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Interpreting the Evidence

Letter from Elijah Penny to his wife; May 13, 1863

  • Documents in this Activity:
  • Historical Eras:

    Civil War and Reconstruction (1850 - 1877)

  • Thinking Skill:

    Historical Analysis & Interpretation

  • Grade Level:

    Middle School
    High School
    College University

  • Topics:

    Civil War
    Communication

  • Primary Source Types:

    Written Document

  • Regions:

    Mid Hudson
    United States

  • Creator:

    NYS Archives Partnership Trust Education Team

  1. Load Letter from Elijah Penny to his wife; May 13, 1863 in Main Image Viewer

Suggested Teaching Instructions

Document Description
Letter from Civil War soldier Elijah Penny to his wife, 1863.
Historical Context
When the American Civil War began in 1861, citizens of both the North and South had no idea how long the conflict would last. Many Northerners, including the Union army leaders, envisioned a three-month war that would quickly bring the South back into the Union. The assumption that it would be a short war, coupled with a surge in patriotism, led thousands of New Yorkers to voluntarily join the army. The men of the Penny family were no exception.

In 1860, the Penny family consisted of seven members: Elijah, Jane, Archibald, Alfred, Eugene, Charles, and Louise. They lived in the town of Southeast in Putnam County, New York. Elijah, the father, and the two older boys, Archibald and Alfred all volunteered to fight for the Union in 1861. The letters, census records, and military documents all provide a glimpse into one New York family's experience during this time of national unrest.

Essential Question
What impact did the Civil War have on individual citizens, families, and local communities?
 
Check for Understanding
What was the individual impact of the war on Elijah?