The mindset of many of the men prior to enlistment was presented in the early stages of the book. More specifically it depicts the mentality of Americans during the first Rage Miliraire which began in April and ended in May 1861. This patriotic furor spread like wildfire throughout the north and south following the attack at Fort Sumter. This excitement while increasing patriotism also increased the resentment that the opposite sides felt for one another. Regardless of the resentment many Union and Confederates agreed upon one thing, that it was their duty to ght for their country. Other motives of enlistment were also presented in this chapter, such as the idea of fighting for self honor and glory associated with the adventure of war. In fact some historians question whether soldiers' clairn of patriotism was simply a means of \"masking\" their true motive of \"personnel glory\". Regardless of these soldiers' initial motives for enlistJnent it was the sustaining and combat motives that were Duly tested, as many soldiers' sentirnents towards war quickly changed as the deadly reality sank in