Military bases named after Southern generals

bankerpapaw

Captain
Joined
Dec 26, 2007
Location
Rome, Georgia
I know some consider Southern generals traitors because they fought against the Unites States. But
isn't it odd that some military bases are named after them -example: Fort Bragg, Fort Lee, Fort Hood, etc.
 
But
isn't it odd that some military bases are named after them -example: Fort Bragg, Fort Lee, Fort Hood, etc.

It would seem so, but military bases were named by their patrons in Congress, many of whom were Southern (and senior - influental). So that's the practical explanation, but most of the CSA generals are to this day studied in war colleges throughout the world, for their success and failure. What happened here in the '60's is still a big deal.
 
In the American way, the southern generals lost the war, so it didn't hurt anyone if they were remembered.
Remember those were all U.S. Army at those forts and camps anyways. Confederates were long gone.
There is a certain insanity of keeping a living southern soldier enthused about a dead general .
 
The naming of the bases in the south after Confederates was part of the spirit of reconciliation and a way to sooth Southern sensibilities to the return of federal troops. Before 1917, there were few camps and forts in the South. Then the rebs discovered how much money was to be made from defense spending in the neighborhood.
 
According to the historical marker at Bragg (or at least the one that was there at the time I was stationed there), it was technically named after Captain Braxton Bragg, U.S. Army. This makes sense when you realize that it was named for a North Carolinian artillery officer, and that Camp Bragg was originally established as an artillery training post.
 
It is odd that we see bases named after Lee, Hood, Pickett, etc...but as Mark said I think in most cases these bases are named for various Confederate commanders and their accomplishments before and sometimes after the ACW and not nessecarily for their service in the CSA. For instance in Lee's case he was the Superintendent at West Point, a brilliant engineer, and the commander of forces opposing John Brown at Harper's Ferry. It just so happens he's more well known for his service in the Army of Northern Virginia.
 
I think when you study military history that they took into consideration the military tactics of Confederate Generals for study. Why not remember them especially in the South where they might be appreciated?
 
The naming of the bases in the south after Confederates was part of the spirit of reconciliation and a way to sooth Southern sensibilities to the return of federal troops. Before 1917, there were few camps and forts in the South. Then the rebs discovered how much money was to be made from defense spending in the neighborhood.
There's a Fort Sumter joke in there that's trying to come out...
 
Whatever reasons for the name given US Army forts were, I do know there were certain requirements before a US Army fort could be established.

It first had to be located as far from civilization as possible.

It must be located as far as possible from any easy access to water.

There must be no shade.

Building material must be located in areas of no easy access.

No women, pretty or ugly, period.

It must be surrounded by hostile forces bent upon its destruction.

It must be extremely cold at night and burning hot in the day.

Food and game must be extremely hard to find or bought rotten and spoiled from suppliers who overcharge.

The barracks at the fort must admit all kinds of dust, mud, cold, and extreme heat and have leaky roofs at even the first hint of rain.

Although I have only listed a few of the absolute minimum requirements for a US Army fort, welcome!

Sincerely,
Unionblue
Former occupant of Ft. Dix, NJ, Ft. Devens, MA, Ft. Bliss, TX, Ft. Hood, TX, Ft. Knox, KY, Ft. Meade, MD, Ft. Hamilton, NY, Schofield Barracks, HI, and Ft. Drum, NY.
 
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