Students will examine eighteen telegrams to learn more about troop movements, battles, victories, and defeats, as well as other information communicated in telegrams in order to respond to the compelling question, “What do telegrams tell us about the Battle of Gettysburg?” The range of telegrams in this inquiry allows students to examine different perspectives on events related to the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. The final summative assessment asks students to make an argument about how Union military leaders used telegram messages during the battle.
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About the inquiry
Compelling Question
What do telegrams tell us about the Battle of Gettysburg?
Staging Question
Analyze the Civil War map from 1861. Discuss battles in various regions and how the communication of battles, victories, and defeats in 1861 compares to how communication regarding war occurs today.
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Supporting QuestionWhat was communicated about troop movements in telegrams sent during the Battle of Gettysburg?
Formative TasksUsing selected telegrams and a map with locations mentioned in those telegrams, list examples of the movement of troops before, during, and after the Battle of Gettysburg.
SourcesSource A: Halleck telegram to Meade June 29, 1863
Source B: Couch telegram to Meade, July 1, 1863
Source C: Kelley telegram to Townsend, July 2, 1863
Source D: Thomas telegram to Stanton, July 3, 1863
Source E: Couch telegram to Meade, July 4, 1863
Source F: Thomas telegram to Stanton, July 4, 1863
Source G: Map of selected troop locations in Battle of Gettysburg
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Supporting QuestionHow did telegrams announce battles, victories, and defeats during the Battle of Gettysburg?
Formative TasksCreate a series of newspaper headlines announcing the military actions described in the telegrams.
SourcesSource A: Thomas telegram to Stanton, July 3, 1863
Source B: Couch telegram to Stanton, July 3, 1863
Source C: Couch telegram to Meade, July 4, 1863
Source D: Kelley telegram to Townsend, July 4, 1863
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Supporting QuestionOther than troop movements and military actions, what information was communicated in telegrams from the Battle of Gettysburg?
Formative TasksParticipate in a fishbowl discussion about topics mentioned in the telegrams.
SourcesSource A: Couch telegram to Stanton, July 3, 1863
Source B: Couch telegram to Meade, July 3, 1863
Source C: Couch telegram to Ingalls, July 3, 1863
Source D: Meade telegram to Couch, July 3, 1863
Summative Performance Task
Argument: Construct an argument (e.g., detailed outline, poster, or essay) that discusses how telegrams were used to communicate about activities in the battle using specific claims and relevant evidence from historical sources, while acknowledging competing views.
Extension: Using a digital media tool, design an informational visual illustrating the messages communicated via telegram during the Battle of Gettysburg.
Taking Informed Action
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