In the Civil War the common folk put themselves on record to an unprecedented extent because, for the first time in the nation's history, large numbers of them were separated from their families and neighbors. Absence from home impelled them to write letters and keep diaries. Moreover, their novel and exciting experiences as soldiers aroused them to an unusual degree of expressiveness. So they wrote long and interesting accounts of their experiences and impressions, and in so doing, they revealed very much of themselves...Owing to the incompleteness of Civil War records - especially on the Confederate side - and the confusion caused by re-enlistments, the number of soldier participants has to be stated in approximate terms. The same is true of casualties, deserters, and prisoners. The aggregate of men who donned the blue was about two million, while those who wore the gray were roughly half that number. On both sides those who served at one time or another as common soldiers - i.e., privates and on-commissioned officers- comprised well over nine tenths of the fighting forces. -- Adapted from page 3.

At head of title: From the editors of Civil War Times illustrated ... a special issue.