The course “Civil War in Virginia: The Road to Appomattox” will explore the progression of battles that took place on Virginia soil from 1861 - 1865. Emphasis will be given to the battles of First Manassas, Ball’s Bluff, The Peninsular Campaign, Second Manassas, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and Appomattox. In addition, a detailed presentation of the Retreat Route will be explored including the battles of Five Forks, Sailor's Creek, and Appomattox. Presentation of the battles will be given through lecture with handouts and reading assignments and virtual tour. Students will be asked to present two oral reports, one centering on the life of a Civil War general and the other on some aspect of Civil War life (battlefield tactics, food, uniforms, etc). Several papers will be assigned including the following:
Choose and describe the hero at the Battle of First Manassas and why.
Write your reactions to the letters of Sullivan Ballou and J.W. Reid. (Two Civil War soldiers writing home on the eve of the Battle of First Manassas)
In your opinion, what was the most important military strategy of all the battles fought in Virginia?
Why was the leadership for the South so much more organized and able to command as opposed to the North?
Research the assigned battle with the following items addressed:
date and place, order of battle, prelude to battle, battle development, outcomes.