Civil Wars Battle Project

Civil War Battles Project
You are to cover a battle of the Civil War from the perspective of a historian. You will be
asked to share your information with the class after some research. You will present it in
a PowerPoint on Friday.
Your PowerPoint must include:
A description of the major events of the battle in chronological order, including the
date and time of day the events happened
The generals and leaders of each army at the battle.
One or two photographs from Selected Civil War Photographs 1861 - 1865, an
archive of photos from the Library of Congress.
Include at least one map of the battle to explain the action to the class. You should
show starting troop positions, fortifications, physical features and landmarks, and
troop movements in the battle. The American Memory Collection also hosts
a Civil War Maps Collection. PBS also has a series of Civil War Maps.
What was the significance of this battle on the course of the War?
Be sure to include an eyewitness account, using a primary source such as a journal
of a soldier or general, newspaper report, etc.
Resources Links:
The following National Park Service site is good for basic facts about the battle
casualties,
campaign, etc.
http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/abpp/civil.htm
This National Park Service site gives you links to some of the battlegrounds that are now
national parks, which then have more information.
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/categrs/mili2.htm
This site has most of the battles presented in Flash animations. It will show movements
of troops and
key events of the battle. It also has buttons you can click for other information about the
battle.
http://civilwaranimated.com/
This site is good for finding primary sources, official military records, officers
reports, etc.http://www.civilwarhome.com/records.htm
The Library of Congress site is good for searching
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html
or there are special collections of maps:
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/civil_war_maps/
and an even better map site - Civil War Trust
and of photos:
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/cwphtml/cwphome.html
A good information source - Virtual Reference Center Type in the location of your
battle, ie. Vicksburg
More links than you should ever need can be found here on the American Civil War
Homepage. Battles are near the bottom of the very long page.
A major resource for your research will be Joyce Valenza's and Len Arlen's Webquest
Resources Page. Use their free links - the others belong to the school they work for.
Primary Resources can be found using the following page of links:
Teacher Oz's Civil War Page
Civil War Battles: An Investigation

Your assignment is to cover a battle of the Civil War from the perspective of a historian.
You will be
asked to share your information with the class after some research. You will present it
through a PowerPoint.
Have everything ready before class begins Friday, March 18. This assignment is worth
100 points.
You may choose among the following battles:
o First Manassas (Bull Run)
o Battles of Seven Days
o Second Manassas (Bull Run)
o Antietam
o Fredericksburg
o Chancellorsville
o Gettysburg
o Vicksburg
o Shiloh
o Chickamauga
o Chattanooga
o Wilderness
o Spotsylvania Courthouse
o Cold Harbor
o Cedar Creek
o Assault on Petersburg
Use the Resource page or visit Mr. Schneiders webpage to find resources.
Your presentation must answer these questions:
Why was this battle fought? Which campaign was it a part of? Who attacked first?
What was the
objective of the battle?
What was the significance of this battle on the course of the War? What were the
effects for both
sides after the battle?
And your presentation must include
Include at least one map of the battle that you will refer to often in order to explain
the action to the
class, or include a series of maps of the battle. This way people can see the battle take
place. You should show starting troop positions, fortifications, physical features and
landmarks, and troop movements in the battle. (The American Memory Collection hosts a
Civil War Maps Collection.)
A description of the major events of the battle in chronological order, including the
date and time of
day the events happened. (You do NOT need to list everything that happened, just the
major events)
The major generals and leaders of each army at the battle.
The total casualties for Union and Confederate forces at that battle.
At least two Civil War era photographs related to your battle or people involved in the
battle (from
Selected Civil War Photographs 1861-1865, an archive of photos from the Library of
Congress)
An eyewitness account, using a primary source such as a journal of a soldier or
general, an official military report, newspaper report, etc.
Sources of information must be cited for photographs and your information.
Best Websites (although there are many others)

For the upcoming project, one of the best resources is a new e-book we have, American
Civil War
Reference Library.
The following National Park Service site is good for basic facts about the battle
casualties,
campaign, etc.
http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/ABPP/BATTLES/bystate.htm
This National Park Service site gives you links to some of the battlegrounds that are now
national
parks, which then have more information.
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/categrs/mili2.htm
This site has most of the battles presented in Flash animations. It will show movements
of troops and
key events of the battle. It also has buttons you can click for other information about the
battle.
http://civilwaranimated.com/
This site is good for finding primary sources, official military records, officers reports, etc.
http://www.civilwarhome.com/records.htm
The Library of Congress site is good for searching
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html
or there are special collections of maps:
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/civil_war_maps/
and of photos:
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/cwphtml/cwphome.html
Civil War Battles: An Investigation
A description of the major events of the battle in
chronological order, including the date and time of day
the events happened
The generals and leaders of each army at the battle.
At least two photographs about the battle.
o Describe who was involved.
o Why and where it took place?
o Location
o Landscape of battle
o What was the result?
o Casualties?
o Winners?
o Losers?
o Did anyone important make a name for themselves in
this battle or die?
Include at least one map of the battle to explain the action
to the class. You should show starting troop positions,
fortifications, physical features and landmarks, and troop
movements in the battle.
Why was this battle fought? Which campaign was it a part
of?
Who attacked first? What was the objective of the battle?
What was the significance of this battle on the course of
the War?
Be sure to include an eyewitness account, using a primary
source such as a journal of a soldier or general,
newspaper report, etc.
Source of primary sources and historical information is
cited in a bibliography
Total Points ________ / 100

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Civil War Battles Project

Civil War Battles: An Investigation

Best Websites (although there are many others)

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