The average Union private in the American Civil War carried about this much weight while on the march
- 25 pounds
- 50 pounds
- 75 pounds
- 100 pounds
50 pounds. Since the average Union soldier was 5 foot 8 inches tall and weighed about 144 pounds, which was a significant burden, but relatively light compared to the 110 pounds American soldiers carry today.
Today in History: Born on December 13
1585
William Drummond, Scottish poet.
1797
Heinrich Heine, German poet, satirist and journalist.
1818
Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of President Abraham Lincoln.
1835
Phillips Brooks, Episcopal clergyman who wrote the lyrics for "O Little Town of Bethlehem."
1838
Alexis Millardet, botanist who developed the first successful fungicide.
1890
Marc Connelly, playwright, actor, director and journalist (The Green Pastures).
1911
Kenneth Patchen, American poet and author (Before the Brave, Hurrah for Anything).
1923
Phillip Anderson, physicist.
1923
Sir Terence Beckett, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry (1980–1987).
1925
Dick Van Dyke, actor, singer, producer; (The Dick Van Dyke TV series, Mary Poppins).
1934
Richard D. Zanuck, film producer; won Academy Award for Best Picture in 1989 (Driving Miss Daisy).
1948
Jeff Baxter, musician with Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers bands.
1948
Ted Nugent, singer, songwriter, musician, actor.
1954
John Anderson, country singer, musician.
1967
Jamie Foxx, actor, singer.
1989
Taylor Swift, multiple award-winning crossover country singer, actress; youngest-ever Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year and youngest artist ever to win an Album of the Year Grammy.