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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. After a Texas soldier wrote his wife in 1863 that he hoped a friend would shoot him if ever he showed the "white feather," he was killed during which of these battles?
(a) Pleasant Hill.
(b) Fort Donelson.
(c) Sewell's Point.
(d) Stones River.

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?
(a) German.
(b) British.
(c) Japanese.
(d) American.

3. In 1862, a private in the 38th North Carolina wrote to his wife that, if he were to be killed, he hoped to be reunited with his daughter __________.
(a) Molly.
(b) Mary.
(c) Angel.
(d) Annie.

4. During the Seven Days battles, the 83rd Pennsylvania suffered what percentage of casualties?
(a) 75%.
(b) 98%.
(c) 50%.
(d) 25%.

5. Which of the following states had the strongest convictions about the war, according to the descriptions of Southern motivations for war?
(a) Maryland.
(b) Mississippi.
(c) Georgia.
(d) Virginia.

Short Answer Questions

1. As McPherson begins to describe the training regimen kept by soldiers, he quotes a young man from Indiana who wrote what relative, complaining a soldier "is not his own man"?

2. As McPherson discusses the officer in the 4th Alabama, who was determined to fight a "black republican" leader, he reveals that leader is what relation to him?

3. As "Chapter 4: If I Flinched I Was Ruined" opens, which of the following is NOT a traditional means of motivating soldiers to fight?

4. When McPherson talks about the ways in which the eagerness for battle was not unique to Civil War soldiers, he mentions the same phenomenon during which war?

5. 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?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the adrenaline rush described by McPherson in the discussion of how soldiers responded to battle.

2. According to "Chapter 5: Religion is What Makes Brave Soldiers," why does religion become so important to soldiers during war?

3. When McPherson discusses Civil War veteran John W. DeForest, what explanation do readers receive of the definition between a lunatic and a hero?

4. For what purpose does McPherson relate the story of James and John Welsh in the opening of "Chapter 2: We Were in Earnest"?

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

6. In the discussion of cowardice, McPherson says that officers were held to even higher standards of bravery. What effect did this expectation have on officers?

7. As the Civil War began, in what way did both the North and the South believe they were each fighting for the cause of liberty?

8. During the discussion about the adrenaline rush phenomenon, what did soldiers experience once the adrenaline had worn off?

9. What generally happened to the relationships between soldiers and officers after they went through a battle together, as discussed in "Chapter 4: If I Flinched, I was Ruined"?

10. While discussing "short-timers" psychology, what reason does McPherson give for why this phenomenon did not exist in the Confederate army?

(see the answer keys)

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