Which side?

[georgian]

Hey yall. This question always gets me. I am a born, bred, raised southerner. Now that doesnt mean I agree with slavery, etc. because I hate it. I'm not a racist either, I'm far from it. But when I put myself in the position of those young men in the April of 1861, I am dumbfounded as to what I would do. I reckon, I would join the Confederacy and fight fer Ol Dixie, but I tell ya, it sure would be hard aiming a rifle at my fellow brothers. It would be even harder shootin at em, but it was shoot or be shot back then. But it had to make those men yearn for the end of the war, heck I would too. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. God Bless

[unionblue]

Dustin,

Being born in the South does not mean you had to fight on the side of the Confederacy. 400,000 men from the South chose to fight for the Union and their country, men from every State in the South that had seceded from the Union. That was enough men to replace all the losses in Lee's army and every other major Confederate army across the country. You don't think they had a hard time deciding what to do? Maybe it took a greater courage to admit your state was wrong and join the other side. Talk about standing up for what you believe!

Sincerely,
Unionblue

[georgian]

Yes, I believe it probably tore some of them apart inside, to leave their families, their homes, and fight for the Union, and it took alot of courage to take a stand like that, to fight for the other side. But I expect that the same happened up North, men comin to fight fer the South, but prob. not as many. I side with both the North and South on diff. issues. Many the South was fighting for States Rights, cause about 98% of the men who joined the Confederacy never owned slaves, just the rich plantation owners and those who had the money. In some ways I view the Northern troops as freeing the Negros from oppression, which I support. Its very tough. I would do what my heart told me. I know I just couldnt fight against friends and family, and my state, Georgia, of which I love and would fight fer er. Yeah, I would have to say, I would fight for the South, but that is my opinion. The South gave the Union hell, but the Union obliged us and gave us hell back, and really, no one won that war, it was just needless bloodshed, and many a good men died.

(Message edited by georgian on July 24, 2004)

[unionblue]

Dustin,

You are right when you say men came from the North to fight for the South. 5,000 men came from my own State of Ohio, some going as far as Mississippi to enlist and fight with Confederate units.

Are you aware that many in the northern part of Georgia chose to fight for the Union? And that many in the State were against the idea of secession? To include the future Vice-President of the Confederacy, Alexander H. Stephens? You State has a rich heritage either way, North or South.

In the final analysis, I don't think I would back myself into a corner by stating that you would absolutely fight for the South. A lot of folks didn't and who knows, after looking at the issues of the day, debating them with your fellow townsfolk and relatives, who knows what would have made up your mind and made you make a choice? Don't really know, unless you are there at the time, don't you?

Heck, for all I know, I might have been one of those 5,000 Ohio boys who decided the South was right and went on down to side with her.

Take care,
Unionblue

[georgian]

You are 100% correct Neil. Men from North Georgia did go and fight in the Union Army, from Tenn. too, etc. The men fought for what they believed in, and for that, they died. It takes courage to die for what you believe, I'd like to think I would too, if ever given the chance. Like you said, you dont ever really know what you would do, unless you were in their shoes.

[unionblue]

Dustin,

Like the old song, "Before you talk, criticize and abuse, walk a mile in my shoes." Maybe we should change it to read, "before you talk, criticize and choose, walk a while in my shoes."

For all the talking us folks do on this board about the Civil War and its causes, reasons, etc., I truly believe none of know what we would have done if we had lived back then. It is so hard to look back at 19th century men with 21st century eyes and hearts.

I think we mostly would like to be able to warn them, to tell them about the bloodshed that would happen, if only to spare their lives. Who knows what genius was killed, what man might have contributed to our world and understanding?

That is the true crime of war, it takes away lives that might have bettered our own, it takes away the light of human love and spirit and replaces it with a horrible, dark silence.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

[scone]

In some areas of KY and TN as I'm sure other states as well it depended on whose army was in the area recruiting at the time.

In the County I live in Wilson County Tennessee several companies were raised through out the war for both sides.

[max]

My feelings run along with what has already been posted. Likewise I was born in the south, and if I had been alive during the conflict I would have fought with the south. Looking back with 21st century eyes, I find slavery as a disgusting institution, but during that time period slavery wasn't viewed as we see it now. I would like to think, that if I were alive back then that I would be one of the early southerners that would have supported the demise of slavery.

Max

[pathfinder]

Hi All,
I am neww here.I have just started to relearn the Civil War that was not taught in school.I am a born and northerner but as I have started my studies I am neither a Yank nor a Reb.I am looking at this from both sides I can see why both sides did what they did.
If I had been around at the time I would have more than likely have fought for the Union
Pathfinder

[unionblue]

Welcome Pathfinder!

I hope you enjoy the board, and I sincerely think you will enjoy talking with all our members here. Enjoy your studies as the Civil War is about the most interesting period in our history.

Sincerely,
Unionblue