Behind the Blue and Gray: The Soldier's Life in the Civil War

by Delia Ray

In this second of a three part series, this book traces the events of the Civil War from the first battle to the surrender with emphasis on the experiences of the individual soldiers.

Whether they wore Union blue or Confederate gray, the untrained recruits of the Civil War quickly learned to endure the hardships of the army life. They experienced the horrors of battle, rampant disease, makeshift hospitals and prison camps, and even boredom. Drawing on letters, diaries, eyewitness accounts, and many vintage photographs, Behind the Blue and Gray  explores the lives of soldiers from all walks of life, from all-black Northern regiments to young boys who lied about their age to enlist. 

Also in this
A Nation The Story of How the Civil War Began
A Separate Women and the Civil War 

Genres: Civil War, History, Nonfiction

112 pages, Paperback

First published April 12, 1991

Reviews

[Amanda Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gave an excellent picture of the hardship that soldiers faced during the American Civil War. The pictures featured helped give a visual account coupled by easy-to-read, engaging narration.

Harsh cruelty is not romanticized in this book but facts are given as it truly was. In short, this is a sobering read and readers need to be prepared for the hard facts to be given clearly.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very informative and interesting account of the lives of both Union and Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. There were plenty of pictures and illustrations to pique the reader's interest. I would recommend this for middle school and above.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were some original pictures here--good stories.

[Lincoln Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delia Ray’s immersive novel “Behind the Blue and Gray” looks into the lives of soldiers in the Civil War. Beginning with how the soldiers entered the army, the story uses interesting first-hand accounts to show the process and the hardships that went along with being a soldier. Somewhat clueless soldiers who quartered in the capital building were made stronger and more intense by drills and harsh conditions. The book describes the long and tiring marches of both armies as well as what it was like to be away from home for so long. Soldiers had to build their cabins as there weren’t quarter houses for the soldiers. Thousands of men got typhoid fever during their marches because there was no good water, and 995 out of every 1,000 men suffered from diarrhea and dysentery. By using vivid stories and facts Ray describes the lives of soldiers and the pain and suffering that they endured.
I enjoyed this book and found it to be an interesting read. I had no idea of the terrible conditions of the soldiers, and how many diseases and sicknesses that they dealt with constantly. Learning about the beginning of the soldier's career to the end of the war was invigorating because of the first-hand accounts and descriptions. The end of the war brought depression and many soldiers were not welcomed back home. This made me have sympathy for soldiers on both sides and in general, the book enlightened me to the true brutality of the war.
If you are interested in learning about the Civil War this is a simple and interesting read. The accounts give interesting stories and experiences that help to visualize the war. There are lots of pictures of the soldier's lives, so that is extremely helpful for people who aren’t great readers, and like visuals. This book is a simple but stimulating read and you will enjoy the visuals and descriptions. If you are a Civil War historian or if you know a lot about history already, this will not be a very helpful book and I would not recommend it. Otherwise, it is a great read and I give it four stars.

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 1991 by Scholastic.
93 pages of text.
9 pages of a bibliography, a glossary, an index and picture credits.

Behind the Blue and Gray is a simple introduction to what the average Civil War soldier. I would recommend it for grades 5 and above.

However, saying it is for those grades does not mean an adult interested in starting to study the Civil War would not find this book interesting. It is similar to the introductory books that are published by the National Parks that you can find at Civil War battlefields.

The book follows the progress of a few Civil War soldiers as they enroll in their respective armies, set up camps, train, march and eventually fight. It also explores what happened to prisoners and the injured. At the end, it discussed the aftermath of the war and ends with a photo of elderly former Union and Confederate soldiers at a reunion gathering.

There is not a lot about women in the war as a topic, but there are a few pages about Native Americans and African Americans.

The big names of the war get a passing mention, but they are not the focus.

I rate this book 4 stars out of 5.

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[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm constantly amazed by authors who really convey personal feelings, and a sense of place and time, with so few words: this look at the life of soldiers (both sides) in the Civil War from the call to arms to returning home, is concisely written and very moving.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book for teenagers. I don't recommend it for those under the age of thirteen as it does contain images of death and those emaciated beyond recognition. Good for beginners and people who have taken a slight interest in the war but aren't fully willing or able to commit too much time to it.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read. Very entertaining overview of the Civil War.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very informative. The style was clear. A good book for the upper grade levels.