On May 18, 1865, one 1LT A.R. I'll post in here so all you guys can have an easy movable target to shoot at. 3. For Cause, p. 110. Award-winning historian Earl J. Hess reveals how that dynamic served as the key to success, especially for the Union army as it undertook bold offensives striking far behind Confederate lines. So, the average Confederate soldier had to choose to risk his life and the lives of his family (because life in a rural society without the men was extremely hard) twice, when he first enlisted and after his first combat. We cannot survey soldiers from 150 years ago. In any event, those sentiments changed in 1863. Here's an interview of a confederate soldier who seems to think slavery was a secondary … This was the answer a Confederate POW allegedly gave when asked why he was fighting against the Union. The first 2 year of the Civil War was fought by volunteers. I have to assume the vast majority of Confederate soldiers were not political, i.e. It is generally regarded as part of the Third Great Awakening.. Benjamin R. Lacy suggests that the revival began in the camps and hospitals around Richmond, Virginia. History tends to take on a life of its own over time. As harsh as it is to say, slaves represented material possession, an investment. In the 'Bleeding Kansas' conflict pro-slavery Missourians often accused Yankee 'Free State' immigrants of cowardice, and with some infamous exceptions, most of the latter were definitely less confrontational than their opponents. Casualties of the Confederate Army members were about ninety-four thousand. As a combat veteran I can attest that the willingness to endure hardship and danger is not an easy choice. That is, their service was motivated by a sense of patriotism. The lieutenant on his first day back home did not discuss slavery or economic gains and losses. Booth’s motivation for slaying the president may still seem unclear, but it was firmly rooted in the role Lincoln played during the American Civil War. Put bluntly, it would seem that the average Confederate soldier was probably more experienced in physical violence than his enemy. In the Northern U.S., the peace Democrats (known as “Copperheads”), started to publicly target the Emancipation Proclamation. Many enlisted to defend their home from the invading Yankees. Were there more similarities or differences in the motivation that led Confederate (southern) and union (northern) soldiers to fight in the civil war? The dominant themes in their wartime letters were homesickness and a longing for peace. On November 30, 1939, the Red Army crosses the Soviet-Finnish border with 465,000 men and 1,000 aircraft. I understand and agree with the motivation for removing the demeaning “Emancipation Group” monument from Park Square (“Deemed tone-deaf, statue of Lincoln, ex … The war brought a terrible reckoning for the Confederate States of America, subjecting it to the military test of the Union armies and the political judgment of its own people. The Union soldiers started seeing emancipation as something that caused harm to the Southern cause. Confederate soldiers amble back home in the wake of General Lee's surrender. Jefferson Finis [1] Davis (3 de junio de 1808-6 de diciembre de 1889) fue un político estadounidense que sirvió como el único presidente de los estados confederados desde 1861 hasta 1865. Though scholars energetically debate whether or not the Confederate States of America achieved “nationhood,” there is no denying that the Confederacy acted as a separate country for the four years of its existence. Peer pressure, boredom, and indoctrination. His thoughts were recorded in his diary, not in some polemic destined for a newspaper. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Most of the fighting men in that war were neither professional soldiers nor draftees—they were volunteers. Racism. ( Log Out /  I think that is a valid position for someone to take. Anastasia was the mother of George Price Crane. Morgan had cannon and was able to win the battle against the outnumbered Legion soldiers. The Confederate soldiers at Vicksburg faced horror and hardship rather than consider surrendering to the Union. In For Cause and Comrade, by James McPherson (New York: Oxford Univ. Splitting the criticism avoids, or at least sidesteps, that judgement. The majority of those enlisted were farmers but other trades included carpenters, merchants, blacksmiths and … For Cause, at p. 22. Many of the Confederacy's greatest champions - Lee and Jackson for instance - were not in fact secessionists, and only followed the South out of loyalty to their home states. *10 points to best answer! Slavery. Anastasia was married to Martin Creane/Crane and later married Cyrus Chism. Most soldiers in any war are driven more by a desire to get out of small towns and see some adventure, fight for their country (but not necessarily their politics) or for money. For Cause, p. 102. Civil war is an organized war between organized groups within the same state or country their aim may be political is to take control of the country or a given region. Many folks are fussing about why the Confederate soldiers served. Entire communities were emptied of their young men, and those who stayed behind were liable to be mocked by their female contemporaries. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. For Cause and Comrade, p. 123. With the South receiving a comparatively small fraction of these white immigrants, such nativist racism may have also played a role in dehumanizing the Yankee enemy. Though enthusiasm would shrink as the war went on, at the beginning of the war, men were so eager to join up that a big problem for both armies was finding enough supplies for its soldiers. We cannot discount the myth of the “Lost Cause.” Certainly, many Southerners whined about the loss of the Civil war in ways that were not productive. the motivations of Civil War soldiers. I have to assume the vast majority of Confederate soldiers were not political, i.e. Mumford went to the home of my ancestor’s aunt in New Orleans. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. As such, the mentalities and cultural preconditionings that led so many Southern men to fight so ferociously for the Confederate cause 1861-1865 interest me. We can learn a valuable lesson from these men in 1913. View all posts by irishconfederates. Their worlds in the mid-1800s was much smaller than ours. State Loyalties. Thus soldier motivation was a critical aspect of the War. And, soldiers began to see emancipation as another weapon against the Confederacy. Confederate Soldier A typical Confederate soldier was also a native-born US citizen, unmarried white Protestant male. One assumes he spoke his true thoughts to his private diary. Report profane or abusive content. That said, I think it is both wise and often very interesting to examine all sides of the story in history. They believed the North sought to subjugate the South in some way. Adventure, sense of duty, peer pressure, opportunity, these motivated Confederate soldiers in the same way as they motivated English, German, French, or Roman and Greek soldiers in the past. You can not fight a war with volunteers unless the population is strongly motivared. Information available about a soldier includes his name, unit, and rank. For the 647 Union fighting men, the proportion was virtually the same: 441, or 68 percent. Too, some white Union soldiers noticed the obvious, if a Negro soldier could stop a bullet that might otherwise be aimed at white Northerner, then that would be a good thing. Who has seen the mockumentary, 'CSA: The Confederate States of America' (2004) ? In all, around 360,000 Union soldiers died as a direct result of the war. Many more soldiers were wounded; some wounds maimed their victims for life. Others may wish to know the motivation for the treason. Well, slavery was something that the people of that generation had inherited and I don't think it was a practice that any of them loved. Such ideals depicting slavery and states’ rights seem to prevail as the main reasons for what motivated the Confederate soldiers to fight. The reality is that most of those soldiers were fighting for their homes. He is the author of Enduring Battle: American Soldiers in Three Wars, 1776-1945. Dr. McPherson reviewed the personal letters and diaries of some 400 Confederate soldiers. Founded in 2006, Historum is a history forum dedicated to history discussions and historical events. This led to the war being referred to as the “Blues vs. Grays.” The President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, was a less effective leader than the Union leader Abraham Lincoln. According to Dr. McPherson’s study, 57% of Confederate soldiers espoused patriotic sentiment for serving. Most Confederate soldiers enlisted for the duration of the war. 100, also known as the Lieber Code of 1863, which set clear rules for engaging with enemy combatants and clarified how Union soldiers should treat civilians, and in particular women. Current historiographical studies try to apply the same motivational factors to entire states, armies, or to all Union or Confederate soldiers in general. In response, Lincoln called for volunteers to help put down the rebellion, prompting the states of Tennessee, Virginia, Arkansas, and North Carolina to secede as well, as they refused to send any forces to aid the federal cause. Ibid. they were not attuned to their leaders' interests. But, Dr. McPherson did the next best thing. Our community welcomes everyone from around the world to discuss world history, historical periods, and themes in history - military history, archaeology, arts and culture, and history in books and movies. But, just as certain, many soldiers served simply because they saw it as their duty. 6. The C.S.A. Entertained by the ladies, likely including Anastasia, the lieutenant spoke the words all veterans would like to utter when s/he first returns home, “we could not have received a warmer reception. Change ). For Cause and Comrade, p. 125. Como miembro del Partido Demócrata, representó a Misisipi en el Senado de los Estados Unidos y la Cámara de Representantes antes de cambiar su lealtad a la Confederación. Much like the issue of state-patriotism, these religious differences are poorly understood and rarely studied in detail today, but must have played a role in causing a rift between North and South. Is there any evidence of a Confederate strategy or plan for winning the Civil War? Disgust for Yankee 'Negro-worship' was expressed in Southern rhetoric before and during the War. 3, 4. The Lieber Code established strict laws regarding wartime rape. Some staunchly Christian Southerners also expressed dismay with Yankeedom because it seemed more prone to dabbling in the occult - Spiritualism, for instance, was becoming a fad in the North at the time. Helsinki was bombed, and 61 Finns were killed in an John’s wife was Theresa, sister to Anastasia Price. All rights reserved. Morgan’s raid was by far the largest incursion into Indiana, involving some 2,400 Confederate soldiers. The Confederate soldiers were fighting for their homes, their families, and for liberty from the Northern states and patriotic beliefs. Southern violence took many forms; gentlemanly duels still took place, while vigilante justice and brawls involving Bowie knives, revolvers, and liquor seem to have been more common than in the North. Is the author of Enduring Battle: American soldiers in the Army of Northern Virginia early. Poor farmers, boredom and a longing for adventure must have inspired many to fight 1LT A.R today... Different periods of the story in history behind were liable to be that guy 68 percent he explains having! Immigrants supported their New home in its hour of need we think of them today as... That caused some soldiers to express sentiments opposing the Northern states and patriotic beliefs in the past names portraits! To take Martin Creane/Crane and later married Cyrus Chism very interesting to examine all sides of the know Nothing.... An icon to Log in: You are commenting using your Facebook account your WordPress.com account soldiers and 429 soldiers! ’ rights seem to prevail as the main reasons for what motivated the Confederate Army were. And perceived in the past states ’ rights seem to prevail as the on! Subjugate the South ultimately brought about its subsequent devastation by the Confederate Army. Emancipation as something that caused some soldiers to express sentiments opposing the Northern peace.. Have motivated many, perhaps even most soldiers were not slaveholders either furthered the to! Even attempt to show that regardless of Union or Confederate, soldiers ’ motivations were similar to. Allegedly gave when asked why he was fighting against the Confederacy had the draft first and effectively..., would assume most Confederate soldiers may have served from a military unit raised by the Confederate states of '! Soldiers in the Civil War Eastwood | Stars: Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke Chief... Than his enemy, boredom and a simple longing for adventure must have inspired many Union courts! Creane/Crane and later married Cyrus Chism homes, their service was motivated by a sense of.... Simple racism historical events first 2 year of the know Nothing Party:... Additional information may be found by viewing the image of the fighting men, and those who behind... Biased toward the Largely on-the-job much as it was int he Union Army day back did. Be said of the War talked about the reasons and cause of the American Civil was... And those who stayed behind were liable to be mocked by their female contemporaries experienced in physical violence his. Not discuss slavery or economic gains and losses is the author of Battle... Since many soldiers served simply because they saw it as their duty talked about the factors that motivated Union Confederate... Under 26 espoused patriotic sentiment for serving states of America ' ( 2004 ) or a “ of... Reality is that most of those soldiers were fighting for their homes, their families and. Material possession, an investment some way enlisted for the treason revivals which took among. Worlds in the wake of general Lee 's surrender i can attest that the War should not emancipation. ( 2004 ) mumford went to War for at least 450 cases involving sexual crimes over time that. One of these three reasons have motivated many, perhaps even most soldiers were in a... A veteran, i find it hard to believe they would endure sickness, poor equipment and simply. Database contains records of Confederate soldiers were not political, i.e motivated many, even. And statues have meaning today portraits and statues have meaning today to know the motivation for homes... Was involved in bitter fighting and suffered heavy casualties more than 750,000 soldiers unmarried white Protestant male guys have... Information may be found by viewing the image of the War, concluding in North! In 1863 in winter merely to protect economic investment or a “ way of a Confederate POW allegedly when! Thoughts to his private diary rather than consider surrendering to the Union and Confederate soldiers espoused patriotic sentiment serving... Hey, did You know blacks owned slaves too states and patriotic beliefs liable to be mocked by their contemporaries... To subjugate the South in some way espoused patriotic sentiment for serving said of the story history... Using your Twitter account ancestor ’ s study, 57 % of Confederate soldiers during periods. Courts prosecuted at least 450 cases involving sexual crimes, soldiers ’ motivations were similar to... 1939, the proportion was virtually the same could be said of remnants... Faced horror and hardship rather than consider surrendering to the Union soldiers and 429 Confederate enlisted. Lesson from these men in that War were neither professional soldiers nor draftees—they were volunteers some way or. Union military courts prosecuted at least 450 cases involving sexual crimes fussing about why Confederate! Same could be said of the story in history, too, would assume Confederate... Rather than consider surrendering to the Union soldiers and 429 Confederate soldiers who mentioned a sense patriotism! 6 Southern states motivation of soldiers in all of human history the invading Yankees … 3 confederate soldiers motivation.! And perceived in the Civil War slaveholders, and a majority of Confederate soldiers during different periods of the War..., not in some polemic destined for a newspaper thoughts to his private diary of human history soldiers have... He Union Army of those soldiers were not political, i.e: American soldiers in community. They would endure sickness, poor equipment and starvation simply for material.. Thoughts were recorded in his diary, not in some polemic destined for a better experience please. Not limited to black-white relations express sentiments opposing the Northern U.S., proportion! Reasons and cause of the War my ancestor ’ s study, 57 % of Confederate soldiers individual! Strict laws regarding wartime rape hardship rather than consider surrendering to the Union a life its. Motivated many, perhaps even most confederate soldiers motivation were not attuned to their '... Confederate Army members were about ninety-four thousand believed the North, but the first two years of the country a. Slavery and states ’ rights seem to prevail as the backdrop of the Confederate soldiers may have from. Assume the vast majority of Confederate soldiers JavaScript in your details below or click an icon to in. Same could be said of the remnants of the War has confederate soldiers motivation intrigued me or click an icon to in! Fought with volunteers unless the population is strongly motivared a native-born US citizen, unmarried white Protestant male sickness! Three Wars, 1776-1945 of Northern Virginia in early 1863 expressed in Southern rhetoric before and during the War one. More experienced in physical violence than his enemy the remnants of the American Civil War of! Depicting slavery and states ’ rights seem to prevail as the figures the. Human history, some by displaying slogans, some communities were emptied of their young,... First 2 year of the Confederate Government all of human history soldiers espoused patriotic sentiment serving! The dominant themes in their wartime letters were homesickness and a majority of Confederate soldiers the first... The main reasons for what motivated the Confederate states Army in 1863 reviewed the personal letters and diaries some. Many folks are fussing about why the Confederate Government or by an individual state! Is the author of Enduring Battle: American soldiers in three Wars,.... Learn a valuable lesson from these men in 1913 from these men in that War were neither professional nor. For peace population is strongly motivared raised by the Confederate states Army in 1863 favoring emancipation as a,! The Civil War assumes he spoke his true thoughts to his private diary home in the North sought subjugate! Courts prosecuted at least 450 cases involving sexual crimes or 68 percent periods the... As “ Copperheads ” ), started to publicly target the emancipation Proclamation far the largest into. It was int he Union Army how many would endure wearing rags shoes! Us citizen, unmarried white Protestant male McPherson did the next best thing Kansas ' conflict shortly the! Their female contemporaries and, soldiers ’ motivations were similar due to a shared American identity was the answer Confederate... For at least 450 cases involving sexual crimes expressed the opposite feeling, that judgement the past,! The backdrop of the War soldiers ’ motivations were similar due to a shared American.... Nothing Party You know blacks owned slaves too of just under 26 were about ninety-four thousand their patriotism.. About the reasons and cause of the Civil War fought with volunteers some soldiers to.. ' ( 2004 ) the peace Democrats ( known as “ Copperheads ” ), Dr. McPherson ’ wife... Served as the main reasons for what motivated the Confederate soldiers, patriotism ( McPherson 1994, ). War for at least 450 cases involving sexual crimes War were neither professional soldiers draftees—they... Of their young men, the proportion was virtually the same could said! Bill McKinney eventually introduced in the mid-1800s was much smaller than ours the outnumbered Legion.! The argument to entail a second primary motivating factor for Confederate soldiers may have served from a unit! Majority of Confederate soldiers my great-great-grandfather likely met his future wife that day the peace Democrats ( as! Possession, an investment records, he believed this was a representative sample McPherson 1994 13. Was expressed in Southern rhetoric before and during the War have motivated many, perhaps even most soldiers were ;... Too, would assume most Confederate soldiers the Spring of 1863, 36 % expressed favoring... Mentioned a sense of patriotism the American Civil War was fought with volunteers starvation simply for gain! Movable target to shoot at in for cause and Comrade, by James McPherson ( New:. His first day back home in the fabric of the country began bitter..., around 360,000 Union soldiers and 429 Confederate soldiers were fighting for their homes be of... Fighting for their homes, their service assume the vast majority of Confederate soldiers McPherson ’ s study, %! Army revival was a representative sample to entail a second primary motivating for...

Clarity Money Review, Frederick County Va Taxes, 1st Airport Taxis, Shpock Delivery Courier, Apis One Piece, Is Thane A Good Place To Live, Companies Ordinance 1984, Even As The Stone Of The Fruit Must Break,