Remembering Two Great Americans

EverVigilant.net ^ | 01/19/2006 | Lee R. Shelton IV

[archy]

. . . although, as my grandmother remarked, General Forrest was someone that you could not POSSIBLY ask to dinner ( . . . and if you had known my grandmother you'd understand why. She'd kill Forrest, or he'd kill her.)

Out Texas way, we used to refer to that as prickly. But such are usually handy folks to have on your side during a scrap, and more often than not, they do a pretty fair job of leading by example, too.

Some are native Texans, others are drawn to Texas later in life, by inclination or circumstance. Forrest came to the Texas 1836 fight for independence from Mexico in his youth, but arrived after most of the affray was concluded. It likely made an impression on his future activities, however.

[mtbopfuyn]

What do you mean we wouldn't know about today? Perhaps a damned Yankee wouldn't but here in Texas we're having a state holiday today. Confederate Heroes Day!

[AnAmericanMother]

Oh, my grandmother was properly appreciative of Gen'l Forrest's skill and heroism, and had her white-gloved-and-pearled person ever come close to a battlefield, she would have appreciated his assistance and been kindness itself.

But she STILL wouldn't have invited him to dinner!

(I will say in my grandmama's defense that she left her white gloves and pearls behind when she was a Red Cross Gray Lady beginning at the end of WWI and a nurse in WWII.)

[Clemenza]

Great Generals who were TRAITORS to the Union and therefore the United States.

[SC33]

The Union was very loosely held together at that point in time, and whether official policy or not, the states wielded the power. It is unfair to call great Southern warriors traitors.

[SC33]

By that definition, the Revoloutionary generals and soldiers would be considered traitors.

[Tax-chick]

Excellent job! I wish I could have the baby on Saturday - one on Jackson's birthday to match the previous one on Lee's birthday - but my daughters are going to a dance with their father and they'd never forgive me!

[SC33]

Civil War Post

[Clemenza]

Well, that Great Southern Warrior Andrew Jackson threatened to invade South Carolina and hang John Calhoun if the Palmetto State made good on its plans to leave the union 35 years earlier.

In other words, by 1861, it was largely understood what the Union was. The secessionists were tilting at windmills by then. Even Lee and Davis thought secession to be wrong up to the moment (in Lee's case) of Virginia's secession from the union.

[AnAmericanMother]

Do us a favor, and just don't click on this thread if you feel that way.

This is to honor a great gentlemen who (in hindsight) erred in supporting his State over the Union. Intent is an element of treason (well established by USSC case law) and he had no intent.

[Clemenza]

Yes. They were traitors to the House Of Hanover. It was a good thing too.

In the case of the Confederates, however, they were traitors to the Union, aka the United States.

[Clemenza]

I know. See post #29.

[SC33]

I understand what you are saying, but it is hard to back that far in time and make judgments. It was a completely different world, and they did what they thought they had to. I can respect that, and taht being said, I can also respect the resolve of Lincoln and the Union to fight.

[AnAmericanMother]

Fine, then don't call him a traitor.

And I wouldn't take Andy Jackson's word on anything. A stone cold brave man and a bonny fighter somewhat in the mold of Forrest, but a completely irresponsible occupant of the White House. And not fit to shine R.E.L.'s shoes.

[Clemenza]

No. I do not believe that Lee, Jackson, Davis, Benjamin, and the other senior officials and generals of the Confederacy in their hearts or minds believed they were committing treason. Lee and Jackson both saw themselves as defending the interests of the state of Virginia first and foremost.

It was what it was. The Union was victorious and we were better for it.

The only positive that would have come if Lincoln had let the south go (as many New Englanders wanted anyway) is that Cuba would have likely been annexed by the Confederacy. Therefore, when, by the 1870s and 1880s, when the Confederates would rejoin the union (due to high inflation caused by the printing of fiat money, and the lack of a coherent national economic policy in general, to say nothing of the need for industry), Cuba would have been a part of the United States.

[injin]

my great Uncle rode with Forrest .
Although captured at Selma , he survived the war
and went back home to old Miss and recommenced to farmin.

[SC33]

And look how the tables have turned. Many of us, in the South, midwest, mid-atlantic, and west, would gladly give New England away.

(part sarcasm)

[Colt .45]

Amen brother! The days of Americans being born with "the bark on" are long past. I truly pity the kids of tomorrow.

[Colonel Kangaroo]

And a little later, on the 8th of February, we have the birthday of another great general of the Civil War.

[PzLdr]

GREATEST General of the Civil War, IMHO!