Im half German and half American my Dads side had ancestors who fought for the north and rumored that I had a ancestor named Gen. John Peabody Estey who was in comand of C. H, 1st Ohio Infantry (i think)
None of the buckets, which is an advantage. I can study why the Confederates lost, and why the Union forces won, and not have any personal connection interest in either side.
My Prussian relatives came over immediately after the war, in that first decade. My Irish side settled in the North perhaps just before the war, but I've found no connection with the Civil War.
Grandma never mentioned any Civil War veteran.
My father's family settled in Iowa in the early 19th century. They were Church of the Betheren and they came from Barvaria. My mother's family came to the U.S. in the form of my great great grandfather, Kaspar Pirgir (cool name, inso?) in 1830. Later changed to Pilger. He was from Bohemia. I lived in Arkansas for 18 years (go Razorbacks) and Florida for three (sorry folks, didn't like it there at all). So, you might say, I've got a good perspective. I'm back in Wisconsin now (nice!). My great great uncle was in the 6th Wisconsin. My loyalties lie in the Midwest. I've tried getting Minnesota and Wisconsin to secede; (yeah, the UP, too) but no luck...ha!
Calicoboy
__________________ My dear mother:- I have come safely through two more terrible engagements with the enemy, that at South Mountain and the great battle of yesterday (Antietam). Our splendid regiment is almost destroyed. We have had nearly 400 men killed and wounded in the battles. Seven of our officers were shot and three killed in yesterday's battle and nearly 150 men killed and wounded. All from less than 300 engaged. The men have stood like iron....Maj. Rufus Dawes, 6th Wisconsin Volunteers
Union Ancersor: Pvt Arnuah Norton, 60th Ohio. (G-G-G Grandfather) Died at Salisbury NC, November 3, 1864
Confederate Ancestors: Captain Thomas A. Morrow, 29th Texas Cavalry (G-G-G- Uncle) and 2LT George W. Morrow, 31st Texas Cavalry (G-G-G Grandfather). Both survived the war
I was thinking about this poll the other day and there's something that I find strange about the results. There's a whole heck of a lot more of US now than there was back then. There's a whole heck of a lot more US who don't have any ties to the past at all. Why is it there's so many "True Southerner" and "True Northerner" respondants to this poll and not so many "Johnny Come Latelies" and "Billy Blue Boys"? Are we really such a small niche group?
I apologize for not including a bucket for those of US who had ancestors who fought on both sides of the war. I admit, I would fall into that bucket myownself.
There's a whole heck of a lot more US who don't have any ties to the past at all. Why is it there's so many "True Southerner" and "True Northerner" respondants to this poll and not so many "Johnny Come Latelies" and "Billy Blue Boys"? Are we really such a small niche group?
I didn't respond, John, because I don't join groups, don't respond well to group-think, and don't play well with others.
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
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