Some Went for Glory

Today marks the beginning of the Civil War,exactly 150 years ago. In our minds it seems like an awful long time ago. But,in the big scheme of time it was only a short time ago. Most of us have ancestors that fought in that epic war. Today an awful lot of people don't realize the real reason the war was fought at all. To the general public that could be said about most wars. We who do the actual combat are usually not too well informed about the motives. In the Civil War the first thing that comes to mind is the issue of slavery. This was the banner carried by the average northern soldier. Indeed, it was a part of it, but the main issue was the rights of the individual states to govern themselves. The southern states did not want as strong a central government as did the northern states. When it all has been analyzed and the truth revealed it really was all about money. The southern plantations needed the labor to be profitable. The country was expanding and the new territories were not always in favor of slavery. The real power brokers of the time were in the north. They wanted more power consolidated in the central government. The clash was inevitable. Slavery was the cause used to rally the nation,on both sides,but money was the root. Money and power.
My great great grandfather James B Terry fought in this war. I have a picture of him and a belt with buckle that was his. He went in as a private and got out as a Sargent. He did not participate in any of the major battles. He wasn't wounded. Nothing heroic just a simple foot soldier. He spent the greatest part of his time in the hospital suffering from sickness and disese. More died from those causes than in actual battle. He was fortunate to have survived. He went off to war along with the thousands of others. What his motivation were I can not say. He left no record of his feelings. That he was proud of his service I know. For many years he went to reunions with his regiment. After his passing his widow received a pension from the government. The first pension ever offered by our country. It was three dollars a month.
It is interesting that today we reenact battles from that conflict. To this day, people both in the north and south identify with this. The Yankees and the Rebels. Throughout the south it is not uncommon to see the confederate battle flag everywhere and on everything. I find it unfortunate that the majority of those flying that banner do so for the wrong reasons. It has become a symbol of the "good ole boys" and yee haa ! That was not the intent. The southern gentlemen fought for their cause with dignity and honor as did the northerners.
I'm glad the north won out. What a different world it would be had they not. Lincoln was right when he said." a nation divided among itself cannot stand." They were some difficult growing pains.
I wish I had taken a more active interest in history at an earlier age. I guess I didn't really start to appreciate history until I had contributed to it. Now I like to read and study about history. There are many sides to history. The one you read in books, documentaries on television and personal accounts. I prefer the actual personal accounts. In those you get a picture of what is perceived. It is not always accurate but I believe provides far more insight. Today we tend to record in every detail events as they happen. This is a good thing for future generations. Today we tell it all. In the past certain things were not spoken of,or written.
Yes it was 150 years ago today that the conflict began. It lasted four years and cost thousands of lives. A new nation did emerge from all that. Scars remain to this day. All the veterans from that conflict are now resting in peace. Take a moment today to think about them. The vast majority were young boys and men in their early twenties. Their motivations were many and varied. Some went for glory and others for the pay.
What a mighty struggle it was. Let us not forget what forged our nation.