AN INTERVIEW WITH JEFFERSON DAVIS

[L Verge]

Couldn't that be interpreted as men standing by the principles of their government and their people against the odds? And, I don't need to be reminded that VP Alexander Stephens had said that the cornerstone of that government was slavery, so don't even say it... There are other principles that people - then and now - hold sacred to the end.

[JMadonna]

A man volunteers for many reasons; mom, apple-pie, the girl next door. But he'll fight, kill and die for his buddy next to him. If his buddy won't quit neither will he.

[LincolnMan]

Many of my ancestors fought for the Confederacy. None of them owned slaves. When companies of soldiers were formed- they were young men from their local communities. They knew each other- lived in the same communities- went to the same churches, etc.. It was only natural that they would join the ranks together. While everything I just said- I believe to be true- yet something else happened also- in my family and in the families of others- brothers and friends split- some joined the Gray and some joined the Blue. So there was ideology involved too. In three of my family lines the split just described occurred. The real question is : after the war- did the families reunite as families?

[L Verge]

I had two great-great-uncles of the same Maryland family that split their allegiance - one went North, and one went South. Both survived the war, but never spoke to each other again. They would attend the same family functions, but would avoid each other.

[LincolnMan]

Laurie: I was kind of afraid that was the answer to my question- probably far too often.

[wsanto]

A man volunteers for many reasons; mom, apple-pie, the girl next door. But he'll fight, kill and die for his buddy next to him. If his buddy won't quit neither will he.

It seems to me that back then young men enlisted quite readily for the presumed glory of fighting for a cause.

[Hess1865]

Probably a lot of Southern men fought because the Northerners invaded their state
Down here in NC I've heard the War referred to as the War Of Yankee Aggression.

[HerbS]

I have a letter from a 35yr.old mountain man[no slaves] from Va,who fought for"Principle".He was sent home after being wounded at the Battle of Dinwidde Court House.To his wife,"Plant the corn and Potatoes -don't talk to strangers-I am coming home".

[Rob Wick]

That people may have fought for various reasons is not in question. That overall, however, the south was fighting for the principal of maintaining slavery as it existed is also not in question, at least by most historians. That someone didn't own a slave is not proof that they weren't fighting to preserve it.

Best
Rob

[JMadonna]

It all depends on when the question of what are you fighting for is asked. In the last year the Army of Northern Virginia was fighting for Marse Robert. In the West the Army of Tennessee had no such reason. Davis played favorites from Bragg to Johnston to Hood. Davis broke their morale before Atlanta and Hood finished the job.

[LincolnMan]

Herb: loved the words of admonition in the letter. Should I try that on my wife?

[HerbS]

Bill,He also writes in his letter that he didn't want his neighbors to look at him as a "deserter",but that he was ordered to go home as a "wounded warrior".

[LincolnMan]

That must have been so important Herb. The returning soldiers had to go back to their families and friends. Many of them lived the rest of their lives in the communities where they were born and raised.

[HerbS]

Bill,Golihu Hawks was in the 26th Va Infantry.He was severely wounded and sent home.The Battle of Dinwidde Court House was part of The Appomatox Campaign.His unit-Pickett vs Sheridan won.But,the war was by all means and purposes-Over.

[JMadonna]

Read a little more on the Davis interview. Judah Benjamin recognized that Davis spoke 'a little too freely' during the interview. He wanted to put Jaquess & Gilmore in Castle Thunder until after the election so as not to affect the results. Davis overruled him.