“The Drummer Boy of Shiloh”

Background Information

Background Information

• Battle of Shiloh was a MAJOR battle in the American Civil War

• Lasted only 2 days – April 6th and April 7th of 1862

• Took place in southwestern Tennessee

Background Information

A “small, backwoods church with the name of Shiloh . . . . would give its name to the battle that would swirl around it.”

Background Information

• The Union (the North) was led by General Ulysses S.Grant

• The Confederacy (the South) was led by General Albert Sidney Johnston

Background Information

• The Confederacy decisively won the first day of battle

• However, the tide turned quickly and ultimately Grant and the Union won

Background Information

•Approximately 25,000 men were slaughtered in two days

•Bloodiest battle in US history at its time

Some vocabulary that might aid your comprehension:

1. lunar –

2. solemn –

3. askew -

Some vocabulary that might aid your comprehension:

1. lunar – of or pertaining to the moon

2. solemn –

3. askew -

Some vocabulary that might aid your comprehension:

1. lunar – of or pertaining to the moon

2. solemn – gloomy or somber

3. askew -

Some vocabulary that might aid your comprehension:

1. lunar – of or pertaining to the moon

2. solemn – gloomy or somber

3. askew - crooked

Some vocabulary that might aid your comprehension:

4. basting –

5. benediction –

6. bindle(d) –

Some vocabulary that might aid your comprehension:

4. basting – to pour liquid over meat while

cooking

5. benediction –

6. bindle(d) –

Some vocabulary that might aid your comprehension:

4. basting – to pour liquid over meat while

cooking

5. benediction – a blessing, typically

given at the end of a worship service

6. bindle(d) –

Some vocabulary that might aid your comprehension:

4. basting – lkdaldkl

5. benediction - a blessing, typically

given at the end of a worship service

6. bindle(d) – to tie together as with a rope

Comprehension Check

What indications in the story show that Joby is afraid?

Comprehension CheckAt the beginning of the

story, what is Joby’s perspective or point of view about his role in the war? Compare his perspective with the general’s perspective.

Comprehension Check

What is significant about how Joby joined the army?

Comprehension Check

The general comforts Joby by saying he also cried (paragraph 32). What is different about why the two characters cried?

Comprehension Check

Summarize the drummer boy’s importance to the army, according to the general.

Comprehension CheckNotice how paragraph 46,

beginning, “So bring the right . . . “ speeds up the pace of the story. Examine the paragraph and determine how the author makes the reader and Joby feel the excitement of the general.