Read Online Civil War on Sunday by Mary Pope Osborne - Free Book Online Page A

blue uniform was in rags, too. His head was ban-daged.
    “Oh, man,” whispered Jack. “Who are they?”
    He opened the Civil War book and found a painting of some soldiers in blue. He read to Annie:
    1861–1865
The Civil War is also called the “War Between the States,” because it was fought between the Southern and Northern states of the United States. Southerners wore gray uniforms and were called
Confederate soldiers
. Northerners wore blue uniforms and were called
Union soldiers
.
    “So they’re Union soldiers,” said Jack. He pulled out his notebook and wrote:

    Jack looked at his book again. He read aloud:
    The Civil War was a cruel and bloody war. More people died in this war than in all of America’s other wars put together. One out of every five young men in the nation died or was wounded.
    “That’s so sad,” said Annie.
    Jack wrote in his notebook:

    “Wow, they keep coming,” Annie said.
    Jack looked up. More Union soldiers were coming through the field. These didn’t have horses.
    They all looked sad and weary. Some of them limped. Some of them helped others along. One man stumbled and fell down.
    “I have to help—” said Annie.
    “Wait!” said Jack.
    She started down the rope ladder.
    “You can’t help!” said Jack. “A kid can’t help … ”
    But Annie kept going.
    “Don’t forget—we have to find some special writing for Morgan!” Jack called in a loud whisper. “
Something to follow!
”
    He packed the Civil War book and his notebook in his knapsack. Then he started down the ladder.
    When he stepped onto the ground, Jack saw Annie in the distance.

    She was holding her hand out to the fallen soldier. She helped him to his feet.
    The soldier slowly started walking again. Annie walked beside him.
    “Oh, brother,” said Jack. And he hurried to catch up with Annie.
    The sun was scorching hot as Jack ran through the dry field. He was sweaty in his scratchy clothes.
    He caught up with Annie. Together, they walked silently with the soldiers.
    At the edge of the field was a steep hill. Everyone stopped and gazed at the sight below them—rows and rows of white tents.
    “Thank goodness,” said the soldier beside Jack. “We’re saved.”

Jack and Annie walked with the soldiers into the camp.
    Outside one tent was a long line of men in torn blue uniforms. They looked tired and hurt. Many were bloody and barely able to stand.
    Women wearing dark dresses were giving out food and water to the men in line.
    “Where are we?” asked Annie.
    “I’ll find out,” said Jack.
    He pulled out their book and found a picture of the campsite. He read:
    During the Civil War,
field hospitals
were set up quickly near battlefields to treat wounded soldiers. Soldiers stayed in the field hospitals for a short time before going back to fight, or moving to a larger hospital, or being sent home. This field hospital in Virginia took care of over 400 patients.
    “That’s a lot,” said Annie.
    “It sure is,” said Jack.
    He pulled out his notebook and wrote:

    Jack read aloud again from the book:
    More than 3,000 women helped out as nurses during the Civil War. Nursing was a new job for women in America. Before the war, only men had been nurses.
    “Wow,” said Annie. “Maybe
we
can be nurses.”
    “Forget it,” said Jack. “Kids can’t be nurses.”
    Jack wanted to find the special writing for Morgan and go home. The sad scene at the field hospital was making him feel sick.
    “I’ll just ask,” said Annie.
    She headed over to a nurse cooking over a campfire.
    “Annie! We’ve got a mission!” Jack called.
    But Annie kept going.
    Jack heaved a sigh. He tucked his notebook and the Civil War book under his arm and followed her.
    Waves of heat rose from a small cooking fire. The young nurse was heating a pot of coffee.
    Flies buzzed everywhere.
    “Hello,” said Annie.
    The nurse barely smiled at them.
    Her face was red and beaded with sweat. Her eyes looked terribly tired.
    “Where are