HIST406D.1001
James L’Angelle
University of Nevada, Reno
Prof. C Strang
11 March 2020
James L’Angelle
University of Nevada, Reno
Prof. C Strang
11 March 2020
Review: The Evolution and Understanding of Soldier Trauma 1860-1890, by Eric Salsman
Stress and adaptation to it, on and off the battlefield, during and following the Civil War, is
the theme of this research paper. Salsman breaks down his argument into several categories,
desertion, psychology, physical impairment and post war treatment of veterans, to name a few.
From inadequacy of knowledge when the wounded were brought in from the fight to dealing
with recurrent themes of soldier responses and options to their predicaments, it is thoroughly
investigated using numerous sources related to the topics. Sources include John Letterman, Army
of the Potomac medical director; Austrian physician Leopold Auenbrugger who cited American
Revolution trauma; Johannes Hofer’s take on nostalgia in 1688; Paul Broca’s work on
neuropsychology; and others with reports on physical damage related to the stress of field
operations.
Salsman alludes to a famous frontiersman, George Rogers Clark, setting the record straight
for man in the wilderness’ ability to cope with atrocity as witnessed through numerous
murderous engagements with Native Americans. He admits a disproportionate advance in
modern weaponry that caught the Civil War soldier unprepared. Salsman wrapped up the project
with the lack of care and compassion veterans received for their services when they returned
home, citing in particular the lack of a pension system that ignored Confederate soldiers
completely. The post war recounting of those forgotten veterans is presented in detail comparing
“loss of honor” as a deeper insult than the physical and psychological trauma of the war itself.
Peer Review: Though very well written, the research paper attempts to cover too broad a topic.
In some places, the stretch of the boundaries is apparent and can be seen by paragraph transition.
Expecting to read on one topic, for instance, the train of thought moves on to another. It’s
understandable because of the many different aspects of trauma that were war related. So it
would be better to focus on just one or two. One might, for instance, argue that suicide post war
was greater than during the actual conflict due to a “lost cause” post delayed stress syndrome,
caused by public indifference to the plight of the veteran, especially the losers.
Note also is the desertion discussion related to North Carolina and the letter to the governor
from Martha Coletrane. (4) In fact, the situation concerning desertions was far more complicated
due to the conflict between the Confederate states and the prevailing government in Richmond,
whereby the executive found itself in the crossfire of the local judicial system and the war
department. A more detailed explanation is in order to justify the trauma draftees faced in efforts
to evade combat as opposed to being on the front line itself. In other words, stress wasn’t always
directly related to physical and psychological wounds and it would be beneficial to compare the
two.
The observations by Whitman, although useful, leave the reader grasping at solutions to the
many complex issues raised throughout the essay such as suicide, disfiguration both physical and
mental, nightmares, inability to readapt to civilian life, or loss of friends and the shattering of
lives. Narrowing down the topic is the road to a better understanding of the actual trauma with
respect to a particular group; whether it be the amputees, those affected with recurring
nightmares, or the forgotten GIs on the homefront, to recommend a few. From that, an intuitive
understanding of the effects of the war on the soldier overall might better be achieved.
The usual grammar, punctuation and spelling errors are expected in the rough draft, the
bibliography is strong and the references in the text refer directly to them. Note also the title does
hint at a rather broad topic.
Source:
Salsman, E., The Evolution and Understanding of Soldier Trauma 1860-1890
