Every soldier here had his own reason to fight at Arkansas Post. Many Confederates were outraged that Federal soldiers had invaded Southern states, did not want distant Washington politicians to change Southern customs, laws, or property rights, including slave property, and believed independence from the United States was worth risking their lives for. They also endured disease, bad food, too few guns and tools, and shortages so severe that many were barefoot and lacked coats. Despite overwhelming odds, they were seen by one Union soldier as overpowered, not conquered. Many Union soldiers fought to keep the states united, while some wanted to end slavery, others enlisted for cash recruitment bonuses, and still others saw service as a patriotic duty. Their mission here was brutal, as both raw recruits and General Sherman's seasoned soldiers marched all night through woods and swamps, dropping asleep on the cold, wet ground at every halt. Though better equipped, Union troops suffered many more casualties at Arkansas Post than the Confederate defenders.