Confederate Soldiers' Funeral Debated

Associated Press ^ | 09/28/2003

[sheltonmac]

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- A proposal to have the bodies of eight Confederate sailors lie in state in the Capitol has drawn criticism from some who contend giving them the honor would be unfair and disrespectful.

The sailors' remains were recovered when the submarine H.L. Hunley was brought up in 2000 from the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, where it sank shortly after downing the Union blockade ship Housatonic in 1864. The Hunley was the first submarine to sink an enemy ship during a war.

[sheltonmac]

Dixie/Hunley PING

[SunStar]

"Can you imagine how we would be perceived by the rest of the world honoring these men who fought for slavery?" said Jackson, the descendant of slaves.

Confederate soldiers fought for their State. They should be remembered as such.

[Thebaddog]

They were brave soldiers. To get into that can deserves a medal for the bravery of the act alone. As if that wasn't obvious.

I say let their memories be honored and stick it to the PC crowd at the same time.

[Moose4]

IMO, better that they lie in state in Charleston somewhere. Charleston was where they set out from, it's a more appropriate spot--perhaps they should lie in a hall on the Citadel campus? Also, heroes of more recent wars haven't gotten the same privilege. The only two I've heard getting that privilege in the 6 1/2 years I've lived here have been Congressman Floyd Spence and Senator Strom Thurmond.

Besides, why besmirch the legacy of those brave sailors by having them surrounded by politicians?

}:-)4

[wimpycat]

Yeah, but how many Confederate dead got a state funeral? How many of them got their funeral paid for by the state? Let the UDC and SCV bury them at private expense.

[billbears]

"Can you imagine how we would be perceived by the rest of the world honoring these men who fought for slavery?" said Jackson, the descendant of slaves.

Of course, Mr. Jackson. Much better to honor anti-semites and criminals like Sherman and Grant right? Never mind these men didn't fight for slavery. Keep the lie alive as usual

[TomServo]

"We have had many in South Carolina who have given their lives," said state Rep. Joe Neal. "And we have not had this kind of recognition for them."

Fine. Go dig 'em up and have 'em lie in state.

[cyborg]

Even in death, you can't get respect for serving the country.

[maxwellp]

I read a book, many years ago, "A Stillness at Appomatax" (sp?). At the end the Northern soldiers honored the Southern soldiers. You are quite correct that this PC crap should be thrown out the window at this point in time, and these soldiers should now be honored.

[Clara Lou]

Regular enlisted Confederate soldiers didn't lie in state. I don't think these would want better treatment than their peers received. I do think that they would appreciate a Christian burial. There have to be numerous churches who would want to provide them with that funeral. Let churches in each of the home towns provide the funerals.

[steplock]

Unfortunately, there are way too many on here that do not know the meaning of HONOR.

Soldiers usually HONOR their enemy who died bravely.

[shuckmaster]

ping!

[BobbyK]

Seems I must have read the same thing, also when the surrender was worked up they let the "Rebs" keep their swords and weapons.
Seems like ol Abe called for the playing of Dixie at their victory ball.

[hillyes]

The ex-Confederate officers were allowed to keep their sidearms,the soldiers were allowed to keep their horses. All muskets,rifles and cannon were surrendered.

[TXnMA]

They were brave soldiers. To get into that can deserves a medal for the bravery of the act alone.

Amen to their bravery -- especially since they knew firsthand that most (or all) of two previous crews had perished while trapped underwater in the Hunley!!

As one who had the honor of participating in the technical/archaeological preparations for the raising of the Hunley, let me assure you that the funeral of the final Hunley crew will be a BIG event.

And, rest assured that it will be conducted with all the dignity and honor due to those eight brave soldiers. (With dignity, that is, unless some history-revisionist @$$#oles interrupt the procession and/or service with dumb@$$ protests...)

I don't see lying in state in the Capitol as necessary to showing proper honor to the crew -- but it would be a nice touch. OTOH, I don't see it as inappropriate, either.

And I d@*^ed sure believe that buttinski whiners who have not worked as long and hard as have the Friends of the Hunley and the South Carolina Hunley Commission and their staffs to make this historic moment posssible -- do not have any right to have any say as to how the honors are rendered!!!

The funeral cortege/procession is expected to include hundreds (if not thousands) or reenactors -- fully armed with period firearms, complete with bayonets. Not exactly a smart place to be a noisy, anti-CSA protestor... '-}

[YankeeinOkieville]

Okay, my ignorance is probably showing but why couldn't the finders (or the salvage company, if they were different) of the submarine H.L. Hunley have asked the kin of the sailors if they wanted them "brought up" or just left to their burial at sea. Surely 'tis an honor for a sailor.