Follow-up Activities for The Lost Dispatch
By Marie Mitchell & Mason Smith
Chapter 1 follow-up: “Preparing for Battle”
1. The authors describe the difficult conditions Civil War soldiers faced in the 1860s.
Read some recent newspaper accounts about soldiers fighting in modern-day wars.
How do the conditions compare?
2. This story focuses on the Battle of Perryville in Kentucky. What Civil War battle was
fought closest to your home? Which side won? At what cost? How decisive was the
battle to the outcome of the war?
3. Victoria and some of her classmates get to participate in the re-enactment of a Civil
War battle. Would you volunteer for such an assignment? Why or why not?
4. The story mentions the Battlefield Museum. What types of memorabilia would be on
display at such a museum? Have you visited a similar place? What was it like?
5. The chapter ends with the mention of a famous Civil War photographer, Mathew
Brady. Have you ever seen his photographs? How do they compare with ones taken
from a war-torn country today? How dangerous is it for photographers and
videographers to capture the fighting for readers and viewers?
Chapter 2 follow-up: “Weekend Warriors”
1. Using your local newspaper, research other living history groups. How do they
represent specific times in history?
2. Do you think it’s important for Civil War re-enactors to be as authentic as they
possibly can be? Where do you think they find items they’ll need to represent the
1860s? What types of things would they not be allowed to have with them?
3. Look for photographs or drawings of how Civil War soldiers were dressed. Compare
uniforms of the North and South. What types of things would soldiers carry with
them?
4. We learn in this chapter that some women chose to fight as soldiers in the Civil War.
What other roles did women play during the war? What about after the war? How
did the war change what opportunities were available to women?
5. Why do you think Civil War re-enactors enjoy reliving battles and enduring
hardships suffered by soldiers in the 1860s? Sometimes entire families participate.
What role do you think the children play during the re-enactment?
Chapters 1-2 | Chapters 3-4 | Chapters 5-6 | Chapters 7-8 | Chapters 9-10 | Chapters 11-12 | Chapter 13
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