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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Fought for the Confederacy?

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Did the Confederate Army really consist of southern volunteers? Using primary sources, historians examine the story behind the "Twenty Negro Law" and realities of conscription during the Civil War. A letter and a lithograph (included as...
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Website
Civil War Home

Home of the American Civil War: Armies of the Confederate States in the Civil War

For Students 9th - 10th
An extensive list of the armies of the Confederacy. Click on the link to find who made up each army and the primary commander. From "The Photographic History of the Civil War."
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Primary
Civil War Home

Home of the American Civil War: Mc Dowell's Advance to Bull Run

For Students 9th - 10th
Details written by James B. Fry, an adjutant to McDowell, describe McDowell's advance and the Union Army's attack and subsequent retreat at the First Battle of Bull Run. From "Battles and Leaders of the Civil War" by Ned Bradford.
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Primary
University of Groningen

American History: Essays: Black Lost Cause. Colored Service in Confederate Army

For Students 9th - 10th
This well-researched extensive essay by Peter Stam looks at the issue of the number of African Americans serving in the Confederate Army as soldiers. By examining information from many historians, some of whom turn out to be unreliable,...
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Handout
Son of the South

Son of the South: Confederate Generals

For Students 9th - 10th
Presents biographies and resources for a large group of Confederate generals.
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Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System

For Students 9th - 10th
The place to go for information on the soldiers and sailors who served during the Civil War in both the Confederate and Union military. Use the searchable database to locate basic information about the 6.3 million men who served on both...
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eBook
University of North Carolina

Documenting the South: George E. Pickett: The Heart of a Soldier

For Students 9th - 10th
At this site from the University of North Carolina, you can read letters written by George E. Pickett (1825-1875), a Confederate soldier. Originally published in 1913, this book provides George E. Pickett's correspondence with his wife,...
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Website
University of North Carolina

University of North Carolina: The Civil War Day by Day

For Students 9th - 10th
These primary sources offer a glimpse into the mentality of those living in the South during the Civil War. Included are pictures, letters from soldiers, letters from women on the homefront, and reactions to the Confederate surrender and...
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Website
Other

Virginia Military Institute Archives: Stonewall Jackson Resources

For Students 9th - 10th
The Virginia Military Institute Archives holds a large collection of Stonewall Jackson's personal papers, Jackson images, and other information about his life and times. In addition to this, there is an FAQ section about Jackson on the...
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Handout
Tennessee Historical Society

Tennessee Encyclopedia: Nathan Bedford Forrest, 1821 77

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out about the Confederate cavalry commander Nathan Bedford Forrest.
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Handout
Civil War Home

Home of the American Civil War: The Confederate Army in the Civil War

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out about the difficulty the Confederacy had in forming an army because of "states' rights" issues and organizational problems. From "The Historical Times Encyclopedia of the Civil War."
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Handout
Civil War Home

Home of the American Civil War: Patrick Ronayne Cleburne

For Students 9th - 10th
The only Irish-born Confederate officer, Patrick Ronayne Cleburne was known as the "Stonewall of the West." Find out about his remarkable skills as a commander. From "Who Was Who in the Civil War" by Stewart Sifakis.
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Handout
Civil War Home

Home of the American Civil War: Jubal Anderson Early (1816 1894)

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief account of Jubal Early's military experience as a Confederate officer. Read about his successes and his major defeat which resulted in his removal from command. From "Who Was Who in the Civil War" by Stewart Sifakis.
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Handout
Civil War Home

Home of the American Civil War: Edmund Kirby Smith (1824 1893)

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out why E. Kirby Smith commanded an essentially independent area of the Confederacy when he was placed in the Trans-Mississippi West. From "Who Was Who in the Civil War" by Stewart Sifakis.
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Handout
Civil War Home

Home of the American Civil War: Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard

For Students 9th - 10th
Details the life of Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard and his military career as a Confederate general. From "Who Was Who in the Civil War" by Stewart Stifakis.
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Handout
Civil War Home

Home of the American Civil War: John Bell Hood

For Students 9th - 10th
A short biography of Confederate General John Bell Hood. From "Who Was Who in the Civil War" by Stewart Sifakis.
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Handout
Civil War Home

Home of the American Civil War: Lewis Addison Armistead

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a short biography of Lewis Addison Armistead, including his long military career, his role in the U.S. Civil War, and his death at Pickett's Charge during the Battle of Gettysburg. From "Who Was Who in the Civil War"...
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Handout
Civil War Home

Home of the American Civil War: Who Was George Pickett?

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a biography of George Pickett, including a photo of Pickett. From "Historical Times Encyclopedia of the Civil War," edited by Patricia L. Faust.
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Handout
Civil War Home

Home of the American Civil War: Braxton Bragg

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of Braxton Bragg and a review of his career as a Confederate general. From "Who Was Who in the Civil War" by Stewart Sifakis.
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Primary
War Times Journal

War Times Journal: From Manassas to Appomattox: Memoirs of James Longstreet

For Students 9th - 10th
An online edition of the famous Confederate general's wartime memoirs. He fought in such battles as Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and more.
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Primary
War Times Journal

War Times Journal: Reminiscences of the Civil War by John B. Gordon

For Students 9th - 10th
An online excerpt from the memoirs of Confederate General John B. Gordon who fought at the Battles of Bull Run, Antietam and Gettysburg. The account gives an insight into the mindset of the Confederate leaders during the Civil War.
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Primary
War Times Journal

War Times Journal: Advance and Retreat by John Bell Hood

For Students 9th - 10th
Selections from the wartime memoirs of Confederate General John B. Hood who served under Lee, Longstreet and other famous Confederate officers.
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Handout
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.

New Georgia Encyclopedia: James Longstreet (1821 1904)

For Students 9th - 10th
Insightful biographical information on the life and career of James Longstreet who played a prominent role in the Civil War.
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Handout
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.

New Georgia Encyclopedia: Edward Porter Alexander

For Students 9th - 10th
Highlights the life and military career of brigadier general Edward Porter Alexander, who served in twelve Civil War battles including Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg and the battle of Chickamauga.