A person who fought for the South during the American Civil War. They had several nicknames in addition to Confederates, which was their official title, as well as their new "nation". Other nicknames include
Grayback,
Secesh, Traitor, and Rebel.
The total number of Confederate soldiers who served during the War of Southern Aggression is not exact, but it said to be somewhere around 750,000 men. They were usually seen wearing four different kinds of uniforms: gray wool standard, butternut-brown dyed (uniforms captured from Union dead, and then converted), colorful French-styled "
Zouave", and finally (and practically) little or no uniform. Over half of the Confederates and their respective government were too poor to afford full standard uniforms for even the majority of there soldiers, so they would wear regular civilian clothing mixed with various pieces of Confederate uniform (hats, trousers, etc.) along with their ammunition belts and other gear.
These Southern soldiers were exceptionally brave and more well-trained with guns; a great number of their commanders, from regiments to corps, were very talented in military strategy and were far beyond competent. Many of the Southerners had colorful, dashing personalities and attitudes. They also knew the land of which they would be defending on throughout most of the Civil War.
However, they didn't have certain qualities that Northerners and
Midwesterners fighting for the Union did. These include powerful
industrial strength, a population nearly four times greater, a majority of those same people with unflinching determination, many different kinds of uniforms (including some better looking ones), and easy access to munitions,
leather goods, and railroad transportation. In addition, the Unionists also had great courageousness, even if they lacked the flashy and
colorful personality traits of the Southerners. Furthermore, the Unionists in the lower Midwest (Missouri, Kentucky,
southern Indiana) and in Pennsylvania and Maryland also knew the ground that they would have to defend a few times during the War. Overall, though, the Confederates had some of the best soldiers that the world has ever seen.
Now many southerners today are obsessed with this war, these belligerents, and the rebellion in general. Many of them are trying to find out if they had Confederate ancestors who fought in the war. Now there are a lot of
southern girls who are militantly Confederate as well, even more than the women back then.
Rebel flag apparel is popular with all of them today.