Song Description
"Kennesaw Line" is based on Co. Aytch , a journal kept by Sam Watkins, who was a Confederate soldier during the Civil War. In his memoir Sam Watkins gave a detailed account of the Battle of Kennesaw. This battle, which took place near Marietta, GA, was part of General Sherman's famous march through Georgia to the sea. It began on June 27, 1864 and ended three days later. The Confederate army under General Johnston took up its position on Kennesaw Mountain. When the battle ended thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers lay dead. The song draws on the poetic imagery of Sam Watkins' descriptions of the battle. Based on Watkins' account of the conflict, the songwriter, Dona Dunaway, envisions the experience of two friends, both Confederate soldiers. Walter Hood hears the cry of a whip-poor-will. According to legend if a soldier hears a whip-poor-will's song on the day of a battle, it means he will die. The song ends as the dying soldier says, "goodbye" to his friend, telling him, "I'm gonna get my furlough now."

Visuals
The visual medium used to illustrate this song is video taped footage from a reenactment of a Civil War battle. Reenactments of Civil War battles take place ...... This particular reenactment took place in Resaca, GA.

Chronology
May 4, 1864   Sherman's Union Army begins march southward from Chattanooga toward Atlanta.
May 7-May 23   The Union army engages the Confederates in several small skirmishes.
May 23   Johnston and his troops take up position in the hills north of Marietta.
May 23-June 27   Sherman continues small forays against Johnston, but fails to force the Confederates to give up their position.
June 27-June 29   The Battle of Kennesaw.
June 30   A temporary armistice is called to allow both sides to bury their dead. Sherman gives up the frontal assault.
July 1864   The Confederates retreat south and Johnston is replaced by General John Hood.
August 17-September 1   Sherman forces Hood to abandon Atlanta.

Discipline Integration
social studies, language arts, visual arts, mathematics, Internet usage and library
Thematic Strands From National Social Studies Standards
"culture", " time, continuity and change", " people, places and environments", "individual development and identity","individuals, groups and institutions", "power, authority, and governance", "producion, distribution and consumption", "science, technology and society"

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