The Civil War
Current Unit of Study: The American Civil War
(Students as Civil War soldiers.)
Students dressed up as Civil War soldiers and weighed themselves with all of the gear on to get a tiny glimpse of what a soldier would have experienced in the 1860s. As you view these 8th graders keep in mind that Monday is Memorial Day. We remember those who sacrificed their lives for our country. Seeing our students wearing the uniforms of soldiers who are no longer living but fought in our country's deadliest war brings home the true meaning of Memorial Day: the idea that our freedoms and comforts were gained through the tremendous efforts and at the expense of lives lost through our military. Below is the United States flag during the years of 1861 - 1863, representing the United States during the Civil War.
Civil War.pdfWho were Civil War soldiers?
The average Civil War soldier was not much different than many of your teenage children: He (or she--yes, some women sneaked in the army to serve) stood: 5'8" tall, weighed 145 lbs., and was between the ages of 18 - 29 years old. Most were farmers and 80% of the soldiers were literate. The people in both armies had much in common as the above was true for Union and Confederate soldiers.
This Civil War soldier is ready for battle, eager to contribute to the efforts of his side.
This soldier is a proud recruit, willing to meet the needs of his regiment, and do whatever is necessary.
This soldier is intense and means business; he must be taken seriously, destined for a leadership role.
This soldier is a veteran and wields his weapon with confidence, a survivor of many battles.
This soldier is young and athletic, unafraid of what lies ahead, and yearns for glory on the battlefield.
Ladies of the 1800s
To wear authentic clothing from the Civil War era, some young ladies volunteered to try on the many garments worn--from the cloak to the corset!
While the blue clogs (worn at top left) were authentic, the red sneakers (at top right) were not. Our lady volunteers alternated which 1800s-era clothing items they wore so we could get the full picture of female garments, but also maximize participation.
End of the Civil War and Reconstruction
