Dressed in a suit coat, which is shed later as the tension in the trial builds, prosecut ing attorney junior Paula Bridger paces the floor, staring into the eyes of the jury: "Our witness saw Colonel Wirz kick, punch, stomp, shoot and otherwise torture the prisoners of war," said Bridger. "For this he should be sentenced to death."
Although the Andersonville prison existed more than 230 years ago, the name of the infamous war facility still brings a haunting picture to mind.
Filthy, overcrowded and disease ridden, it is considered the worst prison of the Civil War. To the southern troops, Andersonville was necessary in attempting to defeat the north. To Union prisoners, it was a nightmare.
To explore the history of the notorious prison camp, Genia Allen-Schmid's U.S. history classes didn't just read about the atrocities that occurred within the prison walls. Through a simulation trial of the Andersonville commander, Henry Wirz, they recreated them.
"We were really acting it out," said prosecuting attorney junior Cariena Klinger. "People were really playing up the characters and during the class we really got into it."
The project lasted more than a week and included all the preparation that a real trial entails. Attorneys had to "carry out their own research, develop questions and familiarize themselves with the vocabulary of a lawyer, as well as prepare opening statements," said Allen-Schmid. Roles were distributed among the rest of the class and the project reached its climax with the trial itself on Dec. 10.
"I spent three days of Thanksgiving vacation working on (the project) with my assistant," said Bridger. "I figured it would take work, but I didn't think that it would take my Thanksgiving vacation."
While the simulation may have been more work than some expected, most of the class agreed that it was enjoyable as well as eye-opening.
"Questioning the witnesses was the best because we really got to interact with everyone," said Klinger. "It was really fun."
Preparation and participation both contributed to the success of the project. Many attribute the trial's effectiveness to the serious way in which the history classes approached the simulation.
(The best aspect of the trial) "was the look on a witness' face who had totally gotten into the character," said Allen-Schmid. "They told the story as if they were really there. It was really exciting."
Even the outcomes of the trials held true to history as both classes found Wirz guilty of two counts of murder and sentenced him to death.
"We would have won if we'd had good jury members," said junior Joel Lions, a member of the defense team. "I want a retrial."
However, the classes took great care in selecting their jury.
"It was the kids' idea" to invite members of study hall to serve as members of the jury, said Allen-Schmid. "We thought they would be totally unbiased."
"I knew nothing at all" (about the trial), said jury member senior Melissa Cole, who voted for a conviction of Wirz. "But I thought it was interesting. They just pounded on each other."
"It felt great to win," said Klinger, "because that's how it happened in real life."
A serious simulation is necessary for such a serious subject. One of the most somber chapters in American history, the saga of the Andersonville prisoners is devastating.
Those captured by the south died at a rate of up to 100 a day and the overall fatalities reached 12,914.
Allen-Schmid selected the Andersonville trial because of the important questions it raises about authority and morality.
"When do you refuse to take an order that seems unethical?" asks Allen-Schmid, citing ideas that she believes will resurface again during the issues in WWII and Vietnam. "And where do you draw the line?"
Although time prohibits learning by simulation for every topic in the class, Allen-Schmid said, she has noticed a trend towards more recreation projects at FHS and she applauds their effectiveness.
"Simulations are no doubt one of the best ways to learn," said Allen-Schmid. "You can't do it for everything, but I think it's just outstanding. What I hoped to have happen happened. The kids relived the historical moment and they'll always know what Andersonville was all about because they lived it."
And students agree.
"It's a better way of learning," said Anna Morgan, a senior who was selected from study hall to serve on the jury. "I didn't know anything about the history of Andersonville (previous to the trial), but now if they gave me a test on it I think I'd pass it."
Said Klinger: "History is important because things repeat themselves. (This project) caught our attention - and we will remember."