- 1. A Stillness at Appomattox by Bruce Catton is a profound historical narrative that delves into the final months of the American Civil War, focusing particularly on the events leading up to the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia to Union General Ulysses S. Grant in April 1865. Catton masterfully blends rigorous research with vivid storytelling, bringing to life the intense emotions, strategic maneuvers, and the harrowing experiences of soldiers and civilians caught in the tide of conflict. The book captures the weariness of a nation exhausted by years of war, the personal struggles of soldiers as they confront the realities of battle, and the political and social implications of the impending end of the Civil War. With poignant insights and meticulous attention to detail, Catton paints a comprehensive portrait of the pivotal moments at Appomattox, illustrating not just the military strategies employed, but also the human spirit's resilience in the face of despair. This work stands as a significant contribution to Civil War literature, offering readers a nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding the conclusion of one of America's most transformative periods.
What is the primary subject of Bruce Catton's 'A Stillness at Appomattox'?
A) The beginning of the American Civil War
B) The life of General Robert E. Lee
C) The final year of the American Civil War
D) European reactions to the Civil War
- 2. Which Union general is a central figure in Catton's narrative?
A) George McClellan
B) Ulysses S. Grant
C) Ambrose Burnside
D) William T. Sherman
- 3. At which battle does the book's narrative effectively begin?
A) Antietam
B) Shiloh
C) The Wilderness
D) Gettysburg
- 4. What military strategy did Grant employ against Lee in 1864-65?
A) Naval blockade only
B) Attrition warfare
C) Waiting for European aid
D) Guerilla tactics
- 5. Which Confederate general surrendered at Appomattox Court House?
A) Stonewall Jackson
B) J.E.B. Stuart
C) James Longstreet
D) Robert E. Lee
- 6. What was Grant's famous terms of surrender to Lee's army?
A) Soldiers could keep horses and return home
B) Imprisonment for all officers
C) Forced labor for all soldiers
D) Exile to Canada
- 7. What literary award did 'A Stillness at Appomattox' win?
A) Bancroft Prize
B) Nobel Prize in Literature
C) Pulitzer Prize for History
D) National Book Award
- 8. What significant event occurred at Petersburg?
A) Lee's greatest victory
B) A long siege that broke Confederate defenses
C) The war's first major battle
D) The Confederate capital relocation
- 9. How does Catton portray General Philip Sheridan?
A) As a cautious strategist
B) As an incompetent leader
C) As a political general
D) As an aggressive cavalry commander
- 10. What was the significance of Five Forks?
A) It was the war's first battle
B) It forced Lee to abandon Petersburg
C) It secured Washington D.C.
D) It ended naval blockades
- 11. What was the McLean House?
A) Lee's childhood home
B) A Union field hospital
C) Where Lee surrendered to Grant
D) Grant's headquarters
- 12. What role did geography play in the final campaigns?
A) Oceans decided the outcome
B) Deserts hindered both armies
C) Mountains provided strong defenses
D) Rivers and roads determined movements
- 13. How does Catton treat the topic of casualties?
A) As unimportant statistics
B) As necessary sacrifices
C) As exaggerated numbers
D) As a tragic cost of the war
- 14. What year does the surrender at Appomattox occur?
A) 1865
B) 1864
C) 1861
D) 1863
- 15. Which Union general failed at the Battle of the Crater?
A) George Meade
B) Winfield Scott Hancock
C) Philip Sheridan
D) Ambrose Burnside
- 16. Who commanded the Union cavalry under Grant?
A) Nathan Bedford Forrest
B) George Armstrong Custer
C) Philip Sheridan
D) J.E.B. Stuart
- 17. Which battle featured massive Union casualties in frontal assaults?
A) Antietam
B) Cold Harbor
C) Shiloh
D) Bull Run
- 18. What was Grant's rank when he took command of all Union armies?
A) General in Chief
B) Lieutenant General
C) Brigadier General
D) Major General
- 19. Which Confederate city fell before Appomattox?
A) Charleston
B) Savannah
C) Atlanta
D) Richmond
- 20. Who was Lincoln's opponent in the 1864 election?
A) Jefferson Davis
B) Horatio Seymour
C) Stephen Douglas
D) George McClellan
- 21. What ended the Petersburg siege?
A) Breakthrough at Five Forks
B) Disease outbreak
C) Naval bombardment
D) Peace talks
- 22. At which location does the book's title reference the war's effective end?
A) Richmond, Virginia
B) Petersburg, Virginia
C) Appomattox Court House
D) Washington, D.C.
- 23. Which Union corps commander was killed at the Battle of the Wilderness?
A) Winfield Scott Hancock
B) Philip Sheridan
C) John Sedgwick
D) George Meade
|