Civil war veterans at Gettysburg anniversary in 1913 – in pictures

The Guardian ^ | Juky 1 2013 | Erin McCann

[slumber1]

1-3 July marks the 150th anniversary of Gettysburg, the battle that many historians cite as a key turning point in the US civil war, which left nearly 50,000 Union and Confederate soldiers dead, wounded or captured on Pennsylvania farmland.

In 1913, on the 50th anniversary of the battle, the same fields played host to the largest ever gathering of civil war veterans, where former soldiers from both sides – many in their 70s – returned to commemorate the war

[Hoodat]

Who attacked fort Sumter?

It certainly wasn't the Commonwealth of Virginia. Yet Virginia found themselves being invaded by a Northern Army less than 24 hours after a referendum to secede. Keep in mind that was a referendum to secede - not a referendum to join the Confederacy.

If you agree that Southern states had a right to secede - a right that Virginia had been assured back in 1788 - then as far as Virginia is concerned, the aggression came solely from the Union. Even after Fort Sumter, the Virginia legislature had voted to remain in the Union.

[John S Mosby]

True, and many counseled against attacking.

Of note was that Ft. Sumter was unoccupied for a number of years prior to the attack, and that, under orders from President James Buchanan on Dec. 26,1860, US Major Robert Anderson surreptitiously moved his small command of some 80 men from the indefensible Fort Moultrie ,located on Sullivan’s Island, over to the empty Fort Sumter, to control the entrance of Charleston Harbor. He then raised the flag and Buchanan ordered re-supply of the new “base” by a merchant ship, which was prevented on Jan. 9, 1861 by being fired on by shore batteries.

All of this happened before Lincoln took office on March 4,1861. In the time running up to his taking office there was plenty of goading of Charlestonians about Secession, and the threat to shipping to Charleston was constantly made. Lincoln took office, and notified the Gov. of SC that he was re-supplying the fort, and this resulted in an ultimatum to Anderson to evacuate the fort immediately. Anderson refused and the shelling commenced.

Lincoln wanted the first shots fired by the South- and he got it. Would that it had been otherwise and a treaty of Secession drawn up. Not to be with the oligarchy’s plans. Such tragic loss of life, property and promise.

[John S Mosby]

Thank you, sir. A correct relating of the salient facts. By constitutionally seceding, Virginia was invaded by federal troops. They did not join the Confederacy until a largely unfair referendum vote was held in May, 1861. Union troops moved into N. Virginia the day after the referendum to secede. It was then that VA officially joined the Confederacy on the decision of Gov. Letcher. The referendum was not fair and good, but such was the fever of the time.

Virginia’s Unionists met at the Wheeling Convention to set up the Restored Government of Virginia. Francis Pierpont was elected governor. The restored government raised troops to defend the Union, and in 1863 the State of W. Virginia was admitted to the Union. There are many to this day that say W.V. does not have a legal basis for statehood.

[CodeToad]

". . .Gettysburg, the battle that many historians cite as a key turning point in the US civil war War of Secession," War of Northern Aggression.

There, made it more accurate.

[Hoodat]

I agree that the admittance of West Virginia was invalid. But in retrospect, it netted out to Virginia's advantage to rid itself of those northwestern counties.

Please correct me if I am wrong, but didn't Virginia win a court case where West Virginia had to pay reparations to Virginia for its intrastate secession?

[clamper1797]

The Federal government has been an evil and aggressive entity since before the "WAR of NORTHERN AGGRESSION". Since the first civil war it has grown to become a far more dangerous and oppressive monster. There is now very little or no chance for it's rehabilitation.

The battle lines will be different in the inevitable and soon to become hot CW2. This time the combatants will be those who would fight for the freedoms and values that our founders fought for against those who not only do not share our values and love of freedom but who would force their values upon us and actively work to take our freedom from us.

May those who love freedom have the same backbone and resolve that our founders had ... for without it ... our republic is doomed and we will as a society be reduced to slaves to the government.

Pick your side now for the war WILL be forced on us and it will come soon ... be prepared.

[Hoodat]

No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The questing before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free-- if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending--if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained--we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us!

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

-Patrick Henry, 23 March 1775-

[0.E.O]

At no time was the South battling for control of the US government.

I agree that 'rebellion' would be the more accurate term.

[0.E.O]

Especially touching was the closeup photo of the Confederate and Union vets seated, shaking hands, the arm of one over the shoulder of the other.

I have a sneaking suspicion that if any of the neo-Confeds around here had participated in the reunion there would have been a lot of spitting in the faces and kicking the shins of their Union counterparts.

[mware]

After the carnage that both sides went through. I suspect men on both sides just wanted to live in peace

[elder5]

Granny also said it was when America was invaded by the North.

[0.E.O]

Of note was that Ft. Sumter was unoccupied for a number of years prior to the attack...

Fort Sumter wasn't unoccupied when Anderson moved his men there. Work on the fort had proceeded in fits and starts for close to 30 years. In December 1860 there was one officer and a number of workmen laboring on the fort.

Lincoln wanted the first shots fired by the South- and he got it.

Fell right into his trap did they? </sarcasm>

Would that it had been otherwise and a treaty of Secession drawn up. Not to be with the oligarchy’s plans. Such tragic loss of life, property and promise.

Shouldn't such an agreement been negotiated and agreed to before walking out and not after?

[0.E.O]

After the carnage that both sides went through. I suspect men on both sides just wanted to live in peace

Back then, yes. But now? Most of these neo-Confeds seem to be driven by nothing but hate.

[sergeantdave]

What did the Southern yell sound like?

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/video/What-Did-the-Rebel-Yell-Sound-Like.html

[mware]

Well, I am above the Mason Dixon Line, with four great grand uncles who fought for the Union, (one died in Andersonville, two more at The Battle of the Wilderness, and one returning home at the end of the war.)and sure don’t care what is going on in my country right now

[0.E.O]

Well, I am above the Mason Dixon Line, with four great grand uncles who fought for the Union, (one died in Andersonville, two more at The Battle of the Wilderness, and one returning home at the end of the war.)and sure don’t care what is going on in my country right now

Not thrilled with it either.

[rockrr]

". . .Gettysburg, the battle that many historians cite as a key turning point in the US civil war War of Secession," War of Southron Treachery.

Cool! Everybody gets to contribute ;-)

[CodeToad]

". . .Gettysburg, the battle that many historians cite as a key turning point in the US civil war War of Secession," War of Southron Treachery. Lincoln's Killing of the Constitution

Guess so.

[caddie]

What amazes me is, based on the tone of this article, how the Socialist Brits at the Manchester Guardian have more genuine affection for the United States and its people and history than do any of our journalists.

Very strange situation indeed.

[GreenHornet]

In the mid to late 1950s. I remember hearing about the last few Civil War veterans passing. These were the drummer boys etc who were the youngest.

As of a few years ago (maybe within the last ten years?) there were a couple of widows of Civil War veterans still alive. They were in their teens when they married elderly vets for the security of their pensions.