ZELD5200 - A Civil War Soldier’s Cost of Service: The Unwritten Story of Army Life - Spring 2026 - Virtual

Course Description

Tired of Civil War history defined only by famous generals and grand battles? This class will explore the relentless routine of camp life, the fight against disease and monotony, the vital importance of coffee and camaraderie, and the strict systems of discipline that governed every march. By focusing on the soldiers’ rations and daily life, you will learn that the most compelling stories of the Civil War are found in the trenches, the hospital tents and the simple act of sharing a piece of hardtack. This is social history at its grittiest — a story of survival, not glory. Step past the monuments and understand the human reality of the Civil War, one hard-won day at a time.