We are pleased to share this interesting, short, and provocative analysis by the “friend of a friend,” ~ J.D.R.Hawkins. He published this online some time ago, but it has valuable lessons one hundred and sixty-five years after the events he analyzes.
When Lincoln called up 75 thousand men to invade the Independent Southern States on April 15, 1861, his unconstitutional act prompted the states of Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas to secede, joining the newly formed country, the Confederate States of America. Thus, with the invasion of the South, this began the bloodiest war in our American history.
When the South was invaded, Southern States called upon their sons to do their duty to defend their state, homes and family from invasion. These men went to do their duty, not as aggressors or in the spirit of conquest, but to protect their homeland from an unjust invasion.
More than half of all the casualties on both sides were from the hardships and disease found in camp life. This was especially true for the Southern troops who nearly always lacked the basic necessities of food, clothing and medical supplies, unlike the Northern troops, who had plenty.
The sacrifices made by the Confederate soldier are incomprehensible today. They would march for days with little or no rest, very little food, some with no shoes and in the heat of summer and the frigid cold of winter. Fatigue, hunger and sickness was common place for these soldiers.
Despite the hardships endured by the Confederate soldiers they pressed on to perform their duty. In nearly every conflict these soldiers were typically out numbered and out gunned 3 to 1.
The “Rebel Yell” made these brave soldiers famous. It demonstrated a fighting spirit, courage, tenacity and gallantry allowing them to prevail in most of the major conflicts of the war. Sadly they fought an invader with unlimited reserves and resources, making victory impossible.
Even during the last year of the war when they knew that victory was impossible, the Confederate soldier continued to fight courageously to protect their homes and families, to the very end. They received no great bounty or pay for their service nor did they ask for any monuments or special attention. They wished only to be remembered with the truth behind their heroic and noble struggle, in America’s second War for Independence.
The men and women of the Confederate States of America who came from all races and religions that include: Irish-born General Patrick R. Cleburne, Black Confederate drummer Bill Yopp, Mexican born Colonel Santos Benavides, Cherokee born General Stand Watie and Jewish born Confederate Nurse Phoebe Pember who was the first female administrator of Chimboraza Hospital in Richmond, Virginia where she served until the end of War Between the States.
Nearly 258 thousand Confederate soldiers died protecting their homes, families and our Constitution. They fought bravely and nobly against overwhelming forces and odds. They suffered incomprehensible hardships to the very end. They were called to their duty as Americans….as fathers and as sons. They served without hesitation and we owe each of them to make sure the truth be told about them and the War. These soldiers are our ancestors and without hesitation or question, deserve respect, honor and dignity from each of us.
Deo Vindice!
Of course, the men and women of whom Hawkins writes today are condemned. Mainly as racists, to be sure, and as supposedly fighting for the preservation of a despicable and evil practice, that of slavery. And there were (absolute certainty) many Southerners (including some with Northern roots) who were fighting partially or mostly to preserve that practice. But it is obvious that slavery was absolutely not the only reason, and for many it was not the major reason that Southerners voted for their States to secede.
But when you look at what Honest Abe did, to people of all races, and what his successors, including Wilson, FDR, and more, did to the States that had originally created the FedGov for their Union? You find that slavery is not the only evil that has been practiced on these shores.
It casts shame on all Americans, and all American governments which existed in 1861 (and before, setting the stage), as well as all those who have endorsed the actions of the Lincoln, Johnson, and Grant administrations. As well as those who declare the Southern rebels, especially the Confederate States Army veterans, to be “traitors.”
About TPOL Nathan
Follower of Christ Jesus (a christian), Pahasapan (resident of the Black Hills), Westerner, Lover of Liberty, Free-Market Anarchist, Engineer, Army Officer, Husband, Father, Historian, Writer, Evangelist. Successor to Lady Susan (Mama Liberty) at TPOL.
Guest commentary: a brief critical analysis of the start of the War between the States.
We are pleased to share this interesting, short, and provocative analysis by the “friend of a friend,” ~ J.D.R.Hawkins. He published this online some time ago, but it has valuable lessons one hundred and sixty-five years after the events he analyzes.
When Lincoln called up 75 thousand men to invade the Independent Southern States on April 15, 1861, his unconstitutional act prompted the states of Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas to secede, joining the newly formed country, the Confederate States of America. Thus, with the invasion of the South, this began the bloodiest war in our American history.
When the South was invaded, Southern States called upon their sons to do their duty to defend their state, homes and family from invasion. These men went to do their duty, not as aggressors or in the spirit of conquest, but to protect their homeland from an unjust invasion.
More than half of all the casualties on both sides were from the hardships and disease found in camp life. This was especially true for the Southern troops who nearly always lacked the basic necessities of food, clothing and medical supplies, unlike the Northern troops, who had plenty.
The sacrifices made by the Confederate soldier are incomprehensible today. They would march for days with little or no rest, very little food, some with no shoes and in the heat of summer and the frigid cold of winter. Fatigue, hunger and sickness was common place for these soldiers.
Despite the hardships endured by the Confederate soldiers they pressed on to perform their duty. In nearly every conflict these soldiers were typically out numbered and out gunned 3 to 1.
The “Rebel Yell” made these brave soldiers famous. It demonstrated a fighting spirit, courage, tenacity and gallantry allowing them to prevail in most of the major conflicts of the war. Sadly they fought an invader with unlimited reserves and resources, making victory impossible.
Even during the last year of the war when they knew that victory was impossible, the Confederate soldier continued to fight courageously to protect their homes and families, to the very end. They received no great bounty or pay for their service nor did they ask for any monuments or special attention. They wished only to be remembered with the truth behind their heroic and noble struggle, in America’s second War for Independence.
The men and women of the Confederate States of America who came from all races and religions that include: Irish-born General Patrick R. Cleburne, Black Confederate drummer Bill Yopp, Mexican born Colonel Santos Benavides, Cherokee born General Stand Watie and Jewish born Confederate Nurse Phoebe Pember who was the first female administrator of Chimboraza Hospital in Richmond, Virginia where she served until the end of War Between the States.
Nearly 258 thousand Confederate soldiers died protecting their homes, families and our Constitution. They fought bravely and nobly against overwhelming forces and odds. They suffered incomprehensible hardships to the very end. They were called to their duty as Americans….as fathers and as sons. They served without hesitation and we owe each of them to make sure the truth be told about them and the War. These soldiers are our ancestors and without hesitation or question, deserve respect, honor and dignity from each of us.
Deo Vindice!
Of course, the men and women of whom Hawkins writes today are condemned. Mainly as racists, to be sure, and as supposedly fighting for the preservation of a despicable and evil practice, that of slavery. And there were (absolute certainty) many Southerners (including some with Northern roots) who were fighting partially or mostly to preserve that practice. But it is obvious that slavery was absolutely not the only reason, and for many it was not the major reason that Southerners voted for their States to secede.
But when you look at what Honest Abe did, to people of all races, and what his successors, including Wilson, FDR, and more, did to the States that had originally created the FedGov for their Union? You find that slavery is not the only evil that has been practiced on these shores.
It casts shame on all Americans, and all American governments which existed in 1861 (and before, setting the stage), as well as all those who have endorsed the actions of the Lincoln, Johnson, and Grant administrations. As well as those who declare the Southern rebels, especially the Confederate States Army veterans, to be “traitors.”
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About TPOL Nathan
Follower of Christ Jesus (a christian), Pahasapan (resident of the Black Hills), Westerner, Lover of Liberty, Free-Market Anarchist, Engineer, Army Officer, Husband, Father, Historian, Writer, Evangelist. Successor to Lady Susan (Mama Liberty) at TPOL.