HISTORY 324A
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
October 14, 1999

1.    Consider carefully the nature of the personal letter as a source for the
       historian.  In doing so evaluate as widely as possible both their assets
       and their limitations as a source.

2.    What unique insights does this type of source (ie the personal letter) bring to
       an examination of the Civil War?  What does this source type provide that
       other sources do not?

3.    As a historian what is the best means to utilize such a source?  What has to
       be considered to use them effectively?

4.    From the Johnson family papers, what do you consider to be the two most important
       'facts' that you learned about the conduct of the war?

5.    What is the nature of battle and war generally from the perspective of a general?

6.    How do the concerns, fears, tone, etc., of the general differ from those of the common
       soldier?

7.    If you removed the identifying markers from each set of letters, would it be
       possible to distinguish them as being from the North or the South?  If so, how?