“Charcoal scribblings of the most rascally character”: conflict, identity, and testimony in American Civil War graffiti

What is it about?

Graffiti written by soldiers during the American Civil War (1861-1865) survive at more than 60 sites, predominantly in Virginia, including churches, court houses, caves, and houses. Although often terse and fragmentary, they provide an intriguing insight into soldiers’ experiences. This essay offers a tentative framework for analyzing how the graffiti functioned: as informal commemoration of wartime experiences; as a social activity, displaying the loyalties, frustrations, and humor of army life; and as an invasive act, vandalizing southern property.

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Why is it important?

The graffiti have received little attention in the historiography of the Civil War, and there is, as yet, no comprehensive central record. This is unfortunate because they have untapped potential as source material for the conflict. Graffiti are a distinctively different genre to letters or diaries and they have potential to supplement these more traditional sources rather than simply reflect them. During the last decade, more emphasis has been given to alternative sources for Civil War soldiers’ experiences such as court martial records and regimental newspapers. There is potential for the soldiers’ graffiti to be used in a similar way.