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| Joshua Chamberlain |
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| Nathan Forrest |
Today is the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, that wrenching spasm in the early maturation of our great nation (see:
150th Anniversary). I have been rewatching Ken Burns' PBS series on this war and I can truly say, I have been (once again) greatly moved. The only criticism I could level at this fine documentary is that it conveniently glosses over the religious tenor of this conflict. Clearly,
The Battle Hymn of the Republic, is, among many other things, an indication of the intensity of religious overtones to this war ... overtones which Ken Burns left on the cutting room floor. Apparently, political correctness trumps historic accuracy.
Condoleezza Rice recently brilliantly said that slavery was the United States' birth defect. The Civil War, it was hoped by most abolitionists, would correct this malformity. Unfortunately, it didn't, but it was a bloody good start. In fact, Abraham Lincoln, bemoaning the length and the cost in human lives (600,00+} of the Civil War, came to believe that this carnage would continue until there had been established a parity with the suffering of Africans under the American slavery system.
The above pictures represent two of the luminaries of this great strife that were highlighted by Ken Burns: Joshua Chamberlain, the Northern hero of Gettysburg who dramatically repulsed the Southern's attack on Little Round Top and helped turn the tide of battle. Please see and read:
Joshua Chamberlain to understand why he was the General who oversaw Lee's surrender at Appomattox. The other is Nathan Bedford Forrest, a brilliant Rebel military tactician (and butcher) whose heroics are almost beyond belief. Also see and read:
Nathan Bedford Forrest to understand why he is an important Southern hero on a par with Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson.
And please take a few moments today to reflect on the huge losses that were suffered on both sides in this bitter internecine war ... bigger than all the deaths in all the American wars that have been fought since.
Afterthought: I am 72 years old, yet I still seem to remember seeing at least one Civil War veteran marching in a late 1940's July 4th parade in my hometown in Western Pennsylvania. Funny how these events get compressed across the ages.
