What did they use the knives for in the civil war?

Knives were used in most of the same ways they are used today. One thing that was much different in the mid-19th century was that the knife and spoon were the main eating utensils. The fork was rarely used for eating. Knives attached to rifle barrels (called bayonets) were used to attack the enemy. Knives were used to skin and cut up meat, to help dig foxholes and trenches, and many other routine duties.