Here is a list of terms and definitions that will be used in the broadcast and within the individual soldier biographies that are assigned to the students. You may wish to gradually work these terms into your regular vocabulary units, or assign each student (or small groups of students) to research and define some of the words, keeping a master list or bulletin board area for class reference.
accouterments – a soldier’s equipment
Army of Northern Virginia -- the Confederate army at Gettysburg, led by Robert E. Lee
Army of the Potomac – the Union army at Gettysburg, led by George G. Meade
artillery – cannon and other large weapons
battle (engagement) – a large-scale fight between two armies
bayonet – knife-like weapon attached to the front end of a musket or rifle
bedroll – rolled blankets containing personal belongings, carried by soldiers
bombardment – mass firing of large amounts of artillery
bummer – soldier that would take needed items from farmers and townspeople
campaign – a series of army movements with a specific goal or destination
canteen – tin or wood container on a strap, used to carry liquid
cap – a small device used to cause powder to explode in a musket barrel
cap box – small leather box attached to the belt to hold caps used to fire muskets
cartridge – paper tube that held a bullet and gun powder
cartridge box – leather box used to hold cartridges
casualty – a soldier who has been killed or wounded, is missing, or was captured by the enemy
cavalry – group of men fighting, scouting, or screening army movements from horseback
comrade – a close companion or co-worker
Confederacy – the eleven states that seceded from the United States to form their own country
democracy – 1. a form of government where the people rule themselves through elected representatives. 2. equality of rights, opportunity, and treatment
drill – training by repetition; teaching something by having participants do it over and over again
enlist – to sign-up or enroll in the army
flank – the end of a line of soldiers
foraging – roving the countryside in search of food, sometimes taking from farmers
formation – the basic physical arrangement of soldiers in a unit, made up of ranks and files; a rank is the single line of men from right to left, and a file is the line of men from front to back
Gettysburg Address – speech delivered by President Abraham Lincoln at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg on November 19, 1863. Lincoln stressed the necessity of continuing the fight for a government of the people.
hardtack – flour, salt and water biscuit that was very hard and dry
haversack – small canvas bag used by soldiers to carry food and other belongings
headquarters – the building or location for the head of an army to direct movements and operations during a battle and campaign
housewife – small sewing kit used by soldiers on the march
infantry – group of men who travel and fight on foot
journal – a daily written record of one’s experiences, sometimes called a diary
kepi – cap or hat; part of the uniform of a Civil War soldier
knapsack – canvas container strapped to a soldier’s back, carrying personal belongings
liberty – a right or a freedom; the idea that every individual has a fair and equal chance for success and happiness
line of battle – territory marked by formations of soldiers, either in defense of a position, or in preparation to attack a position
muster – to assemble and be counted for military service
National Park Service –government agency created to care for and teach about the special land areas set aside for their natural or cultural importance to the history of the U.S.
rebel – common term for a Confederate soldier
reinforcements – additional troops held back from battle until they are needed to support and strengthen the units already in the battle
retreat – to withdraw troops under attack; to move away from the enemy and the battle grounds
ridge – a long, narrow and raised strip of land
rifled-musket – muzzle loading gun, fired with cartridge and cap
sacrifice – to give up one thing for the sake of another
slavery – a human being who is owned by another human being against his/her will
Union – the United States of America
yankee – common term for a Union soldier
"Gettysburg: The Soldiers’ Battle" Pre-broadcast Activities
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National Park Service
Gettysburg National Military Park
97 Taneytown Road
Gettysburg, PA 17325