Confederate ceremony in Missouri draws hundreds while others protest

[LoganBuck]

The way I read it they are honoring war dead, not trying to cause an uproar. "Dixie" was the song of the confederacy and depending on the tone and tempo of the song, it can be joyous or somber. I would guess that at a confederate memorial service it would be very appropriate.

I agree that those who say "The south will rise again" tend to be rabble rousers.

[RedsBaron]

U.S Grant, who lost thousands of troops to Confederate fire, had as much a right as anyone to hate those who fought for the South, but he didn't rejoice at Lee's surrender. In his memoirs, Grant wrote: "I felt like anything rather than rejoicing at the downfall of a foe who had fought so long and valiantly, and had suffered so much for a cause, though that cause was, I believe, one of the worst for which a people ever fought, and one for which there was the least excuse."

I have no problem with a confederate memorial. Now yes I do disagree with racist and skinheads who use the rebel flags as a weapon of hate, but I don't see a problem with the historical value or rememberance of the brave soldiers that fought for both sides. Sad war that tore many families and friends apart. I love to study about the war though. Two of the Generals that I look up to the most from that era were actually Confederates.

Lee devoted the rest of his life following the war to educating the youth. Many say that he nevered mentioned the war after the surrender at Appomattox. Military wise he could do wonders with his army of Northern Virginia while up against incredible odds.

Stonewall Jackson was extremely religious and even wished for slavery to be abolished. From a military standpoint he was a tactical genius. Future generals i.e. General Patton would look to Jackson as a model for their own tactics.

[BillyBeaneFan]

Originally Posted by savafan

The South clearly had superior military intelligence, and still didn't win. Of course, had Lee listened to Longstreet, things may have been different. Ultimately, we just have to believe that right won out.

Yeah, except when they left battle plans lying around under trees for the Union to find and then the Union beat them in decisive battles because of it (see "Gettysburg, Battle of").

The South did have superior tactical minds. I don't think anyone can doubt that Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and J.E.B. Stuart among others were all first-rate tacticians. The Union had some awful minds--George McClellan, Ambrose Burnside, Fightin' Joe Hooker.

But...short of a European nation intervening on the side of the South, I don't think they had a chance of winning the war. Their economy was not developed enough. Their population was too small. Their infrastructure was lagging.

The North might not have won the war in gallant fashion. Grinding down the Confederacy through attrition like Grant did was not as glamorous as a cavalry charges, etc. However, it worked. It was the right strategy for the Union and thank God for us that Grant figured it out when he did.