Final answer:
We have learned about first-hand experiences of soldiers during the Civil War through primary source documents, personal letters, and coded communications like those created by code talkers, as well as rapid innovations like the telegraph which transmitted news and personal accounts quickly.
Step-by-step explanation:
We have learned about soldiers' first-hand experiences during the Civil War through various means including primary source documents, letters, and the grape-vine telegraph. For instance, Jacob Stroyer's narrative, "My Experience in the Civil War," provides personal insights into the life of slaves and soldiers. Soldiers shared their experiences in letters, as seen in the accounts of black Union soldiers serving in the 55th Massachusetts. Additionally, the use of coded messages during wars, such as those sent by Choctaw and Navajo code talkers in World Wars I and II, respectively, were crucial in transmitting secure and efficient communications on the battlefield and provide another perspective on the experiences of soldiers during conflict periods.
The electric telegraph and Morse code, innovations of the pre-Civil War era by Samuel Morse, also played a significant role in war-time communication, influencing how news and battlefield updates were conveyed and, subsequently, how history was recorded. Communication advancements developed during the Civil War era made it possible to better understand the soldiers' experiences through the immediate sharing of news and personal correspondences.
The dissemination of information via the telegraph profoundly affected both military strategy and public awareness of the war, including the sentiments and aspirations of African Americans regarding freedom and the progress of the war, as noted in their deeply kept discussions and anticipation of news.