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they were closer to burial sites and had more resources to bury the deceased suitably. ( Laderman 105-106 , sacred remains). To deal with those who died from both disease and military action, hospitals were charged to provide a “dead house” for bodies that were to be buried. However, the houses soon became inadequate for the number of deaths and records of the deceased could not be maintained.(Faust 63-65).

Because of this sudden change in treatment of the dead, the corpse soon became propaganda for military and civilians alike. For those who did not fight in the war, stories of bodies that had been desecrated by opposing armies were used to keep their fighting spirit alive in a time where food was becoming scarce and there were daily hardships. Stories such as certain battalions shaping the bones of killed enemies into war mementos like rings and necklaces raced through northern states. (sacred remains 100). As for young soldiers, bodies of comrades were used to keep them under control of leading officers. A very common means of controlling men in the military who thought about running away from the army was the execution of deserters. Those who tried to run from having to fight for their state and were caught were either shot or hanged, then put somewhere where everyone could see the body displayed in a gruesome manner. The United States Civil War had more desertions than any other American war, so almost every soldier saw an execution during wartime. (sacred remains , 98) Also, death became intertwined with patriotism. To die a patriotic and honored death was what young soldiers looked forward to. Duty to the almighty God and duty to their state became one as more and more friends and family members in the war were killed.(Fau...

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