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Common Civil War Soldier Trivia Quiz

See how much you know about the men who really did in the fighting in the Civil War.

A multiple-choice quiz by jkgregg. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
jkgregg

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
155,813

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1497

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. According to historical documentation, how tall was the average Civil War soldier (North and South) and how much did he weigh? Hint

5' 7.5" and weighed 151 lbs

5'7" and weighed 136 lbs

5'8" and weighed 143 lbs

5'10" and weighed 148 lbs

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Question 2 of 10

2. Between the North and the South which army had the higher percentage in the cavalry?

Answer: (North or South ... N or S)

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which army had the highest percentage of men dying from disease? Hint

Union Army

Record keeping was poor and the numbers are unknown

Both armies had an equal percentage

Confederate Army

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Question 4 of 10

4. When the civil war started, what was the main reason the Confederate soldier gave for his fighting in the war? Hint

He feared Union victory would depress the Southern economy

To keep slavery in the South

To defend his home

He was angry at Washington politics

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Question 5 of 10

5. What Confederate private is known for keeping a detailed diary of the life of a soldier in the Civil War? Hint

Private Bill Corby

Private Johnny Reb

Private Joseph Pierce

Private Sam Watkins

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Question 6 of 10

6. At the end of the war, what percentage of African-American troops made up the Union Army? Hint

20%

10%

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Question 7 of 10

7. Soldiers on both sides loved to receive letters from home. However, the two armies shared an enthusiasm for other sources of reading. What were the other sources? Hint

Classic novels especially novels by Charles Dickens

Newspapers from home

Dime novels and the Bible

Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper and Literary Magazines

8. When a battle was not going on, the armies were across a river from each other and could often see each other. What was one way they amused themselves during the "while not in battle" time periods? Hint

Elaborate cooking

Playing instruments and singing back and forth to one another

Calling names, which resulted in many fist fights in the rivers

Playing memory games with one another

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Question 9 of 10

9. Gambling was a large problem for both armies.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. What did the common Civil War soldier look like? Hint

Light complexion with black hair and brown eyes

Light complexion blond hair and blue eyes

Medium complexion brown hair and brown eyes

Light complexion with brown hair and blue eyes

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. According to historical documentation, how tall was the average Civil War soldier (North and South) and how much did he weigh?

Answer: 5'8" and weighed 143 lbs

According to Bell I. Wiley, who conducted a study on the common soldier, the average Yank and Reb was 5'8" and weighed 143 pounds. He was also white, native born, Protestant, single and between the ages of 18-29.

2. Between the North and the South which army had the higher percentage in the cavalry?

Answer: South

Out of the total men serving in the Union Army only 14% made up the cavalry while 20% made the total number of men in the Confederate Army.

3. Which army had the highest percentage of men dying from disease?

Answer: Confederate Army

A Yankee's chances of dying from disease were 1 out of 8 men, while his chances of dying in battle were 1 out of 18. A Rebel's chances from disease were 1 out of 5 while his chances of dying battle were 1 out of 8.

4. When the civil war started, what was the main reason the Confederate soldier gave for his fighting in the war?

Answer: To defend his home

There's a widespread misconception that a Rebel's main reason for taking up arms against the North was because of the slavery issue. Most Confederate soldiers did not own slaves and couldn't have cared less about the issue of slavery. They fought to defend their home and state.

5. What Confederate private is known for keeping a detailed diary of the life of a soldier in the Civil War?

Answer: Private Sam Watkins

Many books on the Civil War have used the diaries of Sam Watkins to describe battles and the lives of the common soldier. Private Watkins was in the Army of Tennessee, surviving the war through major battles, hardships and disease. Ken Burns cited many of Sam's observations in his "Civil War" series.

6. At the end of the war, what percentage of African-American troops made up the Union Army?

Answer: 10%

By the end of the war, African-American soldiers made up approximately 10% of the Union Army. Out of the 179,000 black men who wore blue, 37,000 lost their lives for the cause.

7. Soldiers on both sides loved to receive letters from home. However, the two armies shared an enthusiasm for other sources of reading. What were the other sources?

Answer: Dime novels and the Bible

Mail call was probably the highlight of every soldier's week. Reading letters from home lifted their spirits and gave them joy in very dismal situations. However, both sides also enjoyed reading the latest dime novel, and most men carried a copy of the Bible.

Answer: Playing instruments and singing back and forth to one another

Both sides loved music and would play and sing when not engaged in battle. Each side found themselves staring at the enemy across a river often times when on picket duty. The men would enjoy each other's music and even holler out a request from time to time.

9. Gambling was a large problem for both armies.

Answer: True

Many a Billy Yank and Johnny Reb found himself gambling away what little money and supplies he had. Oftentimes officers would try and ban the game - with little or no effect.

10. What did the common Civil War soldier look like?

Answer: Light complexion with brown hair and blue eyes

According to Civil War records the common American (Union and Confederate) soldier had a light complexion with brown hair and blue eyes.

Source: Author jkgregg

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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