Correct. The answer is C. The Epperlys were upcountry yeomen who hailed from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Before the war, they were independent and self-sufficient farmers working their own patch of land with their children. They owned no slaves.

Incorrect. The correct answer is C. The Epperlys were upcountry yeomen who hailed from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Before the war, they were independent and self-sufficient farmers working their own patch of land with their children. They owned no slaves.

Correct. The answer is D. As early as 1862, Marion Epperly is critical of the Confederacy and wishing for an end to the war. This quote shows that he has no personal or emotional investment in the war’s goals or outcome; he just wants it to be over.

Incorrect. The correct answer is D. As early as 1862, Marion Epperly is critical of the Confederacy and wishing for an end to the war. This quote shows that he has no personal or emotional investment in the war’s goals or outcome; he just wants it to be over.

Correct. The answer is A. Both Marion and Mary Epperly wrote in their letters about their loyalty to each other and their belief that family took precedence over politics. They also referred numerous times to the vast number of Confederate soldiers who deserted their posts and returned home, suggesting that many Confederate fighters ultimately chose family over country. By 1864, the rate of desertion among Confederate soldiers was more than 30 percent.

Incorrect. The correct answer is A. Both Marion and Mary Epperly wrote in their letters about their loyalty to each other and their belief that family took precedence over politics. They also referred numerous times to the vast number of Confederate soldiers who deserted their posts and returned home, suggesting that many Confederate fighters ultimately chose family over country. By 1864, the rate of desertion among Confederate soldiers was more than 30 percent.

Correct. The answer is C. Mary Ebberly argued that the Civil War started to defend rich southerners’ cause, but that poor southerners were forced to bear the brunt of the battle. She suggested that only after the rich men had no choice but to fight themselves would they agree to end the war.

Incorrect. The correct answer is C. Mary Ebberly argued that the Civil War started to defend rich southerners’ cause, but that poor southerners were forced to bear the brunt of the battle. She suggested that only after the rich men had no choice but to fight themselves would they agree to end the war.

Correct. The answer is B. Their status as upcountry yeomen was critically important in shaping the Ebberlys’ views in these letters. Because they did not own slaves and their upcountry location limited their exposure to the culture of plantation slavery, the Ebberlys had little or no investment in protecting the institution of slavery. Their social and geographic locations also limited their commitment to the Confederacy.

Incorrect. The correct answer is B. Their status as upcountry yeomen was critically important in shaping the Ebberlys’ views in these letters. Because they did not own slaves and their upcountry location limited their exposure to the culture of plantation slavery, the Ebberlys had little or no investment in protecting the institution of slavery. Their social and geographic locations also limited their commitment to the Confederacy.