JPK Huson 1863
Brev. Brig. Gen'l
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2012
- Location
- Central Pennsylvania
Another eyewitness view of the shattered bridge at Fredericksburg. The famous photo of Mississippi troops staring at the photographer from across a chasm seems only part of the story. From Alfred Waud's "Union soldiers exchanging salutations with the Confederates at Fredericksburg, Va." LoC
It's past time for another thread about how given the chance we could and did rub elbows beautifully during the war, given the chance. Because these accounts appear with reassuring frequency throughout the war, seems to me both readers and men looked for reasons not to hate each other. Given various accounts it appears that once everyone had met they also had a hard time viewing the other as enemies.
When posting these it's been a good idea presenting them as-is, meaning straight from 1861-1865. They can't be dismissed as romanticized recollections by veterans, something we hear them accused of.
Several of these accounts originate from the Rappahannock, seemed perfect for this work of war art.
From a South Carolina newspaper
I'm truncating most for brevity. Please ( pleasepleaseplease ) no one go up the nearest wall because this article implies the Confederacy suffered shortages. Missing the point.
This one's awesome. Humor was rife on both sides- these pickets shared the same joke.
Soldiers and war correspondents seem safe from charges they faked anything in writing at all.
Just a snip from one of those lengthy letters soldiers sent home to local newspapers. Unobnoxious men, friendly good will, longings for peace.
" The rebel officer of the picket came over to our line "
Again, please do not misinterpret as some agenda where one side is ' bad ', another ' good '. They shared a breakfast. It's nice.
This kind of event wasn't singular, according to men sending home these accounts.
One of my all-time favorite ' caught moments ' inside one of LoC's giant tifs. Also from the Rappahannock, these two animals of different species are noticing each other for the first time. It's a little boring waiting for boats. Horse seems surprised, cow interested. " Soooo, 'sup horse. How's the weather up there? "
Hooves, elbows, who cares? We got this.