Checkpoint.

Indicator 4: Students can interpret and respond to diverse, multicultural, and time period texts.(Analysis) 11.R.4.1 Students can analyze a text within cultural, geographical, and historical context.

For the past couple weeks, I've been writing journals set in the time of the Civil War. I wish I would have gotten farther than what I wanted. I wanted to have a lot more journals and led up to a bigger climax. I didn't run into any difficulties because it's all of my creative writing. I think I'm going to put this project on a pause because I often have writers block, but maybe I'll come back to it.

Monday, April 18, 1861

I am sincerely contrite for not writing the past few days, but I think I understand everything that is happening now. During school today, Miss Lee told us that the North and South were going into war. She said that the North wishes to abolish slavery, while the South thinks it is unjust for the North to decide their way of life. The South thinks slavery is similar to the underpaid factory workers in the North. Miss Lee said the North would be called the “Union” and the South the “Confederates.” There might be a possibility the states could be separated forever. Miss Lee told us that if the North won things would change drastically in the South. I do not want things to change. Then she began telling us about the Battle of Fort Sumter, but she would only give us the little details. When I arrived at our house, I asked Father if the maps he had were somewhat involved with the war. He admitted that he was planning future attacks and barricades, but he promised he would never leave to fight. He said he would be the brain of the South. I sure hope father keeps his promise; I don’t want him to leaves us. Oh also, today is Tristan’s day of birth. He has reached fifteen years.
Love,
Abigail

Friday, April 14, 1861

We were in town again today. It was really strange; men in grey jackets were standing in strict and straight lines. They were with waving goodbye to their kids and wives. Tom Halmont’s son was standing in the front. I don’t really know where these men are going? Must be going on some trip somewhere considering the baggage they have on their backs. When we got home, Father had several maps spread out all across the dinner table. He looks like he is planning for something, something big. When Tristan asked he said, “The time has come to fight for what we believe in.” I knew my father was a passionate person, but I didn’t understand what the big deal was. I guess everything is happening fast now. Looks like there’s still more to come.
Love,
Abigail

Thursday, April 13, 1861

Today, my brother and I went into town again. Our friend Charlotte was telling us how she heard her father and uncle getting things “prepared for the battle.” Then we went to the market, where they mentioned this battle again. I have a strong feeling that something frightening and life changing is about to happen. Now I am out doing chores and such. That consists of feeding the animals, milking the cows, retrieving eggs from the chicken coup, and cleaning the stalls. Tristan, my brother, usually does the dirty work since he’s the boy, but today, I offered to help. In order to make chores more fun and make the time go by faster, we transform them into journeys and challenges. Today our first challenge was to work like the special-forces and to get the food in to the animals without them realizing it. That was a successful trip that took longer than we planned. After feeding them, we sort of gave up on chores. We decided to go plan with the neighbor boys, Hunter and Tucker. They came up with a new game. They said that Tristan and I were from the north while they were the team from the south. We all began to argue. Hunter charged at Tristan, and the wrestling began. All of a sudden father came in, ended the fighting, and sent the two boys home. I do not really understand why father got so upset?
Love,
Abigail