private an enlisted man of the two lowest ranks in the U.S. Army.
corporal the lowest-ranking noncommissioned officer, just below a sergeant.
omen a thing or happening supposed to foretell a future event, either good or evil; augury.
returning with his shield or on it a reference to the ancient Greek idea that the only honorable way to return from battle is to be holding your shield or to be carried back on it .
a shirking child a child who neglects an obligation.
pickets soldiers stationed at an outpost to guard the troops from surprise attack.
Yank a Yankee, a Union soldier.
Huns a warlike Asiatic people who, led by Attila and others, invaded eastern and central Europe in the fourth and fifth century A.D.; here, a reference to the rebel forces made by veteran Union soldiers to frighten the new recruits.
haversack a canvas bag for carrying rations, generally worn over one shoulder.
Richmond the capital of Virginia and of the Confederacy.
Johnnies Confederate soldiers.
fresh fish a derogatory term for new soldiers.
Regiment a military unit consisting of two or more battalions and forming a basic element of a division. (U.S. Army A battalion is a tactical unit made up of three or more companies, batteries, or analogous units: it is normally commanded by a lieutenant colonel and is the basic building unit of a division. Mil. A division is an army unit larger than a regiment and smaller than a corps, to which various numbers and types of battalions can be attached as required.)
