Tag Archives: Civil War

States rights would doom the Confederacy even if they won the war

Would the Confederacy have become a powerful nation if they had won the Civil War? Probably not. Their commitment to state sovereignty would have soon torn them apart. [ This article is being expanded and moved to another site: stay … Continue reading

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Slavery and the Golden Rule

White Christians in the South who supported slavery (as most did) had a problem. They were assured from practically every pulpit throughout the cotton states that slavery was an institution sanctioned by God. After all, they were taught, Abraham owned … Continue reading

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A Union Officer Learns That You Can’t Have It Both Ways

A militia officer is refused a commission because of divided loyalties The early months of 1861 were a tough time for the officer corps of the U. S. Army. Many of those officers, especially those from the South or from … Continue reading

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Pardoned For Being Black

I was first introduced to Governor Richard Yates of Illinois as the man who gave Ulysses S. Grant his first command at the start of the Civil War. It was his appointment by Yates to be the Colonel of the … Continue reading

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South Carolina says “NO!” to Blacks as Confederate Soldiers

Were there significant numbers of black troops who fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War? Many today who identify with the “Lost Cause” interpretation of Southern history believe there were. Yet, the historical record is clear that if there … Continue reading

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General Dorsey Pender: the Rebel, the Christian

As I was reading Shelby Foote’s account of the battle of Gettysburg (Civil War, A Narrative, Vol. 2), I was struck by his description of the death of Confederate Major General Dorsey Pender. [T]here still was Pender, whose division was … Continue reading

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A Civil War Propaganda “Broadcast”

Long before the Germans and Japanese used radio to broadcast propaganda in WW2, the American military tried a more primitive method during the Civil War. Anyone who has watched their share of old World War II movies is familiar with … Continue reading

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Was Bragg the Confederate Meade?

In posing the question of whether Braxton Bragg was the Confederate George Meade, I don’t mean to imply they were alike in general terms. Rather, I’m focusing on each man’s most celebrated battle in his Civil War career, and the … Continue reading

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Jefferson, who?

This past Wednesday at Bible Study in my church, I was making a point about the necessity of forgiving people who have hurt or offended us. To illustrate the idea that forgiveness is even more important to the one who … Continue reading

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Why are those happy slaves shooting at us?

Throughout the Civil War, many Southern whites professed an unwavering conviction that their slaves were happy and content in their bondage, and extremely loyal to their masters. That comforting belief was reinforced again and again by newspaper accounts claiming that … Continue reading

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