Day #1 – Camp Defiance, Illinois

by Scott S, 8th Grade, 2021

August 21,1861

Day #1 –  Camp Defiance, Illinois

I’m sitting in my tent, on the ground feeling scared, and tired. I decided to join the war and fight for the North after the Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861, exactly a month ago, the night before I turned 16. After the North lost that battle, I realized they needed the troops. The Battle of Bull run happened near Manassas in northern Virginia at a small stream named Bull Run. This was the first official battle of the Civil War. Neither side was well prepared because it was so early. The North lead the attack with 37,000 troops. After battling back and forth, the South rested for 3 days and called in 10,000 more troops so they were even. So when the North attacked again, the South defeated them because they were better rested. This was a victory for the South.

I know that my mom is probably scared she’s going to lose me. She also probably angry at me for leaving in the idle of the night without saying goodbye. She is probably waking up every morning worried about me being gone and worried about what news she might get. She should be worried about me. We get no weapons and no uniforms. The food we get is salt pork we have to cook ourselves or eat raw. Most of the soldiers in camp have dysentery, or measles, and the others are drinking all the time. We have no proper training. We have no real sleeping gear, we are sleeping on the wet ground with no blankets, just laying on straw, and lots of boys ar getting pneumonia. Some of the soldiers smoke and drink. Some people journal, write letters and have items from home that remind them of home and give them something to come back to.

I think the war is important because we are fighting for freedom for slaves and also fighting to keep our county together. I think anyone who is able to fight should. I am dedicated to this war, and even though I feel like I’m practically dying, I am studying a book on war strategy. I am hopeful that I am going to get better and get back out there. I think after this war, we will have peace and unity.