The following dialogue is a spin-off from Stories from American History by Myrtis Mixon.
The Civil War, or War Between the States, was the bloodiest war in America's history. It was caused by differences between the industrial North and the agricultural South. The South depended on slaves for their large plantation economy. Southerners did not want to be controlled by the industrial North and wanted to leave the union and form their own nation, the Confederate States of America. President Lincoln fought to keep the country united.
The war lasted for four long years. Many young men, boys really, had to leave their families and fight in the war. Many did not return home. In this story, Johnny Comes Marching Home, Johnny and Jeff, two soldiers still in their teens, are returning home. They take a riverboat to Cincinnati to visit Johnny's parents before heading west.
While Johnny was away at war, his sweetheart, Susanna, married his brother. Johnny meets Susanna's sister, Rosie. During the 4th of July parade, Johnny helps Rosie catch her prize-winning pig. Johnny asks Rosie to marry him. After the wedding, Johnny, Rosie, and Jeff head west with the pig.
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