UPDATED June 28, 2003
(Copyright 2000-2001)  Illegal use or reproduction is prohibited and violators will be prosecuted.  The following can only be copied for private use and with the express written consent of the owner of this site.  However, links to this page are encouraged.

It has become evident that the children of this great nation have been misled by the educational system and news media regarding the South and it's heritage. How sad it is to me that the Governor of Georgia proclaimed April as Southern Heritage Month and not a single television or radio station (to my knowledge) presented anything on the subject.  Based on media coverage, it would seem that the white pioneers of the South never existed or are not worthy of notation.

I am a true southerner and a proud descendant of veterans of many wars encountered by this nation. Wars that my ancestors engaged in include The French and Indian War, The Revolutionary War, The War of 1812, The War for Southern Independence, The Great War, and World War II.  Some of my ancestors fled France fearing the Catholic revolt, some fled England for freedom OF religion, while others came to this continent in pursuit of their happiness.  I am proud of my Southern ancestry and resent anyone trying to minimize or chastize them. To some readers, this page may seem to be a racist attempt at reinforcing the ideologies of the Southern plantation owner.  I am neither racist nor do I condone slavery. I have many ancestors that fought for the Confederacy.  However, my 3rd Great Grandfather gave his life on the battlefield in Bull's Gap, Tennessee only miles from his homeplace.  He was an East Tennessean and a member of the United States Cavalry.  One of his brothers-in-law was a spy for the United States and was murdered at home by Rebels during the Christmas Season.  Tragically, another brother-in-law fought in the Confederate Infantry.

Most of my ancestors settled in the mid-Atlantic region before heading southward while some were native to this continent.  My veins flow with the blood of the first settlers and pioneers of this great nation - some were members of the House of Burgesses in Virginia.  President Thomas Jefferson's wife was my aunt, many generations removed.  While a few of my ancestors were wealthy and possibly owned slaves, most were poor and illiterate farmers.  They believed in God, honesty, hard work, fairness, and independence. They readily took up arms to defend their country's beliefs - some giving their lives for their great nation.  My forefathers believed in Honor and Duty, which appear to be politically incorrect in today's society.  Our Nation was family to them, and was to be defended by whatever means necessary.

Though our nation has encountered wars, conflicts, and battles that, looking through history's eyes, may be shameful, we cannot and should not as a people, condemn nor disregard the intentions of our forefathers.  Only a generation ago most children were spanked in public, whipped, and harshly disciplined.  Should we condemn, disown, or ignore our parents for their actions?  One must not judge too harshly those of another time, environment, or seemingly immoral action.  Should we forget President George Washington or President Thomas Jefferson because they embraced slavery?  The same argument should be made for the flying of the flag of the Confederate States of America.  To some the Confederate Battle Flag, which in most occurrances is an incorrect rectangular shape, represents a war for slavery. To the true southerner, the flag represents heritage and respect for our ancestors.  To me, the flag is a reminder of the potential danger of an uncontrolled government.

Most of my ancestors of early to mid 1800's resided along General William T. Sherman's route from Atlanta to Savannah.  In July of 1864, General Sherman sent a group of cavalrymen known as Gerrard's Raiders from Decatur to Covington to destroy rail lines and bridges.  However, they also plummaged the farms, houses, and stores along the way.  They stole food, clothing, and goods from farms and sometimes burned them as well.  Four months later, General Sherman struck out for Savannah.  His northernmost wing ravaged my ancestors' lands again, which, by the way, were being kept by women and children for the most part.  One must also remember that many Southerners were Loyalists; that is,  they were against secession and the war.  How could any civilized government condone such actions against innocent people?  After the war, the area was controlled by Federals, a term used for the military, for nearly 10 years.  Should this be forgotten?  It is my duty, and with honor I must say, to insure that my children and their children learn of and remember our heritage.

Many of today's United States citizens cannot comprehend someone fighting for what appears to be a terrible cause.  Most Americans consider the "Civil War" a fight over slavery, which unfortunately, is reinforced by most school history books.  Many historians have documented the political fever of the time, the anti-slavery movements, and various other issues.  However, most authors have missed the deep rooted meaning of the war.  The war was a very personal war;  a war pitting brother against brother, father against son, and uncle against nephew.  One should remember that the "Civil War" infantryman was more than likely poor, uneducated, a farmer, and without slaves.  So why would poor farmers with no slaves risk death over slavery?  It is difficult, indeed, to comprehend the extent of their loyalty. But, perhaps, we should consider the location and circumstances of the time.  Our country had secured it's independence from England only about 70 years prior to the war.  We successfully defended our nation against English aggression less than 50 years prior to the war. Less than 30 years had elapsed since the terrible "Trail of Tears" - the forced relocation of the Five Nations to the mid-western plains. Most of the South was still frontier with few railroads.  Indian trails and rivers were the primary routes of travel.  Most plantations were located in the flat lands and along rivers.  The hilly regions were occupied by small farmers.  When the threat of seccession arose, there was a definite line of demarcation among the Southerners - the low-lander plantation owners versus the high-lander poor farmers.  Many areas of the South had similar lines of demarcation - the best example being the highlands of Virginia "splitting" to form a new state - West Virginia.

There is no doubt that Southern Secession was initiated by the slavery issues of the southern states and the new territories being settled out west.  Most of the politicians of the South were aristocrats and more than likely "owned" slaves.  There was great debate over seccession - the State of Georgia's legislature had to take numerous votes before passage.  At first the debate was about slavery and state's rights.  Then the issue broadened to sovereignty.  The majority of legislators succumbed to the view of Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness as legislated by each sovereign state, not the "rights" determined by the federal government.  Therefore, the issue became "Why is it 'Illegal' for a sovereign state to withdraw from the Union?"  The Northern States, in the most part, believed that the "Union" could never be broken and that the Republic could exist only by maintaining the "union of states."

Most people consider the secession and the war as synonomous.  The true southerner knows better.  The seccession brought about a new country, not a war.  The Confederacy knew that the United States was better equipped militarily and had more men.  Why would a new nation risk losing it's wealth and people?  The soverign nation - The Confederate States of America - had no reason for war at the outset.  They were busy writing a Constitution, establishing a monetary system, and establishing a new government.  Their firm beliefs in limiting a central government was included in their Constitution - limits on national powers, terms of office, and written soverignty of states (which was never included in the United States Constitution).  The Confederacy was a nation independent of The United States of America.  All ties had been broken.  However, President Lincoln was concerned about the many forts along the seas and rivers of the South.  He believed that the forts, both the land and improvements, belonged to the United States.  The Confederacy believed that the forts belonged to the Confederacy.  President Lincoln sent naval vessels and troops to take control of the forts.  There was an apparent stand-off in Charleston, South Carolina - the naval vessels of a foreign country standing watch over the Confederate manned forts of the area.  The Confederate States considered the United States' actions of shipping reinforcements to South Carolina as an act of war.  The Confederacy believed that the United States vessels were violating their national waters and had no right to enter. The engagement in warfare by the United States of America was an outrage to the Confederacy.

General Robert E. Lee did not embrace slavery, but believed that duty to one's state and nation outweighed one's personal beliefs.  Knowing the horrors of war, he reluctantly agreed to become the leader of the Confederate Armies.  General William T. Sherman wrote in his memoires that he had no feelings toward slavery;  he was fighting to "save the Union."  He believed that no state had a right to withdraw, or secceed, from the United States.  Slavery did not become a key issue in the war until President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation several years after the start of the war, a measure to rekindle a fighting spirit and purpose for the war.

"I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so."
Abraham Lincoln. March 4, 1861

"If I thought this war was to abolish slavery, I would resign my commission, and offer my sword to the other side."
General Ulysses S. Grant

One last item that I must inform you about.....  The NAACP, since 1991, has actively campaigned for the removal of the Confederate Battle Flag (and all other humane references to the Confederacy).  In 1991 a Resolution was passed at the National convention for the NAACP which is included below.  It refers to the "Confederate Flag and State Flags containing the ugly symbol of idiotic white supremacy, racism and denigration..."  I consider the Resolution as offensive, racist, disrepectful, and incorrect historically...

Resolution Abhorring the Confederate Battle Flag on State Flags

WHEREAS, the tyrannical evil symbolized in the Confederate Battle Flag is an abhorrence to all Americans and decent people of this country, and indeed, the world and is an odious blight upon the universe; and,

WHEREAS, African-Americans, had no voice, no consultation, no concurrence, no commonality, not in fact nor in philosophy, in the vile conception of the Confederate Battle Flag or State Flags containing the ugly symbol of idiotic white supremacy, racism and denigration; and,

WHEREAS, we adamantly reject the notion that African-Americans should accept this flag for any stretch of imagination or approve its presence on the State Flags;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the national Office of the NAACP and all units commit their legal resources to the removal of the Confederate Flag from all public properties.

Approved 1991 NAACP
 
 

 

Farewell to the Army of Northern Virginia
by General Robert E. Lee

After four years of arduous service, marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources.

I need not tell the survivors of so many hard-fought battles who have remained steadfast to the last that I have consented to this result from no distrust of them; but feeling that valor and devotion could accomplish nothing that could compensate for the loss that would have attended the continuance of the contest, I determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen. By the terms of the agreement, officers and men can return to their homes and remain until exchanged.

You may take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed, and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to you his blessing and protection.

With an unceasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration of myself, I bid you all an affectionate farewell.
 
 
 

Hopefully, this web-page has shed a little knowledge and understanding about being a Southerner, and in particular a Proud Georgia Rebel.  Raise the Confederate flag with honor to our forefathers and their families "Lest we forget."

My opinions on the FOX News Coverage of the Confederate Flag

My opinions of changing the State of Georgia Flag

Here is an excellent site with many related links
CLICK HERE for ANDERSON'S BATTERY

Many of our Southern Soldiers lay in unmarked graves.
Visit Southern Soldiers Remembrance Fund
to learn how you can help preserve their role in our nation's history!

Want to visit a great site that has the Constitution of the Confederate States of America?
Then CLICK HERE

Want to read an excellent article on the Mississippi State Flag?
Then CLICK HERE

Another excellent article written by a black descendant of the Civil War
Then CLICK HERE
 


To view the Official Regulations for the design of the Confederate Flag
 


The United Daughters of the Confederacy

 

 


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