Religion played an important role in the lives of antebellum Americans. It is only logical, then, that soldiers, sailors and marines on both sides turned to religion for solace during their service. While many soldiers brought their own Bibles from home, others received pocket Bibles from the American Bible Society, Young Men’s Christian Association and other religious groups who were active in the camps promoting religious values over gambling, drinking and other vices.
In 1864 The American Messenger, published and distributed by the American Tract Society, was said to have 195,000 copies circulating among soldiers and sailors. Bibles, hymnals, and psalm books were also made available in large quantities, but tracts were by far the most common form of religious literature dispensed to the soldiers.
Tracts varied greatly in character and content. Some gave examples of the careers of great soldiers of former times; others, such The Gambler’s Balance Sheet, The Temperance Letter and Satan’s Baits, warned against camp vices. Still others were devotional in nature, while many were essays on righteous living.
Images Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 30414 & 30415
