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6.07 Speech Analysis

Total Points: 26
Read the following and the questions in complete sentences.

Part I: The Gettysburg Address

Background: President Lincoln wrote down five different versions of the Gettysburg Address.
The versions are similar and it is unknown what is exact words were on that day in Gettysburg.
He wrote the different versions for people who asked for a copy and for charitable purposes. The
following is a transcript of the John Nicolay copy, one of Mr. Lincoln’s’ private secretaries.

Transcript of Gettysburg Address (1863)

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new
nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that “all men are created
equal.”

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so
conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle field of that
war. We have come to dedicate a portion of it, as a final resting place for those who died
here, that the nation might live. This we may, in all propriety do.

But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate – we cannot consecrate – we cannot hallow,

this ground – The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have hallowed it, far
above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember
what we say here; while in can never forget what they did here. It is rather for us, the
living, to stand here, we here be dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that,
from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here,
gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve these dead shall not
have died in vain; that the nation, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government
of the people by the people for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
President Abraham Lincoln
Answer the questions.

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 QUESTION
1. Use textual clues to define consecrate.
2. Use textual clues to define vain.
3. Notice that Mr. Lincoln uses the word
“nation” repeatedly, but never uses the
word “union.” Assess why Mr. Lincoln
used the word nation instead of union.
4. Slavery is not mentioned in the
Gettysburg Address. Determine why Mr.
Lincoln didn’t use the word slavery. How
is slavery implied in his speech?
5. What is the great task remaining before
us?
ANSWER
Using context clues the meaning of
consecrate is that we cannot make the past
and better and people shouldn't try to
make light of the situation
Using context clues the meaning of vain is
that the people that have fought for freedom
will have not died for nothing that they will.
Mr. Lincoln wants people to know that
they are one (and if he used Union they
would probably be very upset).
Abraham Lincoln didn't mention slavery
in his speech because it should be obvious
that there is no tolerance for slavery. He
implied that there is no slavery by saying
nation many times.
The great task remaining in rebuilding the
nation is cleaning up the effects of war,
burying the deceased and repairing damages

Part II: Sherman’s Special Field Order 120

Background: General W.T. Sherman gave his troops Special Field Order 120 before his famous
March to the Sea. Below you will find sections four-seven of that order.

Headquarters Military Division of the Mississippi, In the Field, Kingston,

Georgia, November 9, 1864
IV. The army will forage liberally on the country during the march. To this end, each
brigade commander will organize a good and sufficient foraging party, under the
command of one or more discreet officers, who will gather, near the route traveled, corn
or forage of any kind, meat of any kind, vegetables, corn-meal, or whatever is needed by
the command, aiming at all times to keep in the wagons at least ten day's provisions for
the command and three days' forage. Soldiers must not enter the dwellings of the
inhabitants, or commit any trespass, but during a halt or a camp they may be permitted to
gather turnips, potatoes, and other vegetables, and to drive in stock of their camp. To
regular foraging parties must be instructed the gathering of provisions and forage at any
distance from the road traveled.

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 V. To army corps commanders alone is entrusted the power to destroy mills, houses,
cotton-gins, &c., and for them this general principle is laid down: In districts and
neighborhoods where the army is unmolested no destruction of such property should be
permitted; but should guerrillas or bushwhackers molest our march, or should the
inhabitants burn bridges, obstruct roads, or otherwise manifest local hostility, then army
commanders should order and enforce a devastation more or less relentless according to
the measure of such hostility.
VI. As for horses, mules, wagons, &c., belonging to the inhabitants, the cavalry and
artillery may appropriate freely and without limit, discriminating, however, between the
rich, who are usually hostile, and the poor or industrious, usually neutral or friendly.
Foraging parties may also take mules or horses to replace the jaded animals of their
trains, or to serve as pack-mules for the regiments or bridges. In all foraging, of whatever
kind, the parties engaged will refrain from abusive or threatening language, and may,
where the officer in command thinks proper, give written certificates of the facts, but no
receipts, and they will endeavor to leave with each family a reasonable portion for their
maintenance.
VII. Negroes who are able-bodied and can be of service to the several columns may be
taken along, but each army commander will bear in mind that the question of supplies is a
very important one and that his first duty is to see to them who bear arms.
William T. Sherman, Military Division of the Mississippi
Special Field Order 120, November 9, 1864

Answer the questions.

QUESTIONS ANSWERS
6. Vocabulary: Use textual evidence and
define discreet as used in this document.
7. Vocabulary: Use textual evidence and
define unmolested as used in this document.
8. Phrase: Use textual evidence and explain
the use of reasonable portion for their
maintenance as used in this document.
9. Evaluation: Read the lines highlighted in
yellow. What factors do you deduce might
have influenced an army commander’s
severity of enforcement to this statement?

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 QUESTIONS ANSWERS
10. Analysis: Analyze the statement highlighted
in blue, i.e. Why would Sherman have made
this statement differing between the wealthy
and poor? Does this statement show a
prejudice or pre-conceived notion on his
part?

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