Teaching Tips: Drama Based on Historical Characters: Angus Augustus Burleigh, Civil War Soldier

Research Kentucky’s role in the Civil War, including how the war affected Kentucky politically, economically, and socially.

During the Civil War, singing was one of the soldier’s favorite pastimes. Numerous songs were composed during the war and sung in the armies and at home. Have students choose Civil War songs to research. Then, have them create presentations about the songs and what they tell us about the Civil War.

Read the text of the Emancipation Proclamation. Assign students the following roles: Confederate soldier, Union Soldier, African American. Respond to the proclamation from the perspective of the role assigned. Stage a debate over the ratification of the Emancipation Proclamation. As Hasan Davis did in this clip, students will role-play various characters representing each perspective (Confederacy, Union, and African American).

Burleigh lived until 1939. Have students write dramatic presentations portraying his thoughts about events that occurred during his life after the Civil War.