I'm new to this board, but not to the subject. I've had a run in or two on another forum and I thought I might just take a swim in this stream.
I've always been Southern and I've always been a Soldier. I grew up on a farm, riding horses and shooting guns. I graduated from college, got a commission in the US Army and spent time with my knees in the breeze.
I have always dreamed of riding with Partisan Missouri Rangers, fighting evil and bringing justice to the oppressed folks of Little Dixie. I'm fortuate enough to be living out my fantasy. God is Great!
__________________ 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
Welcome John, good to have you. I think the James brothers are from your neck of the woods aren't they? And the Younger brothers? I've always enjoyed reading about them.
Things do get a bit heated here from time to time. Gary gives good advice, that I should be more concious of, myself. Try not to get pulled in too far on a hot topic. A little detachment is a good thing, and goes a long way towards keeping things in perspective.
Looking forward to your posts.
Terry
__________________ "In this great struggle, this form of Government and every form of human right is endangered if our enemies succeed. There is more involved in this contest than is realized by every one." Abraham Lincoln - August 18, 1864 Speech to the 164th Ohio Regiment
I ain't out to pick no fights, but I am kinda set in my ways. I reckon there's a whole lotta reasons why our country had to go through that unpleasantness and it irks me that some'd have us think one way or t'other.
I had ancestors that fought on both sides. None of 'em fought for slavery and none of 'em fought against it. Them that wore the blue fought for Wah-sheen-tawn cause Wah-sheen-tawn paid 'em. Them that wore the grey fought against the invaders and their Yankee sychophants who were out to steel everything that wasn't nailed down or for revenge. I figure they did what they did cause God gave 'em the light to see it as their duty and I don't wanta say or do anything that might tarnish their name. I wanta bring honor to 'em if I can and that's primarily why I participate on these boards.
I'm not thin skinned, but growin up southern in a nest full of Dang Yankees has made me more'n a little cautious and maybe just a little paranoid. I know they ain't knockin down doors and stringin fellas up in the oak tree out front anymore, but folks around these parts are still stingin from the arse whoopin and we don't like to have our noses rubbed in it. I'll do my best not to take nor give offense and I look forward to makin your acquaintances.
Here's to Ya'll! All Ya'll!
Last edited by Ozark Iron John; 08-17-2006 at 10:41 AM.
Welcome John- always proud to have an honorable Southern fighter aboard. I think you will like it here just fine. We have plenty of honorable fighters from both sides of the color barrier (blue & gray, that is.)
We hope to learn as well as offer and defend, and look forward gladly to your input and outlook and understanding. Again welcome, ed
__________________ 'It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag'
...but folks around these parts are still stingin from the arse whoopin and we don't like to have our noses rubbed in it. I'll do my best not to take nor give offense and I look forward to makin your acquaintances.
Been here nigh onto three years now, and can recall few to none instances of rubbing in the Confederate loss. There'll be plenty of "why the hell did they start it!" but no disrespect for Johnny Reb.
I've spent some years in several states; Missouri was my favorite. During my five or six years there, I don't remember anyone bring up the WBTS. No damyankees, no CBF, no hint of having been what must have been the most miserable state to have lived in before, during and after that war.
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
I've spent some years in several states; Missouri was my favorite. During my five or six years there, I don't remember anyone bring up the WBTS. No damyankees, no CBF, no hint of having been what must have been the most miserable state to have lived in before, during and after that war.
Growin up Southern in a nest of Damyankees causes a feller to think twice before he says what's really on his mind. My old Pap wouldn't let us kids talk to outsiders. He was afraid they'd come and burn down his barn and scatter his progeny to the wind, if not string him up in the oak tree out front. I reckon he'd roll over in his grave if he know'd some of the things I've said, but times are different now. The Internet affords a modicum of anonimity that my old Pap wouldn't understand.
I'll try not to go too far. But I've been known to go off half-cocked and put my foot squarely into my mouth. If I offend anyone, I'll make amends or at least try too.
Just clearing something up: are you saying your Union relatives only fought for the $$$ or all Union troops?
Well sir, there's one thing I've learned, never say never and never say all. Some folks like to nitpick. I ain't saying I don't paint 'em with a big brush, fact is, I do, but I don't mean ALL Union troops were mercenaries. I reckon a whole lot more of 'em were than we'd like to believe though.
I don't hold with the conventional wisdom that says the average soldier was all that up on the politics of the day. The abolition of slavery may have been a hot topic in the cotton exchanges and antebellum plantations, but I don't reckon most folks gave two hoots for the plight of the black man. I think they was too busy scratchin out a livin for themselves and their families and they didn't care about the goings on in Charleston, Washington or New York City. Likewise, I don't think too many of 'em could spell self-determination and/or constitutional authority let alone discuss the vargaries thereof. It ain't that I've got a low opinion of 'em, it just that I reckon we've given 'em too much credit. Most of 'em were drunk.
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