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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the discussion of the battle energy, an anemic Yale graduate--who later died at 26--recounted that the double-quick was not a fast enough pace; what disease did the man have?

2. During the discussion of leadership, which of the following Generals had a very different reputation at Gettysburg than he had earlier at Malvern Hill?

3. After the discussion of "short-timers" psychology, McPherson notes what percentage of 3-year enlisted Union soldiers from 1861 reenlisted?

4. During his visit to the four Civil War battlefields near Fredericksburg, McPherson thinks about the fighting that happened on May 12, 1864; for how many hours did the battle last?

5. While talking about good-luck charms, McPherson notes there were few _____________ in the Civil War.

Short Essay Questions

1. What questions did the Princeton students have when McPherson took them to Gettysburg in the spring of 1976?

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

3. In "Chapter 1: This War is a Crusade," what difference does McPherson note between the Civil War and the Vietnam War?

4. What effect did the prospect of death have on the Confederate army during the discussion of religion?

5. How did the tone of soldiers' letters home change from their initial zeal after the first few battles were over?

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. In the discussion of religion, how did Christian soldiers reconcile the war with the commandment to "turn the other cheek"?

8. Define and explain "rage militaire" as discussed by McPherson in his discussion of the initial impulse that motivated soldiers to fight the Civil War.

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and discuss the qualities that a good officer would possess, based on the letters from soldiers. Fully explain three essential qualities and explain why each is important to the soldiers in the book. Include quotes and supporting information from the book.

Essay Topic 2

The men who became soldiers during the Civil War era were largely defined by Victorian ideals of manhood. Compare and contrast these ideals--and the soldiers who embodied them--with the modern equivalents. Be sure to include supporting information from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the Southern war effort during the Civil War with that of the Revolutionary War soldiers. Discuss three things that Confederate soldiers saw themselves as having in common with the Revolutionary fighters, and include supporting information from the book.

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