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| The North & the South |
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Look at what one class created!
The Civil War began in 1861 after many years of conflict and growing tensions between the North and the South. Take a look at this website; these students from New York did a super job putting the Civil War into words you can understand. |
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| Charley Skedaddle |
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by Patricia Beatty
Charley Quinn is a twelve-year-old boy living in New York City and is part of a gang known as the Bowery Boys. His older brother, Johnny, had been part of this same gang and was killed at the Battle of Gettysburg. Charley idolized his older brother. As Charley is watching a parade he recognizes one of Johnny's "friends", Con Sullivan. Charley joins the parade and the men on their journey to Virginia. On the boat ride Jem Miller befriends Charley. Jem tells Charley that Con probably joined for the bounty money.
After reaching Virginia, Charley joins the 140th Regiment as a drummer boy. He learns dozens of drum beats to help the army communicate with the soldiers. After two months the Army of the Potomac plans to march through the Wilderness to a clear area. The Confederates surprise them in the Wilderness, however. The thick underbrush and trees separated the 140th. Charley helped bring them back together by his drum rolls. The 140th charged the enemy and Charley's drum was destroyed by a mine ball. Well, you have to read the book to find out what happens next! |
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| The 140th in Action! |
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The 140th New York
Go to this page to find out information about the 140th New York. Read about how many men were in the regiment and what they actually thought about themselves. A monument exists today honoring their sacrifices. Also, information about the Wilderness can be found here. |
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| Drummer Boys |
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Pvt. John W. Morgan
When Charley became a drummer boy, his life changes forever. At this site, you'll be able to compare characters from the novel with real participants in the Civil War. If you haven't read the book, it's an interesting place about kids your age and how they contributed during the Civil War. Could you have done it? |
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| "Skirmish in the Wilderness" by Winslow Homer |
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Then and Now
Countless descriptions of the Wilderness by the soldiers paint a picture of the difficulty in fighting there. View pictures and read descriptions of the Wilderness then and now. What do you find in the factual account of the battle that is also in the novel that would explain Charley's terror? |
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| The Boy's War |
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Sadly Young & Amazingly Brave
Read here to find out why this war is sometimes called the "Boy's War." You'll be amazed and saddened to read about some of these boys and their stories. |
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| Union Commander General Grant |
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Union General
Two generals make an appearance in the novel. Ulysses S. Grant was one of them. Read this page and find out what the "S" stood for; you'll be amazed! |
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| Confederate Commander General Lee |
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Confederate General
Robert E. Lee is also mentioned in the novel. This site gives biographical information about this famous American. |
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| Members of the 26th North Carolina Infantry Band |
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Northern & Southern
Music has always been an important part of American society and it was no different during the Civil War. Military bands were called upon to play at recruitment rallies and their patriotic marching tunes were sometimes a great incentive to inspire young men to enlist. When volunteer regiments were recruited, a regimental band was usually included as a part of that organization. |
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