Civil War Letters

Civil War Letters

United States -- Texas -- Williamson County.
War (Civil War).

This lesson plan features an activity in which students will analyze Civil War letters as a primary source.

To view the file, click the thumbnail under the files heading.

The Williamson Museum

Civil War in Texas, Trunk Manual

PDF

English

Text

1. Student will gain an understanding of the hardships that families faced during the Civil War.
2. Students will understand that communication technology was limited during this time, and hand-written letters were the best way for families to keep connected.
3. Students will gain an understanding of the mortality rate during this war- the bloodiest in American history to-date.

Cream colored paper
Quill pens (angle-cut feathers)
Ink (diluted poster paint)
Actual War Letters and transcriptions (provided)
Primary Source Letter Analysis Worksheet (provided)

Introduction: During the Civil War, many families were torn apart. Cell phones and the internet were far from existence. The way that people kept in touch was through writing letters.

Lesson:
1. Students will read and discuss the provided war letters from individuals in Texas during the Civil War.
2. Students will analyze primary source letters and answer questions. They will identify three key details in the letter. The students will then work together in pairs to compare and contrast the content from the two primary source documents.
3. Student will imagine that they are a soldier fighting in the Civil War- far from their family and everything familiar.
4. Hand-write a letter to a loved-one using a quill pen and ink.
5. Tell them what you have experienced, seen and felt during the darkest time of America. Use the examples as a prompt.