FourLeafClover
First Sergeant
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2011
- Location
- London
I am seeing three viewpoints here. The aftermath reports, letters and memoirs do not corroborate the events. There will be a tendency to absolve all from blame within military colleagues. Citing neccessity of war.
The only victims, the slave entourage. Have no official reports to tell their tale.
The view of the Union advance:
They are liberating slaves on their progress South. These grateful attach themselves to their liberators. Offering their services. The able bodied muscular are tasked with clearing the path. Removing obstacles, perhaps even assisting with the construction of pontoons? Their wives, daughters, parents accompany them on their march to freedom.
Q. With so many additions to the column, why not arm them? Or ask them to hunt,fish and forage a contribution?
The view of the CSA in pursuit:
These people have sliced through our land taking all in their path. Leaving a trail of devastation, and gathering up the slaves required to re-plant and work for our provision from hunger in the coming season. Our horses, cattle and slaves are stolen and absconded. The chase is on, to return our property, and bloody their Northern noses.
The view of the former slaves:
Mr Lincoln has declared us free. These are the soldiers dressed in blue, who fought to make this happen. We will join them now and leave this place of sorrow behind. They will take us to freedom in a different place. We can work with them to make this passage easier. All joined the procession. Fit, weak, old and young. Redemption!
Unfortunately Ebeneezers creek would be one of those dark, dark stains upon the tapestry of stories in the war. No one would emerge with glory in this incident.
Gen. Davis, whether working under orders, or of his own twisted logic. Had chosen to utilise as muscle, the fittest and most able negroes. The families and others of these same people. He viewed as a burden upon his objective. Selectively he chose to leave behind the greater number, he deemed to be of no use. How difficult would it have been to walk over 2000 people, on a 165 yard bridge? Wheeler's cavalry could not have been so close behind, that 20 minutes could not be spared. If they were that close. Why not do what soldiers do. Fight them?
Wheelers arrival to find the Union army slipped across the river. Leaving behind those who had assisted their escape. Would drive him to deliver retribution upon those he could lay hands on. A fate any slave would know, was doubtless to be cruel and painful. Some choosing to take their chances trying to cross the swollen river. Desperation at its inevitable worst.
So the real victims of this sorry event, wrote no memoirs, or official reports. It remains for us now to see their viewpoint. They welcomed the redeeming Northern soldiers, under orders of the President to free their people. In gratitude they toiled their labour, and suffered the long hungry march to freedom.
They found themselves abandoned to the lash and return to captivity. Death by drowning, or continued service at the front of the army clearing a path to the sea. Their muscles being useful, their empty stomachs and families left behind. Of no consequence.
Same old life: Different Massa.
The only victims, the slave entourage. Have no official reports to tell their tale.
The view of the Union advance:
They are liberating slaves on their progress South. These grateful attach themselves to their liberators. Offering their services. The able bodied muscular are tasked with clearing the path. Removing obstacles, perhaps even assisting with the construction of pontoons? Their wives, daughters, parents accompany them on their march to freedom.
Q. With so many additions to the column, why not arm them? Or ask them to hunt,fish and forage a contribution?
The view of the CSA in pursuit:
These people have sliced through our land taking all in their path. Leaving a trail of devastation, and gathering up the slaves required to re-plant and work for our provision from hunger in the coming season. Our horses, cattle and slaves are stolen and absconded. The chase is on, to return our property, and bloody their Northern noses.
The view of the former slaves:
Mr Lincoln has declared us free. These are the soldiers dressed in blue, who fought to make this happen. We will join them now and leave this place of sorrow behind. They will take us to freedom in a different place. We can work with them to make this passage easier. All joined the procession. Fit, weak, old and young. Redemption!
Unfortunately Ebeneezers creek would be one of those dark, dark stains upon the tapestry of stories in the war. No one would emerge with glory in this incident.
Gen. Davis, whether working under orders, or of his own twisted logic. Had chosen to utilise as muscle, the fittest and most able negroes. The families and others of these same people. He viewed as a burden upon his objective. Selectively he chose to leave behind the greater number, he deemed to be of no use. How difficult would it have been to walk over 2000 people, on a 165 yard bridge? Wheeler's cavalry could not have been so close behind, that 20 minutes could not be spared. If they were that close. Why not do what soldiers do. Fight them?
Wheelers arrival to find the Union army slipped across the river. Leaving behind those who had assisted their escape. Would drive him to deliver retribution upon those he could lay hands on. A fate any slave would know, was doubtless to be cruel and painful. Some choosing to take their chances trying to cross the swollen river. Desperation at its inevitable worst.
So the real victims of this sorry event, wrote no memoirs, or official reports. It remains for us now to see their viewpoint. They welcomed the redeeming Northern soldiers, under orders of the President to free their people. In gratitude they toiled their labour, and suffered the long hungry march to freedom.
They found themselves abandoned to the lash and return to captivity. Death by drowning, or continued service at the front of the army clearing a path to the sea. Their muscles being useful, their empty stomachs and families left behind. Of no consequence.
Same old life: Different Massa.
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