CIVIL WAR ARKANSAS
LESSON PLAN
Using A Difference of Opinion
For Grades 9-12
Adaptable for lower grades
Lesson Plan using historical fiction novel A Difference of Opinion
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: A Difference of Opinion, a historical fiction novel, covers the first two years of the war in Arkansas, mostly from the Union perspective. The novel is well researched and based on a documentary history, titled Tattered Glory, also compiled by the author.
The novel deals with problematic issues¾both political and personal¾in 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 female protagonist, Nelda Horton, a loyal Unionist, is persecuted, threatened, and deceived, even by her dearest friends. When her father is jailed for treason, the gritty heroine decides to become a spy for her cause. As she gleans information vital to the Union defenses at Helena, she and her black maid, Della, began a harrowing journey that changes both lives forever.
The plight of civilians is a major theme. Women, children, and old men are preyed upon by bushwhackers and foraging armies. 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 Battle of Helena and the plight of fugitive slaves who flocked to Fort Curtis for protection. Through the character of Della’s husband Gideon¾ who served at Fort Curtis in a unit known as The Second Arkansas Colored¾students will learn of the sacrifice and danger of men who joined African American troops. By orders of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, these soldiers were to be given no quarter.
By the end of the book students will have a clear understanding of the plight of soldier and civilian in a state divided in loyalties.
Read Chapters and discuss topics falling under Chapter descriptions below: (outline for further topics on pgs 5-7)
Chapter 1. SR.5.AH.9-12.1 Investigate the controversy leading to the secession of
Arkansas
The story begins with an attack on the Horton family, retaliation for pro-Union editorials in the local Clarksville newspaper owned by Phillip Horton, Nelda’s father. (This incident is based on an actual event as related in the Johnson County Southern Claim Commission files) Through Nelda’s eyes, students experience the emotion of betrayal that was common in a time of neighbor against neighbor.
Chapter 2. SR.5.AH.9-12.2 Define confederation and describe the weaknesses of the Confederacy
Nelda is a victim of ruthless bushwhackers, the reality of many women and children in Arkansas after the able-bodied men went to war. Although she escapes relatively unscathed, this chapter offers opportunity for class discussions of documented incidences in Arkansas when a happy outcome was not the case.
Chapter 3. 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)
Through correspondence with her father who is employed in Little Rock by the Gazette newspaper, Nelda learns of the political dissention between Governor Rector and the Confederate generals in Arkansas. This chapter lists the major obstacles faced by the army in the state, as well as the difficult decision faced by many civilians loyal to the Union¾whether or not to refugee to another state.
Chapter 4. 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)
Nelda learns that her father has been arrested on charges of treason on suspicion of belonging to a secret society loyal to the Union known as The Peace Society. (This little known organization did exist in Arkansas and the members were arrested and prosecuted.) Another union sympathizer is hanged for treason. This type of punishment did occur in the state and is recorded in the official records of the war.
Chapter 5. 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)
This chapter addresses the draft in Arkansas by the Confederate forces. Students are introduced to Major General Van Dorn, whose coming would greatly affect the state. The Battle of Pea Ridge is touched on and the retreating Confederate forces. Woven into the story is the true incident of a plot devised by the Confederacy to keep Union General Samuel Curtis from advancing on Little Rock. Fictitious letters were written by civilians and then purposefully allowed to be captured by Union forces. The letters stated that reinforcements and much artillery had arrived from Texas.
Chapter 6. SR.5.AH.9-12.5 Analyze the contributions of noteworthy Arkansans during the Civil War period.
After learning of her father illness, Nelda hurries to Little Rock. Students will learn of the office of provost marshal and a time when no one could travel in the state without a pass. They will also be introduced to the real character of C.C. Danley, the editor of the Gazette, and see the city as it was then, crowded with wounded in the aftermath of Pea Ridge.
Chapter 7. SR.5.AH.9-12.2 Define confederation and describe the weaknesses of the Confederacy.
As the Union Army pushes farther into the state, the confederates are by this time a tattered group. Ranks of barefoot soldiers, some without weapons, are decimated by smallpox as well as other diseases. Civilians, as well as soldiers, have scant medical care, and many die.
Chapter 8 SR.5.AH.9-12.2 Define confederation and describe the weaknesses of the Confederacy.
In the war torn state, constant skirmishes result in locations changing hands again and again; and yet hunger in Arkansas becomes the worst enemy. Civilians had to hide their food from foraging armies, bushwhackers, and unfortunately sometimes even from neighbors.
Chapter 9. SR.5.AH.9-12.5 Analyze the contributions of noteworthy Arkansans during the Civil War period.
1863, a year of severe drought, brought Arkansas civilians to the brink of starvation. In the midst of this crisis, Nelda learns of the Confederate plan to retake Helena. She and her black maid begin a harrowing journey to warn Fort Curtis of the impending attack. Students will be introduced to Major General Benjamin Prentiss and learn of the Federal garrison at Helena and of the units of black troopers who fought in the battle.
Chapter 10. SR.5.AH.9-12.7 Examine the major Civil War battlefields in and near Arkansas.
The Battle of Helena is described in detail along with the part played by Union gunboats patrolling the Mississippi River. On the eve of battle, Nelda is taken captive. She is then forced to assist a Confederate surgeon. This starkly reveals the horrible plight of the wounded and dying. As the defeated Confederates flee, Nelda is taken along as a prisoner.
Chapter 11. SR.5.AH.9-12.7 Examine the major Civil War battlefields in and near Arkansas.
As Nelda escapes and flees along the White River and then travels across country to the Federal post at Fayetteville, she encounters devastation wrought by both armies. Along the way, while befriended by Confederate sympathizers, she is forced to consider the Confederate position in a new light. In light of the debate in the story, students will be challenged to analyze both points of view.
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 states 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 were 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. Battle of Helena
2. Major military leaders
a. Earl Van Dorn¾Confederate
b. Samuel Curtis¾Union
c. Major General Benjamin Prentiss¾Union
d. General Sterling Price¾Confederate
3. Conscription
a. Men hid 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. Black troops fight on both sides
a. Search online to find diaries and official records to document
this.
b. Discuss President Davis’ proclamation that all blacks found in
Federal uniform were to be given no quarter (shot on sight even
if surrendering.)
6. Control of areas changed hands many times (Union or Confederate)
a. Confederate capital eventually moved to Washington, Arkansas
b. Union capital from Helena to Little Rock
B. Narrative/Writing Exercise
1. Discuss or write essay on what happens when law and order breaks
down.
2. Discuss the role played by spies during the war.
a. Research accounts of women spies on both sides.
b. How did their role differ from men spies?
3. Research actual accounts of atrocities committed against civilians in
the state. (Some grueling incidences related in the documentary
Tattered Glory)
C. Activities
1. Search online for official records of the Battle of Helena
2. Discuss the major cause for Confederate failure to retake
Fort Curtis
D. Narrative/Writing Exercise
1. Have students 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 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 students 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 students record each response for class discussion.
Where the Road Begins, Tattered Glory, and A Difference of Opinion may be purchased at
www.nancydane.com
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