Our April survey results are wrapped up and here is a summary and highlights of the results.

1. Where did your interest in the Civil War come from?

In order, the results were:

  • Reading
  • The influence of a parent or friend was the second strongest influence.
  • Taking a trip
  • Other key influences included:
    • Family heritage
    • Geographical place where living or raised
    • Activities like reenactments, living histories, etc.
    • School was dead last

2. What is your favorite battlefield?

Since this blog and Facebook group focuses on the Battle of Franklin (and 1/4th of the members are from TN) it did not surprise me that most respondents chose a battlefield in the Western theater (80%), and 37% chose a battlefield in Tennessee:

  • Franklin
  • Shiloh
  • Ft. Donelson
  • Chattanooga
  • Other key Western battlefields receiving mentions were:  Vicksburg, Chickamauga, Perryville, Pea Ridge and Kennesaw Mountain.

The only two Eastern theater battlefields winning votes from our April survey was (1) Antietam, (2) Gettysburg.

3. How many Civil War books do you read a year?

Wow, we’re readers. 78% read 6 or more books last year.

  • 32% read 1-5
  • 25% read 6-10
  • 43% read 11 or more

4. What is the greatest “lesson” we can learn from the Civil War?

The answers for this question were just all across the board. There was virtually no consistent theme, possibly revealing just how diverse and mixed our collective and individual interpretations are when it comes to the American Civil War.

5. If you could have been one Civil War General, who would you like to have been and why?

Confederate leaders were chosen over Union leaders by a 2-to-1 margin. Stonewall Jackson and Patrick Cleburne were the most commonly chosen CSA Generals.  Robert E. Lee was a close third.

Interestingly, though a third of our respondents chose a Union General, not a single person chose U.S. Grant.  Not even a single Union general got more than one vote.

6. How would you describe your support (i.e., time and money donated) of historic preservation and battlefield reclamation?

We’re also a generous bunch.

  • Warming up to it but not giving yet: 22%
  • Support efforts as I can but modestly: 44%
  • Preservation is a strong passion of mine: 33%

7. My next Civil War trip will be:

  • Within 50 miles of my home: 14%
  • A half-day’s drive: 46%
  • A long drive or flying: 39%

8. What do you think would be a great way to get the younger generation more involved in preserving and honoring our Civil War heritage?

The answers to this question were also varied but the single biggest response was a combination of educating the younger generation through better educational exposure in the curriculum, reenactments and living history presentations at schools, and getting the young people reading.

Common sub-themes in the responses were things like:

  • Making the Civil War relevant to young people.
  • Using technology and contemporary media to engage them.
  • Exposing them to preservation efforts and causes.

9. Did you have a direct ancestor who fought in the Civil War?

A whopping 89% of our respondents had a direct ancestor in the Civil War. 62% had a CSA ancestor and 38% had a Union ancestor who fought in the American Civil War.

10. If you answered “yes” to #9, what do you know about your ancestor’s service in the Civil War?

  • 40% knew a lot about the Civil War ancestor’s service.
  • 48% knew some things about them
  • 12% did not know much or very little