Civil War Quiz: What Do You Know About Little Known Facts of the Civil War?

Q#1 – What were the nicknames that President Abraham Lincoln used to refer to Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis?

Q#2 – Jefferson Davis served as a member of the US House of Representatives, a US Senator on two separate occasions and as the President of the Confederate States. What was common regarding all three of these?

Q#3 – Regarding the number people who earned the Medal of Honor, which war had the most medals awarded?

Q#4 – What piece of evidence led some people to believe that Confederate President Jefferson Davis ordered the assassination of President Lincon?

Q#5 – John Wilkes Booth’s assassination of Lincoln was part of a broader conspiracy. What other actions were planned to be executed on April 14, 1865?

Q#6 – What foreign city did the Confederate Secret Service take refuge in during the Civil War?

Q#7 – What item on a pair of military pants was invented by the US Army?

Q#8 – During the Civil War era, it was commonly thought that firing a cannon over water would do what?

Q#9 – Approximately how many soldiers died of disease in the Civil War?

Q#10 – True or False: Only white people were slave holders?

Q#11 – What medical unit did Union General George B. McClellan create?

Q#12 – What was the purpose for creating the U.S. Sanitary Commission?

Q#13 – Other than carrier pigeons, what animal did the Confederate Arny use to deliver message??

Q#14 – During the Battle of Gettysburg, a group of gathered intelligence for the Union army. They posed as Confederate sympathizers and used their social networks to gather information about Confederate troop movements and plans. This information was then passed along to Union commanders, who used it to their advantage on the battlefield. What was the name given to this group of women?

Q#15 – During the Civil War, what was the monthly pay for a Black soldier?

Civil War Quiz: What Do You Know About The Spencer Rifle? (Vernon Hayashida)

Q#1 – The carbine was handier than the rifle for the cavalry. What made the rifle, Spencer and 1873 Trap Door Springfield, the weapon of choice over the carbine for the infantry?

Q#2 – How many rounds does a Spencer hold and where is the magazine?

Q#3 – Describe the sequence in chambering a round, firing, and ejecting the spent cartridge a Spencer.

Q#4 – What is a Blakeslee Box for the Spencer?

Q#5 – What is a Stabler Cutt Off on a 1865 Spencer Carbine?

Q#6 – Who helped get 10,000+ Spencers for distributed after testing the carbine?

Q#7 – When and where was the tests in Q#-6 performed?

Q#8 – What was the one complaint of the Spencer design by the tester?

Q#9 – When was the Spencer rifle first used in significant numbers?

Q#10 – What was the problem Confederates had in using captured Spencers?

Q#11 – What are the disadvantages of the Spencer rifle over the 1861 Springfield rifle?

Q#12 – In what battle was the Spencer rifle first used after being supplied to Union forces?

Q#13 – Which Union organization purchased 700 Spencer Rifles in 1861?

Q#14 – The Spencer carbine was involved in what historical event in April 26, 1865?

Q#15 – Why was the Spencer design weapon favored by the Union Ordnance Department over the 1860 Henry Rifle?

Civil War Quiz: What Do You Know About Union General Daniel E. Sickles?

Q#1 – Daniel E Sickles’ parents were Susan Marsh Sickles and George Garrett Sickles. What was Sickles’ father’s occupation?

Q#2 – Sickles’ official birthdate is October 20, 1819. His year of birth is sometimes given as 1825, and Sickles was known to have claimed as such – why did Sickles give people different dates for his birth?

Q#3 – As a young man, what trade did Sickles learn?

Q#4 – In 1847, what was the first political office that Sickles was elected to?

Q#5 – On September 27, 1852, at the age of 32, Sickles married Teresa Bagioli against the wishes of both families. How old was his bride?

Q#6 – While being a member of the New York State Assembly, why did this governmental organization censor Sickles?

Q#7 – On February 27, 1859, in Lafayette Square, across the street from the White House, Sickles shot and killed Philip Barton Key II, the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia and the son of Francis Scott Key. What was the motive that led Sickles to shot Key?

Q#8 – In the 1850s, Sickles had received a commission in the 12th Regiment of the New York Militia; what rank did Sickles eventually attain with this unit?
 
Q#9 – At the outbreak of the Civil War, Sickles was appointed colonel of one what military unit?

Q#10 – While in command of his military unit, what non-battle related action did Sickles perform that won for him the approval of the influential Committee on the Conduct of the War?

Q#11 – For a variety of reasons, Sickles missed significant actions at the Battle of Williamsburg and the Second Battle of Bull Run. What was the reason Sickles missed the Battle of Antietam because the III Corps, to which he was assigned as a division commander.?

Q#12 – How did Sickles become the only Union corps commander without a West Point military education?

Q#13 – At the Battle of Chancellorsville. What two sets of advice did Sickles provide to Army of the Potomac Commander, Joseph Hooker, that Hooker ignored, that historians of the battle believe could have caused the battle to turn out very differently for the Union if Hooker had heeded Sickles’ advice?

Q#14 – What two factors played into Sickles’ decision to move his Third Corp west off the lower part of Cemetery Ridge?

Q#15 – Despite his one-legged disability after being wounded at the Batlle of Gettysburg, Sickles remained in the army until the end of the war. Who prevented Sickles from returning to a combat command?

Civil War Quiz: What Do You Know About the Gettysburg East Cavalry Battle?

Q#1 – On what date was the East Cavalry Battle fought?

Q#2 – Why was the battle given the name “East Cavalry Battle”?

Q#3 – What was the Confederate forces high level objective in this battle?

Q#4 – What major highway did the Confederate cavalry hope to capture?

Q#5 – Which four Confederate cavalry brigades participated in the battle?

Q#6 – Approximately how many Confederate cavalry troopers were involved in the battle?

Q#7 – From the Union Cavalry Corps commanded by Major General Alfred Pleasonton, which division was involved in the East Cavalry Field battle?

Q#8 – Who were the two original Union brigade commanders assigned to the area given the name East Cavalry Field?

Q#9 – How did Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer become involved in the East Cavalry Field battle?

Q#10 – What tactical error did JEB Stuart make before the battle began that assisted the Union in their preparation for the battle?

Q#11 – What major Confederate battle action began at the same time that JEB Stuart ordered an assault by the 1st Virginia Cavalry?

Q#12 – What was the rallying cry Custer is credited with using when he was ordered to attack the Confederate cavalry?

Q#13 – After Custer’s charge initially caused the Confederate Virginian cavalry to retreat, what happened next?

Q#14 – How long in time did the East Cavalry Field Battle last?

Q#15 – What were the casualties incurred in the East Calvary Field battle?

Civil War Quiz: What Do You Know About Civil War Prisons?

Q#1 – At the start of the Civil War, what system was in place between the Union and Confederate forces regarding prisoners?

Q#2 – What event in 1863 caused a momentous change in the way prisoners were treated?

Q#3 – Approximately how many Union soldiers became prisoners?

Q#4 – Approximately how many Confederate soldiers became prisoners?

Q#5 – Approximately how many Union soldiers died in captivity?

Q#6 – Approximately how many Confederate soldiers died in captivity?

Q#7 – What were the major causes of deaths in Confederate prisons?

Q#8 – During a period of 14 months at Camp Sumter (aka Andersonville) how many Union prisoners were confined there?
 
Q#9 – During the winter month of January 1865, at Camp Douglas in Chicago, Illinois, what percentage of the Confederate prisoners confined there died?

Q#10 – At the Elmira Prison in New York state, what percentage of the Confederate prisoners confined there died?

Q#11 – What did prisoners eat during the Civil War?

Q#12 – Where was Libby Prison located?

Q#13 – What prisoners were incarcerated at Libby Prison?

Q#14 – What was Castle Morgan?

Q#15 – Who was executed because of Andersonville?

Civil War Quiz: What Do You Know About the Underground Railroad?

Civil War Quiz: What Do You Know About the Underground Railroad?

Q#1 – What is the origin of the term “Underground Railroad?

Q#2 – The Underground Railroad was used by enslaved African Americans primarily to escape into free states and from there to Canada. What other destinations were there?

Q#3 – Approximately when did the Underground Railroad begin?

Q#4 – For the fugitive slaves who took the Underground Railroad, many of them considered Canada their final destination. Approximately how many of them settled in Canada?

Q#5 – What was the Fugitive Slave Clause of the U.S. Constitution (Article IV, Section 2, Clause 3)?

Q#6 – What did non-slave states do to circumvent the requirements in The Fugitive Slave Act that compelled officials of free states to assist slave catchers, granting them immunity to operate in free states??

Q#7 – How did escaped slaves learn how to use The Underground Railroad?

Q#8 – What was the main route for freedom seekers from the South?

Q#9 – There was a western route, used by John Brown among others, as part of the Underground Railroad. Where was it located?

Underground Railroad Terminology

Q#10 – What term was used to describe people who helped fugitive slaves find the Underground Railroad?

Q#11 – What term was used to describe those individuals who acted as Guides?

Q#12 – What term was used to describe the various hiding places along the Underground Railroad?

Q#13 – What term was used to describe those people who hid escaping slaves in their homes?

Q#14 – What term was used to describe people escaping slavery?

Q#15 – What term was used to describe financial benefactors of the Underground Railroad?

Civil War Quiz: What Do You Know About Canada and the American Civil War?

Q#1 – At the time of the American Civil War what was Canada’s political status?

Q#2 – What was Canada’s position on slavery?

Q#3 – Approximately how many Canadians participated in the Civil War?

Q#4 – What was one of the main reasons that influenced England not to recognize the Confederacy as a legitimate government?

Q#5 – The rent Affair began when an American warship stopped the British mail ship RMS Trent on the high seas and seized two Confederate diplomats, James Mason and John Slidell. What action did England take that involved Canada?

Q#6 – What was the Grand Trunk Railway Brigade?

Q#7 – Who was Benjamin Wier and what was his involvement in the Civil War?

Q#8 – What incident occurred on December 1863, involving the new Union tug Chesapeake that was preparing for service in the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron?

Q#9 – Why did a large number of Canadians have a negative view of US President Abraham Lincoln?
 
Q#10 – The CSS Tallahassee was involved in what incident in Canada?

Q#11 – What was the City of Montreal, Canada’s role in the Civil War?

Q#12 – The St. Albans Raid was the northernmost land action of the American Civil War. Taking place in St. Albans, Vermont, on October 19, 1864. From where was a raid conducted?

Q#13 – Who conducted the St. Albans Raid?

Q#14 – What was the objective of the St. Albans Raid?

Q#15 – What happened to the men who conducted the St. Albans Raid?

Civil War Quiz: What Do You Know About the Fort Pillow Massacre?

Q#1 – Where is Fort Pillow located?

Q#2 – Who constructed Fort Pillow?

Q#3 – Why did the Confederates construct Fort Pillow?

Q#4 – What was a major defensive design flaw in the fort’s construction?

Q#5 – When did Union forces capture Fort Pillow?

Q#6 – Why were Union forces able to capture Fort Pillow?

Q#7 – After its capture by Union forces, how large was the military garrison at Fort Pillow?

Q#8 – What Confederate General led the attack on Fort Pillow?

Q#9 – What was the overall Confederate strategy that eventually led up to the attack on Fort Pillow?

Q#10 – What battle preceded the Confederate attack on Fort Pillow?

Q#11 – What tactic did Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest attempt to get Union forces to surrender at a military engagement that preceded the attack on Fort Pillow?

Q#12 – Approximately how many Confederate forces participated in the attach on Fort Pillow? (Note: the estimate is a range of 1,000 troops!)

Q#13 – What significant Union casualty early in the Confederate attack on Fort Pillow aided in losing the battle?

Q#14 – What occurred at the end of the Battle for Fort Pillow?

Q#15 – After the Battle of Fort Pillow what reason did the Confederates give for the high number of Union troops killed during the battle?

Civil War Quiz: What Do You Know About the Civil War in the New Mexico Territory?

Q#1 In 1861, the New Mexico Territory was comprised of which current States?

Q#2 The New Mexico Territory provided more soldiers to the Union, than any other western state or territory. Approximately how many Union soldiers came from the New Mexico Territory?

Q#3 In 1861, the Confederacy claimed the southern half of the vast New Mexico Territory as its own Arizona Territory. What was the main objective behind this claim?

Q#4 At the start of the Civil War, what was the general political attitude by those inhabiting the Nex Mexico Territory regarding supporting secession?

Q#5 Which geographic portion of the New Mexico Territory had the strongest support for the Confederacy?

Q#6 What was a major influencing Union support in the northern geographic portion of the New Mexico Territory?

Q#7 In 1861 in the town of Tucson, southern sympathizers living in the New Mexico Territory established what they called the Arizona Territory What was the name of the man named governor?

Q#8 What significant events in July 1861 occurred in the town of Mesilla, New Mexico Territory?

Q#9 On January 13, 1862, what action was taken by Confederate President Davis with regards to the New Mexico Territory?

Q#10 In March 1862, the U.S. House of Representatives, took what political action regarding New Mexico Territory?

Q#11 In what mountain range was the Battle of Glorieta Pass fought in?

Q#12 The Battle of Glorieta Pass began with a skirmish on March 26 between advance elements from each army, with the main battle occurring on March 28. Although the Confederates were able to push Union forces back through the pass, what was the reason they had to retreat?

Q#13 Years after the Civil War ended, what name was given to the Battle of Glorieta Pass?

Q#14 What military engagement is often considered the westernmost engagement of the Civil War?

Q#15 While the Battle of Valverde was technically a Confederates victory, why did Confederate General Henry Sibley decide to abandon his attempt to capture the fort, thus ceding the battlefield back to Union control?

Civil War Quiz: What Do You Know About Civil War General Benjamin Butler?

Q#1 – Where was Benjamin Butler born and on what date?

Q#2 – What military event did Butler’s father, John Butler serve in?

Q#3 – Who was Butler named after?

Q#4 – Butler was awarded a scholarship to Phillips Exeter Academy, where he spent one term. How was described by his schoolmates?

Q#5 – In 1844, Butler was elected to what organization?

Q#6 – What reputation did Butler earn as a criminal defense lawyer?

Q#7 – Although Butler represented workers in legal actions, he also sometimes represented mill owners. This adoption of both sides of an issue manifested itself when he became more politically active. What landmark labor working condition for laborers did Butler advocate for?

Q#8 – Butler, as a Democrat, supported the Compromise of 1850 and regularly spoke out against the abolition of slavery. At the 1860 Democratic National Convention at Charleston, South Carolina, who did Butler support as the Democratic Party’s candidate for President of the United States?

Q#9 – In 1857 what position did then Secretary of War Jefferson Davis appointed Butler to at West Point?

Q#10 – Although he sympathized with the South, what statement did Butler make as he sought to serve in the Union Army??

Q#11 – After Abraham Lincoln was elected president in November 1860, Butler traveled to Washington, D.C. When a secessionist South Carolina delegation arrived in Washington, what did Butler do?

Q#12 – At the start of the Civil War, Butler managed to be named Brigadier General of the 8th Massachusetts Regiment. What was the first action Butler participated in April 1861?

Q#13 – In May 1862, Butler commanded the force that conducted the capture of New Orleans after its occupation by the Navy following the Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip. In the administration of that city, what did Butler initially implement?

Q#14 – In November 1863, Butler was given command of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina based in Norfolk, Virginia. In January 1864, what activity did Butler play a pivotal role in regarding the creation of ??

Q#15 – What do many Civil War historians’ cite as a major contributing factor for Andrew Johnson being acquitted at his impeachment trial?