For Cause and Comrades

Professor McPherson talked about his book, For Cause and Comrades: Why Men Fought in the Civil War. The book examines the motivation of rank-and-file soldiers to continue fighting in the face of great danger and incredible hardship. Mr. McPherson’s research into letters and diaries from over 1,000 Union and Confederate soldiers led him to conclude that the common rank-and-file soldiers did hold political and ideological beliefs that prodded them to enlist and to fight in the Civil War. He shows that they were motivated by deep feelings and convictions about their respective causes. Following his presentation, Mr. McPherson took questions from the audience. This was a regular meeting of the North Shore Civil War Round Table, held at the Book Revue Bookstore. close