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Civil War Era Trivia Quiz

Some odds and ends about the war. Some excellent triva questions

A multiple-choice quiz by Ft. Brooke. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
Ft. Brooke

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
91,660

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
2043

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Andersonville, Georgia was a prison started in Febuary 1864. About as many soldiers died here as in what other American war? Hint

2nd Seminole Indian War

Mexican War

Spanish-American War

War of 1812

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Question 2 of 10

2. In which state did the northernmost engagement of the Civil War take place? Hint

West Virginia

Vermont

Oregon

Indiana

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which one of these cities did NOT exist during the civil war? Hint

Jacksonville, FL

Columbus, GA

Birmingham, AL

Tampa, FL

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Question 4 of 10

4. The last state to leave the Union was also the first state to be readmitted. Which state was it? Hint

Texas

Kentucky

Tennessee

Kansas

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Question 5 of 10

5. What was the name of the estate that Jefferson Davis lived at in Mississippi after the war? Hint

Hermitage

Whitfield

Beauvoir

Dixie

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Question 6 of 10

6. Who, if we are to believe his story, let his horse get away from him at the Grand Review parade in Washington? Needless to say, almost all eyes were upon him. Hint

Judge George Vail Howk

Sheridan

Custer

Kilpatrick

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Question 7 of 10

7. What was the original name of Philip Sheridan's favorite mount? Hint

King Phillip

Rienzi

Lighting

Buckeye

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Question 8 of 10

8. What was so unusual about Private John Staples during the Civil War? Hint

Lincoln and Davis were both related to him.

Lincoln gave him a medal for watching his son, Tad.

Lincoln pardoned him five times for sleeping on duty.

Lincoln paid him for substituting for him.

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Question 9 of 10

9. How did the first soldier of the Civil War die? Hint

He was hanged.

He was accidentally killed.

He died of disease.

He died in battle.

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Question 10 of 10

10. Henry Wirz, the infamous commander at Andersonville prison, at the beginning of the war, was a sergeant with a Louisiana Battalion. What was his occupation before the civil war? Hint

a doctor

a lawyer

a farmer

a clerk

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Andersonville, Georgia was a prison started in Febuary 1864. About as many soldiers died here as in what other American war?

Answer: Mexican War

America lost about 13,000 soldiers at Andersonville. During the entire Mexican War, America also lost about the same amount. Of the 13,000 lost in the Mexican War, however, about 2,500 were deaths from battles. Like the Civil War, we lost more due to disease than to battle.

2. In which state did the northernmost engagement of the Civil War take place?

Answer: Vermont

In October 1864 Lieutenant Bennett Young and twenty Confederate soldiers traveled across the border from Canada and captured the town of St. Albans, Vermont. Lieutenant Young with a gun drawn said, "This city is now in the possession of the Confederate States of America."

3. Which one of these cities did NOT exist during the civil war?

Answer: Birmingham, AL

Birmingham was not founded until the early 1870s. No Confederate troops ever came from Birmingham, Alabama.

4. The last state to leave the Union was also the first state to be readmitted. Which state was it?

Answer: Tennessee

Tennessee left the Union in June of 1861. It came back into the Union in July 1866.

5. What was the name of the estate that Jefferson Davis lived at in Mississippi after the war?

Answer: Beauvoir

Sarsh Dorsey left Jefferson Davis the estate of Beauvoir after the war. Upon her death Jefferson Davis paid off Beauvoir in full to her estate.

6. Who, if we are to believe his story, let his horse get away from him at the Grand Review parade in Washington? Needless to say, almost all eyes were upon him.

Answer: Custer

Yes, the shy and reserved expert horseman, let his horse get away from him. Custer at his best.

7. What was the original name of Philip Sheridan's favorite mount?

Answer: Rienzi

Officers of the 2nd Michigan Cavalry gave Sheridan this horse at Rienzi, MS, in 1862. After the battle of Cedar Creek, Sheridan renamed the horse Winchester.

8. What was so unusual about Private John Staples during the Civil War?

Answer: Lincoln paid him for substituting for him.

Although Lincoln did not have to do it, he paid John Staples $60 for substituting for him during the Civil War. Lincoln shook the 19-year-old's hand and wished him luck. Private Staples had a good war record and was not hurt during the war.

9. How did the first soldier of the Civil War die?

Answer: He was accidentally killed.

The Civil War started on April 12, 1861 at Fort Sumter, South Carolina. When Major Anderson surrendered the fort, he asked the Confederate commander if he could fire a 100-gun salute while taking down the American flag. Permission was granted and during the ceremony an over-heated cannon exploded, killing Private Daniel Hough.

10. Henry Wirz, the infamous commander at Andersonville prison, at the beginning of the war, was a sergeant with a Louisiana Battalion. What was his occupation before the civil war?

Answer: a doctor

Henry Wirz was born in 1822 at Zurich, Switzerland. He earned his degree from the University of Zurich and two medical degrees from the colleges of Paris and Berlin. Wirz came to America in 1849 and had a medical practice in Kentucky. In 1855 Wirz and his family moved to Louisiana where he again had a successful medical pratice. During the war, his right arm was badly wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks. Promoted for bravery, Wirz was elevated in rank to captain.

In less than two years, Wirz would become the commander of Andersonville. Wirz was the only Confederate leader hanged after the Civil War. Dr. Mudd, who had helped set Booth's leg, was sent to prison.

Hence, one of the more honorable jobs of the war claimed two doctors after the war.

Source: Author Ft. Brooke

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor JaneGalt before going online.
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