regular size ball. The short range of these guns meant that an enemy soldier further than 100 yards away was unlikely to be harmed by the fire—and knew it. Confederates usually abandoned their arms for the superior guns left by dead Federal troops. Union soldiers had better arms, and were equipped with newer rifle muskets, which used a hollow conical bullet called a Minie ball, named after its French inventor. Once the war was well underway, the most common guns for both armies were the .577-caliber long Enfield rifle musket and the .58-caliber Springfield rifle musket. Union cavalrymen often carried Colt six-shooters, while Confederate mounted soldiers could be seen with short double-barreled shotguns loaded with buckshot. These soldiers sometimes acquired sabers, but were usually more comfortable with agun. Southern soldiers were often armed with the additional weapons of bowie knives and pikes.

Diversions

Civil War soldiers were not always fighting. Marching and camping were their main duties, and the long winter months saw little in the way of combat. Troops kept busy by reading and writing letters, and sharing newspapers. Some Union soldiers even organized literary associations. Music was an important camp diversion. Soldiers sang songs about the war and the enemy, often accompanied by musical instruments such as violins and guitars. Bands were often organized, and Northern and Southern publishers printed song books with the hope that the tunes within would catch on. A favorite song of the Federals was “John Brown’s Body,” while the Confederates were particularly fond of “Home, Sweet Home.” Sporting activities were