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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. When a Pennsylvania cavalry corporal wrote his mother in 1863, he listed his obligations to duty. In what position did he place his obligation to his mother?
(a) 4th.
(b) 1st.
(c) 2nd.
(d) 3rd.

2. Which most notorious massacre of black prisoners happened on April 12, 1864?
(a) Port Royal.
(b) Plymouth.
(c) Fort Pillow.
(d) Poison Springs.

3. When discussing the hardships of soldiers' wives, McPherson says that failure to fight for one's country would be seen to dishonor all BUT WHICH of the following?
(a) Wife.
(b) Posterity.
(c) Ancestors.
(d) Children.

4. During the discussion of the American volunteers in the Spanish Civil War, what percentage found that "belief in war aims" helped overcome the fear of battle?
(a) 77%.
(b) 34%.
(c) 89%.
(d) 58%.

5. The November 8, 1865, diary entry of a sergeant in the 8th Ohio cavalry noted that how many members of his regiment had voted for Lincoln, as opposed to sixteen votes for McClellan?
(a) 367.
(b) 243.
(c) 158.
(d) 25.

Short Answer Questions

1. When a sergeant in the 8th Georgia wrote to his family in 1863 that he would willingly sacrifice his life upon the altar of his country, readers learn that he did so in which battle?

2. In 1863, a thirty-three year old private in the 2nd Ohio Cavalry wrote that his side must win, lest the march of Liberty be held back by all BUT WHICH of these?

3. When a twenty-five year old soldier in the 2nd Vermont married his fiancee during a furlough in "Chapter 10: We Know That We are Supported at Home," how many months was he with her during the first year of marriage?

4. After the discussion of the conflict between love of family and love of country, McPherson quotes an Alabama soldier as saying he worried for his wife if they failed. What was his wife's name?

5. In "Chapter 7: On the Altar of my Country," how did soldiers frequently misspell the word "altar"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the massacres of black soldiers, as discussed in "Chapter 11: Vengeance Will be Our Motto."

2. At the close of "Chapter 12: The Same Holy Cause," what final lessons does McPherson hope readers take from the book?

3. McPherson denies, in the discussion of liberty, that Southern soldiers were obsessed with slavery. What statistical evidence does he supply to support this?

4. Why, in the discussion of the mail service, does McPherson say that efficient mail delivery was so important?

5. In Lincoln's discussions of democracy, what fear did he express if the South should be allowed to secede?

6. Describe the information and political education level maintained by soldiers in "Chapter 7: On the Altar of My Country."

7. What types of letters did Confederate soldiers begin sending home toward the end of "Chapter 11: Vengeance Will be Our Motto"?

8. In the discussion of the mail service, why was it more difficult for the Confederate army to maintain efficient mail service than it was for the Union army?

9. Explain the phenomenon of "dry rot," as discussed in "Chapter 10: We Know That We Are Supported at Home."

10. What was meant when some soldiers wrote home about being stuck in a "rich man's war," toward the end of "Chapter 7: On the Altar of My Country"?

(see the answer keys)

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