US Military Posts named for Confederate generals

[L Verge]

Joe,

I could tease you and say that those Moon Pies are making you more Southern every minute. However, I think the feelings expressed by everyone on this thread show that you and many other Americans (no matter from North, South, East, or West) are tired of ongoing efforts by people like this "reporter" to continue to spread hatred and division.

[J. Beckert]

I agree, Laurie. After reading that, I feel this "reporter" should find another job. He's not very good at the one he has. The most egregious comments were these - "Yes — the United States Army maintains bases named after generals who led soldiers who fought and killed United States Army soldiers". And this one - " The idea that “now, we are all Americans” served to whitewash the actions of the rebels."

ALL the soldiers who fought in that war were Americans. If Lincoln, after presiding over the entire conflict, had the attitude that it was time to "let them up easy", and in regard to capturing Rebel leaders said sometimes it's best when you have an elephant by the tail and he's trying to get away, it's best to let him run, this genius should stop putting a 21st. century liberal spin on 19th. century events.

[LincolnMan]

Interesting that there is Fort Sam Houston in Texas- as Sam Houston refused to side with the Confederacy. I don't know the history of the Fort.

[Rob Wick]

Ummm, one point needs to be made. He was not a "reporter." His was clearly marked as an opinion column and there is a world of difference between the two. I don't agree with most of what he wrote, but whether he wrote it in the New York Times or the Podunk Journal doesn't mean that the paper necessarily agreed with it (or didn't).

Best
Rob

[L Verge]

Whether a reporter or an opinionated columnist, Rob, it was a lousy article; and I feel that it showed stupidity on his part and carelessness on the part of his editor. I have very little respect for media in general today that continue to spread divisiveness while at the same time urging people to appreciate diversity. That's my opinion column for the day.

[Rob Wick]

The issue, however, in calling him a "reporter" is the fallacious notion that he isn't allowed an opinion, regardless of whether or not it's stupid in your view. Opinion in a newspaper is just that, and as long as it's clearly marked as such it's legitimate. As for the media spreading divisiveness, all I can do is shrug my shoulders because I obviously don't agree with it but that's just my opinion.

Best
Rob

[Gene C]

I agree with Laurie.

[Rob Wick]

That I would be in the minority on this forum (and other places) where the media is concerned neither surprises, nor bothers, me. However, my beliefs are based on 15 years ACTUAL experience at various levels in the trade, including the aforementioned New York Times (not as a reporter, obviously, but with various stories I did on the United States Penitentiary-Marion). My point is there is a difference between news and opinion. What this gentleman did was write his opinion. As I stated before, I disagree with much of it. But to think he did so, and the Times printed it, just to be divisive is wrong. And to not see or acknowledge that there is a difference between opinion and news (although it is quite possible to mix the two) needed correction.

Best
Rob

[Hess1865]

Fort Drum-Named after,Gen Richard Drum.He served with distinction in The Mexican War and Civil War.He died-10-15-1909.Thanks-Laurie

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It was at General Drum's post in Southern California that 31 Camels were sent to Cavalry in the Civil War.Stanton ordered the Camels disposed of and wrote it off as a bad idea in 1863.

I thought it was originally Sec. Of War Jefferson Davis who first sent camels out west in the 1850's.
And I think the army was finished with the great camel experiment long before the CW started.

[HerbS]

I thought the the experiment of Camels came from Davis also! I read that the last one was seen in the 1940's. Let's try to put our collective minds together and find out the Truth!

[LincolnMan]

Were the camels existing in the wilds?

[HerbS]

Bill,I heard they were wandering in the Southwest!

[Bill Richter]

They were for the longest time. I forget when the last was seen. The made a James Garner-Maverick show based on one of the survivors. The problem was that Horses and Mules hated Camels. They smelled funny. Could wreck a whole supply train or a cavalry column by just showing up. Camels were a Jeff Davis idea. No wonder the South lost the War! Also the American desert is hard pan while that in Arabia and Asia is soft and sandy, so the Camels got sore feet.

[JMadonna]

You saying you never shoed one Bill?

[HerbS]

They had very bad tempers and smelled.Yes,the last Camel was spotted in Douglas,Texas in 1941! Many farmers would use them for target practice.The Davis experiment did bring 33 Camels from Egypt at a cost of $30,000.