Meet James, a typical happy, healthy, 16-year-old boy living and working on the family farm in west central Missouri in 1861.  When the Civil War breaks out, James is faced with the most difficult decision of his entire life. . .will he join forces with the North or the South?  It is up to you to help James decide which side he will choose, but before you can do that, you need to know a little bit about James' past.  In order to make informed decisions, several interesting links to web pages are provided for you.  Get ready to embark on an adventure that may change your life forever!

James is the youngest of four boys.  His family raises cattle and a few row crops on their farm.  They are southern sympathizers but do not own any slaves themselves.  One day, when James was 10 years old, he went hunting by himself without his father's permission.  He accidentally stepped on a trap and could not free himself.  Just before dark, a young Black boy named Toby happened upon him.  Toby, who belonged to a neighboring farm, was supposed to be shucking corn in a nearby field and would have been punished severely had he been caught leaving his post.  With a mutual promise that neither would rat on theother, Toby set him free.  This was the beginning of a close friendship and the two boys met secretly as often as they could in the woods.  James would teach Toby how to read and write and Toby would tell James interesting stories about his life as a slave and about his family that he longed to see again one day.  For six years they kept their friendship a secret and became very close.

Now with the Civil War at hand, James' three older brothers have joined forces with the Confederate troops and James is expcted to do the same.  James is torn between his loyalty to his family and his desire to see his friend set free.  It is up to you to help James decide which side to choose.  If he chooses the Union side and has to confront one of his brothers on the battlefield, will he shoot him?  Will he ever be able to face his family again?  Will they let him return home after the war is over?  On the other hand, if he joines forces with the Confederate troops, how will he ever be able to face his trusted life-long friend ever again?  It is your choice.  If you were in James' shoes, which would you choose. . . .the North or the South?

This is the most difficult decision James must make.  His beliefs about what is best for the country leads him to want to join the Union army (North); however, it is very difficult for him to go against his family.  The thought that he may encounter one of his brothers at the end of a rifle is almost more than he can bear to think about.  It is time to make a choice.  Will James follow his conscience and join the Union or be loyal to his family and join with Confederate troops:

The links to the web sites below should be of help to you in making your decision.  After researching the web sites below, complete worksheet #1.
 

 The Blue and the Gray - Who Were They and What Did They Represent?

 What Caused the Civil War?

 Families Divided by the Civil War