American Civil War period As pacifists, the Shakers did not believe that it was acceptable to kill or harm others, even in time of war. During the American Civil War, both Union and Confederate soldiers found their way to the Shaker communities. Shakers tended to sympathize with the Union but they did feed and care for both Union and Confederate soldiers. President Lincoln exempted Shaker males from military service, and they became some of the first conscientious objectors in American history.
american civil war period as pacifists the shakers did not believe that it was acceptable to kill or harm others even in time of war during the american civil war both union and confederate soldiers found their way to the shaker communities shakers tended to sympathize with the union but they did feed and care for both union and confederate soldiers president lincoln exempted shaker males from military service and they became some of the first conscientious objectors in american history