To the Discussion Leader
AIt wasn't hard for author Sid Hite to choose the subject for his first novel in the My Name Is America series. Hite writes, "I grew up in a small town located about halfway between Fredericksburg and Richmond, Virginia. I would have needed to pass my entire childhood with wax in my ears to avoid hearing stories about the Civil War. Thus, when I was asked to write a book for the My Name Is America series, I did not have to look hard for my subject. Rufus's story takes place in some of the very same places that I spent my youth in and around Bowling Green, Virginia."
In The Journal of Rufus Rowe: A Witness to the Battle of Fredericksburg, Bowling Green, Virginia, 1862, sixteen-year-old Rufus uses the journal, given to him by his favorite teacher, and his passion for writing and words to describe southern life at Brompton mansion just before the Civil War battle comes to change that life forever. Faithful family servants and slaves in the fields of white landowner John Marye become a memory as Rufus details the military occupation of the mansion and the deaths of 18,000 soldiers at the Battle of Fredericksburg. Rufus's journal entries present a Virginia boy's optimism that the Rebels will win the war. He gets a glimpse of his hero General Robert E. Lee and hears the wails of grief coming from Stonewall Jackson's wife when her husband dies from a wound inflicted by one of his own soldiers.
About the War Between the States Sid Hite writes, "It was a ghastly war, principally fought as most wars are, by young men, and one in which the combatants often stood close enough to look each other in the eye. It is estimated that more than six hundred thousand people lost their lives during the Civil War." The Journal of Rufus Rowe offers a portrait of war young readers will not soon forget.
Summary
"It appears as if I am soon to witness some historic times up close," writes sixteen-year-old Rufus Rowe in his journal in November of 1862. The War Between the States has been going on for a year and a half, and so far, the South has won the majority of the battles. Rufus has journeyed to Fredericksburg from his home in Bowling Green, Virginia, after leaving his mother and "meaner than a cornered snake" stepfather. He first seeks work at Brompton, the large estate of a lawyer, John Marye. Although there's no job for him there, he is allowed to sleep in the stable where he becomes friends with George, one of the older slaves. While looking for work in town, Rufus meets Charlie Kent, a young Confederate soldier whose regiment is camped in the town. Rufus soon begins visiting the soldiers and earning money fetching store items for them.
Meanwhile, a large Union army arrives and sets up camp outside the city on the opposite side on the Rappahannock River. The Confederate army soon takes over Brompton and makes it their headquarters. As more troops appear, the residents of Fredericksburg are advised to leave for their own safety. Rufus watches the Union army organize and notes, "It was a strange feeling, looking at all those Yanks and knowing they came with guns for shooting Rebels and anyone else in their way. It made me think there are some things I don't understand about people"
News comes that the whole Confederate Army under the command of General Robert E. Lee is on its way to Fredericksburg. Everyone wonders why the Yanks don't attack, but they have forgotten to bring along pontoon bridges for crossing the river. Finally, they are able to move into the town, and the fighting begins. On December 13th, a cold and foggy morning, Rufus has a firsthand view of the battle. He states, "It was a terrible day of events," but he "could not stop looking at the advancing soldiers." The number of dead on both sides (13,000 Yanks, and 5,200 Rebels) shocks Rufus "No idea in the world is worth such a slaughter, " he writes. "The Confederates won the battle…but what did they win? If you were close to one of the men who died, you would not feel as if you had won much. Maybe that's what war is. You lose when you lose and lose when you win."
Fredericksburg and Brompton are both badly damaged in the battle. The Northern Army retreats and the Confederates continue to camp at Brompton. Rufus becomes ill with swamp fever and is cared for by George. When he recovers, he decides to return home. Bidding farewell to George and to the remaining soldiers at Brompton, Rufus walks the twenty-two miles back to Bowling Green. Along the way he thinks, "Some may consider my return home to be a defeat, but then I never made any claims about my departure, and the fact is, I've had an adventure I will not soon forget."
Thinking About the Book
1. Why did Rufus leave his home in Bowling Green and travel to Fredericksburg? Did the situation at home change when he returned?
2. How does Rufus support himself at Brompton?
3. Rufus's favorite teacher, Miss Brooks, gives him a journal to record the historic times they are living in, and she says she hopes to someday read what he has written. Does she ever get that chance? Why was Rufus the only student given this gift by Miss Brooks?
4. Many boys Rufus's age joined the Confederate Army to fight in the War Between the States. Why do you think Rufus did not become a soldier?
5. Why do you suppose the author of The Journal of Rufus Rowe included the character of George, the servant at Brompton?
6. Why is Rufus excited that he might get a look at Robert E. Lee? What do you learn about General Lee from Rufus's entry on November 22nd? What is his impression of General Lee when he finally sees him (December 18th)?
7. Rufus, right before the Battle of Fredericksburg, writes his name and his mother's name and "from Bowling Green, Virginia" on two different slips of paper and hides one in his boot and the other in a coat pocket. For what reason does he do this?
8. What causes the Yanks to lose the Battle of Fredericksburg?
9. There are several sayings found in Rufus Rowe's journal. What do each of these mean?
"Luck should never be pressed."
"Let bygones be bygones."
"Rome wasn't built in a day."
10. What happens to Rufus Rowe after the Civil War?
Student Activities
1. In his journal Rufus recounts examples of horror and bravery in war. He writes, "Maybe that's what war is. You lose when you lose and lose when you win." Do you believe this statement? Allow each member of your Discussion Group to share their ideas on this question.
2. Research more about the following and share your findings with members of you Discussion Group or with the whole class.
Emancipation Proclamation
General Ambrose Burnside
Jeb Stuart
General Stonewall Jackson
Battle of Chancellorsville
John Brown
3. When Rufus returns to school, his new teacher, Miss Howlett, has him read Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack. In this book, Franklin included advice for living in the form of short sayings. Go to http://sln.fi.edu/franklin/printer/abc.html and see twenty-six of these sayings. Choose one and explain what it means to you.
4. Rufus's entry for December 15th tells of "a South Carolina boy from the Rebel side going into the field to carry water to some of the fallen Yanks." This actually happened, and the Rebel soldier was Richard Kirkland. Go to http://home.att.net/~agoodall/acw/fredericksburg/acw-fred-angel.html What do you learn about him? How has he been honored?
5. Corporal Welch calls Virginia, "Old Dominion." Another nickname for Virginia is "Mother of Presidents." Find out why Virginia is so-named and what presidents were born there.
An Interview with Sid Hite
Richard F. Abrahamson, Ph.D. & Eleanore S. Tyson, Ed.D.: You have written novels in a variety of genres, and you've written about the adventures of a Confederate soldier before. What was it like writing historical fiction in the journal format? How was this writing different from your previous novels?
Sid Hite: As a novelist with a taste for Tall Tale, I was initially reluctant to write for the My Name Is America series. However, once I decided to do so and began work on The Journal of Rufus Rowe, I started to hear his voice clearly and the book proceeded to write itself. The main difference between a novel and the fictional journal is that the action in the journal was already established, and in that sense made the job easier.
RFA & EST: Would you tell us about the research you did for Rufus's journal? How did growing up in the location for this novel aid or hinder you in the research and writing?
SH: The great thing about writing Civil War books is the vast amount of available research material. It was easy to find all the facts I needed. For me, growing up in the area (I'm from in Bowling Green and went to high school in Fredericksburg) was a great help, as I knew the lay of the land and always felt certain about what was where. I also felt I knew how Rufus thought and spoke.
RFA & EST: What was the most unusual or interesting fact you learned researching this book?
SH: The most interesting fact I learned while researching the book was that the Yankees delayed for so long before crossing the Rappahannock River, thereby allowing Lee and the Confederate Army to arrive in Fredericksburg and assume defensive positions.
RFA & EST: Rufus is an observer rather than a participant in the Battle of Fredericksburg. Was he inspired by any of the stories you heard growing up in this historic region?
SH: I suppose Rufus Rowe was inspired by my distant ancestors. My great-great-great-grandfather was named Rufus, and I had a great uncle by the name of Rowe who was a wandering man that some called a hobo.
RFA & EST: If you had only two words to describe Rufus, what would they be and why?
SH: Two words to describe Rufus: curious and earnest. I believe these traits are revealed in his writing.
RFA & EST: In a review of one of your previous novels it was said that two of your familiar themes are enduring friendship and the mysterious power of fate. Do you see these two themes in The Journal of Rufus Rowe?
SH: Friendship is a recurrent theme in my novels because it is important to me. Rufus made several genuine friends during his stay in Fredericksburg, all of whom he seemed proud to know. As for the mysterious power of fate, I'm always intrigued by the topic that I'm not sure I will ever fully comprehend. Fate, destiny, luck, cause and effect. Who knows exactly how their life is shaped?
RFA & EST: What can today's visitors to Fredericksburg see that would inform them about the December 1862 battle and the events following?
SH: Historic Fredericksburg is what the town calls itself. (When I went to high school, we called it Hysteric Fredericksburg.) The downtown area is full of Civil War bookstores and memorabilia shops, and a visitor to this area is apt to see people walking around in Confederate uniforms, as many merchants often do. Also, one can still see the stone wall where Rufus witnessed the battle he recorded.
RFA & EST: Rufus certainly saw Robert E. Lee as a hero or, at least, the most famous person in the war. Would you agree with Rufus?
SH: In the south, Robert E. Lee continues to be held in high esteem, and there are many, many males in south with his name. He was a decent man and a brilliant general, well respected by everyone who met him: Yanks and Rebels alike.
RFA & EST: If you could ask young readers of Rufus's journal one question after they finished reading your book, what would that question be?
SH: I suppose if I could ask the readers one question, it would be: Did you receive the impression that Rufus was a real person?
RFA & EST: What is the one thing you hope young readers will take with them from The Journal of Rufus Rowe?
SH: The one thing I would like readers to derive from The Journal of Rufus Rowe is that war, no matter its cause or reason, is a horrible affair in which many good people suffer, and many die.
Discussion Guide written by Richard F. Abrahamson, Ph.D., Professor of Literature for Children and Young Adults, University of Houston and Eleanore S. Tyson, Ed.D., Clinical Associate Professor, University of Houston, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Houston, Texas.
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