Long periods of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror

The title of this post is a quote I’ve seen and heard in various forms. I have not been able to pin down a definitive source of the quote but a version of it seems to have been around as early as World War I and seems to apply to the Civil War as well. The life of the soldier was filled with military routine: drills, guard duty, picket duty, work details and the same food every day. Many fought boredom by playing games, sketching, whittling and making music, among other activities.


This is a photo of two Union soldiers whittling. 

The title quote is ever present in my mind while I’m transcribing Philip's diary. There are often several days in a row with entries stating “Nothing new to report,” “guard duty all day” or “went blackberrying.” This was one of my downfalls during my previous attempts at transcribing the diary. Because of my lack of time and patience, I kept looking for all of the action. The movies don’t focus on the monotonous days of drills and guard duty.

More information about daily camp life can be found here:

Here is a great resource for Civil War photographs:

Philip doesn’t mention partaking in the less desirable pastimes of gambling and drinking. He does often mention dances being held in the barracks as well as fishing and bathing in the Potomac. The following excerpt documents several uneventful days in the life of Private Philip Loufman.
________________________________

JUNE 2ND

Nothing of note occurred. Had a drill this morning. Went fishing but did not catch anything. Received two letters and answered them. Had a dance in our barracks.

JUNE 3RD

Nothing of importance transpired. We are still at Fort Farnsworth. Drill 45 minutes per day. Plenty to eat but no money.

JUNE 4TH

Drilled this morning. Cleaned for inspection. Went to the river. Took a bath.  Wrote a letter. And that was my occupations for the day.

JUNE 5TH

The militia is all going to the front. Was detailed for guard duty on the fort. Had Sunday morning inspection. No news from the front of anything worth being mentioned.

JUNE 6TH

Was on guard all day. No news from the front. Very hot weather. The 142nd Ohio Militia left for the front.

JUNE 7TH

Was on fatigue duty all day. This evening we had a grand dress parade of all the troops at the post.

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