The book “For the Cause and the Comrades” is a journey to understand why the soldiers of the Civil War fought, why they fought with so much passion and why they fought for a long period of time. Men brandished guns against other men they had known all their lives. McPherson's main source of evidence was the numerous letters from soldiers writing home. One of the many significant influences was the way men fought to prove their masculinity and courage. Fighting would prove that they were a man for their community and their country. Fighting was also a duty to their family. Ideology was also a major motivator; each side thought they were fighting for their freedom. Soldiers' reputations were made and broken on the battlefield, where the men who demonstrated the most courage were the most honored. Religion also played an important role because the Second Great Awakening had just occurred. Their religion allowed men who considered themselves saved not to fear death: “Religion was the only thing that kept this soldier going; even in the trenches…” (McPherson, p. 76) R...