I must apologize to all for my apparent oversite of this charming parlor of introductions.
I have come to terms with my prediliction for the cause of the Confederacy. I had always believed what had been taught in the public school system and ,until research proved otherwise, found myself of the side of the Yankees. I have been lost in a flurry of research sources and photographs ever since. Upon moving to southern Missouri, I have begun to expand my knowledge of the effects of the war among neighbors. It has proven rather difficult to escape it down here. The area is still buzzing with the Jayhawkers and the Bushwackers.
As I have always held an affinity for Virginia, Richmond in particular, I have begun to focus my research (only personal at this point in time) on a select few names that have, oddly enough, rung a few bells. I have the distinct feeling I may have to make a trip up there if I ever hope to garner the information I am desiring.
At any rate, I do wish to pass on my greetings to all and I shall look forward to the comraderie that is quite evident here....on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line.
Most Sincerely,
Seanachai
"General Jeb Stuart was at Mrs. Randolph's in his cavalry jacket and high boots. He was devoted to Hetty Cary. Constance Cary said to me, pointing to his stars, "Hetty likes them that way, you know--gilt-edged and with stars." --Exerpt from A Diary from Dixie by Mary Boykin Chesnut.
Seanachai,
Welcome. As a Virginia native, let me say that, you have chosen a lovely state in which to have an affinity for. I have always believed that the South has gotten a bad rap, if you will, about it's version of the great conflict. I have never fully believed the 'official' version of the War for Southern Independence, that has been thrust upon us by the government of the winning side. I will not, nor can not, say the the South was completely right in it's quest for independence, but neither were they as wrong as some people want us to believe.
Bottom line, the South lost it's quest. The North won, and in so doing, they won the right to write it's version of the 'Late Unpleasantness'. Through the months I've been on this board, I've had my beliefs changed but little, but through it all, I have learned some things that I had not really known before. I am a staunch Southerner, and I will never change my allegiance to my (former) state. I firmly believe that she went into secession, believing in what she was doing was right. Some on this board may try and make you believe that Lee didn't give up slaves, but they are wrong.
Lee didn't fight to preserve slavery, but through both ignorance, and the Yankee version of history, they (Northerners), will try and tell you differently, but we (Southerners) know otherwise. Just as Lee, my ancestors didn't fight for the South to keep slavery, they fought for their state, pure and simple. The state was the foundation of their lives, along with their families, and not a whole lot else, mattered to them. However, in spite of it all, Be wary of your sources, my good man, for there are some that will belittle them, for not being very reliable. Only those that would be 'sanctioned' by the 'official' government documents and historians, will be acceptable in your arguments.
Please don't be shy, jump right in and put forth your thoughts. You may learn something, then again, you may not, but, just as in 1860, you 'fight' for what you believe in. If you learn something new, then all power to you, if not, then continue to battle for your beliefs, and never give up. I believe too, that you will find this board a very interesting place, and above all..........never boring.
Senachai - welcome to the forum. I too find myself drawn to the South (and I'm a Californian with no blood relation on either side). For me, it's because the South's story is so much harder to put together. Compare the documents found in the National Archives. For the Union, it has nice printed forms and are easy for some adjutant or clerk to complete. For the South, it could be the proverbial cocktail napkin or scrap of paper that was of poor quality. Notwithstanding the documents, there's also the destruction of documents following the burning of Richmond, government buildings, homes. For the Corn-federates in the Trans-Mississippi region, documents were intercepted and destroyed (deep six). Southerners were also more reluctant to pen their memoirs like the Northerners. Writing could open wounds and it wasn't fun to reflect upon unpleasant memories. That's why membership in the GAR was always much higher than the UCV. So, to piece together the Confederate side for my research has always been more challenging and a lot more fun.
Enjoy it here. The company is great whether they're Yankees or Corn-feds!
Seanachai
Welcome to the group, sure to find some, if not many threads of topics to enjoy yourself with, on this site.
As for .."Southerners were also more reluctant to pen their memoirs" I've found numerous letter, memoirs, and diaries online, and more published over the years. Some have never been reprinted, but if you look, readable copies, at reasonable prices can be found. Many were 'glad' to tell their story, both to the public and in notebooks left for only the family's information.
Chuck in IL.
Fortunately we do have several notable Confederates including Porter Alexander, Richard Taylor, Johnson Hagood, James Longstreet, John Hood who did write books that were published during their lives. I wish many others would have too especially Lee.
As to being published over the years, that is true. However, many were never intended to be published by them & their descendants are doing it (thankfully). Irving Buck did write a book about Cleburne but only recently have his letters been published (by a descendent). But in comparing the quantity of books published after the war, there were more Union regimental histories, memoirs or what-not by Union men than by their adversaries.
Still, we're in a better position that older historians in the sense that we have access to material that the families are releasing. It brings the balance closer but it's far easier to find things on Union troops and activity than on Confederates.
Do continue to post, ask, opine, learn. We're all learning something new here. Every day. Some of it will be useful in your continuing self-education.
Ole
These folks have pretty much summed it up: Welcome! One thing about Federal records from the civil war with respect to Confederate research. For every Confederate battle there was at least one Union regiment on the other side of the ditch, river, field of woods. Many of those Union records are the only source of information on the activities of the Confederates and obviously are quite useful. Working on my material concerning the Army of Tennessee, it's been quite interesting to make comparisons of conclusions in cases where Confederate reports were filed. Two writers looking from opposite directions many times saw totally different battles!
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