With the secession of Southern states came the spread of war fever among the patriotic and politically active men of the North and South alike. Leaving their homes and loved ones for the hardships, suffering, devastation, and bloodshed for the years to come, one must wonder how the departures were for each family before they were sent off to war. In the few weeks leading up to the war, there would be secession balls, gala balls and presentation sword ceremonies held in order to celebrate the both the North and South’s new nationhood and honor the men who would soon be going to war. These balls and ceremonies ranged from being hosted by the President himself to local mayors, however served both to unite the people of the new formed nations of the North and South under a common cause to fight each other and a psychological way to motivate current soldiers to do well in battle and to recruit new ones. Many of these gala balls were to motivate and reward soldiers for their victories. In a way it is similar to a system of rewards on the broadest sense, but it has shown that it was effective and uplifting for the battles. The young men of the North were prepared to fight for the Union, while the Southerners were rushing to arms to defend their homeland. After the balls and celebrations were over however, ahead lay the ravages of war. Departure was difficult, but ahead awaited glory, honor, and the fortunes of war.

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