CIvil War Journals
One of the reasons we teach Social Studies is to increase students' cultural literacy - also known as the ability for a person to understand another person's perspective. For this activity, students were asked to select a photograph from the Civil War, imagine that they were a person in this photograph, and then write a journal entry describing what was happening in the photo. It is amazing what students can learn by putting themselves in another person's shoes!
Ellis
Dear Mary,
The fields are scattered with my men, men who have fought for a nation where all men were created equal. We have come to dedicate a portion of this field as a final resting place for those who gave their lives that that nation might live. We cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today. Men and boys sacrificing their lives for the greater good should surely be given goodness back. These camps are without enough nurses to care for wounds, though they cannot repair the new minds of the soldiers after a battle. Men are broken, sorrow filled within them. I know this war has put grief over our family, but soon our sorrows will be lifted with the victory of this war. I know these men are fighting for their loved ones at home, but also for this nation.
Yours truly,
Abraham Lincoln
Dear Mary,
The fields are scattered with my men, men who have fought for a nation where all men were created equal. We have come to dedicate a portion of this field as a final resting place for those who gave their lives that that nation might live. We cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today. Men and boys sacrificing their lives for the greater good should surely be given goodness back. These camps are without enough nurses to care for wounds, though they cannot repair the new minds of the soldiers after a battle. Men are broken, sorrow filled within them. I know this war has put grief over our family, but soon our sorrows will be lifted with the victory of this war. I know these men are fighting for their loved ones at home, but also for this nation.
Yours truly,
Abraham Lincoln
Destiny
Dear journal
I am alive and I am running/limping for protection. A man with a bloody arm and a hole in his uniform is coming after me. I am surrounded by 4 men, aiming their muskets at me. I get down on my knees and I am now crying and pleading for my life. They are taking turns to put me to my death. A man with blonde hair and an evil grin steps up, aims the musket and shoots once at my leg, laughing at my agonizing pain. I feel a sharp pain and I am shaking, seeing stars. Another man aims his musket, ready to shoot. Just then I hear 4 shots go off, I look around and I see a man from my side, he saved me.. Me and this man named Franci are trying hard to get somewhere safe, he is helping me walk, my arm over his shoulder. Just as I thought things would get better Franci freezes. I look at him, I don’t see the problem, yet hes starting to slip out from under his feet. That’s when I notice he had been shot. One bloody stain on his uniform, area of the stomach. I start yelling “DON’T DIE ON ME NOW” . He is slightly breathing, I am dragging him through the pain, I see an area where we can hide for now. A rocky dry creek . I am making my way into the creek. Franci is groaning, I think he is trying to tell me som- ….
Dear journal
I am alive and I am running/limping for protection. A man with a bloody arm and a hole in his uniform is coming after me. I am surrounded by 4 men, aiming their muskets at me. I get down on my knees and I am now crying and pleading for my life. They are taking turns to put me to my death. A man with blonde hair and an evil grin steps up, aims the musket and shoots once at my leg, laughing at my agonizing pain. I feel a sharp pain and I am shaking, seeing stars. Another man aims his musket, ready to shoot. Just then I hear 4 shots go off, I look around and I see a man from my side, he saved me.. Me and this man named Franci are trying hard to get somewhere safe, he is helping me walk, my arm over his shoulder. Just as I thought things would get better Franci freezes. I look at him, I don’t see the problem, yet hes starting to slip out from under his feet. That’s when I notice he had been shot. One bloody stain on his uniform, area of the stomach. I start yelling “DON’T DIE ON ME NOW” . He is slightly breathing, I am dragging him through the pain, I see an area where we can hide for now. A rocky dry creek . I am making my way into the creek. Franci is groaning, I think he is trying to tell me som- ….
Jennifer S
All I could think of was my father. Yesterday was the last day I would ever see my father again. Last night, war had hit hard, many had died that day, but all I seemed to care for was the fact that my father had died. I can still picture his death. In my empty mind, all I keep on doing is replaying those moments in my head back and forth replaying his death. All I have left is Moose, but I can feel that soon I will die too. I know that I will die proud and get revenge for what they did to my father. I can still remember detail for detail. Him collapsing to the floor,and me running to his side. His last words “Make me proud, I love..” and then I saw his eyes shut, his pale face for all the lost of blood. I knew there was no hope for him living. Thats when I broke into tears, my father had just died in my own arms.The only thing that kept me fighting was knowing I had to make him proud, and that I had Moose by my side. The only good thing that happened that night was seeing the peace and worried less face on my fathers face. Knowing that he was in a better place now was all I could ask for. Moose is the last thing I have and I’m not willing to lose him too. I will fight till the night of day and until my day comes. Which I worry will be soon.
All I could think of was my father. Yesterday was the last day I would ever see my father again. Last night, war had hit hard, many had died that day, but all I seemed to care for was the fact that my father had died. I can still picture his death. In my empty mind, all I keep on doing is replaying those moments in my head back and forth replaying his death. All I have left is Moose, but I can feel that soon I will die too. I know that I will die proud and get revenge for what they did to my father. I can still remember detail for detail. Him collapsing to the floor,and me running to his side. His last words “Make me proud, I love..” and then I saw his eyes shut, his pale face for all the lost of blood. I knew there was no hope for him living. Thats when I broke into tears, my father had just died in my own arms.The only thing that kept me fighting was knowing I had to make him proud, and that I had Moose by my side. The only good thing that happened that night was seeing the peace and worried less face on my fathers face. Knowing that he was in a better place now was all I could ask for. Moose is the last thing I have and I’m not willing to lose him too. I will fight till the night of day and until my day comes. Which I worry will be soon.
Mario
I knew going in this war would result in my death, yet I did not fear it at all. Death was just an escape from a dream only to be awoken into a reality. I didn't mind dying for I had a simple life with no known relatives, friends, or a family of my own. I was alone in this world and came to this war to defend my home. Defend others who have a family and something worth living for. I at least wanted to die knowing that I tried defending my home and knowing that I didn't just die from old age or sickness. I wanted to gain honor in some way through here at least have my name heard for once in my lifetime. I took out many men with my rifle carefully breathing slowly each time I raised my rifle up to my shoulder and mounting it near my chest. Each time I would pull the trigger, another man would fall. The intense atmosphere around the battlegrounds made me just want to get up and run away from the scene, yet I stayed. The shivers sent to my spine as I saw one of my comrades falling to the ground after having been struck by a bullet was a shiver that made me cringe each time. The sound of bullets whizzing by my ear and the sound of men yelling, explosives going off gave me a headache which I didn't know how to contain, sometimes it hurt beyond anything and made me shout in agony. There were sounds that would give even the strongest of men nightmares, the sound of a man getting shot, the flesh ripping away and their blood spilling to the floor like a waterfall of blood. When you hear a man fall to the ground grasping his arm or leg in major pain as he releases a major scream, that of a lion whose cubs have died. It was a bright morning with fog all around the battlefield, it was time to charge in again, but this time was different, I rose up on my feet, aimed high but before I could pull the trigger. Blank, my vision was gone, a sudden burst of pain shot into me only to be gone in a matter of seconds. It was dark, this is when I sat and realized..my duty as a soldier was done.
I knew going in this war would result in my death, yet I did not fear it at all. Death was just an escape from a dream only to be awoken into a reality. I didn't mind dying for I had a simple life with no known relatives, friends, or a family of my own. I was alone in this world and came to this war to defend my home. Defend others who have a family and something worth living for. I at least wanted to die knowing that I tried defending my home and knowing that I didn't just die from old age or sickness. I wanted to gain honor in some way through here at least have my name heard for once in my lifetime. I took out many men with my rifle carefully breathing slowly each time I raised my rifle up to my shoulder and mounting it near my chest. Each time I would pull the trigger, another man would fall. The intense atmosphere around the battlegrounds made me just want to get up and run away from the scene, yet I stayed. The shivers sent to my spine as I saw one of my comrades falling to the ground after having been struck by a bullet was a shiver that made me cringe each time. The sound of bullets whizzing by my ear and the sound of men yelling, explosives going off gave me a headache which I didn't know how to contain, sometimes it hurt beyond anything and made me shout in agony. There were sounds that would give even the strongest of men nightmares, the sound of a man getting shot, the flesh ripping away and their blood spilling to the floor like a waterfall of blood. When you hear a man fall to the ground grasping his arm or leg in major pain as he releases a major scream, that of a lion whose cubs have died. It was a bright morning with fog all around the battlefield, it was time to charge in again, but this time was different, I rose up on my feet, aimed high but before I could pull the trigger. Blank, my vision was gone, a sudden burst of pain shot into me only to be gone in a matter of seconds. It was dark, this is when I sat and realized..my duty as a soldier was done.
Daniela F.
It’s been 2 rough years in the civil war, we barely have any food to eat, no supplies to use, and here just standing and getting our photo taken brings a lot of thoughts into my head. Such as: When will this end? How will it end? What do we need to do to keep surviving? Is this really what we came to? Everyone thought this would be just a silly war. It ended up being much more than just a silly war. At this point every time I hear a gunshot fire, I pray to whoever has lost their beating heart, their family, their future. Perhaps it was a father who died, or maybe a son, a brother, a grandpa who will no longer be able to be with their family, or live life. This world has no longer been the same these past years I have been alone with my two children, I’m right there with old rags ready for being washed. And who stands right next to me is my brother in law ready to get sent to war, where my husband Jackson is at. A lot of men have offered me to be a spy, I chose not to, I have many responsibilities here, although a lot of women have sacrificed themselves to be a spy, losing their children. I perhaps, am not capable of leaving my children. I made a promise to my husband telling him I’ll be here when everything is over with our children. Being a women is very challenging here, we don’t know what will happen next, I wake up every morning with a fear I won’t make it half the day, or I’ll get my husband's body delivered to me. But I stand strong for my children, show them the courage I have in me, make them notice I too have some, just like their father trying to survive this wicked war.
It’s been 2 rough years in the civil war, we barely have any food to eat, no supplies to use, and here just standing and getting our photo taken brings a lot of thoughts into my head. Such as: When will this end? How will it end? What do we need to do to keep surviving? Is this really what we came to? Everyone thought this would be just a silly war. It ended up being much more than just a silly war. At this point every time I hear a gunshot fire, I pray to whoever has lost their beating heart, their family, their future. Perhaps it was a father who died, or maybe a son, a brother, a grandpa who will no longer be able to be with their family, or live life. This world has no longer been the same these past years I have been alone with my two children, I’m right there with old rags ready for being washed. And who stands right next to me is my brother in law ready to get sent to war, where my husband Jackson is at. A lot of men have offered me to be a spy, I chose not to, I have many responsibilities here, although a lot of women have sacrificed themselves to be a spy, losing their children. I perhaps, am not capable of leaving my children. I made a promise to my husband telling him I’ll be here when everything is over with our children. Being a women is very challenging here, we don’t know what will happen next, I wake up every morning with a fear I won’t make it half the day, or I’ll get my husband's body delivered to me. But I stand strong for my children, show them the courage I have in me, make them notice I too have some, just like their father trying to survive this wicked war.
MC
I am here taking down the Manassas railroad. My general and the Union said we had to because we do not like the South Confederates. From all the walking and working I feel like I need to sit down and take a break. It looks as if there is nothing around us. I have not been home in a while. But I know that I am doing service for my people. This war is going to be won by the North. There is no doubt that we will lose. Today’s weather is just perfect not too hot or cold just perfect. I am so hungry I haven't eaten yet, I am craving a good sandwich with lots of pork and beef and some dried fruit. Now its time for some more work, we need to be done taking down this railroad before the people notice we are taking it apart.
I am here taking down the Manassas railroad. My general and the Union said we had to because we do not like the South Confederates. From all the walking and working I feel like I need to sit down and take a break. It looks as if there is nothing around us. I have not been home in a while. But I know that I am doing service for my people. This war is going to be won by the North. There is no doubt that we will lose. Today’s weather is just perfect not too hot or cold just perfect. I am so hungry I haven't eaten yet, I am craving a good sandwich with lots of pork and beef and some dried fruit. Now its time for some more work, we need to be done taking down this railroad before the people notice we are taking it apart.