Civil War Activities Soldier Letters l Civil War Battles Primary Source Activity

What was the Civil War really like? Hear it straight from the soldiers who lived it.

This engaging activity brings the Civil War to life through real primary source letters, giving students a firsthand look at the experience of war from the soldiers themselves.

How it works:

• Students read a one-page passage on the Civil War postal system for context
• They analyze five fascinating primary source letter excerpts written by real soldiers
• Students answer key concept comprehension questions about each letter
• Bonus activity: After reading, students choose a side — Confederate or Union — and write their own soldier’s letter describing the difficulties of war

Flexible for any classroom setup:
Works well individually, in pairs, or in small groups.

Pairs perfectly with: the Instagram from a Soldier activity, for an even more immersive Civil War experience.