Definition

Noun: A federal soldier was a member of the Union Army, the land force that fought for the United States (the Union) against the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War (1861-1865).

Usage

The term is used specifically in the historical context of the American Civil War to refer to an individual soldier who served in the Union forces. * The federal soldier marched through the southern town. * Letters written by a federal soldier provide insight into life during the war. * The monument honors the federal soldier.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used attributively (like an adjective) to describe things related to these troops.
  • We examined a federal soldier's uniform from 1863.
  • The museum has a collection of federal soldier diaries.

Variants and Related Words

• Federal: (adj.) Of or relating to the central government of the United States (the Union) during the Civil War. Often used to describe Union forces or property (e.g., federal troops, federal army).
• Union soldier: A direct synonym for federal soldier.
• Yankee: (n.) An informal, and sometimes derogatory, term for a federal soldier or a Northerner, used chiefly by Confederates.
• Billy Yank: (n.) A colloquial personification for a federal soldier, analogous to "Johnny Reb" for a Confederate soldier.

Synonyms

Union soldier, U.S. soldier, Unionist (in a military context), Yankee (historical/informal)

Antonyms

Confederate soldier, rebel soldier, Johnny Reb (historical/informal)

Related Phrases/Idioms

• In (the) federal blue: Referring to the distinctive blue uniforms worn by federal soldiers.
  • The advancing line was a sea of federal blue.
• To wear the blue: To serve as a federal soldier.
  • His grandfather wore the blue under General Grant.

Noun

1. a member of the Union Army during the American Civil War