Crossword Genius

Afflictions of soldiers, male, under canvas? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

torments

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'afflictions' is the definition.
(torment is a kind of affliction)

'soldiers male under canvas?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'soldiers' could be 'men' (I've seen this before) and 'men' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'torts' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for torments that I've seen before include "Agonies, anguishes" , "Treats cruelly" , "Plagues" , "Sortment of abuses" , "Distresses" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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