---
title: Young Confederate Soldier
author: Unknown Photographer
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20914/young-confederate-soldier/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2026-03-24
---
# Young Confederate Soldier
_Authored by Unknown Photographer_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20914.jpg)
## Image Caption
Unidentified young Confederate soldier, c. 1861-1865.
All told, it is estimated that more than 250,000 boys under the age of 18 served in some capacity in both the Union and Confederate armies during the [American Civil War](https://www.worldhistory.org/American_Civil_War/). Although technically in violation of recruitment rules, young men were able to enter by fabricating their age, something which recruiters increasingly turned a blind eye to as the desperate need for able bodies rose as the [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) dragged on.
Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Photographer, U. (2025, August 29). Young Confederate Soldier. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Photographer, Unknown. "Young Confederate Soldier." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 29, 2025. .
### MLA
Photographer, Unknown. "Young Confederate Soldier." *World History Encyclopedia*, 29 Aug 2025, .
## License & Copyright
The public domain content above is from the [Library of Congress](http://www.loc.gov/). You can copy it freely. [Original image](https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2010650231/) by [**Unknown Photographer**](https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2010650231/). Submitted by [Zachary Kay](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/zacharykay/ "User Page: Zachary Kay"), published on 29 August 2025. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.