The Virtuous Hero Nominees

[J C J Barefoot]

What is heroism and whom do you nominate?

Much has been written here on leadership, generalship and valor.
I find that most enthusiasts of CW history —be the main focus on technology, strategic planning, slavery, battles, arms, the common soldier, religion or politics of the time have one unifying connection. That is the understanding that the men and women of that period, though human, flawed, and sinful as we moderns, speak to all of us about the virtue of the universal hero. So let us unravel this unifying connection.

First, what exactly do you define as the Civil War virtue of heroism? Second, if you could name only one person living some time during the period 1859 to 1866 that exemplified heroism, whom would you choose? I will reply after others first respond.

 

[JackADriscoll]

What is heroism and whom do you nominate?

Much has been written here on leadership, generalship and valor.
I find that most enthusiasts of CW history —be the main focus on technology, strategic planning, slavery, battles, arms, the common soldier, religion or politics of the time have one unifying connection. That is the understanding that the men and women of that period, though human, flawed, and sinful as we moderns, speak to all of us about the virtue of the universal hero. So let us unravel this unifying connection.

First, what exactly do you define as the Civil War virtue of heroism? Second, if you could name only one person living some time during the period 1859 to 1866 that exemplified heroism, whom would you choose? I will reply after others first respond.

This is a tough one when valor and heroism were in good supply. I always thought heroism was doing something outside of your job description or extreme valor in your job. I'm going to go with henry rathbone who had to live with what happened for so long and the toll that it took. The things that he did later were unheroic and dishonorable but I always considered them casualties of the war too. There's lots of choices though I was just trying to go out of.the box

 

[hughes]

Harriet Tubman

scout
spy
nurse

 

[damYankee]

I nominate the widows who suffer the loss of their husbands, nurse the wounded and raise the next generation of heroes,

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Virtuous hero is an interesting combination, as heroism is a quality of virtue.

This could encompass a very wide field of individuals to consider in an era where bravery and courage, a well as embedded religious beliefs, abounded in dangerous situations.

Perhaps the MOH recipients might be a fertile pool to start searching in for heroes with virtuous qualities.

For a trio of well-known brave and virtuous figures from the period will kick it off by nominating Generals Oliver Otis Howard, Robert Edward Lee and Patrick Ronayne Cleburne.

 

[Sgt. Tyree]

What is heroism……

Courage and selflessness.

…….and whom do you nominate?

Robert Edward Lee.

I am no Lost Causer or Neo Confederate. Rebuttal expected. Make it a thoughtful one.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Robert Edward Lee.

Thought R. E. Lee was a model of virtuous behavior in his interpersonal dealings, especially in difficult circumstances. (Supporting this, after four years at West Point he graduated without a single demerit).

 

[Fairfield]

I nominate Abner B. Small (3rd Maine and 16th Maine) who was a gentle man in hard times. Major Small was one of the few men left to answer the morning roster after the 16th was sacrificed at Gettysburg and spent time in that terrible aftermath giving comfort to a dying Confederate soldier. He faced turmoil with empathy and humor. He also left 2 invaluable diaries (one for each service) that convey the stoicism and universal brotherhood of a people divided by powers beyond them.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

what exactly do you define as the Civil War virtue of heroism?

I misread and misunderstood the OP, so my post #5 is not so relevant here. (This thread seems to be about the virtue of 'heroism', not about 'virtue' per se).

'Heroism' is traditionally thought to be a demonstration of outstanding/exceptional bravery and courage in a dangerous situation, and it usually involves an individual selflessly risking their own life to save others.

Applying this understanding, thought there would be countless anecdotes of ordinary CW soldiers (and others) of the era behaving with 'heroism' in combat conditions. Many such stories of an individual soldier's heroism can be found on postings in these various forums.

 

[6thMichCav]

Human, flawed and sinful, yet courageous?

George Armstrong Custer

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Human, flawed and sinful, yet courageous?

George Armstrong Custer

Or maybe reckless courage?

 

[atlantis]

Gideon Pillow and John Floyd at Ft Donelson. They showed what leadership really looks like in a chaotic situation. Courage comes and goes, mostly it goes.

 

[6thMichCav]

Or maybe reckless courage?

He was indeed reckless at times. Despite his other flaws, Custer led quite often from the front. It seems a miracle he survived the war in this fashion.

 

[JerryD]

Gotta go with William Cushing and the destruction of the CSS Albemarle.

The Destruction of the Albemarle

By William B. Cushing In September, 1864, the Government was laboring under much anxiety in regard to the condition of affairs in the sounds of North...

www.battlefields.org

His brother, Alonzo Cushing, gets an honorable mention for his actions at the height of Picket's Charge.

 

[Fairfield]

Since others have multiple nominees, I'm going to add Joshua Chamberlain. The doggedness and courage that he showed at Gettysburg was replicated after the war in Maine where he was governor and stood down a hostile political crowd.

 

[JerryD]

If I can nominate one more, with an emphasis on virtue, Richard Kirkland, the Angel of Marye's Heights for his action to risk his life to bring water to wounded US troops at Fredericksburg.

 

[JerryD]

Courage and selflessness.



Robert Edward Lee.

I am no Lost Causer or Neo Confederate. Rebuttal expected. Make it a thoughtful one.

Not so much a rebuttal as a question. Lee unquestionably showed courage during the Mexican war, so he had that quality in spades, but I am having a hard time thinking of his heroic actions during the ACW. Do you have any specific instances in mind? Or just generally his heroic leadership in the face of long odds? When discussing heroism I don't normally think of commanding officers.

 

[35th MA InfRegt]

Thought R. E. Lee was a model of virtuous behavior in his interpersonal dealings, especially in difficult circumstances. (Supporting this, after four years at West Point he graduated without a single demerit).

Lee's demerit-free years at West Point doesn't necessarily indicate virtuous behavior as such, but could also be interpreted as a willingness to favourably impress his superiors by strict or even fanatical adherence to the rules no matter how inane or irrelevant to his future success in the Army.

 

[RebelWeber]

He was indeed reckless at times. Despite his other flaws, Custer led quite often from the front. It seems a miracle he survived the war in this fashion.

Come on you wolverines do you want to live forever?

 

[RebelWeber]

I think I would have to pick Robert Toombs. He understood that firing on Sumter was a huge mistake yet he enlisted anyway.