A complete list of the novels available
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Copyright 2002
Created by Brian Thornton
 |
Capo Creations, Box 1411, Haileybury, Ontario, CANADA. POJ 1KO
Phone: 705 672-5737
Not to be used or copied in any manner without specific written consent of the publisher
All Rights Reserved |
|
G. Clifton Wisler
ISBN 0-14-036936-8
Answer all questions in sentence form.
Chapter One
What is the difference between a civil war and a "normal" war?
Find Frostburg, Maryland, in your atlas or on the internet.
Who is telling the story?
Why did many young boys join the army?
What evidence is there that Random is a voracious reader?
Why was Random perplexed when Mr. Havers announced there was going to be a war?
According to Ransom's father what were some of the reasons given for starting the war?
How were some of the recaptured runaway slaves punished by their owners?
What bad news did Enos have for Ransom?
Why do Enos and Ransom decide not to go swimming once they have reached the deep pond?
Why was Ransom unable to send a letter to Enos Perkins?
What shocking announcement does Mr. Havers make to his students?
How do Ransom and Ollie react to the announcement?
Why did Ransom leave for Piedmont in the middle of the night?
Vocabulary: frail, fortitude, chastise, confederacy, devoted, dogged, flanks, brewing, slate, prudently, secession, auctions, abolitionist, ignited, britches, solemn, regiment, chafed, enlisted, forge, mutilate, shackles, mangled, retribution, recompense, muster, furlough, bayonets, outwitted, commission, acquainted, trudged
Enrichment: Prior to the Civil War, teachers in the schools were predominantly male. After the war this changed dramatically as women began to outnumber the male teachers in the primary schools. Can you suggest why this sudden transformation might have occurred?
The blacksmith in early communities was often a well-known and respected person. Explain why this might have been. Are there any blacksmiths in your community? How has their contemporary role in the community changed? Explain why the blacksmiths disappeared in many communities.
Research civil wars that have occurred in other countries. Are there any civil wars occurring at the present time? Explain.
Chapter Two
How was Ransom received by the townsfolk when he arrived in Piedmont?
What happened when he joined the party of Union soldiers?
What role did Sergeant Maggs assign to young Powell?
Describe what Ransom did when he was assigned to the cook pot.
How did the soldiers react after eating the stew?
According to Sergeant Maggs, what good had Ransom accomplished?
Vocabulary: mercantile, scowl, pummeled, scurry, midwifin' (midwife), grizzled, scrawled, brigade, musket, duds, cauldron, ventilates, deuce, quartermaster, forage, prank, mascot, dandy, mess (military term), heed, strut
Enrichment: Design a title page for your notebook.
Design a book mark making sure to include objects that are strongly symbolic of the American Civil War.
Conduct some research and then construct a chart showing the various ranks in the army during the Civil War. Compare it with contemporary military ranking.
Chapter Three
Explain why Ransom often had to hunt for his food.
Why was Ransom assigned the task of helping the Captain with his papers?
Explain the purpose of the tattoo call which was sounded after supper.
Describe Ransom's encounter with the enemy.
Explain why Laurel Lee was willing to help Ransom despite her dislike for the Union Army.
What comparison does Ransom use to emphasize the tragedy of Fredericksburg?
What does Corporal Poland do on New Year's Eve?
Vocabulary: idle, reveille, err, roused, drawers, solemn, drill, fatigue, devoted, tempo, nettles, lark, liberated, sabers, dispatches, tattoo, desertions, taps, mangy, depot, trestles, tether, harbor, informants, emboldened, disintegrated, amber, divine, calico, brazen, abide, vexations
Enrichment: In a small group discuss some of the reasons that soldiers might have deserted. Present your findings to the remainder of the class and see if they agree with your conclusions.
Try and locate the phrase "thou shalt clothe the stranger" in the Bible.
Chapter Four
According to Ransom's letter who were their "biggest enemies"?
What bad news did the Confederate army receive?
What did the Calvary patrol find down past the valley pike?
What surprising event occurred on July 22nd?
Why did Ransom mention the story of David and Goliath to the sergeant?
Describe Ransom's first encounter with the enemy in what he considered a real battle.
Vocabulary: whittle, briers, rout, foraging, wail, winced, chaplain, lye, quinine, loomed, limbered, mettle, shabby, protruded, crescent, animated, dense, intertwined, poised, volley, flinch, swirls
Enrichment: Discuss the importance of leadership in times of war. Who were considered to be the great military and political leaders in both the Union and Confederate Army?
Explain the phrase, "Truth is the first casualty of war". Do you agree? Justify your opinion.
Chapter Five
Why did the soldiers make a fearful sight marching to Lewisburg?
Who was the new drummer and how did Ransom get along with him?
Approximately how much was Ransom paid a month?
Describe what happened when Ransom joined the escort led by Captain Jayroe.
Why were they surprised when they learned the identity of their captors?
Why was their identity such a concern to Ransom?
Describe how the captured Union soldiers were treated when they arrived in Staunton.
How were the prisoners pleasantly surprised at Hanover Junction?
What new name was given to Ransom by Sam?
Why did the prisoners march from the train to the prison in their bare feet?
Vocabulary: infantry, assessments, teamsters, muddle, confinement, cider melancholy, detachment, burly, kepi
Enrichment: One of the Confederate guards boasted that Washington and Jefferson would have supported the Southern cause. Research his claims and make a presentation to your classmates. Alternatively, conduct a mini debate on the issue.
Chapter Six
How did Red Armhult ensure that the guards at Libby would not take Ransom's patchwork quilt?
Why was the doctor so kind and generous to Red Cap?
Describe the conditions in Libby Prison?
How did the prisoners entertain themselves?
Although his family never wrote, Ransom received some care packages. Explain how this happened.
According to the guard why had Grant stopped the prisoner exchange?
What observation did Ransom make about his treatment by soldiers who had been in battle?
What was their new destination when they were taken from Libby Prison?
Vocabulary: humiliation, wretched, pox, vaccination, grimly, Hades, doomed, evacuated, phantom, abomination, concocted, resumption, wagering, impersonated, ration, melee, escort, surged
Enrichment: Research prison conditions for prisoners of war today and compare those conditions with those of the Civil War.
Locate some music from the Civil War era and present it to the class.
Chapter Seven
Using an atlas trace their journey.
How did the guards at Raleigh ensure that the Union prisoners stayed on the ground until daybreak?
What did Ransom think of this company of militia guards?
Where did the men sleep their first night in Georgia?
Vocabulary: confinement, militia, merit, taunted, rankled, gnawed, palisade, stockade
Enrichment: Pretend that you are Ransom Powell and keep a diary of your daily experiences. Remember to include not just the details of what happened but also your feelings or emotions.
Chapter Eight
Give a brief description of their new prison camp.
What irony did Ransom see in the slaves constructing the prison?
Describe the botched prison escape.
What was the deadline?
What were the signs of scurvy?
How did R.J. stay fit?
Vocabulary: groggy, diameter, lots, skillet, makeshift, sluggish, infested, mournful, contrary, provost, waddled, rile, winced, scavengers, exertion, veterans, thatched, shebang, dwindle, scurvy, whittled, bayonet
Enrichment: Do some medical research on scurvy. What are the causes and what are the modern day treatments for it. Many early explorers suffered from scurvy but were cured by the natives. What type of treatments did they use?
Chapter Nine
Explain why Ransom wouldn't go for his daily exercise after Red became too ill too walk.
According to Ransom how did the rebs take advantage of the prisoners weakened state?
Why did Ransom not carry bodies to the graveyard very often?
How did Lewis Jones offer to help Ransom?
What was the second offer Lewis Jones made to Ransom?
What did the lieutenant tell Ransom that night about his special parole?
Explain how Ransom acquired a new wardrobe from the Twenty-sixth Alabama.
What secret vow did Ransom make after being treated to the generosity of the Alabama regiment?
Vocabulary: scant, dwindle, plunge, exertion, vowed, stockade, abide, pledge, vouch, dole, vermin, lye, testament, salvaging,
Enrichment: Pretend that you are Ransom J. Powell and compose a letter to send home to your parents about your experiences at Camp Sumter.
Chapter Ten
Why did Lieutenant Johnny always have someone looking after Ransom?
Explain the significance of Lewis informing the young drummer boy that he would call him Ranse rather than Red Cap.
How does Lewis prove that he places great trust in Ransom?
What happens to the leftover venison?
How does the new Captain Wirz react to the prisoners complaints when he attempts to rearrange the camp?
What choice does Lewis give Ransom when the veteran soldier and his Confederate regiment receive marching orders?
Vocabulary: recruiting, fretted, ponder, ancient, venison, chastise, peril, plight, envious, spectre, phantom, addled, scant, respite, toll, asserted, spits, escorted
Enrichment: Form two small groups of students. Have the first group write a newspaper column about Camp Sumter defending the living conditions while the second group will compose a column from the Union army point of view.
Chapter Eleven
Describe Captain Wirz' physical appearance and mannerisms.
Who were the three boys that Ransom met after Captain Wirz left the room?
What lasting reminder did Cable have of the captain's hair trigger temper for meanness?
Why did the pox vaccine not bring about the intended results?
What was Captain Wirz' favourite pastime when inspecting the camps?
What offer did some of the townsfolk make to the four young boys?
How did the boys react?
List some of the items that Cable and Ransom were smuggling into the camp.
What warning did Red give to Ransom?
Vocabulary: fidgety, runt, garrison, culled, scrawl, comrade, frigid, tedious, ledgers, denouncing, modest, fortifications, bartered, trudged, smuggled, accomplice, commerce, looting
Enrichment: Is war ever acceptable or necessary? Research how many wars are actually going on in the world at the present time. Has there ever been a period where there is no conflict in the world?
What is a pacifist? Describe the difference between a hawk and a dove. Which are you?
Chapter Twelve
Why special request did Red ask of R.J. as he lay dying?
Describe what happened to the 350 West Virginians when they first arrived at the camp?
Describe how the tables were finally turned on the raiders.
According to Collins, what occurence was proof of "divine intervention"?
Vocabulary: emblazoned, gaunt, suffocating, stench, atoned, maggots, melee, antiquated, subdued, scaffold, sultry
Enrichment: Construct a mural using the theme of War. Prior to starting work on the mural, research the essentials of a good mural.
Chapter Thirteen
Why did some of the prisoners chose to purposely step over the deadline?
Why did the ladies from town no longer offer food to Ransom?
Why did Poland advise Ransom to stay away from the camp for the next bit?
Why were the two boys, Cable and Ransom, no longer allowed to visit the stockade alone?
How did Ransom respond to Captain Wirz' accusations about the map?
What were the consequences of Ransom's actions?
Vocabulary: wilt, withered, quagmire, larder, typhus, barred
Enrichment: Write a poem about the Civil War and illustrate it. Memorize it and present it to your classmates.
Chapter Fourteen
Why did Bearer insist on sharing his meagre rations with Ransom?
Why did Poland encourage Ransom to accept a portion of their rations?
Why does Poland insist on speaking in private with Ransom?
What horrific story did Hushman tell Ransom about a young sailor boy?
Why did the prisoners celebrate the late August storm?
What surprising event occurs on September 6th?
Vocabulary: edible, weevils, broth, pallid, obliging, chant, agitated, merged, revive, hale, hinder
Enrichment: Research the role of blacks in the Civil War. Make a presentation to your classmates.
Chapter Fifteen
Who did Ransom notice as he was beating the drum for Hush around midday?
Why did the death of Hushman hold special significance for Ransom?
What had Ransom intended to do with the pear he received in trade for his boots and jacket?
What did the doctor mean when he stated that things were too hot for prisons in Georgia?
Who was Walter Parsons?
Vocabulary: scourge, (un)tainted, nudging, wretches, rife, cadaver, revive, frayed, rickety
Enrichment:Ransom wrote three letters for Billy. What would you want to say if you were writing a last letter to your family and friends? What things would be important and what would not?
Chapter Sixteen
Why did Ransom have all his hair shaved off when he arrived in Annapolis, Maryland?
How did the colonel react when he was told that Ransom and some of the other boys had lied about their true identity?
How did the boys react?
Vocabulary: academy, plucked, deceit, cartel, dismay, blot, expiration, rendezvous
Enrichment: How do you think Ransom would be received by his family. Write an additional chapter including Ransom's reception at home.
Is it ever okay to lie? Discuss with your teacher and classmates. Can the truth ever be harmful? Explain.
Epilogue
Why was Ransom not permitted to rejoin the war effort?
Why did Ransom write a letter to the Governor of Alabama?
What type of response did Ransom get to his letter?
What was the fate of Captain Wirz?
Vocabulary: legacy, memoir, gesture, testament, chronic, uncompromising, scapegoat, incompetent
Enrichment: Research the peace treaty signed at the end of the Civil War. After examining some peace treaties try drafting some of your own. For example, a peace treaty between you and your parents, siblings, classmates or teachers.
Copyright 2002
Created by: Brian Thornton, Capo Creations, Box 1411, Haileybury, Ontario, CANADA POJ 1KO
Not to be used or copied in any manner without specific written consent of the publisher All Rights Reserved
