The Life of a Civil War Soldier – Pre-site Activity 2
Educator and Interpreter Led

Grade Level: Fourth Grade
Time to Complete: 45 mins.
Title of Lesson: Writing a Soldier’s Letter

South Carolina Curriculum Standards Addressed:
• 4.1.15 – Compare and contrast the ways of life in the North and South.
• 4.1.18 – Describe the Civil War and its effects on the nation.
• 4.5.5 – Describe how American citizens can participate in their government to influence the decisions and actions of that government.

Lesson Description:
This activity is deigned to help the student better understand the average soldier in the Civil War through writing a letter as if they were a recruit preparing to leave for the army. A number of actual Civil War soldiers letters will be read to the class to help them get the feel for the emotions of the participants. These letters should included what the student expects to find when he/she gets to the training depot (the park.) The student will write a letter to a family member, or a friend, telling them that they have enlisted in the army and explaining what they expect from the experience. This activity may be best used as a homework assignment.

Materials / Resources Provided:
• A sample letter will be provided to help the students develop their own.

Focus Questions:
1. Discuss the similarities of a young person joining either army in the Civil War.
2. Why did so many young men readily volunteer for service from both sides?
3. Was it unusual for young boys to join the army during the Civil War, and how did this effect the areas they came from?