"For many young soldiers, the war was their first time away from. Military drilling was tiring, and what started out to be an adventure, soon became the horrors of war. When the Civil War soldier was in camp for weeks or months, he would pass the time by writing letters home, reading, smoking, or perhaps playing games with his friends or "pards". Gambling and Dominoes were popular. A game called "The Checkered Game of Life" was very popular with the soldiers. It was invented and developed by a gentleman whose name was Milton Bradley."

Part of a Civil War exhibit at Greenfield Village in Michigan during the Civil War Remembrance event.

~ harui