Union or Federal?

[ramkuma]

Was the term "Union" used at the time of the war to refer to FEDERAL armies. My understanding was "Union" was not used as an appellation until after the war.

 

[Old Soldier]

Good question. I think today the two names are used equally. The best source of the terms used at the time would be memoirs written at the time or shortly afterwards. Are there any other (polite) names for the Confederate forces other than 'Rebs'?

 

[hughes]

"National" was used in some references.

 

[Sheltowee]

Good question. I think today the two names are used equally. The best source of the terms used at the time would be memoirs written at the time or shortly afterwards. Are there any other (polite) names for the Confederate forces other than 'Rebs'?

The one I see frequently for confederate is "secesh".

 

[Old Soldier]

I bit of research says UNION is the correct term as the UNION ARMY was formed from existing US regular units and state units. This is from the common phrase 'preserve the Union', as the Southern state sesseded (left) the Union. The term 'federal' seems to come from the fact that the Union army was an amalgamation of regular and state forces - as was the Confederate Army(!) - but it was not the official title.

 

[RedRover]

From Portsmouth, NH, July 20, 1861:

Philadelphia, Dec. 20, 1861:

Lincoln occasionally referred to the federal forces as "Union army" during the war:

Secretary of War Stanton too. From October, 1864:

Union financier R.J. Walker, on Lincoln's reelection in '64:

"Federal army" etc. was also employed. From Dec., 1862:

 

[Old Soldier]

Good research - and quick! Confusing, isn't it. I blame the journalists and historians.

 

[ErnieMac]

As early as July 1861 the newspapers were referring to McDowell's army as Federal forces. At the same time I am seeing references to the Union army.

 

[RedRover]

Good question. I think today the two names are used equally. The best source of the terms used at the time would be memoirs written at the time or shortly afterwards. Are there any other (polite) names for the Confederate forces other than 'Rebs'?

Sometimes, instead of Rebel or Confederate army, the term "Southern army" was applied:

From 1861:

From 1863:

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

My wife had a great-uncle, (married to her grandfather's sister) who lived to be 100. Both his grandfathers served in Union Tennessee units. He would often tell me stories he could recall hearing from them when he was a boy. Hobert was greatly involved many years in local Republican politics and was known locally as "Mr. Republican". When he would spin his yarns about his grandpa's war experiences, he would never use the terms Confederate, rebel, reb, or secesh. It was always the "Democrat Army". To Uncle Hobert, the war never ended. He was constantly "fighting the Democrats".

 

[Sheltowee]

My wife had a great-uncle, (married to her grandfather's sister) who lived to be 100. Both his grandfathers served in Union Tennessee units. He would often tell me stories he could recall hearing from them when he was a boy. Hobert was greatly involved many years in local Republican politics and was known locally as "Mr. Republican". When he would spin his yarns about his grandpa's war experiences, he would never use the terms Confederate, rebel, reb, or secesh. It was always the "Democrat Army". To Uncle Hobert, the war never ended. He was constantly "fighting the Democrats".

Now that is interesting.

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

At one time, the 1st Congressional District here was the most Republican District in the nation in the actual comparison of registered voters. Most old-time Whigs and Dems who opposed secession became Republicans. That continues to this day. A direct result of the war.

 

[Sheltowee]

At one time, the 1st Congressional District here was the most Republican District in the nation in the actual comparison of registered voters. Most old-time Whigs and Dems who opposed secession became Republicans. That continues to this day. A direct result of the war.

Reminds me of a John Prine line-

"Voted for Eisenhower, 'cause Lincoln won the war".

 

[Pollaco]

Some called all the "blue soldiers" Yankees.

 

[Rhea Cole]

This is from Harper's Weekly from the first weeks of the war. A word search for the word 'Union' resulted in too many references to mention.

Nobody ever said that they were fighting for the "federal."

 

[Old Soldier]

Some called all the "blue soldiers" Yankees.

Quite appropriate for some, since the term 'Yankee' was originally applied to the New England settlers by the original Dutch settlers. The insult '**** Yankee' was often applied by Southerners to the Unionists during the conflict - and afterwards.

 

[John Hartwell]

Nobody ever said that they were fighting for the "federal."

That's because they were fighting for the "Federal Union".

"Federal" is an adjective only, while "Union" is both an adjective and a noun. The "Federals," however, is always a noun.

Used as an adjective, both terms are proper. Take your pick. I'd suggest "Federal army" is maybe a bit more formal, and "Union army" more colloquial.

 

[Old Soldier]

The Northern states have never been called a 'federation'.

 

[John Hartwell]

But, the USA is, and always has been a Federal Republic.

 

[Rhea Cole]

That's because they were fighting for the "Federal Union".

"Federal" is an adjective only, while "Union" is both an adjective and a noun. The "Federals," however, is always a noun.

Used as an adjective, both terms are proper. Take your pick. I'd suggest "Federal army" is maybe a bit more formal, and "Union army" more colloquial.

Exactly the point I was making.