 1861
Dear Eli,
Now that the war has become so bloody and violent, things are
becoming tense. We are unsure of what we shall do next.
However, I am glad to hear you are well.
Camp life is tough. Drills are getting more difficult. My muscles
are constantly becoming over-stretched and sore. When I
signed up, I expected glory, women, and an easy win against
the South.
Since I am in the infantry, we drill in squads and in company
formations. Some of my comrades do not know what they are
doing; they mix their right foot with their left. They are like blind
jabberwockies. After drilling for hours, we move onto parades.
We also practiced multiple procedures, which we learned for
the rifle-musket. Many have already died in battleI believe
they should change the tactics we use in war. Again, I pray for
your safety.
Sylvannus Cadwaller
(12
th
Regiment, Maryland Infantry)
Drills for the infantry
were often tough, and
included training for the
use of rifle-muskets and
other weapons.

Besides military drills,
parades were also a key
part of training.
September 7
th
, 1861
Dear Sylvannus,
Yes, I too have been faced with the painfully
strenuous drills. However, the men in my regiment
arent quite as hopeless. We have all made
progress with the saber, pistol, and beech-loaded
carbine. But we all wish we had a bayonet. The
infantrymen in our regiment use their bayonets for
everything. They are even used to hold candles
and grind coffee!
On a darker note, we may be deployed soon. We
cavalrymen will probably never see the front lines.
So far, we only have only been ordered to guard
supply trains and to embark on excursions with
scouting purposes.
I wish thee well, Sylvannus. Dont die.



Corporal Elihu Washburne
(8
th
Regiment, Virginia Cavalry)
Surprisingly, bayonets werent just
used as weapons. They could also
hold candles and grind coffee.

It was also more likely for
infantrymen to see the front lines
than cavalrymen. Cavalrymen were
often assigned with scouting duties.
September 23
rd
, 1861
Dear Eli,
The past few weeks have raised several
concerns about the discipline of the men. Even
though it is widely banned to own a pet, most
men ignore it. All the men make a mockery of our
wartime law, and many have dogs, cats, and
squirrels. This fellow called Woody even has a
raccoon- hes a bit eccentric. Since this is
apparently a widely accepted practice, myself, I
would like to have a dog or a cat. Probably a dog
that can assist me with hunting. If I shall have a
dog, I will name it Liberty.
Sorry this one is rather short. I will write to you
when I have time, and I wish you well.
Your friend,
Sylvannus Cadwaller
(12
th
Regiment, Maryland Infantry)
Soldiers were banned
from having pets of their
own, but many ignored
this and had cats,
squirrels, dogs, and even
raccoons.
November 5
th
, 1861
Dear Sylvannus,
It is good to know you can still have a
fun time joking around with your fellows
about discipline that you, too, disregard
when it is convenient. I hope you find a
dog to be your Liberty soon enough.
Many of the men in my regiment ignore
that particular rule as well. Also, never
worry about being too brief, the simple
confirmation of your well-being is
benefit enough. Ma and Pa sent baked
goods from home, two apple pastries
and a cookie. Good thing, otherwise I
may have wasted my money at the
sulters store. That greedy bastard!
Thinking he can follow us around and
sell us his products at exorbitant prices.
Ma and Pa also send their good
wishes.
Corporal Elihu Washburne
(8
th
Regiment, Virginia Cavalry)
Some soldiers families sent various
types of food to them during the war
as well.
November 17
th
, 1861
This will be one of my longer ones because its break
time at camp.
Nothing much is going on, but most of my colleagues
are playing cards outdoors or chatting about missing
their loved ones. One of my friends is talking about
missing his wife and three children back in ol
Maryland. We often join together and sing Weeping
Sad and Lonely when we are all homesick.
Someone found a tin can of dominoes in a bush by
the old train wreck. Everyones been trying to have a
chance to play with them. Baseball and wrestling
have become extremely prevalent in our camp. Many
have already broken their fingers. Write back as soon
as you can. I hope you are well.
Sylvannus Cadwaller
(12
th
Regiment, Maryland Infantry)
Besides training at camp,
soldiers often participated in
other activities, which
included playing cards,
dominoes, baseball, wrestling,
and singing songs.

Sometimes, when not at battle,
Union and Confederate
soldiers would join in together
for singing sessions.
December 1
st
, 1861
Dear Sylvannus,
Yesterday, some dastardly scalawag
stole my cotton shirts right from my tent!
Im not going to let him get away with
some petty punishment, like digging
latrines, chopping wood, or serving extra
on guard duty. Im not even going to let it
be left at standing on a barrel or carrying
a log. Hes gonna get a full bucking and
gagging, and everyone is going to laugh
at him. Right now because of him, I have
to wear the itchy standard cotton flannel!
He better watch out, because Im going
to find him for sure.
How is it in the North?
Corporal Elihu Washburne
(8
th
Regiment, Virginia Cavalry)
Punishment for crimes at camp
during the Civil War were harsh.

Most soldiers brought their own
cotton shirt since the ones that
were provided were very itchy.
December 15
th
, 1861
Dear Eli,
How dare that scalawag take your shirt? Such rudeness.
Much disrespect. Wow.
A different time has gone by since the war started. They
paid us $11. Many complain that it is not much; they have
agreed to raise itin fair time. Since gambling has become
a common activity at camp, many soldiers have already lost
their months pay. I will send most of it back to my family up
in Maryland, as times are rough. How much I miss Mas
cooking. Here we only get a pound of hard bread, a bit of
salted pork (or on rare days, a bit of fresh meat), and a cup
of coffee with some sugar. Word has spread around camp
that a battle is approaching. I am worried. By the way, how
is the food and pay down there in the South?
Remember we shall always remain friends.
Sylvannus Cadwaller
(12
th
Regiment, Maryland Infantry)
Gambling wasnt
uncommon during
the time as well. Soldiers in
the north were paid $11 per
month (it was eventually
raised), but most saw it as
inadequate.

Food mostly consisted of
rations of hard tack and
salted meat.
December 27
th
, 1861
Dear Sylvannus,
We don't receive adequate pay, either. I almost had to
sell my harmonica so I would not starve on the rations
they give us. No reasonable man would assume that
what we receive is sufficient sustenance for a man to live
on. I think I have had the same meal of molasses and
cornmeal for weeks in a row. If only we had your
Northern real coffee in comparison to our coffee
substitute
Some of my friends arent doing to well with this food
supply. Many have fallen sick, and I believe that more
have died from illness than actual combat itself. Those
sawbones in the medical tents can only give the sick a
cocktail of drugs, and they have no effect.
Know you are always my friend as well.


Corporal Elihu Washburne
(8
th
Regiment, Virginia Cavalry)
Many men also died from
the unsanitary conditions
in camps, as opposed to
battle.

Doctors were nicknamed
sawbones. Many
soldiers had their
arms/legs amputated.
Music was prevalent in
camps. Small instruments
were easy to carry around
and play. Confederate food
rations were carried in linen
bags called haversacks.
January 11
th
, 1861:
The Death
Sylvannus,
Please tell me its some kind of mistake that they forwarded that telegram to me.
Your letter is in the mail right now, correct?
It cant be true! It cant!
They said that you were killed in action during the Battle of Dranesville. All you
have to do is confirm my suspicions they were wrong, okay?
If what they say is true, I will abandon all faith in Our Lord. I hope you
understand, but that can never happen.
So reply, okay?
Your dearest friend,
Eli

The End
The story of my brother and his friend
Sylvannus Cadwaller has been told. My
work is complete. John Washburne
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Credits continued


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