Preston Pharris by Preston Pharris

"I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg" by Lauren Tarshis

pharris693 — 2024-02-24 19:04:44 UTC

This book is about a boy named Thomas. He grew up as a slave on a large farm, and one day he and his sister Birdie ran into the forrest trying to escape. While they were running, they heard two Confederate soldiers on horse back coming after them. The soldiers weren't actually after them they were after a Union soldier. They were about to kill the Union soldier when Thomas threw a skunk at the Confederate soldiers and saved the man's life. That man, whose name was Henry, told Thomas that he and Birdie could live with him at the Union camp for a while. They were very helpful and all the Union soldiers at the camp loved Birdie. But one day Thomas decided to join the battle and almost died.

Historical Context

pharris693 — 2024-02-24 19:26:36 UTC

The battle of Gettysburg is during the Civil war. The book takes place in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on July 1-3, 1863. In the beginning of the book the Union soldiers are gathering for battle. The Confederate soldiers had the high ground but were outnumbered. They had hundreds of cannons sitting on the hills. This battle was very bloody. Confederate general Robert E Lee hoped to win a battle north of the Mason Dixon line, but failed. The Union proved to be too strong.

https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/gettysburg

Picture #1

pharris693 — 2024-02-24 19:33:50 UTC

When Henry found Thomas and Birdie he brought them to his Union Camp. It probably would have been one similar to this. It would have dirty and very crowded. It would not be the place for kids to stay for any amount of time. They had to share small spaces with lots of different men.

https://unwritten-record.blogs.archives.gov/2020/06/09/unnoticed-african-americans-in-union-army-camps-during-the-civil-war/

Picture #2

pharris693 — 2024-02-25 19:42:38 UTC

In the story Thomas saves Henry by throwing a skunk at the Confederate soldiers who were about to kill Henry. This is how Thomas and Birdie meet Henry. The skunk scared off the Confederate soldiers' horses, and they went running after them. Henry thanks the kids and offers them help for saving his life. They accept the offer and stay with Henry on the Union camp. Henry told them that after the war they could live with him and his sweetheart in Vermont. It makes Thomas and Birdie happy that they will actually have a real home as a normal kid.

https://northernwoodlands.org/outside_story/article/winter-skunk

Picture #3

pharris693 — 2024-02-25 19:53:05 UTC

In this book the theme is survival. In multiple occasions Birdie and Thomas barely make it out alive. They face many trials and hardships. For example, they lost their older cousin, Clem, who was a father character to them. They also have to try to survive the bloodiest battle in American history. They had to survive as a slave through all of that too. It was much harder for an escaped slave in that area to survive, even without fighting against Confederate soldiers.

https://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/the-battle-of-gettysburg-day-two-july-2-1863-225029

"The soldier's eyes were red with fury. His face was twisted into a crazed grin. He aimed the rifle at Thomas. No! Thomas couldn't die here! Boom! Thomas's chest seemed to shatter like glass" (Tarshis, 3).

pharris693 — 2024-02-25 20:02:11 UTC

Thomas, even as a kid, was almost killed on the battle field. The soldier shot him right in the chest, but somehow he survived. This was brave of him, with the battle raging on and still trying to help.

pharris693 — 2024-02-25 20:06:27 UTC

The Battle of Gettysburg: The Civil War in Four Minutes

pharris693 — 2024-02-25 20:15:50 UTC

pharris693 — 2024-02-25 20:17:26 UTC