[WVNan]

Don't tell me that all of you missed the excellent documentary on the History Chanel this evening before the rerun of the movie? It was better than the movie to me because it was actually filmed in WV on location where it all took place. The actual historical facts came out. The movie stayed fairly close to the actual events, but there were some changes. Bottom line: the McCoy's predominately fought on the Union side and the Hatfields fought on the South. The whole feud was basically just a continuation of the Civil War.

It became so famous because of the paparazzi from the "civilized" world. It was reported in the papers and caught the attention of people "up East" who had not known that such a place as WV & KY existed. For them it was like looking at tribal warfare in Africa. Intriguing. But the Hatfields or the McCoys were not ignorant people. They were well to do, especially Devil Anse.

[Red_Devil 232]

I watched that documentary. You got this part wrong: “Bottom line: the McCoy’s predominately fought on the Union side and the Hatfields fought on the South. The whole feud was basically just a continuation of the Civil War.” There were one or two maybe a handful of McCoys who fought for the union. Most of them fought with the Confederacy. Randall and Anse teamed up to ambush and kill a union general who was terrorizing their countryside. Randall and Anse both live to ripe old ages Randall ended up a pauper and Anse was wealthy.

[Windflier]

...the excellent documentary on the History Chanel this evening before the rerun of the movie

Why does all the best stuff come on while I'm Freeping? Darn...