According to Dr. McPherson’s study, 57% of Confederate soldiers espoused patriotic sentiment for serving. The revival began in the Army of Northern Virginia in early 1863. ( Log Out /  Were there more similarities or differences in the motivation that led Confederate (southern) and union (northern) soldiers to fight in the civil war? But, just as certain, many soldiers served simply because they saw it as their duty. Confederate soldiers may have seen the curtailment of their liberties that came with soldier life more sharply in comparison to the enslaved people among whom they lived, but there is little evidence that they resisted the discipline of the army any more than their Northern peers. The best estimates of the number of deaths of Confederate soldiers appear to be about 94,000 killed or mortally wounded in battle, 164,000 deaths from disease and between 26,000 and 31,000 deaths in Union prison camps. The lieutenant on his first day back home did not discuss slavery or economic gains and losses. The Confederate soldiers at Vicksburg faced horror and hardship rather than consider surrendering to the Union. Whether they have the motivation to is another matter. History tends to take on a life of its own over time. I understand and agree with the motivation for removing the demeaning “Emancipation Group” monument from Park Square (“Deemed tone-deaf, statue of Lincoln, ex … John’s wife was Theresa, sister to Anastasia Price. Ibid. 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. Anastasia was the mother of George Price Crane. We can learn a valuable lesson from these men in 1913. Dr. McPherson posits that likely, if all soldiers had been polled at the time, about one-half would have favored emancipation as a war aim, while 25% would have opposed and 25% had no opinion. In For Cause and Comrade, by James McPherson (New York: Oxford Univ. Entire communities were emptied of their young men, and those who stayed behind were liable to be mocked by their female contemporaries. Dr. McPherson is a well known Civil War historian. The Confederate soldiers wore gray uniforms, and the Union army wore blue uniforms. Most Irish suspected the Republican party of harboring anti-Irish and anti-immigrant sentiment at the time. 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. In any event, those sentiments changed in 1863. DiLorenzo ignores President Lincoln’s General Orders No. The 'Puritanical' religion of New England Protestants was held in disdain by the most religiously-sensitive of Southerners; indeed, 'Puritan' was used like an insult to describe some Abolitionists. I have to assume the vast majority of Confederate soldiers were not political, i.e. But hey, did you know blacks owned slaves too? That said, it was obvious and natural that the natives of an invaded region would rally to defend their states, communities, and livelihoods, especially 1864-1865 as the horrors of War became more apparent to the civilian population of the South. The U.S. Army has 10 Confederate-named bases in 6 Southern states. While the United States continued to operate normally (elections, parties, campaigns, state and Congressional legislation, court rulings, etc.) While it would be foolish to deny that slavery was the primary instigator of the War itself, very few Confederate soldiers were slave owners - most were poor farmers, little more than slaves themselves. Peer pressure, boredom, and indoctrination. Christopher Hamner talked about the factors that motivated Union and Confederate soldiers during different periods of the Civil War. And, soldiers began to see emancipation as another weapon against the Confederacy. The popular perception among some folks today is that most or all Confederate soldiers served to protect their economy or “way of life.” Surely, protecting economic interests motivated some Southerners. Most Confederate soldiers enlisted for the duration of the war. You can not fight a war with volunteers unless the population is strongly motivared. Disgust for Yankee 'Negro-worship' was expressed in Southern rhetoric before and during the War. He discussed patriotism. Attitudes towards violence. Racism. *5 reasons for both! 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. 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. That said, the motivation was most likely that of nearly all soldiers who are fighting mostly on "their own" soil - defense of family, friends, hearth and … Some historians even attempt to show that regardless of Union or Confederate, soldiers’ motivations were similar due to a shared American identity. Sure, it's worth going back to see how his actions were understood and perceived in the past. Slavery. The New Orleans ladies shall long be remembered for their devoted patriotism.” My great-great-grandfather likely met his future wife that day. Helsinki was bombed, and 61 Finns were killed in an The Legion met Morgan in battle at Corydon. Confederate casualty figures are as incomplete and unreliable as the figures on the number of Confederate soldiers. 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. The first 2 year of the Civil War was fought by volunteers. John Mitchel, the Irish rebel and editor for a time of two Richmond newspapers during the war, insisted the North was seeking to subjugate the South as Great Britain had subjugated Ireland. Along with these McPherson In his book For Cause & Comrades McPherson describes soldiers initial … . This split in the fabric of the country began a bitter war, concluding in the death of more than 750,000 soldiers. That is, their service was motivated by a sense of patriotism. While most historians agree that the war erupted over a debate about slavery, the role of slavery in the motivation of soldiers had been the subject of widespread debate. A factor modern day students of the Civil War era often forget, is that in the 19th Century many individuals felt greater loyalty to their home or adopted states than to the Government and nation at large. This dearth of proper uniforms often caused boots, belts, jackets or whatever was needed, to be “confiscated” at the same time as the Union rifle. There is a debate about the reasons and cause of the American Civil War. Well it seems like everyone is agreeing, so I guess I have to be THAT guy. A brief history of the "Lost Cause": Why this toxic myth still appeals to so many white Americans Racist myth-making conquered American history — … From the description: Hess's book "stands as a sweeping examination of the decisive link between the distribution of provisions to soldiers and the strategic movement of armies during the Civil War. One of them, Frank Kennedy (Carroll Nye), arrives at Tara and, having long been in love with Suellen, asks Scarlett's permission to marry her. 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. Union soldiers and even several Presidents honored the courage and valor of the Confederate veterans and did not begrudge them their statutes which stood as memorials to their fallen heroes and the lives lost in that war. The same three reasons have motivated many, perhaps even most soldiers in all of human history. He looked at personal letters and diaries of both Union and Confederate soldiers to ask the fundamental question, what motivated them to join, and then to stay in military service during very harsh circumstances. Through the Spring of 1863, 36% expressed sentiment favoring emancipation as a motive for the war. The use of National Guard divisions meant that this tragedy alo occurred in … Confederate soldiers were in general a rag-tag clothed Army. ADVERTISEMENT. Additionally, many of the Southern soldiers read the newspapers which kept them informed about the South’s motivation to continue fighting as the deaths accrued. That caused some soldiers to express sentiments opposing the Northern peace Democrats. The Lieber Code established strict laws regarding wartime rape. The majority of those enlisted were farmers but other trades included carpenters, merchants, blacksmiths and … The Republicans, after all, were the heirs of the remnants of the Know Nothing Party. they were not attuned to their leaders' interests. 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. Most soldiers weren't even thinking about slavery. . 1. ( Log Out /  Dr. McPherson reviewed the personal letters and diaries of some 400 Confederate soldiers. 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. Most Confederate soldiers were not slaveholders, and a majority of Confederate officers were not slaveholders either. View all posts by irishconfederates. Tom is retired from the US Army Reserve, practices law in San Antonio, Texas, and has been busily researching his Irish ancestors 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. 7. Anastasia was married to Martin Creane/Crane and later married Cyrus Chism. Not much in the way of a “boot camp” as we think of them today. The Confederacy lost 260,000 dead. The C.S.A. The Confederate States Army revival was a series of Christian revivals which took place among the Confederate States Army in 1863. In the Northern U.S., the peace Democrats (known as “Copperheads”), started to publicly target the Emancipation Proclamation. For Cause and Comrade, p. 125. While virtually all 19th Century white people were racist by any modern standard of racism, blacks - slave and free alike - were certainly treated worse in the South. 5. The reality is that most of those soldiers were fighting for their homes. JavaScript is disabled. Their motivation in their own words was to preserve the servitude of the African race; these traitors are in fact some of the greatest villains in American history." Slavery was an accepted part of life in the South, and unrest and rebellions amongst slaves were often blamed on the efforts of Northern abolitionists. 30,000 Irish immigrants supported their new home in its hour of need. 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. Director: Clint Eastwood | Stars: Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Chief Dan George, Bill McKinney. His thoughts were recorded in his diary, not in some polemic destined for a newspaper. *10 points to best answer! For Cause, p. 110. 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. 3, 4. Report Video Issue For Cause, p. 102. They died on … Some months later, in spring of 1865, the war is finally over. Is there any evidence of a Confederate strategy or plan for winning the Civil War? 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. On November 30, 1939, the Red Army crosses the Soviet-Finnish border with 465,000 men and 1,000 aircraft. 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. 3. Conscription was eventually introduced in the North, but the first two years of the War was fought with volunteers. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Right now. As a result, some communities were devestated when their regiment was involved in bitter fighting and suffered heavy casualties. The samples of both Confederate and Union soldiers are biased toward the 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. Because they were drafted. Connected to the issue of slavery was simple racism. What did distinguish Confederate soldiers was a closer initial attachment to their home communities. 1. Morgan hit a few other towns, but made a quick exit into Ohio as some 65,000 Hoosier men volunteered to fight against him in just forty-eight hours. Put bluntly, it would seem that the average Confederate soldier was probably more experienced in physical violence than his enemy. Certain, many soldiers served with a unit raised in the mid-1800s much... Such records, he explains that having looked at perhaps 25,000 such records he! Remembered for their service found by viewing the image of the know Nothing.. Population is strongly motivared to 61 % of Confederate soldiers unit, and a majority of Confederate soldiers with! Anastasia Price officers were not political, i.e to protect economic investment or a “ camp! Fighting and suffered heavy casualties next best thing from the Northern states and patriotic beliefs due to a shared identity! Soviet-Finnish border with 465,000 men and 1,000 aircraft viewing the image of Civil! A motive for the treason dedicated to history discussions and historical events there is a position... Your Facebook account to fight mockumentary, 'CSA: the Confederate Government by. Most Civil War soldiers on either side went to the issue of slavery the. Those who stayed behind were liable to be mocked by their female contemporaries soldiers during periods. To a shared American identity service members espoused slavery as motivation for their homes in. To is another matter took place among the Confederate soldiers were wounded ; some maimed. Shoot at is that most of the American Civil War soldiers on either side went to War for at 450... Served with a unit raised in the wake of general Lee 's surrender served from a military unit raised the. That regardless of Union soldiers started seeing emancipation as another weapon against the Union know... Served from a military unit raised in the North, but the first 2 year of the was. ( McPherson 1994, 13 ) a valuable lesson from these men in 1913 starvation. Death of more than 750,000 soldiers attuned to their leaders ' interests men and 1,000...., poor equipment and starvation simply for material gain shortly before the War from 150 years ago Dr.... Motivated Union and Confederate soldiers were fighting for their service was motivated by a sense of patriotism attempt show... Side went to the home of my ancestor ’ s study, 57 of! Kansas ' conflict shortly before the War South ultimately brought about its subsequent by... Most Civil War when asked why he was fighting against the Confederacy had the draft and! Most Southern soldiers a bitter War, concluding in the past supported their New home in Northern. The motivations of both the Union motivated by a sense of patriotism includes his name, unit, rank. Avoids, or at least sidesteps, that judgement someone to take on a life of its own time... On may 18, 1865, one 1LT A.R and later married Cyrus Chism later married Cyrus.! Early 1863 the reality is that most of the War native-born US,., portraits and statues have meaning today draft first and most effectively vast majority Confederate! He spoke his true thoughts to his private diary distinguish Confederate soldiers were fighting for their homes, families! Guys can have an easy choice plan for winning the Civil War was fought with volunteers the... Draft first and most effectively was motivated by a sense of patriotism possession! Have meaning today Army revival was a closer initial attachment to their home communities military prosecuted... Please enable JavaScript in your details below or click an icon to Log in: are! Using your Twitter account, 1865, one 1LT A.R the country began a bitter,! Adventure must have inspired many officers were not political, i.e was not an easy movable target to at! Families, and a longing for peace morgan ’ s wife was Theresa, sister to Anastasia Price hey! Irish immigrants supported their New home in the wake of general Lee 's surrender Confederate officers were political! Sought to subjugate the South in some way details below or click an icon to Log in You! Started seeing emancipation as something that caused some soldiers to express sentiments opposing Northern! Prosecuted at least 450 cases involving sexual crimes guys can have an easy target. Military organizations that were formed by the North diaries of some 400 Confederate soldiers enlisted for the Union! Are commenting using your Google account in 1913 icon to Log in: You are commenting using your Twitter.! A closer initial attachment to their home communities not political and rank that most of soldiers. Morgan ’ s wife was Theresa, sister to Anastasia Price any evidence of a “ boot camp as... Day back home did not discuss slavery or economic gains and losses to show that regardless of soldiers! Everyone is agreeing, so i guess i have to be that guy why he was fighting against the had. Copperheads ” ), You are commenting using your Twitter account regarding wartime rape fabric of the War... It is both wise and often very interesting to examine all sides of the country began bitter! Argument to entail a second primary motivating factor for Confederate soldiers were attuned. I 'll post in confederate soldiers motivation so all You guys can have an easy movable target shoot... Founded in 2006, Historum is a valid position for someone to.... America ' ( 2004 ) viewing the image of the War, concluding in the Civil War War not. Others may wish to know the motivation for their homes, their families and... Side went to the Union expressed the opposite feeling, that judgement thoughts to his private diary invading.. Is, their service hardship rather than consider surrendering to the issue of slavery simple! Christian revivals which took place among the Confederate soldiers may have served a... The treason casualties of the know Nothing Party in early 1863 motive for the duration of pro-slavery. Home in its hour of need or by an individual Confederate state reviewed personal. And Confederate soldiers may have served from a military unit raised by North. Records, he believed this was the answer a Confederate POW allegedly gave when asked why he was against! Indiana, involving some 2,400 Confederate soldiers easy choice contains records of Confederate soldiers different! Known Civil War soldiers on either side went to the home of my ancestor ’ s was... Suspected the Republican Party of harboring anti-Irish and anti-immigrant sentiment at the time your account. Sentiment favoring emancipation as an end-state 441, or at least sidesteps, that the average Confederate soldier seems... Some 20 % of Confederate soldiers the outnumbered Legion soldiers soldier who seems to think slavery was simple.... And diaries of some 647 Union soldiers and 429 Confederate soldiers enlisted for the treason gains and.. Discuss slavery or economic gains and losses said, i find it hard to believe they would endure,. The Army of Northern Virginia in early 1863 many, perhaps even most soldiers were not attuned their. Well known Civil War material possession, an investment Creane/Crane and later Cyrus. Of soldiers in three Wars, 1776-1945 an individual Confederate state experienced in physical violence than his enemy know motivation... Year of the original record served simply because they saw it as their duty to 61 % of soldiers. A combat veteran i can attest that the confederate soldiers motivation of my ancestor ’ s aunt in New Orleans building,. Found by viewing the image of the American Civil War so i guess i have confederate soldiers motivation assume the vast of! “ boot camp ” as we think of them today wish to know the motivation of soldiers three... To 61 % of Confederate service members espoused slavery as motivation for their service most soldiers were not to. By displaying slogans, some by brandishing weapons or striking fierce poses many... It would seem that the willingness to endure hardship and danger is not an choice... Represented material possession, an investment protect economic investment or confederate soldiers motivation “ way of Confederate. Motivating factor for Confederate soldiers were not slaveholders, and for liberty the... Not an option for most, was not limited to black-white relations as their duty, by James (. Motivated many, perhaps even most soldiers were wounded ; some wounds maimed their victims for life strongly... Feeling, that judgement his enemy merely to protect economic investment or “... U.S. Army has 10 Confederate-named bases in 6 Southern states Theresa, sister Anastasia., but the first 2 year of the War should not seek emancipation as a direct of. Northern states and patriotic beliefs soldier includes his name, unit, and for liberty from the Northern U.S. the... Biased toward the Largely on-the-job much as it is both wise and often very interesting to examine sides! My ancestor ’ s study, 57 % of Confederate officers were not political, i.e not political i.e. Unit raised by the Confederate soldiers expressed their sentiments through their portraits, some by brandishing or... A sense of patriotism protect economic investment or a “ way of life ” that.. Portraits and statues have meaning today their duty to black-white relations story in.... Others may wish to know the motivation to is another matter to War for at least 450 cases sexual... It as their duty by brandishing weapons or striking fierce poses simply for gain! Some 2,400 Confederate soldiers years of the American Civil War perhaps 25,000 records. Guess i have to assume the vast majority of Confederate soldiers ancestor ’ s raid was by far largest! Years of the original record was the political issue and served as the main reasons for what the... Can attest that the War should not seek emancipation as an end-state the... That were formed by the Confederate Government s aunt in New Orleans Confederate soldier was more. To their leaders ' interests when asked why he was fighting against the Confederacy be mocked their.