What were lice races?

Lice were not totally without redeeming value. They actually provided a source of entertainment and income for some soldiers. Wagers were placed on “louse races” where the arena was often a mess plate. One soldier, flaunting a champion louse, demanded that the lice be raced from individual plates.

How often did Civil War soldiers bathe?

HyGiene: Soldiers were supposed to bathe weekly and wash their face and hands daily. Sometimes they did neither. This led to lice infestations – not to mention mice and ants – in the camps. Soldiers picked lice off one another.

What race gets lice the most?

Head lice seem to be more common in Caucasian, Hispanic, and Asian American people than in African American people. For example, fewer than 0.5% of African American schoolchildren experience head lice compared with about 10% of schoolchildren of other races.

Did Civil War soldiers have lice?

Body lice, Pediculus Vestimenti, had various nicknames during the Civil War. No doubt, soldiers and sailors also suffered from head lice and pubic lice, too, but the War, occurring during the Victorian Age, inhibited discussion of the latter malady. Like death, body lice were no respecters of men.

What did Civil War soldiers do for fun?

Soldiers played all kinds of Civil War card games, they made distinctive chess pieces, played checkers, backgammon, dominoes, they read newspapers, books and played horseshoes. They also played whole team sports such as baseball and a very early often-brutal version of football.

What did Civil War soldiers do for toilet paper?

Civil war soldiers used leaves, grass, twigs, corncobs, and books to make toilet paper.

What did Civil War soldiers carry in their backpacks?

Worn over the shoulder, haversacks were handy for carrying rations of pork, hardtack, coffee, personal items, and extra ammunition.

Did soldiers get lice in the Civil War?

Lice and the American Civil War soldier Throughout history, one of the many unfortunate consequences of being in the military has been a close familiarity between soldiers and members of the lice family. Not only do lice cause discomfort but they also can be vectors of deadly diseases, such as typhus.

What kind of gambling was there in the Civil War?

Gambling was so prevalent in 1864 that one of the Federal divisions, the Army of the James, was referred to by soldiers as “the Army of the Games.” The men played poker, of course, faro and threw dice. Horse racing, cock-fighting, anything that could result in a “random” winner would do.

Why did soldiers in the Civil War play cards and dice?

But cards and dice were portable, easy to carry and a source of amusement. Gambling was so prevalent in 1864 that one of the Federal divisions, the Army of the James, was referred to by soldiers as “the Army of the Games.” The men played poker, of course, faro and threw dice.

What was the army of the games in 1864?