by Jessica Smoot

The Civil War began on April 12, 1861, when Confederate rebels fired on United States troops at Fort Sumter, South Carolina. The war lasted four years, ending when Robert E. Lee signed a peace treaty, surrendering to General Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865. Tour days after that, on April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth fatally shot president Abraham Lincoln.

These are just a few of the facts learned by the Civil War class at the Willow Springs High School. Over the past semester, the class has learned valuable information about the Civil War, and the students have been involved in different projects that have broadened their horizons and encouraged the class to enjoy history. This year, the class is involved in something a little bit different than the usual classroom work.

On Monday, December 12, the Civil War class took turns dressing in complete Civil War uniform, including uniforms, canteens, bullet pouches, and a rifle and bayonet. These ensembles were loaned to the class by Mr. Lou Whemer and Mr. McGarry. Students were photographed in the Civil War soldiers’ style of old-time photograph. The pictures will be photoshopped into one single picture. The Civil War class of 2011 will resemble a Civil War Union regiment and a Confederate regiment.

While the Civil War ended 150 years ago, the lessons learned and the history passed down is still affecting people across the country today. The Civil War class, taught by Mr. Wickens, has learned many of the stories and morals from the Civil War and their last project will live in their memory for many years.