Teens in the Civil War

Which of the following two teens were born into slavery?

• A. John Cook/Lizzie Compton
• B. Theodore Upson/Lizzie Compton
• C. Andrew Jackson Smith/John Cook
• D. Andrew Jackson Smith/Susie King Taylor

Why was Lizzie Compton notable?

• A. She disguised herself as a man to enlist in the army.
• B. Her memoir was the only one published by an African American woman.
• C. She was a musician who took over a cannon to fire on the enemy.
• D. She attended abolitionist meetings with her family.

According to the article, which of the following reasons explains why teens wanted to join the war effort?

• A. They believed in the cause.
• B. They wanted adventure.
• C. They wanted wages to send back home.
• D. all of the above

What did John Cook and Andrew Jackson Smith have in common?

• A. They both fought for their own freedom from slavery.
• B. They both won the Medal of Honor for bravery.
• C. They both joined the war effort as buglers.
• D. They both lied about their ages in order to enlist.

In Andrew Jackson Smith’s section, the author writes, “When Andrew’s father tried to get him to join the Confederate Army, the teenager ran away and sought refuge with a Union regiment in Kentucky.” You can infer from this statement that ___.

• A. Smith didn’t want to fight to protect slavery
• B. Smith was afraid to fight
• C. Smith rebelled against anything his father wanted
• D. Smith wanted his father to join the Union regiment

As it is used in the Lizzie Compton section, a synonym for the word integral would be ___.

• A. indirect
• B. different
• C. vital
• D. dominant

Which of the following ideas presented in the introduction is supported by Susie Taylor Green’s section?

• A. “Many girls [took] over duties at home and on farms.”
• B. “Some [girls] disguised themselves as men to fight.”
• C. “For [Black teenagers], a Union victory would mean freedom.”
• D. all of the above

What is the tone of William Bircher’s entry in the section, “Bearing Witness”?

• A. hopeful
• B. anguished
• C. jubilant
• D. malevolent

What is the purpose of Theodore Upson’s section? Why do you think his section is presented first?

According to the article, President Lincoln said his main aim in the war was to preserve the Union, not end slavery. What details in the text indicate his priorities? Explain.