Behind Enemy Lines: The Geology of Gettysburg

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Behind Enemy Lines The Geology of Gettysburg
A Webquest designed for 8th Grade Earth Science
students at New Oxford Middle Schoolby Mr.
Fett/2004-2005
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Introduction
Have you ever wondered how a rock might have
changed the way you live today? Consider the
Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. Many
have deemed this tragic battle the turning point
of the civil war. There were many factors that
determined the eventual outcome of this battle
but the geology of the battlefield itself was a
very important issue that many field generals
failed to take into consideration. As you take
part in this web quest you will step back into
one of the greatest battles of American history
and learn how understanding the geology of ones
surroundings can be a matter of life or death.
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Task
You are a highly successful cartographer (someone
who makes maps) and have been asked by General
Lee of the Confederacy and by General Meade of
the Union to infiltrate enemy lines and survey
the surroundings. They are asking that you bring
a detailed description and map of the surrounding
battlefield area so they can direct their armies
into the best position to attack the enemy. This
will be a very dangerous mission, but the success
or failure of this battle hinges on your ability
to show the geology of the battlefield. You may
also have to explain some very difficult geologic
terms and concepts in your letter to the general.

You in your early days as an army cartographer
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Gettysburg Briefing Step 1
Step 1 Being unfamiliar with the geology of the
area, you will need to get up to speed so you can
start your preparations for the General. Read
the article provided by the link below and define
the list of definitions.
Gettysburg Geology
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Whose side are you on? Step 2
Step 2 Decide which side you are going to
jointhe Union or the Confederacy. Then read your
Mission Statement which will provide you with
further instructions concerning this difficult
assignment.
Union Mission Statement
Confederate Mission Statement
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Lay of the Land Step 3
Step 3 Now that you are familiar with the
geology of the battlefield, complete your
Geologic Survey Form found with your mission
statement. Use the resources as necessary to aid
you in answering the survey.
Union Geologic Survey
Confederate Geologic Survey
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Map of the Area Step 4
Step 4For your final assignment, draw a detailed
map of the battlefield area showing major
landmarks, geology, and positions of enemy
armies. Use your definition list, geologic
survey, and the resources provided to give you
examples and to aid you in this most difficult
task.
Map Criteria
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Resources
Websites
Documents
Maps
Map of Gettysburg1 Map of Gettysburg2 Map of
Gettysburg3 Map of Gettysburg4 Map of Gettysburg5
North Mission Statement South Mission
Statement Definitions Union Geologic
Survey Confederate Geologic Survey Map Criteria
Geology of Gettysburg Geology and the Gettysburg
Campaign Battle of Gettysburg Military Geology
Gettysburg Definitions Definitions
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Scoring Guide

• You will be graded on the following items for
  this web quest
• The list of geologic definitions
• The Geologic Survey Questions
• Map See Grading Rubric to find out how it will
  be graded

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Conclusion
Congratulations on completing your mission!! The
General was very impressed with your map-making
skills and has been advised of the geologic
importance of this battle. He will take your
survey and use the information to find the best
vantage point possible for his army.
You have been awarded the Cartographers Medal of
HonorWear it with Pride!!
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Teacher Page

• This lesson covers Pennsylvania Science
  Standards
• 3.5.A.D.
• 4.1.A

This web quest was created for 8th grade students
working in an inter-disciplinary unit covering
the Battle of Gettysburg. This lesson is designed
to cover the science viewpoint of how local
geology played an important role on the outcome
of the battle. The activities have been designed
to be completed before our community takes its
annual over-night trip to Gettysburg National
Battlefield. The web-quest will be started in 60
minute class period and will then be conducted by
the student on their own and turning in the
assignments before the field trip. This will be
an individual student project.
To successfully complete this web quest, students
will need to have a background in the basic
elements of the battle of Gettysburg which they
will get through Social Studies map skills and
Internet web site browsing skills.
Many students have been to Gettysburg National
Battlefield already and should use those
experiences as a resource tool.
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Credits and References
References   http//www.nps.gov/gett/pphtml/subnat
uralfeatures14.html   http//www.oswego.edu/Acad_D
ept/a_and_s/earth.sci/geo_geochem/geol/gettysburg.
html http//www.scsc.k12.ar.us/2000backeast/Trip/M
embers/CopleyJ/Default.htm http//www.howard.k12.
md.us/white/GettysburgFT.html http//gsa.confex.c
om/gsa/2004NE/finalprogram/abstract_68785.htm htt
p//ve.ou.edu/weaver/glossary.htm http//198.237.
133.13/gphs/home/Departments/Science/Strickler/Ign
eousRocks/tsld003.htm  
Map Images and Websites   http//home.att.net/ago
odall/acw/acw-gettysburg-day-1.html   http//www.g
ettysburg.com/bog/batmap2.htm   http//www.lib.ute
xas.edu/maps/historical/gettysburg_1863.jpg   http
//www.lib.berkeley.edu/EART/maps/getty2.jpg   htt
p//www.gdg.org/maps/GBMA1885b.JPG