Letters from the Past

Grade Levels: 3 - 5

Overview

Students explore an online resource and read authentic letters from a Civil War soldier.

Objective

Students will have access to a primary source of historical documentation so that they can become aware of the experiences and feelings of a Civil War soldier.

Materials

• Access to the Website Letters from an Iowa Soldier in the Civil War, for March 9 and April 9, 1863.

Procedure

1. To preview the site, go to the Letters from an Iowa Soldier in the Civil War home page. Scroll down the page and click Table of Contents of the Letters. Then click the two letters from March 9 and April 9, 1863. Print enough copies of each for individual students or groups of students.
2. Take students to the Letters from an Iowa Soldier in the Civil War home page, and have them read (or read with them) the background information on Newton Scott's letters. Click Table of Contents of the Letters. Then scroll to the description of the April 9, 1863 letter. Click to display its image so students may view it as a primary source in its original form.
3. Distribute the copies of the letters you printed and have students read them to themselves.
4. Go over Scott's "inventive" spelling ("we have Bin" and "narrest Channels"), archaic terms ("Ere" for when or whenever) and jargon ("Secsh" and "Secesh" for secessionist).
5. Have students form pairs or small groups and have them write a letter from Scott's fellow soldier E. F. Knight to his family back home. They should date it and write it in the friendly style.
6. Instruct students to find the reference to Knight's condition in the April 9 letter and remind them that Knight's other experiences were probably similar to Scott's. Have students brainstorm events to relate in their letters.
7. Ask students to write their letters collaboratively or individually.
8. When students have finished writing, ask for volunteers to read their letters aloud to the class.

Home Connection

Have students talk with family members about any family connections or experiences with war. Have them find out if there are any letters, pictures, or other memorabilia that the family has saved from wartime experiences. Have students report their findings to the class.

Extension

Have students go back to the Letters from an Iowa Soldier in the Civil War home page and read the rest of the letters that Newton Scott wrote to Hannah. Have them look for references to his feelings and report times they think he was most afraid, lonely, happy or unhappy.