A term applied to the Northern armies and soldiers in the civil war, as being supporters of the Federal government.
1842. The term “the Federal army,” as well as “the American army,” was applied by Mr. Black of Georgia to the army of the U.S., in the House of Representatives, May 24: Cong. Globe, p. 418, App.
1861. A sad disaster to the Federal army.—O. W. Holmes, ‘Pages from an Old Volume of Life’ (1891), p. 2. (N.E.D.)
1870. Two grand campaigns were now again clearly developed by the Federals.—A. H. Stephens, ‘History of the War,’ ii. 582. (N.E.D.)
