| Why Some Choose to Wear the Gray The Civil War, (known to some as The War of Northern Aggression.), was it a war to abolish slavery? While slavery was an institution that needed to be abolished and we in no way condone it, only 5-6%, of the soldiers who fought for the Confederacy owned slaves. So why did they fight? We would like to offer some facts in the hope that is will spark some interest or give some insight into this time in American History. Causes (just a few) 1. Tariffs: In 1832 South Carolina almost seceded over tariffs (slavery was not an issue during this debate.) In order to force the south to buy industrial goods from the north rather than import cheaper ones from England, high tariffs were imposed reaching as high as 47% (the Moriff Tariff 1861.) to protect �American Industry� ( We fought the Revolutionary War over the Sugar Act and Stamp Tax, both were a fraction of the taxes imposed by the north.) 2. Representation: The northern states already controlled the House and each additional state controlled would give them 2 extra senatorial votes. Thus the move was made by the north to prohibit slavery from the new territories and reduce southern influence and competition. Lincoln was elected with NO electoral votes from the south. 3. Distribution of Tax Dollars: Although the south paid the majority of the tax dollars, most of it was spent by the government in the northern states on improvements such as railroads and lighthouses. In Georgia�s Declaration of Secession, it complained that the Federal Government subsidized and gave monopolies to northern merchants, seamen, and manufacturing interests while ignoring the south. 4. Banking: The north held the majority of the banking interests and controlled most of the money. Efforts by the south to borrow for industrialization were turned down by the northern banks leading some to complain that the south was a �slave� to the north and treated like a colony. South Carolina seceded on December 20, 1860. It was followed by Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Louisiana. It fired upon Fort Sumpter on April 12, 1861 after Federal Troops were not removed as promised. In fact Lincoln actually tried to reinforce the fort secretly in direct violation of an armistice entered into between South Carolina and the U.S. government on December 6, 1860. After the Federal troops surrendered, they were allowed to go back to the Union as there was considered to be no state of war. Lincoln seized upon this action to declare war on the Confederacy and specifically stated at that time that the war was NOT over slavery, but the aim was to preserve the Union. President Jefferson Davis of the Confederacy stated the war was for independence and defenses of constitutional rights and the south would fight ONLY to defend its territory. Because the north declared war, and they considered it wrong and an act of aggression, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, and the Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, Choctaw, and Chickasaw Nations rushed to join the Confederacy. The Native Americans were so impressed with how they were treated by the Confederate government, and remembering the treatment that was received from the government of the United States; many became very loyal to the cause. The last forces to surrender were Cherokee in both the eastern and western theaters of the war. The Emancipation Proclamation: September 22, 1862 did NOT end slavery and freed NO slaves. Two years into the war, when it looked like the south might win, Lincoln issued this proclamation for 1. Military Reasons: to try to destroy the South�s labor base by enticing slaves to run away. This did not happen to any great extent. He also wished to gain badly needed troops for the north. 2. Political: To keep England who was sympathetic to the south, form helping them. Why did it not end slavery? 1. It freed NO slaves in slave states that did not secede and in the District of Colombia. 2. It freed only slaves in the southern states where Lincoln had NO AUTHORITY. 3. It did not abolish slavery in Tennessee and Border States such as Kentucky and Missouri. Also, it specifically excludes areas, under union occupation, in Virginia and Louisiana. 4. It offered Southern States a deal. If they returned to the Union by Jan 1, 1863, they could KEEP THEIR SLAVES!!!!! GET A COPY AND READ IT YOURSELF. RESULTS: It had very little effect on slavery in the south. Europe largely dismissed it as insincere. They said that if it really meant it they would have freed their own slaves. In addition to not freeing slaves in the above mentioned areas APPROXIMATLY 300,000 UNION SOLDIERS OWNED SLAVES!! 200,000 soldiers actually deserted the Union army after the proclamation. Slavery was not actually abolished until the 13th amendment was passed. This occurred 8 months after the war had ended. Percentage of slave owners in the south was down to 25 %( possibly closer to 10%) by 1860. Again, only about 5-6% of soldiers owned slaves. Confederate General Robert E. Lee was anti-slavery and freed his slaves upon inheriting them. Union General U.S. Grant�s wife did not free her slaves until after the 13th amendment was passed. When Grand was asked why he did not free them he replied �Good help is hard to find these days.� Throughout the war, and even after the 13th amendment, northern interests continued to participate in the slave trade. They sold slaves in South America, primarily in Brazil. The Confederate Constitution PROHIBITED the slave trade. The Confederate flag NEVER flew on a slave ship. The flag of the United States flew over slave ships for over 100 years, even after Europe denounced it and tried to prevent it. In 1860 there were 268,817 free blacks in the south and 247,817 in the north. Had slavery not been ended as a result of the war, it would still have come to an end. Many in the south were against slavery and were studying how it could be ended with the most benefit to all. When Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, was still a United States Senator, he urged that a plan be made for emancipation that would be best for the slaveholder and the slave. In fact, to ready his own slaves for freedom, Davis instituted, on his plantation, a system of laws, courts, and juries, run by the slaves. He was trying to prepare them for freedom by giving them an understanding of how the system works. It is interesting to note that under Davis�s system, he could pardon a convicted slave, but not increase the punishment. When asked by a Yankee how he felt about Davis, and elderly slave replied, �I loved him, and I can say that every colored man he ever owned loved him.� Going even further, during the war Davis rescued a slave from abuse and set him up as A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY. Davis even provided for his education. The historian Charles Francis Adams, Jr. said �Had the south been allowed to manage this question unfettered, the slaves would have been, ere this, fully emancipated and that without bloodshed or race problems.� QUOTES OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN (We in no way agree, only wish to dispel the myth.) �I will say then, that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races�that I am not, nor ever have been in favor of making voters and jurors of Negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people, and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races from living together on terms of social and political equality. And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other man, am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race.� �The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln,� Roy Basker, 1955, Rutgers University Press. �If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that. What I do about slavery, and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union;� From a letter from Lincoln to Horace Greeley, editor of the New York Tribune on August 22, 1862, just before the Emancipation Proclamation. This is but a fraction of what could be told about �The Second War for Independence.� We wear the uniform and fly the flag of the Confederate soldier proudly in the hopes of educating those who do not know that the men in gray did not leave their homes and loved ones and sacrifice everything they had, to fight for slavery, an issue that only a small percentage even had an interest. Rather they fought for their rights and love of State and more importantly to protect their homes families from an invading army. Please remember that the north invaded the south, and the south fought only in defense. We strictly abhor and denounce the use of the confederate flag by some groups to promote racial hatred, and look to a time when the sight of the flag reminds one only of the honor courage, sacrifice and heritage of our Confederate ancestors. If you would like additional information about the war, sources for any of the information contained here, or Information about reenacting, please feel free to contact us at: [email protected] |