Today the soldiers met on the field of battle...
As another beautiful dawn broke, General Robert E. Lee, commander of the Confederate army, was planning a defense against an attack he expected to happen before the end of the day. He was convinced that the Union army was trying to move its siege artillery within range of the Confederate capital city of Richmond. Both armies were already so close to Richmond that Lee could hear the city's church bells ringing in the clear morning air. He ordered defenses to be built to repel an attack by the numerically superior Union army. Lee was surprised that the Union army had not yet struck, but the commander of the Union army, General George McClellan, was waiting for his own reinforcements to arrive, even though he already has a sizable advantage in men and weaponry.
The Confederate troops scrambled to build defenses. They dug trenches and used the dirt to construct embankments. Then they cut down trees to build abatis and make palisades to slow down the advancing Billy Yanks.
Then it happened. With the launching of cannonballs, the Union army began the Battle of Oak Hill. The shrill of incoming cannonballs had the Rebs diving into trenches and palisades spinning off in every direction. The splintered wood becomes deadly shrapnel. The Confederates had to run for cover and avoid the destruction.
The Union soldiers began advancing and firing on the Southerners, but there attack was thwarted when the Confederate soldiers fired back from the trenches. They waited until the Union soldiers were close enough and then fought back. They were better protected and able to shoot the Union soldiers as they advanced on them in straight lines. Once they had the upper hand, the Confederate soldiers jumped out of the trenches with their bayonets and send the Northerners running in retreat.
Soldier Journal Prompt:
What did it feel like to be in an actual battle? Do you feel differently about being in the army now compared to when you first signed up? What are your thoughts and feelings about enganging in battle again in a few days? Who do you miss most from home, and what message would you like to send them?
What did it feel like to be in an actual battle? Do you feel differently about being in the army now compared to when you first signed up? What are your thoughts and feelings about enganging in battle again in a few days? Who do you miss most from home, and what message would you like to send them?
Homework 5/6/13
Language Arts:
1. MMM- ch. 33 &34, F1793- ch. 25 & 26, Everyone else read for 30 min.
2. Soldier Journal
Math: 1. Get Volume test signed
2. Measurement WS
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