26CSS Shenandoah
During the American Civil War, when a Confederate ship was harbored in Australia for repairs, around 18 Confederates soldiers deserted to Australia and 42 Australians joined as stowaways, effectively becoming Confederates until the end of the Civil War.
27. During the American Civil War, both sides employed logs that were carved, painted, and mounted to look like cannons at a distance. This gave the impression that a fort or strong point was better armed than it actually was. They were called "Quaker Cannons" and repeatedly proved effective.
28. During the US Civil War, General Sherman implemented the scorched earth policy by having his men pile all deed books in front of the courthouse and burn them. His logic was that consequently the big plantations would not be able to prove land ownership.
29. During the American Civil War, the Confederates actually had a militia unit that was almost entirely made up of free persons of color called the 1st Louisiana Native Guard. The militia unit was the first of any in North America to employ African-American officers, even predating the Union.
30. During the American Civil War, generals would deliberately expose themselves to enemy fire to show off their courage and to lead by example. Union general Kearny rode right next to confederate lines, saying "The Rebel bullet that can kill me has not yet been molded." Shortly after he was shot and killed.
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31Union Dixie
During the American Civil War, the Union troops came up with their own version of Dixieland called Union Dixie telling the story of how they felt about their southern counterparts.
32. During the American Civil War, soldiers patrolling the Rappahannock River engaged in a Christmas truce once. On that day in 1862, greetings were shouted back and forth, and supplies were exchanged via toy boats. Northern coffee, sugar, and pork was exchanged for Southern corn, tobacco, and persimmons.
33. During the American Civil War, it was common for soldiers on opposing sides to have musical duels the night before a battle.
34. During the American Civil War, maple syrup was advertised as a socially responsible alternative to slave-produced cane sugar.
35. During the American Civil War, the Catholic Pope almost gave the Confederacy diplomatic recognition. US government was so upset that it did not send an ambassador to the Vatican until 1984.
