What happened to the Confederate soldiers at the end of the Civil War?

Answer 1

Most went back home to their impoverished families, struggled to survive Reconstruction and became good citizens. Many moved west to escape the drastic social changes of reconstruction while a few remained disgruntled and turned to crime. Perhaps the most notorious of those was Jesse James. He and his brother Frank joined forces with Cole Younger and his brothers to form a gang that was known as the James-Younger Gang. They traveled throughout much of the Midwest robbing banks and trains.

On Christmas Day 1868, President Johnson granted an unconditional pardon to all Confederates except high-ranking military and civil officials. In May 1872 the Congressional Amnesty Act gave the right to hold office again to almost all Southern leaders who had been excluded from public office by the 14th Amendment.

Answer 2

Most of the Confederate veterans returned home. Some moved west and some of the disgruntled veterans turned to crime. Perhaps one of the most famous of these criminals is Jesse James. He and his brother Frank joined forces with Cole Younger and his brothers to form the outlaw gang known as the James-Younger Gang. They robbed banks and trains throughout much of the Midwest.

On Christmas Day 1868, President Johnson granted an unconditional pardon to all Civil War participants except high-ranking military and civil officials. In May 1872 the Congressional Amnesty Act gave the right to hold office again to almost all Southern leaders who had been excluded from public office by the 14th Amendment.

Answer 3

Like any other common soldier, many went back to the work they had done before the war or took jobs utilizing the skills they had found in the army. Some continued service after the war, though with the Union Army. Former confederates who joined the Union Army were largely relegated to the Department of the West and became involved in the Indian wars. And yes, some were likely shot for being traitors.

Answer 4

It underwent a period called reconstruction while occupied by US Troops.

Answer 5

Those that survived went back home and continued on with their daily lives, but never forgot the bloodiest war in the history of the U.S. Even soldiers back then were traumatized.