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The Yankee Soldier Trivia Quiz

A focus on the private yankee soldier and his life in the Union army.

A multiple-choice quiz by Pick61. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Pick61

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
356,469

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
505

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In April, 1861, after the firing on Fort Sumpter by rebel forces, President Lincoln issued an initial call for 70,000 volunteers. How many northerners responded? Hint

10,000

300,000

50,000

75,000

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Question 2 of 10

2. The eastern Federal forces which ultimately became the Army of the Potomac were charged by the President and Congress with what primary responsibility? Hint

The immediate capture of Richmond

Protection of railways and cities

The training and equipping of other soldiers

The defense of Washington

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Question 3 of 10

3. What was the chief reason that the average Yankee private volunteered? Hint

Simple patriotism

Because his friends were enlisting

11 dollars a month pay

He hated the South

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Question 4 of 10

4. Although the Union had more troops and was ultimately better equipped, it operated under one distinct and glaring disadvantage. What was it? Hint

All of these

They were further from home

Poor leadership

Political interference

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Question 5 of 10

5. The Yankee soldier often worried about the "cracker line." What was it? Hint

Letters from home

A line of fortifications

The supply line

Telegraph and communication lines

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Question 6 of 10

6. If you met a Federal soldier whose uniform was trimmed in yellow and his jacket was of a short cut, to what branch of the Union army did he belong? Hint

Infantry

Quartermaster Corps

Artillery

Cavalry

7. The basic fighting unit for both armies was the regiment. Raised by the individual states, the regiment normally consisted of 1,000 men and officers. Due to disease, battle and desertion that number was usually closer to 300 by the end of the first year of service. What was the largest contributing factor to this loss? Hint

battle deaths and wounds

missing and captured

desertion

disease

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Question 8 of 10

8. Poor discipline was a problem which plagued both armies, and contributed in no small way to the high mortality rate among the soldiers. What was the chief cause of this? Hint

He wasn't paid regularly

He was not used to military life

Familiarity with his officers

He was not really interested in the war

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Question 9 of 10

9. During times when there was no fighting, the armies would go into camp, sometimes for months at a time. No attention was given by the army as to how the men would entertain themselves with all that free time on their hands. The soldiers did a pretty fair job themselves, though. Reading and letter writing were popular, as was gambling, drinking, horseplay and sports such as wrestling and especially baseball. But what was probably the most popular past time? Hint

Music and singing

Visiting and gossip

Religious services

Raiding the sutler's tent

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Question 10 of 10

10. Before a battle, many soldiers could be seen writing on a slip of paper and pinning it to their jackets. What was he doing? Hint

Writing his parents' name

Writing his regiment number

Writing his name for identification purposes

Writing a prayer

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In April, 1861, after the firing on Fort Sumpter by rebel forces, President Lincoln issued an initial call for 70,000 volunteers. How many northerners responded?

Answer: 300,000

In fact, the initial rush to enlist overwhelmed the states who were empowered to raise the regiments. Governor Dennison of Ohio, for example, wrote Lincoln that instead of the 13 regiments requested, he was sending 30. Dennison was afraid to turn them away, fearing riots.

2. The eastern Federal forces which ultimately became the Army of the Potomac were charged by the President and Congress with what primary responsibility?

Answer: The defense of Washington

Politicians feared that the Confederates would take and destroy Washington, and at the same time became anxious for the untried, under equipped, very green army to attack rebel forces. Despite warnings by senior officers, they got their wish at the first battle of Manassas (Bull Run) and it was a disaster.

3. What was the chief reason that the average Yankee private volunteered?

Answer: Simple patriotism

Of course, the reason varied from individual to individual, but letters and diaries are full of real love of country and a desire to do the right thing. The American Civil War was one of the first and probably the last wars to see soldiers writing uncensored letters and keeping diaries, and there is a rich repository of material from which to draw.

4. Although the Union had more troops and was ultimately better equipped, it operated under one distinct and glaring disadvantage. What was it?

Answer: Poor leadership

Although all were at least occasional disadvantages, the chief among them was that the Army of the Potomac, especially, was much slower than the Confederates to find capable leaders. The most notable Confederate example was, of course, the superb Robert E. Lee.

5. The Yankee soldier often worried about the "cracker line." What was it?

Answer: The supply line

Although Federal food allowances were generous by 1860 standards, there were times when he went hungry. He lived basically on hardtack (a three by three cracker which was supplied in 50 pound boxes and was often bug infested), along with salt pork and coffee, or by foraging on southern farms. The cracker line was often interrupted by Rebel raids on railroads and supply trains.

6. If you met a Federal soldier whose uniform was trimmed in yellow and his jacket was of a short cut, to what branch of the Union army did he belong?

Answer: Cavalry

Infantry pants and jackets were trimmed in blue; artillery in red. In addition, cloth patches of various shapes and colors (corp badges), along with brass numbers and letters, were provided as the war went on, to aid in unit identification and to instil unit pride.

Answer: disease

Disease was far more likely to kill a soldier than anything else. The two principle killers were diarrhea abd pneumonia. Poor diet, abysmal sanitary conditions and very primitive medical treatment were key factors. Thanks to the Sanitary Commission in the north, regulations for healthier living conditions were enforced and very effective during the last part of the war.

8. Poor discipline was a problem which plagued both armies, and contributed in no small way to the high mortality rate among the soldiers. What was the chief cause of this?

Answer: Familiarity with his officers

With regiments formed of men who lived in the same area of a state, many of them were likely to be familiar with one another. The men resented being ordered around by men they had considered equals (or inferiors) in civilian life. The officers were mostly appointed or elected, and were sometimes reluctant to enforce discipline among former neighbors. Plus the fact that the average Yankee considered himself to be basically a free man.

Answer: Music and singing

All these were popular. But music was a sure help in filling the time for both armies. Regimental bands and singing groups were very common in camp. Some of the popular songs were "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground", "Johnny is gone for a Soldier", "Just Before the Battle, Mother" and "Weeping Sad and Lonely" were just a few of the favorites.

10. Before a battle, many soldiers could be seen writing on a slip of paper and pinning it to their jackets. What was he doing?

Answer: Writing his name for identification purposes

Identification tags were not standard issue for the army until World War I. A soldier was simply afraid that his body might not be identified if he was killed. He wanted his parents or wife to know what had happened to him and where he was buried, hopefully not in a mass grave. Fredericksburg (Marye's Heights) and Cold Harbor were two battles where this was a common sight.

Source: Author Pick61

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