Porchside Memories

This photo of John L. Burns gives a very interesting look into the lives of soldiers after the end of the Civil War. Burns is sitting outside of his home, rifle at one hand, and crutches at the other. By the look in his eyes, you can tell that Burns still carries the war with him. It does not say how long after his service this photo was taken, but it is enough to say that even though he was done fighting, the war was not over for John L. Burns. He has an a haunted look in his eyes, likely remember the terror and hardships suffered while the United States tore itself apart. Researchers have found that, like in all wars, soldiers returning home from the Civil War suffered from “greater risk for heart, stomach, and nervous illnesses decades after the war” (Levin). Men were determined to suffer from severe stress if they were injured, imprisoned, or suffered heavy losses in their company. John L. Burns appears to be one of these men. Burns is a middle aged man, and it is equally possible that he was an officer, therefore being older than most, or that the war was a long time ago. 

http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/41/8/2