The South After Defeat in the Civil War
85Back-woods Southern cabin with chimney fire and girl at well
The Regular Folk Return Home
The real story of the immediate post-war South can best be told by the people themselves: their voices come from the humble, fatherless cabins, and the mightiest ravaged plantations.
A few weeks after the close of the Civil War, a train conductor with a lay-over for unloading in the city of Wilmington, N.C. noticed a small boy and girl approaching. They asked the man for something to eat while explaining that their father had fallen on some far-away battlefield and their mother and grand mama were ill. The conductor gave them all the bread and meat they could carry and after the childrens' profuse thanks watched as they walked away to their little cabin near the train yards.
On returning a couple of months later, the railroad conductor on inquiring was saddened to be told the family had starved to death. Whether the poor childrens' father fell in the Western Hemisphere's biggest recorded battle at Gettysburg; or America’s bloodiest single day in history at the battle of Antietam, this heart-breaking incident could speak for thousands of other families in a defeated, burnt, and devastated South.
The Southern soldiers returning home after defeat, if there was one to return to, had varying, but sadly similar accounts to record. One young soldier who was passing through the sixty mile wide swath of destruction left by Sherman’s soldiers and bummers in their march through Georgia and the Carolinas recorded, “... a desolated land. Every village and station we stopped at presented an array of ruined walls and chimneys standing useless and solitary.”
In contrast sharpshooter Barry Benson returned to an Augusta, Georgia spared much of the pillage and destruction but under Federal military control. Few areas of the South except parts of the mountains, swamps and woodlands, had escaped battles, armies, or cavalry raids.
Outside of the towns, pine forests alternated with abandoned crop fields, livestock was confiscated or dead, shops closed or destroyed, farm implements and canals useless. With starvation looming over many, despair and melancholy reigned supreme.
In the ruins of the bigger cities, lines of “sickly-faced women, jaundiced old men and children in rags, with here and there a seedy gentleman who had seen better days, or a stately female in faded apparel…whom the war had reduced to want,” stood their turn for any Federal hand-outs.
Returning non-combatants traveling back to their homes recorded the pitiable journey. One daughter and her mother recalled, “ We were never out of the sight of dead things, and the stench was almost unbearable. Dead horses along the way and, here and there, a leg or an arm sticking out of a hastily made too shallow grave….No living thing was left.” It had made a difference that most of the sanguinary war had occurred in the Southern states.
In opposition to these sad tales, one private soldier returning home to Lincoln County in central North Carolina had kept in mind down to the last detail a fine two-story home he'd seen in Virgina. Working and saving he soon had enough to purchase a small plot of land. Here he built his dream house and eventually acquired the extra acreage to have a large farm with crops and cattle he sold in the market stalls of the closest town.
The home and farm remain in the family to this day. Beginning in the late nine-teen sixties, a ditch near the stately house that was used as a trash/refuse pit, became an archeological treasure trove of nine- tenth century southern farm artifacts. Everything from childrens' marbles to household implements have been discovered and in many cases placed in museums.
Northern Soldiers Admiring Southern Belle
The Upper-Class Return Home
Mary Boykin Chesnut is famous for her Civil War diaries. Initially released in 1905 they went on after further entry discoveries to win the Pulitzer Prize for history in 1982. The diary is described as a "vivid picture of a society in the throes of it's life and death struggle." Mrs. Chesnut came from the upper levels of the southern planter aristocracy, but the book covers all social ranks in Southern society.
When Mary Chesnut returned from Richmond, Va. to her home in Camden, S.C. after the end of the war, she came back to a ravaged ruin. Anything of value had been destroyed or taken. Federal troops had even burned the small amount of cotton reserves the family was counting on for their livelihood. The land was all that remained but was heavily weighted down by taxes the family had no way of paying. At night, after all the days business and chores had been taken care of, vivid memories came flooding back. She wrote to a friend,"There are nights here with the moonlight, cold & ghastly, and the screech owls alone disturbing the silence when I could tear my hair & cry aloud for all that is passed & gone." All that was left was,"lavender and pressed-rose memories."
General Wade Hampton, scion of a prominent South Carolina family, returned to his home outside Columbia, only to discover there was no home. His property near totally destroyed and he with a $1.75 in his pocket. Hampton, whose son Preston had died in his arms on the field of battle was not the worst off by far. Many were totally destitute with every male of fighting age dead. The General, however, strongly desired a return to the past and above all, vindication.
When General Robert Hoke- who bore a striking resemblance to and was considered by many Robert E. Lee's protege- road into his home-town of Lincolnton, N.C. things were largely the same; fallow and useless fields; train-rails and bridges in tatters; factories, shops and stores stock- less or boarded up. The once mighty Hoke family enterprises ravaged or burnt by Stoneman's cavalry raid.
Yet Hoke returned home with hope. According to one chronicler, "His hero heart remained unconquered and unconquerable." Unwilling to live in the squalor of defeat the general quickly hitched his mule"Old Joe" to the plow and began to make the crops on the Hoke family land. He went on from there to high leader-ship positions in industry. It was to take the South forty years for the per capita income to reach the level it was at the start of the war. It would take the South sixty years to reach the level of wealth it had in 1860.
Rebel Veterans
Pride
Oh I'm a good ole Rebel, now that's just what I am, for this fair land of freedom I do not give a damn, I'm glad I fit against it, I only wish we'd won, and I don't ask no pardon for nothin that I done. I hates the Yankee nation and everything they do, I hates the Declaration of Independence too, I hates the glorious union tis dripping with our blood , I hates their striped banner, I fit it all I could. I hates the glorious union with all her brag and fuss, and the lying thieving Yankees I hates em wuss and wuss. I followed ole Marse Robert for four years near about, got wounded in three places and starved at Pint Lookout, and I caught the rheumatism a campin in the snow, but I killed a bunch of Yankees and I wish I'd killed some more. Three hundred thousand Yankees lie still in southern dust, we got three hundred thousand before they conquered us, they died of southern fever and southern steel and shot, and I wish it was three million instead of what we got. I can't take up my musket and fight em now no more, but I ain't gonna love em and that is certain sure, and I don't want no pardon for what I was and am, and I won't be reconstructed and I don't give a damn. Rebel Folk Song
Blue & Gray Vets Shake Hands
Reconciliation
In 1913 on the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg; a reunion, with some 53,000 veterans from both sides, came together in peace on their former field of battle. "never before in the world's history [had] so great a number of men so advanced in years been assembled under field conditions." Despite concerns of unpleasant differences, the aged soldiers found camaraderie.
Perhaps the speech by then president Woodrow Wilson says it best," We have found one another again as brothers and comrades in arms, enemies no longer, generous friends rather, our battles long past, the quarrel forgotten- except that we should not forget the splendid valor." The high point of the reconciliation came when the survivors of whats known as Pickett's Charge walked the long field to shake hands with the old union defenders at the famous stonewall. At least for many of the war's veterans, closure had come at last.
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This is a very interesting and informative piece on the south after the Civil War. I had read and seen the movie "Gone with the Wind" and that was my vision of southern life, but this has added to that lore. I didn't know about Mary Chestnut and her diaries or of her winning the Pulitzer Prize for History. That is so awesome and interesting. Thanks again for an informative history lesson!
Fascinating and sad was the Civil War, well said KoffeeKlatch Gal. It's doubtful if anything in American history has been quite as traumatic as that war. And your right, the mighty conflict still burns in our collective souls. However, I'm heartened to see re-enactor units cheerfully sharing the uniform of their opponents when needed, or even Southern regiments joining hands with African-American units that need filling out. An interview done for HPs can speak more on that aspect of the here and now. Thank you so much for your heart-felt comment and votes KoffeeKlatch Gal.
Fascinating. How sad that we had to have a war to settle things amounst us. There seems to a division still here many years later that can be felt by many. I have alwaays felt for the innocent ones caught up in this war. I often wondered how they survived after it was all over. Up, interesting and awesome.
Hi bro. Appreciate and any knowledge mostly came from reading ump-teen books on the CW over the years. The war was deeply ingrained into most of the boys growing up in the south back in the 60s and 70s. You probably know that though. A pleasure to share, thank ya Augustine.
When considering how to approach writing this one, I couldn't think of a better way than to let those who lived through those times speak for themselves. Thanks so much for the votes and commenting Gail. The Gettysburg reconciliation deserves to be better known, in the end, they were all just simple soldiers. The spirit carries on today with the reenactors; most units gladly wear the other sides colors when needed. I asked a reenactor in a Hub interview if it bothered him having to do that. He said no, not at all, though he wasn't crazy about getting booed whenever marching in the blue lol!
First heard that song on an American folklore album as a little boy Peggy. That war was about as traumatic as it's ever gotten for our country, but it's shameful your family and others were treated that way. The truth is the south could be xenophobic acting even to fellow Americans back then. That's largely changed now thank goodness. Peggy, sure appreciate the comment and share, and congrats again on your awesome Hub of the Day!
Another fascinating hub Alastar! I like the depth of knowledge you have, as well as your passion for the subject. I ALWAYS learn more about history when you present these articles. Thank you for sharing.
This hub was so powerful and written with much sensitivity for the terrible carnage of life and financial ruin and starvation that so many suffered during the civil war.
The one thing that I never heard of before was the 50th anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg and that Woodrow Wilson quote.
As a northerner who has grown to love the south, it pains my heart that so many suffered so much yet it is amazing that half a decade later some of the veterans of both sides actually returned to the battlefield for reconciliation.
You did a great job on this hub and I voted it up across the board except for funny.
Another good one from you Alastar! Reading that Rebel song explains why we (primarily my brothers who were only 9 and 11 years of age at the time) were labeled as "damn yankees" when we moved from Wisconsin to south Texas in 1960. Emotions were still running high. My dad had to go back to Wisconsin to finish some business and we even had our living room window shot with a BB gun. Fortunately it did not hit anything important, but the glass had to be changed. It was quite a "welcome" to the south.
I doubt that it would be that bad this many years later...at least I hope not. That was quite an eye opener for us. Yes, the Civil War left some deep scars!
Voted up, useful, interesting and will share. All of your historical hubs are worth sharing with others!
Okay Justin. That's the neolithic site in Turkey with the bull worship or something. Been awhile since I've read anything on it so will be glad to.
alastar, i've done a few historical hubs to date. The one that pops in my head is one of "Catal Hoyuk"
More than a good poet you are Justin. Look forward to your future history writes. Thanks for the share on this and I shared your sad but excellent pet dog one but it didn't show up on my feed?
you're welcome, Alastar. I'm a big fan of history!
Hi Cyndi and thanks. You've lived in some very fine places there. Very pleasing to know your father was a history teacher and you developed a passion for it. My take is the South, in particular, suffered such trauma and loss in defeat that the collective memory is still with us to this day. Besides that, growing up it was all in our culture and encouraged to learn about from the adults. My fave Christmas present of all time was a 5X3 CW board with authentic looking plastic soldiers, horses, cannons, trees, forts, etc. all made in the USA. Probably be worth a small fortune today intact. I appreciate your wonderful comment Cyndi; you may find Civil War Re-enactors' Stories hub interesting and Mary Chesnut's diary is fantastic to get a feel of how it really was back then for all classes of people in the South.:)
Well done writing with very interesting comments following. I grew up in Virginia and South Carolina, lived a little bit in Tennessee and now live in Georgia. My father was a history teacher and I love history. I'm always fascinated with the many ways the Civil War is viewed and by the passion it still stirs in nearly everyone in the South, especially. (My heart was pounding as I read.) Of course there are always many sides to any conflict and it's never easy to share them all since we all view history the same way we view life - with a bias. I'm going to look for Mary Chestnut's diary.
Hi Kim and thank you for reading and commenting here. Yes, felt the actual people who lived through that time could tell it best. As hard as times are now for so many they could be a lot worse like folks in the South faced after that long ago war. On second thought maybe not so long ago at that. Anyway its a good thing to know all sides of an historical epoch. Pleased to know its understood better now Kim, appreciate you.
Thanks for the enlightening, informative and entertaining hub about the south after the civil war. I felt like I was there experiencing the "smell of death" and the devastating loss, although I don't think I can really fully imagine what that might have been like. I understand better now. Thanks AP.
Really appreciate you sharing and reading this Justin. A tragic, yet hopeful side of the war not as well known as some other events. Sometimes an inspiration to tell a certain side of a story can come over a writer and that's what happened here.
very interesting hub, alastar and voted as such. i really enjoyed the perspective you brought to this hub!
Thanks for read and great comment Flyer. While the CW went on, with the exception of places like Missouri maybe, the civilian pop. didn't suffer mass death at the hands of the combatants too much. Especially compared to something like WW2. A bit of research on the internet videos shows that atrocities against civilians tragically continues on in the present day as well. Your right about how some look less sympathetically on the South's people. Of course the facts are the vast majority of southerners were subsistence farmers and simply looked on the North as tyrannical and a threat to their land and people. One can make of the Confederate govt. what they will but a distinction should be made between the two, yes. Look up what New England did in the War of 1812 for comparisons sake. When it comes to conflicts no soldiers, people, or govt. hands come out sparkling clean.
Your hub brings up a couple of things often overlooked about the Civil War (and wars in general). First of all, there is the toll it takes on the civilian population, particularly with those who live in the areas where the fighting took place. Since it has been so long since Americans have experienced any fighting on their home soil, it's easy for many to have a blase attitude toward war. It's different for those who have experienced it so directly.
Second, it is easy to often see the South as the bad guy, which tends to make people less sympathetic toward the Southern civilian population. But like all of us, they were often just people trying to survive. And while their pre-Civil War social system was seriously flawed, this did not make them all bad.
You've got good bone structure and character, unbeatable combo for the portraits, at any age gal-friend. So I'm in your hella raising circle now, super wicked fine! Just when one starts to get a handle on the blogs and analytics here comes +1 ha ha! See ya.
You're already in my circle, big guy! :) As for the pic..thanks, but I sort of don't like it. I was hoping the angle wouldn't show my scarring from cancer surgery 2 years ago, but.....oh well. It's the way I look now, so I'm kind of getting used to it. And I guess I have to face the whole aging thing. LOL Be seeing ya in the circle!
Hi Terri! Thanks for the +1 and FB, this story is a side of things sometimes overlooked, that's true. Oh, would really like to join your circle btw. I'll read your hub asap. Ha ha, yes, one should always follow one's own advice. Appreciate ya gal, that's a great icon pic you've got up now:)
Hi Alastar! I just clicked on the Like and +1 button. I've made it a point to start doing that when I like an article or think it's got an important message. I even wrote a hub about us authors and readers taking care of each other. Just wanted to let you know, I'm making sure of taking my own advice! Excellent as always.
Mary, maybe you can learn some more about it here then. Two womens' stories are from the CW, one lady was a spy and diplomat, the other a Venus supremo from S.C. who got involved with a Union general; and then went on to have a bizarre and somewhat mysterious life as a wife and mistress. Thanks Mary, appreciate the vote.
I'm trying to make a point to go back and read more of your work. As a Southerner, I've alway felt bad because I don't know as much as I should about the Civil War. Your Hubs like this one, will make me understand that war better. i voted this UP, etc.etc.
Ah do appreciate that habee, thank you. Perhaps the best way with history writing on a site like HP is to be concise and readable, no long boring statistics. I'm sure you were and are a marvelous teacher habee. Wow, what a lineage to have with the plantation and great great grandparents. Believe I did read about the Gullah and its worth reading twice. Very interesting and fun Hub. Glad you brought it up and will read it again. Vote and adjectives from Mrs. habee are mighty appreciated, makes going to school a pleasure!
Alastar, this is an awesome piece! You truly are a gifted writer. I love learning history in this manner - learning and being entertained at the same time. I tried my best to teach like that! This hub hit home for me. My great-great grandparents had a plantation in SC. Have you read my hub about the Gullah people? I rarely ask other hubbers to read any of my hubs, but I really think you'll find this one interesting! Voted your hub up and clicked all the adjectives!
Lets make a deal. The first one to win big on Jeopardy gives the other 25% of the prize money. Ah, a sweet deal on this end for sure. We may have gained our keenness for history by different roads, but they both led to Richmond. If I tried to write like you and succeeded it'd be declared a certified Catholic miracle, no thinking about it.~:)
hey Ken...lol...I do have a certain sense of keen-nes in regards to history. Hence the Bachelors and Master degrees in the subject. I am firmly ready for (some) topics on Jeopardy and am in a position to win the occasional bar bet...that being said...I have nothing on your ability to deliver the goods to the reader in the form of fine historical writing. Quid pro qou? Nah, we just like each other's stuff, I think.
Thanks for exposing the truth Thought. It's been a true burden keeping this AP disguise up. Yes, Ken Burns here. Now, would you be interested in some Moon property? Tredegar Iron Works huh. Me thinks ye have a keen knowledge in the subject at hand. That would be a very good thing as I write on it frequently. Besides, you know I'll be reading your uniquely clever Hubs. Quid pro qou? Nah, we just like each others stuff.~:)
I have seen pictures of the ravaged skyline (for lack of a better term) of Richmond a few months after the war ended. The picture I am remembering had a solitary Union soldier standing guard (over the Tredegar Iron Works...which was also totally trashed. Again (and as always) you have brought the past to life. So...are you really Ken Burns back there...?
Dim its been that way since the beginning of recorded history and remains so up until today as you know. Actual atrocities against civilians as say compared to the Nazis in Russia or for that matter Stalin and the ethnic people in Russia, made the War Between the States seem almost chivalrous. The real suffering for many Southern people came near the end and after. Things in certain areas were lawless: also destroyed, shut down or in upheaval. I'm reading a truly awesome book by Amanda Foreman (who wrote the book the movie 'The Duchess' came from)called " A World on Fire" its about Britain's crucial role in the Civil War here. Thank you Dim for caring enough to re-read and comment.
Had to come back to this great hub. Made me cry in parts I sometimes forget what ´hell´people go through when war is on their doorstep.
Thank you again
Hello crystolite and reconciliation is preferable to strife and hard feelings. As in the Bible and the rock-folk band the Byrds, "To everything turn, turn, turn, there is a season to everything under heaven...." Glad you like AP hubs and this isn't promo but perhaps you'd really like the story of a most merciful example of humanity in the article"The Confederate Angel of Marye Heights." Appreciate your interest in this subject very much crytolite.
There are amazing things about South Africa......I enjoyed Alastar packer hubs.That is a great story from a Great Huber.
Reconciliation rules forever.
Well bowl me over! Your Jackie and I am Legend...LOL. Seriously, you two do have a similar, yet different great writing style. Thanks for telling Polly and are you going to be able to have both now or will they integrate? As long as you keep up your poems and super stories-like the new Tom Dooley one- it'll be fine. I would call you a stinker but you smell far too sweet for that!
I am Jackie.
Karen that's the best feeling and compliment I can get you showing this to your son. Thank you for reading and commenting. Maybe wrote this before -- it was the July 4th night while watching fireworks when -had planned on writing something different- a little birdie in the ear told me to do this one. There are two other Civil War ones on the profile page one of which is called 'The Angel of Marye's Heights at Fredricksburg' which I'm not ashamed to say brought a tear or two to my eyes while writing it. The other concerns a rather mysterious & scandalous Southern Belle who's stories not well known.
Fascinating story, I'm going to have to show this to my son who is a Civil War buff.
Hi Polly. Kidding about what--the ideas,..if so yes about sharing them, should have put a LOL. If the Tom Dooley story definitely no, its interesting and tells the story really good. Very scandalous and tragic. Don't be upset with your friend Alastar..he thinks your great and thats no kidding!
I assume you are kidding me?
Cool Polly, it sounds a good one. That covers a lot of time; Native Indians through the Great Depression. Should give you some ideas too. And isn't the Old North State great for history though. Hey Polly if you get any good ideas I'd like to hear bout em, help with anything if you want. You wouldn't have to worry, you know they'd be safe here..lol. Btw, did you see that great one on Tom Dula by Jackie Lynnley? She brought out some very interesting things on it.
I have a book I plan to dive into tonight "The North Carolina Experience and I think it takes place from Indians to past the Civil War, including the "Great Depression" I know. I can't wait! NC is such a historical place.
Some of these history ones are most satisfying in the sense that one can speak for the heroics and heartbreaks of our American ancestors. And perhaps some who other-wise would never know make a welcome discovery. You, Mr. James Watkins, are the acknowledged master in said topic and others here on HP and rightly so. The pleasures all mine in admiration for you.
This is an amazing piece of work, my friend. This is history as it should be—fascinating and clear-eyed. You are a fine writer. Thank you for this pleasure.
Good morn Mr. Epi. Oh yes, The Last Waltz is a great film. Its fitting that Levon sang that song, him being from the south and all. He certainly puts more heart behind it than the top 40 pop hit by Joan Baez.The Amer. Civil War is endlessly fascinating and I believe the second most studied war in the world. Ken Burns educated and got a very many viewers in to the subject. Thank you for the kind accolade dear Epi and Ms. D. Troth and her John Wayne shall receive a visitor today! ps- Have you heard Robbie Robertsons new album? Its Great.
...well remember that great song by the Band (one of my favorites; just saw Scorcese's The Last Waltz the other night for about the 10th time) The Night they drove old dixie down - I've always had a fascination with the American civil war and loved Ken Burns' PBS documentary so this hub is another classic by you and I love how much you respect history too - as it is truly a labor of love by you when you write - and it shows - a little favor - please check out fellow hubber - D. TROTH - she has one you will love called JOHN WAYNE: a short but true story
Thank you amymarie and it is a shame. Perhaps one day, hopefully, we can solve our problems peacefully. Mrs. Chesnut's diary's are fascinating and engrossing, written of course from a woman's perspective.You'll do yourself a favor by reading them.:D
Alastar, this is a wonderful hub. It's a shame that we don't focus more on the after effects of war. Maybe if we understood better the suffering people endured we'd find more civilized ways to solve problems instead of resorting to war. I guess in some instances there isn't much of a choice. I never read Mrs. Chestnut's diaries but I'm intrigued and will have to now. Thanks for the great hub!
Yes conrado, you are correct that skin pigment is largely a result of the sun, or lack thereof. Were you referring to the possibility of a hub on the African- American experience?
Melanin is an adaptation to environment.
Thanks Cred2, that series really engaged a lot of peoples interest. Burns did a great doc and thats exciting you found some film on the reunion. I didn't even think to look for any. There are a few history ones am considering- working on one now- and the African- Amer. is a possibility in the future. A hubber like say for instance, mqee, would do a great article on it, better than me. Glad we met up here Cred2, it's always fine when two of similar interests do.
Alastar, a brother in arms, a consummate historian. I collected Ken Burns "the Civil War" and remember ms. Chesnut's account as described in her diaries. I found some old film documenting the 1913 Gettyburg reunion. The true of the war and the horrendous casulties and deprivation was well documented in the Burns documentary. I wait with baited breath your plans to do a hub on the African American involvement in the Civil War. I have always been very interested in the conflict and follow historians religiously, like I am going to follow you. Best regards, Cred2
So pleased you liked it Goyakla. That is something about the cards. How valuable they'd be today! Yes really kewl. Its things like the cards that can begin a lifetime of interest in a subject.The American Civil War is the second most studied war in the world after WW2. As a small boy one Christmas I received from Santa a Civil War board with detailed soldiers, cannon, horses, forts etc.made in America circa mid-sixties. It was my favorite present of all time. 'Stonewall' Jackson was a most fascinating figure and if he had been at Gettysburg history no doubt would be very different. Thank you Goyakla and here's to a Rebel Yell and Yankee Huzzah!
Wow that was an impressive read. You put a lot of hard work into this one and it has paid off. As a boy there was a bubble gum sold in shops that would come with cards each of a page in a newspaper telling of what was happening that day during the American Civil War. I collected these cards and kept them under my pillow and would read them over and over again. I am not sure why I was so attracted to reading about that conflict but I was. General Stonewall Jackson help particular appeal. Strange isn't it?
That conflict is endlessly fascinating and most tragic. Just when one thinks they've learned about all they can, something else comes to the fore. So pleased you loved it and you've encouraged me to perhaps look for something else on it that hasn't been written about 50,000 times. Thank you DF.
l love history and the Civil War is fascinating and sad.Loved this hub Thank you
Your most welcome SusanJK: You have what looks like a good site on Education & Science with the info hubs. I know a young man who needs to read some of them. :)
Good hub, thanks for this story.
Your compliment is appreciated Auntie D and that's correct about the other states. Missouri, for example, though being a 'neutral or border state' probably had the bloodiest internal 'Mini- Civil War' of all. The horror was particularly foisted on the civilian population there. The reconciliation at Gettysburg is one that really should be better known.
Talk about synchronicity on another subject, if you know what i mean Terri, this is really wonderful. Thank you for bringing up your deep interest and info on your passed father-in-law. I'd never heard of Knights and would like to find out more. How very pleasing to read of your relation- ship with the battle field. The massive viewing tower was removed I remember reading as it should have been. Perhaps sometime you could share your experiences there. Thank you kindly Terri for reading and the cool comment.
I'm a Civil War nut. My now deceased father-in-law was one of the founding members of the Knights of the Civil War Roundtable. I've spent hundreds of hours tramping over the Gettysburg fields. It's like a second home to me. Love this hub!
Your article is very moving and well written. I don't think a lot of people are aware of the massive destruction of property and the starvation of many people not only in the south which was the hardest hit, but in other battle states. I was not aware of the 1913 reconciliation and was pleased to see the reconciliation of two sides was successful. Now I'm off to read about the Southern Belle...
He's originally from Philadelphia...lol...and then was a Southern boy - spent years in Jacksonville, FL. He is very protective, but he knows, as I do, that we could never find a better thing than we have in each other. :-)
Loved it up there and thank you kindly for the compliment ma'am. Your hubby's smart enough to know those long distances romances don't generally work so well. Besides, Chi-town fellas are known to be very protective of their wives!
It is beautiful in the north, I must say! And, what a handsome feller you are! ;-) No worries, my hubby would certainly not be jealous or uncomfortable that I have said so!
Yes ma'am M2C, Captain Packer off the coast of Maine or Canada two summers ago. It's beautiful in the North country!
Alaster, completely unrelated to the hub....is that YOU in your avatar?
Got to be on my toes now when an Auburn history major comments..lol. I'll check "White Mansions" out sometime & that was an awesome & humorous read "Fishing Rednecks, Sexy Southern Belles...", you wrote. Your spot on with the South's miscalculation on the cotton. The best I can understand, England in particular desired the two regions to weaken each other & split asunder for obvious advantages to them but played their cards close to the vest. The Union blockade really didn't start achieving major results till near the end & in my opinion one main reason for defeat was the leadership positions in the main Western army specifically Braxton Bragg & later Hood. I read once about a theory a researcher had about the conflict & his conclusion was that the war was partly racial in the fact that the North was largely of Germanic elements(despite great numbers of Irish who were mostly anti-war), the South Celtic. That's some fascinating lineage you've got my friend & "Sweet Home Alabama" rocks.
Dude- you did it again. before i go on and forget; if you don't already have it, find a CD called 'white mansions'- you'll be glad you did. my character Caleb's name came from that album. get back to me if you need more info.
Great piece of writing here Alastar. i can never get enough. this is your arena- ur safety zone- don't ever stop with this series. think of publishing when you gather enough articles.
i despise war, but yet am amazed at this last European style of war to ever be fought on the planet- (the type practiced by Napoleon/Wellington etc)
One of the first mistakes for the ultimate loss suffered by the south was the fact that cotton was withheld from Europe for the 1st year of the war.
in my opinion, england would have joined the cause as well as france early on despite the fact that they themselves abandoned slavery and this was an issue that concerned the two dominant european powers greatly.
England found cotton to be readily grown in India and king cotton reigned no longer- the squeeze didn't work- backfired. would be allies sat and waited. the south had the yanks by the coconuts- should have defeated the bastards.
my thoughts drift to writing a piece of fiction with the outcome in favor of the rebs.
funny thing is- this war was actually an ancient conflict stemming from great britain itself. not so much brother against brother but northern and southern english conflicts transported here from centuries past there.
States rights and the individuals independent spirit are well illustrated in this song. like it much.
hell alistar you and i could have met on that field- or been comrades- perhaps some of our ancestral relations did... my family fought the Brits in the French Indian war- the Brits again in the revolution- then the civil war- ww1 ww2- Korea and Vietnam- now have a nephew overseas in the middle east. how did i ever come out of this hating war-... easy my pseudo big brother/best friend was killed in Vietnam 1969- 3 weeks after he arrived. wrote a dialogue on it here at hp. the other side- the Italians kicked the world's ass 2 millennium ago- and the Scandinavian ancestors (vikings) spread terror from Europe to Russia. my blood is thick including Native American- Algonquin blood.
my sympathies headed south along with my heart after moving to and schooling in Alabama.
gotta go bro- write on!
greg
Then he has an ear for music. He's a natural. That was something with his Elvis like voice though. Polly, This hub was written with Memorial day kinda in mind but last night on FB i found out this is Civil War week...good timing hey. :)
Oh at one time you could not have told the difference, but he can at other times sound like other people, but I think the Elvis is in his natural he listened to Elvis at such a young age with his mother being so Elvis crazy, lol. Yes others do say so. I can't wait to make him do some more of the ones I really liked, but a perfect world was one of them. Would you believe he cannot read or write music and he can play almost if not every instrument there is, just give him one for a day and he could I am sure. Thank you.
A hippie plantation slave with ghostwritten books sounds fascinating Polly. Jackie Lynnley's hub on Black Bard it is then. Thank you Polly, those poems you've been writing lately about you & your husband's love are quite endearing. BTW, do other people tell you he sounds a bit like Elvis?
There are some really interesting things about the south and NC for sure, Jackie Lynnley's story here about Black Bard was really different, it was about the only black poet who wrote while enslaved and he did his 1st two books before he could write! He had someone write them for him, but he was the strangest sounding slave, almost like a Hippie. Really weird and I am loving finding these stories. And I have so much else I need to be doing! Keep up the good work.
Well Will, I try to keep abreast of things but for personal reasons have been a bit non-political. From what I've seen lately though...can't disagree with you. Its just a shame there can't be less hate and more reconciliation like those old soldiers 98 years ago that made their peace on the battlefield of Gettysburg. Appreciate you brother Will.
" You know Will, I used to think the liberals were kinda peace-loving but from the propaganda on places like FB...why, it's some of the most vicious stuff I've ever seen."
When I first became involved in internet political stuff after 9-11, I was very naive. I still pictured the left as flower children left over from the 60's...sort of goofy, but basically nice people.
I was stunned to learn they hate all sorts of things. They hate conservatives, they hate the South, they hate Jews and Israel, they hate the rich, they hate corporations, they hate Christianity, they hate traditional America, they hate guns, they hate the military, they hate FOXNews, they hate talk radio, they hate McDonalds, they hate energy, they hate successful people, they hate the cops, they hate the unborn, and they hate it when anyone points all that out.
Thank you Will. Your right, the South is one part of this country that has truly felt the bitter & horrid taste of defeat. What obviously made a big difference was the North's generally re-union position rather than revenge taking. That's what truly made the America we grew up in; but yes, the after effects are still with us in some ways 146 yrs. later. You know Will, I used to think the liberals were kinda peace-loving but from the propaganda on places like FB...why, it's some of the most vicious stuff I've ever seen. Just don't know my friend. Thanks and sure appreciate you WillStarr.
Hi Nell, I'm with your sentiments on war. 'The American Civil War' or as it's known in the South, 'The War between the States', is the second most studied war in the world after WW2. When all was said and done these men recognized a common bond and that was that they were all soldiers. The reconciliation at Gettysburg in 1913 is a piece of history that should be better known. I've read some books on your own English Civil War & there are some parallels. Nell, you ought to see the re-enactors over here, they take their passion very seriously along with many women and the events draw multiple thousands of spectators.If you want to get a peek of how big it really is , watch a little bit of the movie 'Gettysburg'. Very happy this was interesting for you. Appreciate you & Triple Tac Nell.
Well done. The entire South suffered greatly after the war, and still does today. I don't understand why the far left so despises the South.
Hi, war is such a sensless thing, and some people fall, and others pick themselves up and become something, amazing how the both sides came together after all those years, but what a good closure, thanks for the history, as an English woman I don't know the ins and outs of the war, but this was fascinating, cheers nell
Hi there Canook! Hope the temps in Canada are a little cooler than here. Last summer the A/C went out in my car and I made a decision to tough out the rest of it. What I've found so far this year is the heat doesn't bother so much so suppose the body-system got used to it. Thanks for reading & the compliment Canook and its always super when I see one of your comments. Can't wait for your next one! Tarheel :D
Hi! Tarheel
I enjoy reading your stories on American history, Excellent Hub! Canook
Well what you know. Maybe we have an invisible cord connecting us..lol- Camdens a beautiful town and your not far from me when you go the Licolnton Hickory way. The history content in our state alone is near inexhaustible. BTW, what,where is the Battle of Buford? Thanks my friend and those Watermelons sure are gonna be good this summer.
Always a pleasure and encouragement when you read and comment Gail, thank you. Your making great strides with the history and snake lessons...lol. :D
You seem to hit all my spots. I have a friend who runs a pawn shop and lives in Camden and I drive through Linconton on my way to Hickory to see the grandkids. History is everywhere. I must look up the Battle of Buford since I passed the monument today on my way out to plant watermelons! Another good one, AP!
you make history most enjoyable to read! again-you've written a great story! keep them coming Alastar
Thank you Hyph and if it enthralled you some then it came out o.k. Its funny how the muse just hit me with this subject on Memorial Day. was worried about it being too gloomy but then was reminded, were there's despair, there's also hope. Yours Ms. B
Alastar, this one had me enthralled. I am a history buff anyway and the tragedy of that war still fascinates and causes me to feel for the innocent ones caught up in it. You told it well and the song is a great addition.
Your writing skills are being put to the test and emerging great and honed!
Hahaha! You're a lover of all women, just like my husband. I love men like you!
As I wrote in"Employed at the Flick 1978", ' The lovely forms nature has bestowed on the fairer sex, come in all shapes and sizes, and are as unique as snowflakes falling on a beautiful winter's day.' (Purple Prose but True). :D
Shoot, I've haven't had an eighteen inch waist since I was in second grade! I got fat in the fifth grade and never looked back! ;-) But, I'm okay with that!
How women ever suffered those torture contraptions I'll never know. Yeah,M2C, the waist lines of or eight-teen year old lives are long gone. :D
hehe....I have a little of Scarlett in me, I must admit. I'd like that 18" waist of hers, but I don't think that's gonna happen.
Let me rest the ole back a bit, then anything you say Scarlett, er...M2C. :D
That's right, Mister...You'd best get to reading! ;-)
That again, my friend. "...as we all live in one land, let us all live as one people." Beautiful as well.
Your most welcome Fiddleman and it is my pleasure. Its amazing how one can condense such an event and era and still get a little of it's story across. Thank you my friend for your kind comment. I need to get back to your wonderful stories of those magical times you re-call so well.
You know M2C, if the old soldiers could come together in brotherhood almost 98 years ago, its a shame the two regions in our country couldn't have done the same along with them. As so many northerners moved south starting around the sixties things have become much better in that regard here. Those were generally brave men- and women, who fought for what they thought was right at the time. And as a famous old Cherokee chief once said at the end of the Anglo-Cherokee war: "...as we all live in one land, let us all live as one people." Thank you M2C and I've got to get back to your excellent tribute article on Rich with a comment and others.
This was beautiful and awesome. It also gives me a much greater understanding of something. Years ago on vacation in Tennessee, we visited an Antebellum mansion and Confederate cemetery. We were reading some things while we toured the mansion and listening to the guide, and I realized that I was actually afraid to speak (I got a Yankee accent no one could miss). Even now, I fear, there's a division between north and south that will never be healed. How stupid we've been in our history. And, how sad that actually is. This hub is most definitely voted UP!
Thank you Alastar for sharing this great story.
Alastar Packer Hub Author 3 weeks ago
Gone With the Wind is of course a great movie- but it really is an idealized take on the planter aristocracy wrapped around a soap opera. Not much in common with the brutal reality of the majority common folk . Thank you for checking this story out and commenting Suzette. Oh yes, Mary Chesnut's diaries are the preeminent look at life in the South during the war and right after, well deserved Pulitzer Prize. And she didn't just write on the generals, politicos and upper-class, but all social ranks in the South including the African-Americans. A most remarkable read and outstanding diarist.