Red+Cap+Chapter+Questions

=Red Cap Chapter Questions=

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**Chapter 1**
1. Mr. Havers tells the class that some South Carolinians have taken Fort Sumter by force of arms and that there will be a war. What does Ransom find puzzling about Mr. Haver’s announcement? Tell me in very detailed answer please.

2. What happens after school to show Ransom how beliefs may dictate actions?

Why is Ethan the best person in the world??

3. What does Mr. Powell reply when Ransom saks, "You figured out what it’s all about, Pa?"

4. Not wanting to be "forever staying behind," what does Ransom decide to do about going to war?

Would you have responded in the same way? Why or why not?

Enrichment: Prior to the Civil War, teachers in the schools were predominantly male. After the war this changed dramatically as women began to outnumber the male teachers in the primary schools. Can you suggest why this sudden transformation might have occurred?

Chapter 2
1. After being outfitted by the quartermaster, what kind of reception does R.J. get from the soldiers of the regiment?

Why do you think R.J. receives this treatment?

Can you think of additional reasons why R.J. might be the object of some teasing? Explain.

2. What advice does Danny give R.J. about the teasing?

What do you think Danny means by his remark?

What does R.J. do?

What do you think might have happened if R.J. had not done something to "fix" em?

Chapter 3
1. How many drum calls do R.J. and Danny perform each day?

Why do you think the companies of the regiment need drummer boys?

Is there something that could be substituted for the function of the boys and their drums? Explain.

2. As the weather worsens and the temperature drops, why does the captain try to arrange furloughs for as many of the men as possible?

Why doesn’t R.J. want to go home?

Do you think he is correct in his assessment of the situation?

Why or why not?

3. How does R.J. get new clothes?

Enrichment: Briefly list some of the reasons that soldiers might have deserted.

Chapter 4
1. The men give R.J. and Danny nicknames. What are the nicknames and why are they given to the boys?

Although the men also have clothing in poor condition and have suffered from diarrhea, it is the boys that acquire the nicknames. How would you explain that situation?

2. In autumn the company is hit by illness. What is running rampant at the time?

What do Maggs and the Captain do about the men’s illnesses?

Why do you think the old woman is successful in her treatment of the ill men?

3. In November, the company is up against Col. W.L. Jackson and his cavalry. How are

the men feeling as they wait for the battle to begin?

What happens to R.J. and Danny during the battle?

Why do you think Sgt. Maggs, followed by the Captain with twenty men, arrive to help the boys?

Enrichment: Explain the phrase, "Truth is the first casualty of war." Do you agree? Why.

Chapter 5
1. When does the battle of Moorefield Junction take place?

What is the outcome?

How do the soldiers of both sides feel about the battle? How do you think R.J. is feeling at this time?

2. What lies ahead for the captured Union soldiers?

What preview of the prison do the captives get from a reb guard?

What iddeas do you think come to the minds of the prisoners when they hear the guard’s remarks?

3. How does R.J. get the nickname Red Cap?

What else do the ladies share with the Union soldiers?

Why do you think they are allowed to do this?

Enrichment: One of the Confederate guards boasted that Washington and Jefferson would have supported the Southern cause. Research his claim and decide if you agree with him or not. Why?

Chapter 6
1. What does Red do when R.J. refuses to get up to get his ration?

What reaction does this get from some of the men?

Why do you think Red did this to R.J.?

Is there ever any doubt as to the kind of relationship Red and R.J. have? Describe this relationship.

What promise does Red get from R.J.?

2. Libby Prison is to be for officers only. The prisoners are moved out. As R.J. and the others are moved, he notices that they always get better treatment from the reb soldiers who have been on the field of battle. Why do you think battlefield veterans give better treatment to the prisoners of war?

Enrichment: Research prison conditions for prisoners today and compare those with the conditions of camps during the Civil War.

Chapter 7
1. At one train stop, the prisoners are ordered by guards to sit down and stay seated or they will be shot. During the stay, some of the soldiers forgot and are shot. Does this upset R.J.? Why or why not?

2. What happens after the shooting that irritates and angers the men?

Why do you think the guards act in this manner?

Chapter 8
1. Who is putting up the new stockade logs when the men of Company I arrive at Andersonville?

2. What does R.J. think of this?

3. How do the slaves show their quiet support of the prisoners?

Enrichment: Research the medical condition called scurvy. What are the causes and what are the modern treatments for scurvy? Many early explorers suffered from scurvy but were cured by the natives. What type of treatments did they us__e?__

Chapter 9
1. What does Lewis Jones want R.J. to do for the Twenty-sixth Alabama?

Why does Jones choose R.J.?

What kind of impression does Lewis Jones make on you? What do you think of this man?

2. What is the second offer that Jones makes R.J.?

R.J. decides to accept the offer and later tells the lieutenant, "I never break a promise." Would you believe R.J.? Why or why not?

Chapter 10
1. What does R.J. dream about after taking some food to his messmates in the stockade?

Why do you think R.J. has this dream?

2. Lewis blames the visit to the stockade for R.J.’s nightmare, and wonders aloud how anybody is able to live more than a few days there. What is R.J.’s response to Lewis?

Explain R.J. remark.

3. As the Twenty-sixth gets ready to go back to the battlefield, Lewis tries to explain his reason for fighting to R.J. What does Lewis tell him?

What is your opinion of this reason?

Chapter 11
1. What warning about Captain Wirz is given to R.J. by Jim, Matthew, and Cable?

What do you think the boys mean by "hair trigger"?

What proof does Cable have?

2. Why does the number of orderlies decrease?

3. What secret does Cable reveal to R.J.?

What is his reaction to Cable’s revelation?

What is your opinion of R.J.’s decision?

Enrichment: Research what is a pacifist. Describe the difference between a hawk and a dove. Which are you?

Chapter 12
1. What happens when Mosby’s Raiders attack the West Virginia newcomers at the prison?

2. The raiders have attacked others in the prison on previous occasions. Why do you think this raid was stopped, pushed back, and the prisoners aided by the prison authorities?

Chapter 13
1. How is R.J.’s part in a prisoner escape discovered?

2. How does Captian Wirz react to R.J.’s actions?

3. Do you think the Captain’s feelings toward R.J. are justified? Explain your answer.

Chapter 14
1. Why does Johnny Poland want to speak to R.J. alone?

What arrangements has Johnny made for R.J.?

Why do you think he continues to watch over R.J.?

2. What happens during the last days of August to cause the prisoners to be "carrying on like children having birthdays"?

Why does this get such a reaction from the prisoners?

Enrichment: Research the role of black in the Civil War. How did they contribute?

Chapter 15
1. R.J. realizes that he is the lone survivor of CompanyI. How many men of Company I have died?

How long had R.J. been in Andersonville?

What kept R.J. alive during that time?

2. What qualities does R.J. possess that have made these men want to help him to survive?

What qualities did the men have that made them be concerned about the survival of someone other than themselves?

Chapter 16
1. What is the last item of clothing that is taken from R.J. by the attendant at Camp Parole?

2. What symbolism might be placed on the cap removal?

Epilogue
1. Why was R.J. not permitted to rejoin the war effort?

2. Why did Ransom write a letter to the Governor of Alabama?

3. What type of response did Ransom get to his letter?

4. What was the fate of Captain Wirz?

5. What lasting effects did the experience at Andersonville have on Ransom?

Enrichment: If you were the defense attorney for Captain Wirz during his trial, what points would you make in his defense? Why would you argue he was a scapegoat?toc