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Civil War Progression

Red Cap by G. Clifton Wisler
New York:  Puffin Books, 1991

"No six-footer had a more soldierly heart than little Red Cap, and none was more loyal to the cause.  He was, beyond a doubt, the best known and most popular person in the prison."
- John McElroy, 16th Illinois Cavalry

     Red Cap is the true story of  Ransom J. Powell, who in 1862 at the age of just thirteen lies about his age and enlists in the Union Army.  He is from Maryland, a state in which many citizens are sympathetic to the Union cause.  Families and friends were often separated by different partisan beliefs. 
     R. J. becomes a drummer, and participates in several bloody battles before being captured by Confederate troops in the Battle of Moorefield Junction in January of 1864.  R. J., nicknamed Red Cap by his fellow soldiers, witnesses the horrors of war first hand as many of his closest friends are killed or wounded. 
     R. J. is shipped by train to Andersonville prison, one of the most notorious Confederate prisons of the Civil War.  With inadequate food and appalling sanitary conditions, over 13,000 Union soldiers perished in the prison before the war ended.  R. J. is befriended by a Confederate soldier who, in spite of Red Cap's refusal to violate his pledge of loyalty to the Union, arranges for R. J. to work in exchange for better living conditions.   In reality, Private Lewis Jones, the sympathetic Confederate soldier, undoubtedly saved Red Cap's life.

Comments
     The story is told in the first person from R. J.'s perspective.  Most of the characters are real, and the book highlights many of the key battles and events of the Civil War.  Readers experience the deplorable conditions of the Civil War, both on the battlefield and in Andersonville prison.   
     The Epilogue includes the text of an actual letter Ransom Powell wrote to the Governor of Alabama in 1894 inquiring as to whether or not Lewis Jones was his younger brother.  The letter describes their relationship, and expresses his gratitude.  Unfortunately, no response to the letter has been found.  While there is no bibliography, Wisler does describe many of his key sources.  The book serves as a useful springboard into discussions regarding many of the key events during the Civil War.

Reading Level:  5.4
Interest Level:  5 - 9
160 pages

Supports the Following Instructional Objectives:

Describe the Cultural, Political and Military Progression of Events in the Civil War

Excerpt

     "I won't sign a parole," I announced.
     "You don't have to, Lewis explained.  "All you got to do is promise me face to face you won't run away."
     "I don't understand," I said.
     "We need a drummer," the lieutenant told me.  "Well?"
     "All I have to do is beat the drum?"
     "You'll stay in our camp, share our mess," Lewis explained.  "Long as we're at Camp Sumter.  If we're ordered back to fighting, well, I can't say you won't have to return inside.  But your honor's safe.  We'll not ask you to turn from your pledge."

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