b) Writing and performing theatrical plays

During their downtime in camp, many soldiers on both sides of the Civil War engaged in the peculiar hobby of writing and performing theatrical plays. This activity served as a form of entertainment and escapism from the hardships of war. It also fostered camaraderie and morale among the troops. The soldiers’ involvement in theater reflects the human need for creative expression and the importance of finding ways to cope with the stresses of military life during one of the most tumultuous periods in American history.