One of the most popular forms of recreation for the troops during the Civil War was louse racing. Each soldier would put his favorite louse in the middle of a mess plate with the others, and the louse which reached the edge first would bring his owner fame and fortune. One infantryman insisted on using a single louse on a plate and timing the results, but he was disqualified when it was discovered that he was heating his plate to motivate his steed to move faster.
Although the combatants were often infested with the three main types of lice--head, body, and crab--the body lice were far more ubiquitous. Considering the fact that the troops wore wool uniforms which they often did not change for months, this phenomenon is not surprising.
Depending on the allegiance of the infected combatant, lice were known by a variety of names, such as bluebellies, rebels, tigers, Bragg's body-guard, Zouaves, graybacks, and just plain vermin. A soldier who killed lice was "fighting under the black flag." If he threw away his licey garments, he was "giving them a parole." If he wore his clothes inside out, he was "executing a flank movement."
One method of partial louse removal was to briefly suspend the infested garment in the flames of the campfire until the little fellows started popping like an Orville Redenbacher product. Another favorite technique was to boil the verminous garments in a stew pot when the cook was not using it.
Despite the companionship they provided, many soldiers did not welcome the lice due to the fact that their bites transmitted typhus.
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