NAME:___________________
Texas in the Civil War
Major Grade Project
Choose ONE of the following activities to demonstrate your knowledge of
the significant events and/or people involved in the Civil War. Your project
requires research and can be technology based or illustrated/designed on
paper/poster (Teacher must approve first). You will be graded on
accuracy of information, neatness, design, and creativity.
ALL PROJECTS MUST BE COMPLETE AND TURNED IN BY:
____________________________
1.OPTION 1- Battle Scene Illustration or Model: Design or illustrate a battle
scene from one of the Texas Civil War Battles. Write a report summarizing what took
place at the battle (The name of the battle, date, location, leaders of both armies
involved in the battle, major historical figures involved in the battle, estimated casualties,
and the results of the battle) and explain the significance of the battle as it relates to the
Civil War from a Confederate perspective. Possible Choices: Galveston Island, Sabine
Pass, or Palmito Ranch.
For examples of battle scene illustrations, view the follow links:
http://www.wiltonlibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/Troianis-Mahones-Counterattack-.jpg
https://goo.gl/sFzgKk
http://blogs.voanews.com/tedlandphairsamerica/files/2011/05/02a-Kurz-Allisons-Battleof-Corinth-Published-ca.-18912.jpg
https://goo.gl/73UNLI
2.OPTION 2- Historical Figure Tribute: Choose a significant Texan from the
Civil War and write a biography that details the significance of the person’s life as it
relates to the Civil War (Who they were, Title (if any), what role they played in the Civil
War, etc.). Include an illustration and/or portrait of them that would be historically
accurate to the Civil War Era (dressed in the style of clothes they would have worn,
background is of a place they were actually at, etc.) Possible choices: John Bell
Hood, Francis Lubbock, Thomas Green, John Bankhead Magruder, or John
Reagan.
NAME:___________________
3. OPTION 3- Battle Map: Create a battle map depicting the battles of the Civil
War in Texas. Be sure to include: title, key, symbols to represent Confederate/Union
victories and losses, a compass rose, and be sure to label the battles and the dates on
which they occurred. In addition, write a report summarizing what took place at each of
the 3 battles (detailed description of the battle, leaders of both armies involved in the
battle, major historical figures involved in the battle, estimated casualties and the results
of the battle). In your report, you should also discuss why each battle location was or
was not a good strategic location for a battle.
o The following battles should be included on the map:
1. Galveston Island
2. Sabine Pass
3. Palmito Ranch
o The following towns should be included on the map:
1. Austin
2. Brownsville
3. Corpus Christi
4. Galveston
5. Laredo
6. Port Lavaca
7. Houston
o The following geographic features should be included on the map:
1. Brazos River
2. Colorado River
3. San Antonio River
4. Rio Grande River
5. Red River
6. Sabine River
7. Gulf of Mexico
4. OPTION 4- Civil War Perspective (Journal or Diary Entry): While a vast
majority of Texans supported slavery and secession, not everyone did. You are going
to assume the role of an ordinary person living in Texas during the Civil War. You will
choose a role from the 1860’s and write a description of your experience from this
perspective in a journal or diary entry format. The entry must be designed to look like a
journal or diary from the Civil War Era.
Here are the questions you need to answer within your writing:
1. What was your life like during the years 1861-1865?
2. What were your views of Texas seceding from the Union?
3. What hardships did you endure during the war?
4. Were you directly or indirectly involved in the war? Explain.
Possible roles you can choose from: Small farmer in East Texas, German immigrant,
Refugee slave, Non-fighting plantation owner, Confederate soldier, Minister or priest.