A couple of years ago I did a program at some of our SCV meetings. I remember doing one on Nathan Bedford Forrest and another on William Quantrill. I suggest that everyone should read some of the biographies of the men and women who fought during that conflict. Quantrill wasn't among those we normally consider as a Southerner since he was more outlaw than hero, but there was things in his background that made him what he was. There was much more to the Jesse and Frank James story than is generally told.
There are some of us today who still consider our situation with the Federal government as and "us and them" situation. Keep in mind that a surrender was never signed between the Confederate government and the Federals. Therefore, technically we are still at war. Lee surrendered, I didn't!
I hear you on that Wildbill! The south was winning the war for the first of the 4 years, and many people feel that the surrender was plain wrong. Thus the bushwackers, and I'm actually proud to say that southern men stood up for their lifestyles, other than slavery. But Sherman should have never burned down our beautiful southern lands and buildings.
Sherman, Grant, Meade, Sheridan, Custer, Stanton and Lincoln (among others) were war criminals and should have been tried and hanged for their crimes. When I was in high school in Illinois I remember having a "disagreement" with a teacher over the war. He made some asinine comment that "It was a shame that Robert E. Lee fought for the wrong side." I corrected him, "No, Lee was NOT on the WRONG side, just the losing side." One thing led to another, and I got a little vacation from his class! Even though I was born in Illinois (SOUTHERN Illinois), I have always been a Confederate, a Rebel and a Southerner at heart. In the early 80's I was transferred to western Tennessee, and in 1988 got an opportunity to put my backside where my heart had always been....southern Virginia.
Bill, truly, aren't you truly glad you don't live in the north any more? I was born in SC, then moved at one mth old with my family to a suburb of Chicago. for 11 yrs. Luckily, we came down home to visit family for 2 weeks every summer, then moved back home for good when I was just turning 12. I'm so glad they moved us back south, and that I was able to raise my family here in the south. The entire USA is full of beautiful places that I'd love to visit, but the south is where my heart is.
I have nothing against the north except that you have to buy more winter clothes, and shovel or blow snow, and pay higher power bills usually! I'm honestly not trying to start any trouble or an argument here, because I hate conflict and wish that everyone would try to understand each other better and all get along despite our differences! And while I have nothing against northerners, or anyone from anywhere for that matter, as long as they're kind, caring and decent people...BUT can someone honestly tell me why so many northerners (NOT ALL!) seem to have pushy and often know-it-all attitudes (especially towards southerners), like they seem to have a chip on their shoulder or hold a grudge? A lot of northerners move down south and honestly act like we're just stupid hicks, yet they chose to come live down here among us! I'd think it would make life easier to become friendly with new neighbors who's area you've moved into!!
Oh well, this is my musings, maybe no one else thinks about it...but they would probably live longer, happier & healthier lives if they'd slow down some and live life a little more relaxed like we do in the south. We get everything that we need to to live up to our responsibilities to our jobs, family and communities, and most of us are very compassionate, loyal people who would most likely give you our last dollar if you were in need; we just don't have nervous breakdowns trying to get everything done NOW NOW NOW, LOL!! I'm very much aware that there are both friendly and unfriendly, and both ignorant and intelligent people everywhere, and it's not always based on where you live or where you're from.
Seems that a lot of northerners look down on southerners as ignorant, for some odd reason, that is based on a reason I don't understand. The south has great education, and pretty much every opportunity available, in general, as the north has.
Can someone tell me why so many northerners have this hurried, get out of my way outlook on life? I'm really curious as to where this attitude came from and why! :)
BTW, I'm on a chapter discussing 'Bloody Bill' Anderson right now - he was one vicious killer!! I'm really learning a lot from my new books, which I got from the library since I see no reason for buying books when I can get them for free. Although I wish I could afford to collect all the non-fiction books I've read!
Maybe those Yankees have realized that we were right and things would be better if we had prevailed in the war. I work part-time a couple days a week in a sporting goods store and we sell a lot of guns. I enjoy it when a transplanted Yankee comes in to buy a gun. Most have the "know it all" attitude you mentioned, and I let them show their real ignorance to its fullest before busting their bubble. It is amazing some of them think....or sometimes how the DON'T think. Occasionally one of them will start to belittle our South....and then I will quietly but firmly remind them that the road runs both ways and no one invited them to move nor asking them to stay.
You may want to ask the librarian if they sell books. Around here the local libraries always have a lot of books that either someone donated and they already have, or publishers send samples or they are just not moving so they sell them. The one I go to the most sells paperbacks for a nickel and hardbacks for a dime. I've bought a whole shopping bag full for less than $2. Some I keep and add to my sizeable collection, some I swap for others and some I give away. Awhile back I gave a couple of bags of books to one of the VA hospitals for patients to read. You will be surprised at some of the bargains you can get. I have gotten like new books with a price tag of $25-30 for a dime.
You're right about Anderson. He was right up there with George Todd and Quantrill himself. They were not nice people, but upon examination they mostly had reasons to be as they were. Quantrill was just a liar, thief and murderer though. He made up several stories that was untrue, such as his brother being murdered and others. He was just not worth much....
Bill, we do have occasional library book sales and local area huge discount sales as well, plus I've been shocked at how cheap some books in great shape are on amazon.com. I recently ordered a perfectly good book on there for ONLY 2 cents and shipping was 3.99, but what a deal!! I do love to keep some books, so that's the only drawback to the library, but I use their online system to have books gathered for me from other branches and then they email me for me to come pick them up at my nearest branch! You can salso use their great cross-reference system to find similar books and authors you like!
I just returned from my favorite local library. The librarian told me she had some books in the back room that I might be interested in since she knows I favor military and history books. I left with 2 big boxes of both paperback and hardback books for a grand total of $6! I would guestimate the list price would be in the $300 to $400 list prices at retail. If I get time I'll try to add them up and post it in a message. Usually I may get a bag of books, but this is the most I have ever gotten at one time.
I was born in Virginia, and my ancestors were from Virginia & NC. My grandfather and two of his brothers picked up arms to protect their homes and loved ones when the war began. Grandfather joined the cavalry, his brothers the infantry. One died at Chimborazo Hospital in Richmond. My grandfather was captured & sent to Point Lookout. Later exchanged, went back to his unit to continue the fight.
My ggrandfather on my mama’s side joined the infantry with his 3 brothers. He was at Appomattox when Lee surrendered. After the surrender all my ancestors went home, with the same beliefs about home & family they had before going to war.
None of them became outlaws or guerilla’s. Still I think they contributed to their beloved South as much, nay more than Jesse James, & others like him. I believe if James or any others could have fielded an army which had a chance at beating the yankee’s, my ancestors would have been at the front of the line to give it another try.
But that wasn’t going to happen, so they stayed and rebuilt. In my opinion they gave much more to this Southern land than the guerilla’s & outlaw’s who continued fighting.
Most of them did it for personal gain. I also believe to this day the descendants of my ancestors would still raise up arms against the yankee government if there was a reasonable chance of succeeding.
They are not alone. I feel and hear a current throughout not only the South but other parts of the country that a LOT of people are feeling near the point of revolution. It has happened twice before, 1776 with the British and 1861 with Lincoln and it appears that the governments involved continue to underestimate the people. Whenever that happens it is time to teach them a lesson....the hard way. That time appears to be drawing close again.....
