Fort Lamar: Ordnance- Historical Photograph Analysis
In this lesson, students will analyze historical photographs of Fort Lamar and the Battle of Secessionville to understand the role of artillery during the Civil War. By comparing visuals with a documentary and additional resources, they will learn how photographs can be valuable primary sources for historical research.
Lesson Created By: MegGaillard
Lesson Partners: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Essential Question
What can historical photographs of Fort Lamar and the Battle of Secessionville tell us about the importance of artillery during the Civil War?
Grade(s):
- 8
- 11
Subject(s):
Recommended Technology:
Other Instructional Materials or Notes:
Materials:
- Historical Photograph Analysis Worksheet
- Enlarged graph paper for crossword puzzle (optional)
Lesson Progression
Lesson
- Distribute the “Historical Photograph Analysis” worksheet. (linked in the resources tab). Start the lesson by showing your class the “Interior of Fort Putnam on Morris Island” photograph, taken in 1865 on Morris Island, S.C., (available in the resources tab)
- Ask your students to describe what they see, including specific details they notice from the picture, and anything they are unsure about. Have your students write their answers on the worksheet.
- Next, give a brief overview of Fort Lamar and the Battle of Secessionville (reference the background information linked in the resources tab), and show the Fort Lamar – The Swamp Angel short documentary film. Tell your students to write down any unfamiliar terms from the documentary on their worksheets.
- Discuss the documentary as a class, clarifying any terms or questions the students have.
- Show the “Interior of Fort Putnam on Morris Island” photograph again. Utilizing the information from the documentary, ask you students if there is anything in the photograph they now understand that they were previously unsure about. Is there anything they now notice that they previously did not? Zoom in on different sections of the image to analyze small details. Was there anything they thought they knew but was proven incorrect by the documentary? Have your students write these answers on their worksheet.
- Emphasize the importance of using evidence, facts, or observations to support one’s conclusions. Students can use background knowledge from class, information from the documentary, or observations from the photograph to support their conclusions or claims.
- Next, show the students the “Federal mortar battery with crew on Morris Island” photograph (available in the resources tab).
- Have your students compare this picture to the previous one. Both images are from the same location and year. What is similar? What is different? What information does this image tell that the other does not? Have your students write these answers on their worksheet.
- Even though photographs are useful sources of information, there is a lot of information photographs do not show us, or information that is unclear. Written primary sources, as well as secondary resources, are useful in providing background information and clarifying information present in a photograph. Archaeology is important for “ground-truthing” historical documents and testimonies.
- Show your students the “Artillery in 4 Minutes” by the Civil War Trust, (linked in the resources tab).
- After watching the video, revisit the “Federal mortar battery with crew on Morris Island” image. Is there anything the students now notice in the photograph that they did not notice before?
- Finish the activity by having your students review the unfamiliar terms they wrote down while viewing The Swamp Angel short documentary film. Have your students create a crossword using these vocabulary terms and distribute them next class period so students can solve each other’s crossword puzzles.
Teacher Notes
differentiation: Provide struggling students with a pre-made graphic organizer for the "Historical Photograph Analysis" worksheet. The organizer can have sections for each photograph, with guiding questions like "What do you see in the foreground?" "What do you see in the background?" "Are there any objects you don't recognize?" This can help them focus on specific details and organize their observations from the photographs.
extension: Challenge advanced students to research and compare historical photographs of Fort Lamar and the Battle of Secessionville with photographs from other Civil War battles. They can focus on specific aspects like artillery placement, soldier uniforms, or the overall layout of the battlefield. This comparison can be presented in a multimedia format (e.g., presentation with side-by-side images and narration) highlighting the similarities and differences between these battles.
Historical Photo Analysis Worksheet
Print one for each student to measure student learning outcomes.
View ResourceVideo - The Swamp Angel
Charleston Museum curator, Grahame Long, recounts the story of the war's most renowned Parrott gun and its deadly ordnance: Greek Fire.
View ResourcePhotograph - Interior of Fort Putnam on Morris Island
“Interior of Fort Putnam on Morris Island” photograph, taken in 1865 on Morris Island, S.C.
View ResourcePhotograph - Federal mortar battery with crew on Morris Island
“Federal mortar battery with crew on Morris Island”
View ResourceStandards
- 8.3.CE Examine consequences of the major Civil War military strategies.
- This indicator was designed to encourage inquiry into the Civil War focusing on the impacts of military strategies and major turning points on South Carolina and the U.S.
- 8.3.CC Analyze debates and efforts to recognize the natural rights of marginalized groups during the period of expansion and sectionalism.
- This indicator was designed to encourage inquiry into the continuities and changes of the experiences of marginalized groups such as African Americans, Native Americans and women, as the U.S. expanded westward and grappled with the development of new states.
- USHC.2.CX Contextualize the perspectives on the role of the federal government in securing natural rights during the period 1830–1877.
- This indicator was developed to encourage inquiry into how events such as the Indian Removal Act, the Civil War, and Reconstruction prompted examination of the federal government's role in protecting natural rights. In addition, this indicator supports inquiry into instances where disputes arose over the power of the federal government over state governments.
- I Inquiry-Based Literacy Standards
- I.1 Formulate relevant, self-generated questions based on interests and/or needs that can be investigated.
- I.3 Construct knowledge, applying disciplinary concepts and tools, to build deeper understanding of the world through exploration, collaboration, and analysis.
- I.4 Synthesize integrated information to share learning and/or take action.
Assessments
Use the Historical Photograph Analysis Worksheet (linked in resources tab) to assess student comprehension.
