If I wrote a textbook it would include lots of personal accounts to add to the more dry texts. Thankfully the Internet helps provides this additions.
Here is an account of slave Silas Chandler who fought with the Confederates during the Civil War. It comes from a memoir of his owner with whom he fought alongside. We all teach about the 54th Regiment, but here is someone who undoubtedly fought against his owner and wasn't freed by the Emancipation Proclamation (a good way to show your students that it initially freed no one). Even if it is just for you, it is a very interesting read about a very sorry period of our history.
I agree that text books need more personal accounts of history. I always have my students find first hand accounts from moments in history. Accounts like being a soldier, or living during the Dust Bowl. I think it really allow the students to read or see what people went through. Thanks for the post on African American soldiers. Will be a great addition when we start talking about he Civil War.
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