The document describes a fictional Civil War dinner party invitation list and seating chart. It includes brief biographies of Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Millard Fillmore, Zachary Taylor, Winfield Scott, Dred Scott, Harriet Tubman, Thomas Gatling, and Henry. The document also provides the proposed theme, menu, decorations and imagined conversations between the attendees.

2. Ulysses S. Grant Henry Stonewall Jackson Dr. Tomas Gatling Abe Lincoln Millard Filmore Zack Taylor Robert E. Lee Seating Chart

8. And why?

9. I apologize greatly, while I am very honored to be invited to this wonderful party, I cannot attend. You see, I am currently smuggling many runaway slaves to Canada. I am very sorry but it’s very important for me to help these people. P.S. Please keep this information classified. I cannot be trailed while helping these people. P. S. S. I will not be associated with General Robert E. Lee Sincerely, Harriet Tubman

10. Sincerely, Harriet Tubman For many, I am a nusiance, for the slaves I get freed, I’m a guardian angel. I am one of the many Underground Train Conductors, I made 18 trips south, and am working on the 19 th . I have never lost a person and everyone I take get free. I work very hard, but sometimes I have to stop. The slave owners send out people to try and get the slaves back. I don’t like having any of that. So we hide. I am unable to give you the exact location of where I am, as the post man might read through it but I am able to tell you that we are headed north. Please don’t give any information out- these people need me.

11. As quite a few people know (since the newspapers have made a huge spectacle about it) I was fighting for my rights since 1847, my master had had me move with him then had to sell me. It was horrible to walk away from him as my family had been his for quite a long time. Anyway, in St. Louis we had the law that slaves could buy their freedom, so I wanted to free myself and my wife, who also filed against her “master” but the cases eventually got merged together, I worked hard and long, saving every penny I could so I could buy our freedom. Eventually when I had enough money I asked my master for my freedom and he said no. It was taken to court and by March 6 th , 1857 the court finally made a decision. I was not a free man. Shortly after that I died. I was old when I started my case and it wore on me til I couldn’t take it any longer. Sincerely, Dred Scott

12. Dear Party Planners, While I am sure my father would have loved to go to your party, I apologize greatly but he isn’t with us currently. We was quite old when his case started and I think the case stressed him out quite a lot and made him inch closer to death faster. He died aproximately eight years ago on September 17 th . I hope you have a charming party, even without my father there. Sincerely, Dred Scott’s son-I would like to keep my identity private

13. I was born in Petersburg, Virginia on June 13, 1786. I entered the army as a captain oh artillery in 1808, then became lieutenant in 1812. Then a colonel in 1813. I was captured at Queenston Heights. In January of 1813 I was exchanged and then I went to the Secretary of State and we got our men back, in April of 1814 I was made general. Then in 1852 I ran for president in the Whig party. And in 1859 I successfully settled a boundary dispute between America and Great Britain. Then in November of 1861 I retired, but kept my rank and pay. Then in 1864 I went to Britain for a few years and then died at West Point. Sincerely, Winfield Scott

14. Dear wonderful party planners, I cannot attend this delightful sounding party because I am currently five to six thousand miles away-in Europe. I am quite old anyway and going to parties isn’t quite right for old men like me. I hope it’s a wonderful party however, and you have many other great guests. I do honestly wish I could come but a trip back home on a boat would take a bit too long and I’m not even sure this letter will arrive before the party! Have a great one! Sincerely, Winfield Scott

15. Who’s that again?

17. Zach Taylor was our 12 th president born in Virginia in 1784. He was taken from Virginia and was moved to Kentucky to be raised on a plantation. Although he was raised on a plantation and had one when he got older, he did not support slavery. The army had instilled in him a great sense of nationalism.

19. The former Vice President under Zachary Taylor, he came into office after Taylor’s untimely death and became the 13 th president. He opposed the proposal on slavery, and co-founded the University of Buffalo. He is also the last member of the Whig party and opposed the abolishment of slavery

21. Abraham Lincoln was from the state of Kentucky. He was born in 1809 then was shot in the head on April 14, 1865 and died the next day. He was the 16 th president and was elected in 1861. Before he was elected he was very involved in the government. One of the many things he was and still known for today is his speeches.

23. Ulysses S. Grant was a general for the North during the Civil War. He was also the 18 th president in 1868. He was born in 1822 and died in 1885. He graduated from West Point after his father made him go. Before he was recruited to be a general in the war he had been working in his father’s leather shop. While he was president he ran the country much like he ran the army.

24. Robert E. Lee General Lee was invited because, like many of the participants, knew a lot about the wars. A wise man, he did well during the Mexican War and even resigned from war just to defend his state when Texas seceded. The general of the confederate army, his reign of discipline and tight command made the confederates the Famed Army of Virginia for a time. Lee knew the strengths and weaknesses of his army, making him a great general, and an even better party guest!

28. Did anyone get along??