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CIVIL WAR ARKANSAS LESSON PLAN Using Where the Road Begins For Grades 9-12 By Nancy Dane 1 Lesson Plan using historical fiction novel Where the Road Begins Content Standard 5: Students shall analyze the cause and effects of the Civil War on Arkansas. SR.5.AH.9-12.1 Investigate the controversy leading to the secession of Arkansas (e.g., state leaders, cooperationists, Secession Convention, May 6, 1861) SR.5.AH.9-12.2 Define confederation and describe the weaknesses of the Confederacy SR.5.AH.9-12.3 Analyze how the Union and Confederate governments exerted powers to fight the war (e.g., draft, first income tax, wars recruitment) SR.5.AH.9-12.4 Compare and contrast the Confederacy to the government under the Articles of Confederation SR.5.AH.9-12.5 Analyze the contributions of noteworthy Arkansans during the Civil War period SR.5.AH.9-12.6 Explain the existence of dual governments in wartime Arkansas: Washington, Arkansas Little Rock, Arkansas SR.5.AH.9-12.7 Examine the major Civil War battlefields in and near Arkansas Overview: Where the Road Begins, a historical fiction novel, covers the first two years of the war in Arkansas. The novel is well researched and based on a documentary history, titled Tattered Glory, also compiled by the author. As the book begins, the protagonist, Elijah Loring, a youth of sixteen and the son of a happy and prosperous family, lives in the mountains of northern Johnson County. War abruptly halts this idyllic life as his father joins the Confederate Army, leaving Elijah behind to care for both farm and family. Shortly, however, Elijah is conscripted, dragged away bound and gagged, to spend much of the next two years fighting for the seldom victorious Confederate Army. The novel deals with problematic issuesboth political and personalin a state divided in loyalties, the river valley strongly Confederate, the mountain population often pro-Union. Throughout the book we are introduced to actual historical figures and learn the roles they played. Students will also learn that collapsed government is eventually replaced by marshal law, and with the appointment of local provost marshals, personal liberty is greatly restricted. The plight of civilians is a major theme. Woman, children, and old men are preyed upon by bushwhackers and foraging armies as starvation and torture become commonplace. The portrayal of such events is largely based on actual testimonies of Arkansans who survived the war. These testimonies are preserved for us in the Southern Claims Commission Files. The story features the battles of Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove as well as the military deprivations along the White River. Also portrayed is the fall of the Confederate fort at St. Charles where the explosion of the boiler on the steamship Mound City proved to be the deadliest single cannon shot of the war, purportedly killing one hundred and fifty men. By the conclusion of the novel, students will know the effect of the war on Arkansas, and perhaps even more importantly, the havoc typically wreaked on one family. 2 “With a quote from the official records, Nancy Dane starts a novel that reads like a lost dispatch from the Civil War. The book covers the fictional experiences of an Arkansas family during the war but could be straight from a genuine diary kept during the conflict.” – Tom Wing, Assistant Professor of History, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Read Chapters and discuss topics falling under Chapter descriptions below: (outline for further topics on pgs.4-6) Chapter 1: SR.5.AH.9-12.1 Investigate the controversy leading to the secession of Arkansas With glimpses of both town and rural life, chapter one gives insight into the prosperity and promise of pre-war Arkansas. It also reveals the pre-war sentiments in the state, including how in February 1861, the anti-secession candidates won by more than eight thousand votes (almost two to one). Chapter 2: SR.5.AH.9-12.1 Investigate the controversy leading to the secession of Arkansas Sentiments change as sister states begin to secede, eventually resulting in a stampede into the Confederate camp when President Lincoln raises an army to invade the seceding states. In Maywith only one opposing votethe state convention votes to secede. This chapter relates how from this point on, the state’s loyal Unionist become very guarded in voicing support for the Union. It also foreshadows the dire consequences this support often caused. Men begin volunteering for the Confederate Army. Local militias across the state organize into Confederate companies led by locally elected officers. Chapter 3: SR. 5 … effects of the Civil War on Arkansas. As men flock to service, women and children are left to fend for themselves, creating great hardship. The scarcity of men and of official law enforcement leaves the country vulnerable to roving bands of marauders who strike without warning, leaving death and destruction in their wake. Chapter 4: SR. 5 … effects of the Civil War on Arkansas In 1861 crops are bountiful but difficult for youths and women to harvest. This chapter gives insight into crops and methods of harvest and preservation common at this time, e.g. sorghum cane/molasses making. Also included is a typical social function, a quilt making. However, as communities begin to splinter over divided loyalties, normal social functions are greatly curtailed and the seeds of mistrust take firm root. Chapter 5: SR. 5 … effects of the Civil War on Arkansas Although the battle of Wilson’s Creek occurs in Missouri, it has a great effect on Arkansas. Many Arkansans are killed in this 1861 conflict, the first battle for most of them. Due to the success of the Confederates, many think the war won and drift from volunteer service back to their homes, greatly weakening the Confederate cause in Arkansas. 3 Chapter 6 SR.5.AH.9-12.3 Analyze how the Union and Confederate governments exerted powers to fight the war (e.g., draft, first income tax, wars recruitment) The influx of troops from other states into the Confederate Army in Arkansas swell the ranks. However, they also add strain on the coffers to arm, feed, and clothe them. Chapter 7: SR.5.AH.9-12.3 Analyze how the Union and Confederate governments exerted powers to fight the war (e.g., draft, first income tax, wars recruitment) As suspicion against Union supporters grows, the new Confederate government cracks down. Across the state men are arrested (and some hanged) for seditious activities. An underground pro-Union society springs to life known as The Peace Society. Chapter 8: SR.5.AH.9-12.2…. describe the weaknesses of the Confederacy With tightening commerce, hoarding begins. Some items become hard to procure and thieving increases. Infighting erodes unity in the state government. Chapter 9: SR.5.AH.9-12.3 Analyze how the Union and Confederate governments exerted powers to fight the war (e.g., draft, first income tax, wars recruitment) As Confederate ranks are depleted by expired enlistments and desertions, conscription begins. (The actual Conscription Act occurred at a later date, April 1862, but for story line Elijah is conscripted just before the battle of Pea Ridge) In order to halt desertions, severe measures are taken: deserters are flogged and shot. Chapter 10: SR.5.AH.9-12.5 Analyze the contributions of noteworthy Arkansans during the Civil War period The Confederate Army burns supplies stored in Fayetteville to prevent the advancing Union Army under General Samuel Curtis from obtaining them. Shamefully, as things get out of hand, the Confederate troops sack the town. Introduced are noteworthy Confederate leaders: Earl Van Dorn, Sterling Price, Ben McCulloch. Chapter 11: SR.5.AH.9-12.7 Examine the major Civil War battlefields in and near Arkansas. The battle of Pea Ridge (March 1862) is clearly and concisely portrayed through the eyes of Elijah, a common foot soldier. The fanaticism and failed strategy of General Van Dorn is debated, as well as the conduct of Indian troops led by Albert Pike who scalped Union troops on the battlefield. As the defeated Rebels flee, the wounded are transported to Little Rock. Chapter 12: SR.5.AH.9-12.5 Analyze the contributions of noteworthy Arkansans during the Civil War period When General Van Dornwithout warningleaves the state to cross the Mississippi, he takes vast numbers of troops and supplies, depleting Arkansas of essentials and leaving her vulnerable to the Union presence now in the state. Students are introduced to the new commander of the Trans-Mississippi, Thomas Hindman and his radical measures to hold the state for the Confederacy. 4 Chapter 13: SR.5.AH.9-12.5 Analyze the contributions of noteworthy Arkansans during the Civil War period General Hindman orders a scorched earth policyto destroy everything in the Union General Samuel Curtis’ path as he marches down the White River. As the fight extends to the fort at St. Charles, (June 1862) the deadliest single shot of the war occurs when the boiler on the Union boat the Mound City is struck by a cannonball and explodes. Chapter 14: SR.5.AH.9-12.2…. describe the weaknesses of the Confederacy As the Confederates fail to halt Curtis’ advance, the Union army becomes firmly entrenched at Helena. Little Rock fears a similar fate and hundreds flee the city. When Hindman’s policies are thought to have failed, a new general is sent to the state to command the Army of Trans-Mississippi, Major General Theophilus Holmes. He, however, unexpectedly leaves Hindman in command of Arkansas’ forces. Chapter 15: SR.5.AH.9-12.7 Examine the major Civil War battlefields in and near Arkansas Hindman retrenches the tattered army at Fort Smith, and much to everyone’s surprise, begins advancing toward Union forces now in North West Arkansas. The armies clash at Prairie Grove. The resulting battle (Dec. 1862) ends with Hindman’s army fleeing in the dead of night, retreating back toward Fort Smith. When a Union force occupies Van Buren, Hindman’s army flees again, toward Little Rock. Chapter 16: SR. 5 … effects of the Civil War on Arkansas Hundreds desert the fleeing army to return home. Elijah returns home to find devastation and hunger, the results of bushwhacking and theft. Chapter 17: SR.5.AH.9-12.5 Analyze the contributions of noteworthy Arkansans during the Civil War period Fort Hindman falls to the Union (Arkansas Post). The South suffers irreparable loss of valuable waterways on the Mississippi and the Arkansas River. General Hindman resigns, replaced by Kirby Smith. The Federals leave Fayetteville. Confederate Calvary commander General Marmaduke leads a raid into Missouri and procures much-needed supplies for the faltering Confederacy in Arkansas. Chapter 18-20: SR. 5 … effects of the Civil War on Arkansas Lawlessness continues to sweep the land. Conscripting begins again in earnest. Drought brings failed crops to Arkansas, increasing misery and hunger. The Confederate Army (as well as the civilian population) suffers greatly from lack of food and clothing. Chapter 21-22: SR.5.AH.9-12.6 Explain the existence of dual governments in wartime Arkansas. Little Rock falls as Union troops invade central Arkansas. Foraging armiesboth Union and Confederatecommandeer supplies from people already desperate and suffering. 5 TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION AND ACTIVITIES: I. Events leading to Civil War in Arkansas A. Discussion Topics 1. Issues leading to secession a. States Rights (Right of individual state to determine as much as possible its laws and government) b. Slavery 2. The effect of demographics on loyalties a. Plantation life vs. mountain life 1. Cotton producers needed slave labor and rivers to transport goods 2. Mountain people independent by nature 3. Shift of Loyalties a. February elections 1861 show majority pro Union, yet by May the state had seceded. b. Cooperationists: opponents of immediate secession, urging delay until a given number of states had agreed to secede as a bloc 4. Reasons for shift a. Sister states had seceded b. President Lincoln called for a 75,000 man volunteer army to subdue the South, angering Arkansans 5. May 1861 Arkansans voted to leave the Union B. Narrative/ Writing Exercise 1. Have students write an essay explaining which way they would have voted in 1861 election (for or against secession candidates) and why 2. Have students describe what issue they think was main cause of war C. Activities 1. Have a debate on States rights vs. Federal Powers. 2. Hold a mock election II. WAR A. Discussion Topics 1. Major Battles and outcomes a. Pea Ridge b. Prairie Grove c. Arkansas Post 2. Major military leaders a. Earl Van DornConfederate b. Samuel CurtisUnion c. Sterling PriceConfederate d. Thomas HindmanConfederate e. John MarmadukeConfederate f. Albert PikeConfederate g. Francis HerronUnion 6 3. Conscription a. Men hide out to avoid mandatory conscription b. Punishment for trying to avoid service 4. Plight of civilians a. Preyed on by bushwhackers b. Food taken by foraging armies c. People tortured to discover hidden valuables d. Crops and survival dependant on women and children e. Hunger and deprivation 5. Indians fight on both sides 6. Control of areas changed hands many times (Union or Confederate) a. Confederate capital eventually moves to Washington Arkansas b. Union capital from Helena to Little Rock B. Narrative/Writing Exercise 1. Have students discuss what they might have done to prevent someone stealing their food. 2. Discuss or write essay on what happens when law and order breaks down. C. Activities 1. Make cornpone, or give students recipe to try at home (eaten by Southern soldier and civilian) recipe: 2 parts cornmeal, 1 part boiling water, salt to taste, stir well, scoop 1 Tablespoonful into hand and pat into a cake, and fry in hot oil, turn over to brown both sides. D. Narrative/Writing Exercise 1. Have student write an essay on what they think it would be like in the United States today if the Confederacy had won the war. 2. Have students discuss or write an essay answering this question; Could our society today to go from affluent to destitute in three years? Why or why not? E. Activities 1. Watch one of the following movies a. The Blue and the Gray b. Gods and Generals c. Friendly Persuasion d. Shenandoah 2. Have student interview a person from the North, a person from the South, and an African American and ask each this question; “Do you feel the Civil War has any relevance to you today?” Have student record each response for class discussion. Where the Road Begins, Tattered Glory, and A Difference of Opinion may be purchased at www.nancydane.com 7