"The American Civil War era cannot be fully explained without understanding religion's role in the conflict. The goal of this book is to shed light on how chaplains and missionaries interacted with the flock of male soldiers within the bloody, fratricidal conflict known as the American Civil War. What was their role in wartime religious life? How did they respond to the challenges of war? What aspects of religiosity did they abandon and what did they embrace? How did soldiers respond to the work of these spiritual leaders? Through Civil War soldiers' diaries, letters, and memoirs, Ben Miller examines the work done by chaplains and missionaries, with a particular emphasis on their role in religious space--battlefields, camps, hospitals, and prisons. "Religion" is understood in this context as Christianity, as over 95% of the US population identified as Christian at this time"-- Provided by publisher.

Revision of the author's thesis (doctoral)--University of Florida, 2012.

Introduction -- Men of the cloth -- Christian soldiers -- Worship practices in camp -- Constructing sacred space in camp : churches, battles, and diversity -- Ministering to the fighting, dying, sick, and wounded -- Clerical care in general hospitals and prisons -- Conclusion.