Morale- Both Sides

[rhettbutler1865]

It's been a long time since I have posted a new thread. Laying on my bed, next to my sweet English Cream,Golden Retriever, I could not sleep until I wrote this. Just think; you are a soldier, many miles from home. A pen/paper to your loved ones seems so distant (wondering if they'd ever get it). But Sallie, Sawbuck, Jack, or another sweet dog would wander up to you and give you a wagging tail and a kiss. What could be better?.Morale at it's best, I think. Any other stories you'd like to share? Thanks, and please don't bury this in some obscure forum...I happen to think this is an important topic (as opposed to casualties and battle coordinates). All the best, Rhett Butler

 

[rhettbutler1865]

It's been a long time since I have posted a new thread. Laying on my bed, next to my sweet English Cream,Golden Retriever, I could not sleep until I wrote this. Just think; you are a soldier, many miles from home. A pen/paper to your loved ones seems so distant (wondering if they'd ever get it). But Sallie, Sawbuck, Jack, or another sweet dog would wander up to you and give you a wagging tail and a kiss. What could be better?.Morale at it's best, I think. Any other stories you'd like to share? Thanks, and please don't bury this in some obscure forum...I happen to think this is an important topic (as opposed to casualties and battle coordinates). All the best, Rhett Butler

Thank you--perhaps you're a dog-lover!

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

I am. I have my two sweet dogs.

 

[major bill]

It's been a long time since I have posted a new thread. Laying on my bed, next to my sweet English Cream,Golden Retriever, I could not sleep until I wrote this. Just think; you are a soldier, many miles from home. A pen/paper to your loved ones seems so distant (wondering if they'd ever get it). But Sallie, Sawbuck, Jack, or another sweet dog would wander up to you and give you a wagging tail and a kiss. What could be better?.Morale at it's best, I think. Any other stories you'd like to share? Thanks, and please don't bury this in some obscure forum...I happen to think this is an important topic (as opposed to casualties and battle coordinates). All the best, Rhett Butler

Morale is a multi dimensional thing. This dog could almost as easily cause a drop in your morale. It could remind the soldier his dog had died while he was off to war. It could take his mind off the battle and give him some limited joy. I have not found that thinking of home does to much to help a soldier's morale. We just can not know if this would help or hurt.

 

[rhettbutler1865]

Just trying to bring a bit of life to a most horrible war..

Morale is a multi dimensional thing. This dog could almost as easily cause a drop in your morale. It could remind the soldier his dog had died while he was off to war. It could take his mind off the battle and give him some limited joy. I have not found that thinking of home does to much to help a soldier's morale. We just can not know if this would help or hurt.

***Edited***

 

[Burning Billy]

Going in the opposite direction, being in combat for any sustained period is going to have a deleterious effect on morale particularly if casualties are heavy. That was as true for Civil War soldiers as it is today.

 

[major bill]

This is not a bad story but I am not sure a dog would have any long term impact on anyone's morale. I am not saying it is impossible, but just question if it would have a great impact on someone's morale. Perhaps someone who has gone through this could share thier story with us?