I’m probably about your age, Vermont Lt.
(Why then, IF your great-great grandfather thought blacks
were inferior, did he invade the South and kill my kinfolks
in order to “free the blacks”?)
Actually, you killed us. Ha ha.
In all honesty I found that one of my ancestors kept a journal and his letters from the war. It was published in 1980 something.
In it, slavery did not seem to be THE issue with them. Although they mentioned being against slavery the thought of the day was that slaves were not very smart and were pretty much “beasts of burden.” His terms, not mine.
He, the ancestor, seemed to be more miffed with the whole idea of secession. Although, form the distance of 150 years it was clear he was falling prey to the propaganda of the day.
It was a fascinating read. Aside from date specific comments most of the entires could have been written by any infantry man from the beginning of time. I guess hurry up and wait has been going on forever.
I am always impressed with the literacy of the common man during those times.