Nicknames

This handout requires users to think about various nicknames attributed to Civil War figures and to draw literal translation (e.g. Jeb Stuart, the Eyes of the Confederacy)

Step 1: Introduction to Civil War Nicknames (15 minutes)

• Start with a class discussion: "What is a nickname, and why do people get them?"
• Introduce the concept of Civil War nicknames and how they reflect reputation or behavior in history.
• Explain that students will interpret the following nicknames by drawing how the names make them imagine the person.

Step 2: Review of Historical Figures and Nicknames (10 minutes)

Present the following list and briefly describe each person:

• Abraham Lincoln – “The Great Emancipator”
• Thomas J. Jackson – “Stonewall Jackson”
• Ulysses S. Grant – “Unconditional Surrender Grant”
• Jeb Stuart – “The Eyes of the Confederacy”

Ask students: “What images or ideas come to mind when you hear each nickname?”

Step 3: Drawing Activity (30 minutes)

• Based on the nicknames alone (not a known image of the person), students draw what they think each might look like.
• Encourage students to think creatively and express how the nickname inspired their drawing.
• Optional: On the back of each drawing, students should write a few sentences explaining why they drew the person that way.

Step 4: Sharing and Discussion (15–20 minutes)

• Students share their drawings in pairs, small groups, or with the class.
• Hold a class discussion with questions such as:
  • Which nickname made you picture the most vivid image? Why?
  • How does a nickname shape our perception of historical figures?
  • Can nicknames be misleading or too simple?
  • Do any modern leaders or celebrities have nicknames that tell us something about them?