Project Overview:
Introduce students to the personal side of the Civil War through an engaging research and writing activity. In this project, students will step into the shoes of a real-life Civil War soldier, crafting a story based on historical photographs and biographical details. By writing a letter as a soldier, students will explore historical events, developing empathy and a deeper understanding of the human experiences during the war.
What is it?
This project combines research and creative writing. Students will select a photograph of a real-life Civil War soldier and use available biographical and service-related information to write a letter as if they were that soldier.
Outcome:
Students will produce a thoughtfully crafted letter that reflects the experiences and emotions of a Civil War soldier. This letter will reflect a student’s understanding of the historical context and demonstrate their ability to create personal narratives through writing.
Procedure:
Details coming soon
Background:
Letter writing was a crucial activity for soldiers during the Civil War, providing a vital connection to family and friends back home. This project draws inspiration from the historical significance of letter writing and the popular practice of soldiers having their portraits taken. The Library of Congress houses an extensive collection of these portraits, available in the public domain, offering a rich resource for this project.
Assignment Steps:
- Select a Soldier’s Portrait:
Choose a portrait from a curated list in the public domain at the Library of Congress. - Research Background Information:
Use the Library of Congress and other resources to gather biographical and service-related information about the chosen soldier. Consider details such as battles fought, injuries sustained, time spent as a prisoner, hospitalization, and other significant events. - Write the Letter:
Craft a letter as the soldier, addressed to a person of the student’s choosing (e.g., parents, siblings, spouse). The letter should reflect the soldier’s experiences, emotions, and historical context. - Create an Envelope:
Include an envelope with authentic Civil War-era graphics to enhance the historical authenticity of the project.
This project not only enriches students’ knowledge of the Civil War but also hones their research, writing, and critical thinking skills, making it a valuable addition to both Social Studies and English courses.
Sample student letters with audio recordings.
This project was a collaboration between Peter Serko and teacher Karen Stendahl, librarian Julie Jaffe, and 8th-grade social studies students at McMurray Middle School in Vashon, WA.
Assistant Surgeon Robert Mosely Huntington of Co. I, 6th Michigan Infantry Regiment and 73rd U.S. Colored Troops Infantry Regiment
Author/Reader: Bridget
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@LOC
Lieutenant Horatio J. David of Company B, 16th Georgia Infantry Regiment
On August 16, 1864, Horatio J. David lost his sight in one eye after an injury at Deep Bottom, Virginia.
Author/Reader: Willa
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Author/Reader: Soryn
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@LOC
Sergeant Albert H. Smith of Cos. M and D, 1st Vermont Volunteer Heavy Artillery Regiment
Wounded on June 6, 1864 at Cold Harbor, Virginia.
Author/Reader: Mia
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Author/Reader: Oliver
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@LOC
Elias Teeple of C Co., 11th Indiana Cavalry Regiment
Died of wounds on January 6, 1865
Author/Reader: Cameron
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@LOC
Musician Melvin A. Brown of Co. G, 122nd Illinois Infantry Regiment
Died of disease on March 3, 1863, at Corinth, Mississippi.
Author/Reader: Dillon
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@LOC
Pvt. William T. Carter (2nd from right in white collar) and group of 3rd Maryland Infantry
Author/Reader: Theo
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@LOC
Edwin Chamberlain of Company G, 11th New Hampshire Infantry Regiment
Edwin Chamberlain was born on January 27th, 1844, in Bath, New Hampshire. He enlisted as a corporal in the G Company of the 11th New Hampshire Infantry of the Union army on September 2nd, 1862 during the American Civil War.
The unit became the Second Brigade of the Second Division of the Ninth Army Corps, a designation it would retain throughout the war. On October 27th, the regiment left Pleasant Valley, and it arrived at Falmouth, Virginia, on November 19th. Somewhere between Falmouth and Fredericksburg, Chamberlain disappeared. He was reported to have deserted on November 26th, 1862.
Chamberlain had not, in fact, deserted. He had been captured, and would remain a Confederate prisoner until April of 1863. He was reported as “under arrest” and then absent again on April 11th. For the next year, through the changing handwriting of two copyists, he was reported as “absent sick” with persistent notes of an as-yet-uninvestigated deserter case.
Finally, on the Company Muster Roll for September and October of 1864 comes word of Chamberlain’s death. It was at Nelson General Hospital, the preceding January 23rd, of inflammation of the lungs.
“Charge of desertion removed,” states a notation from the War Department, issued four years later. “Was Prisoner of War from November 1862 to April 1863 and absent sick in Hospital from August 14, 1863 to date of death.”
Author/Reader: Brendan
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Corporal John D. Tanner of Co. F, 28th Virginia Infantry Regiment
Wounded on June 27, 1862, at Gaines’ Mill, Virginia, wounded and captured on July 3, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, captured on April 5, 1865, at Harper’s Farm, Virginia, and imprisoned on April 9, 1865, at Point Lookout, Maryland.
Author/Reader: Bailey
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Author/Reader: Sjoren
Thomas A. Martin, Co. E, 13th North Carolina Infantry Regiment
Enlisted in Co. E, 13th North Carolina Infantry Regiment in 1861 as a Corporal, was promoted to Sergeant in 1861, Lieutenant in 1862, Captain in 1862, and Major in 1865, and was wounded on July 1, 1863, at Gettysburg,
Author/Reader: Mabel
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