What do you call them?

[kepi]

The sides in the Civil War are often called a variety of different names: North/South, Rebel/Yankee, Union/Confederate, etc. I have always preferred just calling them what they are – United States and Confederate States. I will sometimes abbreviate this as CS and US.

It just seems more correct to me and much more respectful.

 

[IcarusPhoenix]

This is actually an interesting question of language. Even the very name of the war itself often changes depending both on region and the decade in which the speaker/writer is discussing it.

The regional terms (North/South) were at least nominally accurate at the time, though the map to modern Americans looks more like "The rest of the United States/Southeast". The rhetorical term (Rebel/Yankee) are perfectly acceptable in context of the period; the seceding states were, after all, in rebellion - and had little problem accepting that - and by the nineteenth century, the term "Yankee" was a general term for any American from a non-slaveholding state, despite originally referring only to New Englanders. The political term (Union/Confederate) is just as accurate as "United States" and "Confederate States" - Union being a shorthand for the former.

It is worth noting, of course, that "Confederate States" and variations thereof was a self-bestowed title; legally, the people of the various states of the Confederacy were citizens of the United States who resided within states in rebellion. Ultimately, this is merely an issue of semantics, and unless one is intentionally trying to be inflammatory, it doesn't really matter what you call them.

 

[W. Richardson]

Normally I use Union/North/yankees ........Confederate/South/Rebels

Respectfully,

William

 

[AndyHall]

My southern family very much disliked the term "rebels," and I rarely use it as a consequence.

 

[Klaudly]

In Italy the terms normally used are: "Southerners and Northerners", personally I prefer to use "Confederates and Unionists"

 

[kepi]

This is actually an interesting question of language. Even the very name of the war itself often changes depending both on region and the decade in which the speaker/writer is discussing it.

The regional terms (North/South) were at least nominally accurate at the time, though the map to modern Americans looks more like "The rest of the United States/Southeast". The rhetorical term (Rebel/Yankee) are perfectly acceptable in context of the period; the seceding states were, after all, in rebellion - and had little problem accepting that - and by the nineteenth century, the term "Yankee" was a general term for any American from a non-slaveholding state, despite originally referring only to New Englanders. The political term (Union/Confederate) is just as accurate as "United States" and "Confederate States" - Union being a shorthand for the former.

It is worth noting, of course, that "Confederate States" and variations thereof was a self-bestowed title; legally, the people of the various states of the Confederacy were citizens of the United States who resided within states in rebellion. Ultimately, this is merely an issue of semantics, and unless one is intentionally trying to be inflammatory, it doesn't really matter what you call them.

You are correct.
I thought of this question as I was reading though some literature from the 1900 has and noticed how the wording changes over time. The word "Union" in reference to the United States always seemed foreign to me, but I'm a creature of the 20th and 21st century. Union just seems like some place "over there" to me since I have never referred to the US as "The Union".

 

[kepi]

In Italy the terms normally used are: "Southerners and Northerners", personally I prefer to use "Confederates and Unionists"

Lincolnites is an interesting term I have come across in my study of the war. I have several letters from an ancestor of mine in an Alabama Calvary unit, and he refers to US troops as Lincolnites.

His letters are mostly him complaining to the then girlfriend (soon to be wife) because she does not write often enough. He also mentions several of his compatriots dying of disease and requests she send him some socks and a blue checked shirt.

 

[Patrick H]

My answer varies according to what action or event I'm trying to describe. That's because I live in Missouri--a border state. I might use "pro-southern" or "pro northern" to describe civilians. I might use "federal" to describe Union soldiers stationed here or militia units controlled by the federal government. I might say "bushwhacker" or "partisan" to describe an irregular soldier who is pro-southern or just pro-Missouri, depending on whether I think the person is a bad guy or a good guy. Most generally, I'll use "guerrillas" to describe all of them. Then, at times when I'm trying to have the broader view of events, I will say "Union" or "Confederate". When circumstances require a really broad view, then USA and CSA.

 

[John Winn]

I generally use Union and Confederate. I use Union instead of US because, to me, it seems that during the war - regardless of the legalistic interpretation - the states weren't united (which is why there was a war) and because those who didn't secede generally said they were for preserving "the union." Using just Confederate, i.e. without 'states' attached, seems factually correct.

I will sometimes use Yankee and Reb in jest but not when really talking about history.

 

[kepi]

I generally use Union and Confederate. I use Union instead of US because, to me, it seems that during the war - regardless of the legalistic interpretation - the states weren't united .

That's a very good point!

 

[Nathanb1]

In teaching, I use Union or Confederate...and when I tease my friends, I call them "Yankees" and "Us".

 

[bankerpapaw]

Normally I use Union/North/yankees ........Confederate/South/Rebels

Respectfully,

William

My descriptions also.

 

[AUG]

When referring to one side's soldiers I usually use Federals and Confederates. During the war "Federals" was often used to refer to a Union soldier. I don't think "Union soldier" saw much use until after the war.

When referring to one side as a whole, I usually use North and South.

 

[1950lemans]

When I post on this site I try to always use "rebel" rather than any other term. I'll also use "Southern".

 

[Elennsar]

To me:
The two sides were "the Union/the US or United States" or rarely the USA vs. "the Confederacy" - very rarely CSA, almost never CS. Sometimes "the South" - I try harder to avoid using "the North" for the side in blue than to avoid using 'the South" for the side in gray and butternut.

The men were Union soldiers/sailors/supporters vs. Confederate or less often Southern the same.

As above, I'm more consistent about trying to call bluecoats or supporters of the same "Union(ists)" than I am about calling graycoats "Confederate".

"Federal" sounds formal for me. I might refer to Federal troops in a specific connection, like "occupied Baltimore", but more likely as a quote than my own words.

 

[kepi]

To me:
The two sides were "the Union/the US or United States" or rarely the USA vs. "the Confederacy" - very rarely CSA, almost never CS. Sometimes "the South" - I try harder to avoid using "the North" for the side in blue than to avoid using 'the South" for the side in gray and butternut.

The men were Union soldiers/sailors/supporters vs. Confederate or less often Southern the same.

As above, I'm more consistent about trying to call bluecoats or supporters of the same "Union(ists)" than I am about calling graycoats "Confederate".

"Federal" sounds formal for me. I might refer to Federal troops in a specific connection, like "occupied Baltimore", but more likely as a quote than my own words.

I try to avoid North and South since some Southerners served in the US army/navy and a few Northerners served in the Confederate army.

 

[chellers]

I use Union/Confederate or North/South, depending on the situation. However, I think Union/Confederate is a more accurate description.

 

[capt13th]

i usually refer to them simply as federals and confederates

 

[rhettbutler1865]

In "The War of Northern Aggression." (lol) , I have always used Union and Confederate.

 

[JerseyBart]

Union and south