Comments for Civil War Memory

Comment on The Classroom Calls by Kevin Levin

Kevin Levin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:39:26 +0000

Thanks, Neil.

Comment on Cathy Wood’s Black Confederates by Kevin Levin

Kevin Levin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:38:20 +0000

I grant the number of Negro Confederate Soldiers was small, 3000-10,000 according to a Harvard professor, as many as 15,000 by other sources but, to suggest that all or even most who did fight were coerced to it is entirely unrealistic.

No one has yet to do a serious statistical study, including Harvard’s John Stauffer. Stauffer pulled his number out of thin air, which he pretty much admitted to me in person.

You ask a number of questions, but your failure to arrive at an answer does not necessarily lead to your preferred conclusion. That is why we do research.

Ironically, perhaps the first monument depicting a Negro soldier is the Confederate monument at Arlington erected in 1914.

That is not a black Confederate soldier depicted on this monument: http://deadconfederates.com/?s=1914+moses+ezekiel This is a perfect example of what happens when one makes a claim without doing any serious research.

Comment on Cathy Wood’s Black Confederates by Jim

Jim — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:43:22 +0000

“Almost all the cases of black Confederates turn out to be slaves following masters. This necessarily implies coercion and ought to prevent us from describing their presence with the Confederate army as one of “service.”
Nonsense. I grant the number of Negro Confederate Soldiers was small, 3000-10,000 according to a Harvard professor, as many as 15,000 by other sources but, to suggest that all or even most who did fight were coerced to it is entirely unrealistic. First off, remember, not all slave owners were white! Black slave owners would have every bit as much at stake in the system (that I openly agree is morally wrong) as any white or Native American slave owner would have. There are just too many instances of Blacks in situations putting them easily in reach of freedom that they did not take. For example, a Confederate Negro at Gettysburg brought in 2 Union prisoners their Confederate guards got too drunk to keep. Why did he not flee with the Yanks? Also at Gettysburg, “reported among the rebel prisoners were seven blacks in Confederate uniforms fully armed as soldiers. Why were those Negroes standing with Confederate POWs? Why hadn’t they begged off claiming freedom? Even if loyal to the Confederacy, it would have been easy to get off that way. At Camp Morton Ill US POW camp for Confederates, 24 Negros died. Why were they there. Coerced? All they had to do, as could any Confederate POW, was to take the oath and walk out the door admittedly in Union service but not in battle again as a rule. Another Prisoner, when asked to take the oath of Loyalty was said to reply, “Sir, you want me to desert, and I ain’t no deserter. Down South, deserters disgrace their families and I am never going to do that.”
If these people were forced into their service, why did they join Confederate veterans organizations and more to the point, why were they welcomed int these organizations if they had to have been forced into their service despised by those around them.
“If Wood and the UDC want to honor the memory and lives of these men, then they should put up markers clearly stating that they were slaves, period.” As at the beginning of this, I say, nonsense! The instances of historical record are too many to dismiss. To ignore or dismiss their service as ignorant or coerced is simply pandering to a racist element within the population that simply do not want to hear a truth they do not like. It is also unjust to men who fought by their own choice. They may have been brought to it as slaves, and by all means, not all were, but once there, a decision whether or not to stay and fight was theirs. The possibilities and freedom of movement granted Negros with the army gave many in an enviable position to run.
Ironically, perhaps the first monument depicting a Negro soldier is the Confederate monument at Arlington erected in 1914.
Enough. I think I’ve stated my point sufficiently.

Comment on The Classroom Calls by Neil Hamilton

Neil Hamilton — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:20:51 +0000

Kevin and Lindsay,

I have always been in awe of teachers, especially at the high school level. When I was in the military, as a First Sergeant, I had the full power of the United States Army behind me. Even if a private soldier was bigger, meaner, and more skilled in martial arts, I knew that the MPs were only a phone call away and residing in the Stockade was a big stick to swing if I needed it under the Uniform Code f Military Justice.

But a teacher goes into a classroom totally unarmed, with little or no support from the parents or society, using only their knowledge, their inherent social skills and their desire to teach. In my view, teachers, police and firemen ought to be at the top of the pay scales, with everyone else after. Your job (and theirs) are just too vital to go unsupported in the fashion it is today.

Thank you both for hanging in there, and seeing the worth of what you do. I always did and I appreciate everyone who ever stood in front of a new class, wondering how this one was going to go.

You are my heroes.

Sincerely,
Neil

Comment on Why We Need History Education: Black Confederate Edition by Falcon Taylor

Falcon Taylor — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:39:08 +0000

I find that to be very scary – that this guy can put falsehoods into the official government record, and then, as you say, people will use that as a legitimate source. Can’t anything be done about this?

Comment on “We Need To Face Life Kind of Like Stonewall Jackson Did” by Kevin Levin

Kevin Levin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:00:00 +0000

But the north would hear none of it, they were making too much money. It was the North that fought to keep the slave trade going.

That’s a very strange interpretation. The institution of slavery was controlled on the state level. Northern states gradually abolished it following the Revolution, but for a number of reasons the southern states did not do so. The state of Maine never included slaves.

Comment on The Classroom Calls by Kevin Levin

Kevin Levin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:57:45 +0000

Thanks.

Comment on “We Need To Face Life Kind of Like Stonewall Jackson Did” by Dillin Weeks

Dillin Weeks — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:17:18 +0000

Yeah, it also included New York, Pennsylvania and Maine. But when it comes to slavery they treat it as a southern sin. And they kick, scream and make sure that southerners never stand tall with dignity as we should always repent for the past. Which they bought, sold and traded to us. It was also a slave state, Virginia that attempted to stop the slave trade in America. But the north would hear none of it, they were making too much money. It was the North that fought to keep the slave trade going. And I made a great argument based on facts of history. It is your reply that made about as much sense as “Your argument is stuid, STUPID!”

Comment on The Classroom Calls by Lindsay

Lindsay — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:16:55 +0000

You’re right, it is a noble profession and anyone who spends time in a classroom and does right by our children deserves that honor. Maybe we will one day live in a society that agrees. Until then, people like us just keep doing what we’re doing because we wouldn’t have it any other way

I am interested to hear what you settle on up in Boston, best of luck in your job search!

Comment on The Classroom Calls by Kevin Levin

Kevin Levin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:48:54 +0000

Lindsay,

I am so sorry to hear that, but unfortunately it is all too common in a society that places so little value on teachers and public education. The mainstream media loves stories of teachers who violate the trust placed in them, but how often do we hear about the teachers such as yourself who are going above and beyond the call of duty in their classrooms day in and day out? It’s so incredibly sad. I have nothing but the highest respect for teachers. It is a noble profession and we make a difference.

Comment on The Classroom Calls by Lindsay

Lindsay — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:43:15 +0000

Hopefully you will fare better there in private schools than public school teachers here do – we were just told that it is likely that next year we will take a 2%-4% pay cut, a 5% hike in what we have to contribute to VRS, possible furlough days, and the list goes on…and being that I have a masters but just barely make 40,000/year is scary (and that is only because I have a stipend for doing two extra clubs) – how much more can they take from us and expect good teachers to stay?

And sorry to hijack your post, I realize that this has nothing to do with your original point!

Comment on Why We Need History Education: Black Confederate Edition by Jeffry Burden

Jeffry Burden — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:40:13 +0000

This appears to be that time of the legislative day when a legislator can get up and read anything into the record. No one expects anyone else to pay attention, or even stop talking.