DBQ: Participant Accounts/Other Primary Sources

Recruitment Broadside

From the National Archives

DBQ's:
1. Describe what you see in the above broadside.
2. Who "wrote" this broadside.  Give evidence from the broadside to prove your answer.
3. Imagine you are against the emancipation proclamation.  What might be your response to this broadside?  Choose a format to give your response: letter to a family member, letter to a fellow soldier, diary entry, etc.

Casualty List of the 54th Regiment
From the National Archives

DBQ's:

1. Describe what you see in the above casualty list.

2. Click on the link above to view additional information about the list.  Although you cannot read the names on the list, what people would you expect to see on it?  (White soldiers, black soldiers, etc.).

3. Explain the importance of this document according to your new knowledge.

Christian Fleetwood's Eye Witness Account

DBQ's:

1.  Describe what Sergeant-Major Christian A. Fleetwood wrote about in his eye witness account.

2. Explain the importance of "saving the colors".

3. Analyze the significance of this eye witness account as being told by a sergeant-major of colored troops. 

Samuel Cabble Letter

DBQ's:

1. Describe the letter from Samuel Cabble to his wife.  What evidence can you find in the letter that would lead you to the conclusion this letter was written by a black soldier?

2. Argue why Samuel Cabble's letter might be of importance to a collection of historical primary sources concerning soldiers in the Civil War?

3.  Write a letter of response from Samuel Cabble's wife.  Remember, there is a great chance such a letter would not have reached him.  Make the letter as realistic as possible.

 

Medal of Honor Recipient
From the National Archives

DBQ's:

1. Describe what is written on the medal of honor notation shown above.

2. Analyze why Sergeant William Carney may have earned this medal of honor.  How might he have shown "most distinguished gallantry" in battle?

3. Write an acceptance speech that Sergeant William Carney may have given for receiving this honor.  

General Orders No. 1

DBQ's:

1. Describe what is written in the above order.

2. Provide evidence from the order to support your argument as to why African Americans may have fought in the war before they were paid or given any recognition.

3. Write a response to this order in the form of a diary entry written by an African American soldier.  How would you have reacted to this order?