The Civil War

Title: Letter From Washington D.C.
Type: Letter
Date: 1861
Source: Minnesota Historical Society

Description: After three months in the army, Edward L. Davis wrote this letter from Washington, D.C.
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Activities:

1. How has the soldier's attitude changed since the first letter he wrote?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: He seems more angry or less relaxed in this letter. His comments are no longer about "taking tea" but about the horror of war and the loss of life. He also mentions the hardships that were part of a soldier's life.
2. Why is Davis especially pleased to have recieved a letter at this time?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: He has been on a march for the last week and in battle and was happy to know that his family and friends in Red Wing are healthy.
3. Although Davis argues that they could "whip them 2 to one and even 3 to one," what problems does he mention that make the battles more difficult for their troops?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: He suggests that the Southern troops do not fight fairly and that it was difficult to fight when they didn't know the strength of the Southern forces.
4. What hardships aside from battle did Davis and his fellow soldiers have to endure?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: They had to march 12 miles to the battlefield and then fight for two hours, followed by retreating 42 miles on foot. They also had to leave their food rations behind and went for 24 hours without eating.