Process
Working with your partner, decide who will join which side; Union or Confederate.
Background
Choose 3 civil war battles from the following list (you do not have to choose the same battle):
- July 1861 - First battle of Bull Run (photos)
- September 1862 - Antietam (photos)
- July 1863 - Gettysburg (photos)
- 1864 - Siege of Petersberg (photos)
Use the links to research each battle, note pertinent information such as the generals involved, their strategies, army field positions, the timeline of events, eventual out come and casualty information.
Examine these letters written by Tilton C. Reynolds and his compatriots to get an idea about the style of writing you should aim to reproduce. When selecting a letter, look for the View Text link to read a transcribed version.
Assessment
You will write 3 letters.
For each battle selected, write a letter to your mother about the battle you participated in. The letter should represent your personal viewpoint during and after the battle and contain not only historical details, but also your emotional response. Feel free to be creative whilst working within the historical constraints of the actual battle.
Resources
Photo: [Beaufort, S.C. 50th Pennsylvania Infantry in parade formation] Reference: Civil War photographs, 1861-1865 / compiled by Hirst D.
Milhollen and Donald H. Mugridge, Washington, D.C. : Library of
Congress, 1977. No. 0582