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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In 1864, an officer in which regiment wrote of a successful attack on Confederate lines, defending the Weldon Railroad near Petersburg?
(a) 15th Delaware.
(b) 12th New York.
(c) 2nd Iowa.
(d) 9th Michigan.

2. In the story of James and John Welsh, McPherson says that John--who enlisted with the 27th Virginia--was killed during which of the following battles?
(a) Bull Run.
(b) Chancellorville.
(c) Gettysburg.
(d) Shiloh.

3. After the discussion of "short-timers" psychology, McPherson notes what percentage of 3-year enlisted Union soldiers from 1861 reenlisted?
(a) 25%.
(b) 75%.
(c) 50%.
(d) 100%.

4. During the battle of Fair Oaks, Captain Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., swore he would shoot the first man who ran, in which of the following regiments?
(a) 12th Georgia.
(b) 20th Massachusetts.
(c) 5th Arkansas.
(d) 21st Texas.

5. When discussing Jesse Beecher's service record, McPherson states that he fought in all BUT WHICH of the following states?
(a) South Carolina.
(b) Virginia.
(c) North Carolina.
(d) Georgia.

Short Answer Questions

1. During "Chapter 6: A Band of Brothers," McPherson notes that studies of combat motivation have shown the need of soldiers to prove themselves to wane after how many battles?

2. During the discussion of primary group cohesion, McPherson says it has existed since time immemorial but was studied during World War II in all BUT WHICH of these soldiers?

3. As McPherson discusses religion's role in the Civil War, he notes that a lieutenant from New Jersey who fought in the conflict was what religion?

4. When McPherson and his cousin visit the four Civil War battlefields near Fredericksburg, Virginia, he notes that it is the day after which of the following holidays?

5. When discussing Southern motives for fighting, McPherson mentions a farmer in the 26th Tennessee who said that all BUT WHICH of the following were at stake?

Short Essay Questions

1. After the discussion of courage, bravery, and valor, what fear does McPherson say Civil War soldiers wrote even more about than the three-part concept of honor?

2. In the discussion of leadership, what do the soldiers' letters indicate about the differences in leadership between the Confederate and Union armies?

3. As the war got underway, what feeling did soldiers have about "safe" positions in the rear of battles?

4. In the discussion of regimental bonding, what is "primary group cohesion"?

5. How did the Civil War transform irresponsible men into responsible ones as the war got underway?

6. How did Civil War soldiers react to fear in "Chapter 3: Anxious for the Fray"?

7. How did the Calvinist doctrine of predestination factor into soldiers' lives in the discussion of religion?

8. When discussing his framework for the book, what three categories does McPherson say he has used and borrowed from John A. Lynn?

9. What can readers conclude about the use of alcohol as a motivational tool, during "Chapter 4: If I Flinched, I was Ruined"?

10. What ideological concepts and convictions initially motivated the Union soldiers to fight in "Chapter 2: We Were in Earnest"?

(see the answer keys)

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