The Encounter at Gettysburg page is being developed by Chuck Kann and incorporates Google Maps to allow visitors to locate monuments, farm houses and other significant portions of the Gettysburg battlefield. To navigate the site, you click on the your search criteria on the left side of the page. You can select monuments and landmarks by type, by state or by location on the battlefield. Once you have selected your desired monument or location, you simply click Get Map and then depending on your selection, you could then choose from additional monuments or locations.

For example, I clicked on PA in the Monuments associated with State box then clicked Get Map. From the new list, I selected the 11th PA monument. The Google Map image tells me where the monument is located (I can even view it as a satellite image), I have a photo of the monument and then information that is written on the monument.

In addition to this, the website has a great collection of both modern and period photographs for you to explore and use in your classroom.

Until next time….

The first two were done by Tapsbugler (those familiar with the hobby will know who this is) and the first video is Field Musicians of the Civil War and the second video is Brass Bands of the Civil War.

The next one is from Antietam and according to the title was recorded at the Pry Farm in October 2006. While not the best quality, it is an excellent rendition of Old Dan Tucker and if I’m not mistaken there are members of the 2nd S. Carolina String Band in the group. Here is a link to a video of the Excelsior Brigade Fifes & Drums playing Old Dan Tucker as well.

Here is one of Camp Chases Fifes and Drums playing The Minstrel Boy. Again, not the best quality but you get the idea.  You can also view a great collection of videos of Camp Chase on YouTube.

Another great band is the 2nd South Carolina String Band and you can view a great video of them singing “Dixie’s Land” from a recent Gettysburg reenactment.

Finally, the following is not Civil War music but it is one of the coolest fife and drum videos I’ve seen. The video is the Fifes and Drums of Yorktown playing at Ft. Ticonderoga. If you look closely at about 3:30 into the video, the fifers are lined up and they are using their right hand to play the fife of the person in front of them.

Until next time…

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As senior manager of education programs at The Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) I am extremely pleased to work with Teaching the Civil War with Technology and grateful for the wonderful platform Dr. Beeghley offers with this blog. Today I am excited to discuss the latest offering on our website; a new animated map depicting the Battle of Franklin, Tennessee.

Just to tell you a little bit about us, CWPT is America’s largest non-profit organization (501-C3) devoted to the preservation of our nation’s endangered Civil War battlefields. CWPT is also committed to providing educational programs and resources to inform the public of the war’s history and the fundamental conflicts that sparked it.

The animated maps are one of the feature educational offering of CWPT.  The Franklin animated map, launched this week, is a part of a series of animated maps including: the Battle of Fredericksburg, Saving Bentonville, the First Day at Chancellorsville, the Battle of Chantilly, and the Battle of Cedar Creek.  Through these animated maps the battles of the Civil War come to life.

CWPT Franklin Animated Map

Over the past year CWPT has worked on these maps, gradually developing a template for the “animated map.” Taking the traditional static battle map, we have compressed the battle into a short/bite-size presentation, inserted a historical narrative, and set the once still armies into animated action.  The outcome is a user friendly, high-speed learning experience for students of all ages.

In my opinion one of the greatest parts of the animated map is that it is not a static map sitting on a self or table by itself.  The animated map is surrounded by information and resources.  It is a full narration of the battle from beginning to end.  The animated map provides the user with context for the battle, opening with an introduction which explains where and when the battle took place, who was involved, why the battle happened at that time and in that location.

During the battle troops can be seen moving in and around the battle, those that are not involved in the major action at a certain moment can still be seen.  The user can also see the roads, topography of the land, rivers, and railroads.  Historians have provided a narrative of the battle. As the battle progresses the narration follows along providing the user with information that could not be discussed on a static map.  Following the battle there is discussion about what effects the battle had on the soldiers and community. The preservation efforts or lack there of are also discussed.

Another great feature of the animated map is the use of primary sources; newspaper articles, pictures, illustrations, and letters appear thought-out the animated map presentation.  This provides the user with a visual context for the time and landscape in which the battle was fought.  It also exposes the younger audience to the use and variety of primary sources.

CWPT Franklin Animated Map

As someone who began to learn about the Civil War fairly recently I really appreciate the animated map approach to military history.  I never understood how a static battle map was useful, these always seemed to make me more confused.  I needed to see the movement; I needed to know where the armies were coming from, and where they were going.

The animated map is useful at so many levels of Civil War scholarship.  We are very fortunate to have the technology to do this and the ability to provide it free to all who want to learn about the war.

I hope to post again soon, Nicole Osier.

education@civilwar.org

According to Barbara Franco, the Executive Director for the PHMC, “The Pennsylvania Civil War 150 commemoration is far more than a formal remembrance. It is a collection of stories brought to life that are as epic as the fields at Gettysburg or as small as the struggles of a soldier’s wife working to survive her husband’s absence on a Pennsylvania farm. Through these stories, Pennsylvania Civil War 150 will renew interest and engagement in our state’s heritage.”

The new (and very interactive ) website is packed with information for you and your students to learn about Pennsylvania’s role in the Civil War.  They have broken the website into four distinct sections:  Understanding, The War, Through People and Then and Now.

Under the section on Understanding, the website provides some excellent information related to understanding the cause and events leading up the the Civil War.  The TIMELINE section shows events beginning in 1780 with PA Abolishing Slavery up to 1877 (Compromise of 1877).  This section also provides pictures and a narrative of various primary sources related to a particular year.  The Understanding section also provides information on Pennsylvania’s Role, the Home Front, Slavery, and the Role of Religion.

Within the WAR section of the website, visitors can learn about Battlefields and Tactics along with the Weaponry and Uniforms of Civil War soldiers.

The THROUGH PEOPLE section of the website contains some outstanding stories from Pennsylvanians on how they experienced the Civil War.  There are stories of Children, prominent politicians like Governor Curtain, and stories of women and other civilians.  This section has some great photographs of the individuals that can easily be used to start a classroom conversation.

The Then and Now section provides some brief snapshots into how various things such as Industry & Commerce, Government and Politics and Media and Communications (check out the photo).

In addition to all of the stories, photographs, bibliographic references and primary sources, the website offers ways for you and your students to participate in the discussion and to share your stories.  You can also Experience the Civil War through an an interactive map along with a great collection of artifacts.  These resources provide more great opportunities for teachers and students to explore and discuss.

Finally, there is a terrific section dedicated to resources for Teachers.  This section provides some great links to resources and lessons for teaching the Civil War which are aligned to the Pa State History Standards.

Check out the full PRESS RELEASE

So, take some time and explore this great new resource.  There is more to come with this website so be sure to check back often for new resources.

The articles pretty good and there are some great resources that can be used in your classroom including a multimedia timeline of the war.

Check it out at The Secrets of the Civil War