[LS]

Actually, VDH is right on with most of his Civil War history. It's my second area in grad school, and he does know what he's talking about. Sherman did not free a lot of slaves because he was marching "light," foraging for everything he got, and he saw numerous "contraband" as slowing him down. He also was something of a racist. But he fully understood the need for emancipation and absolutely knew he was doing the work of emancipation.

As for corruption, Reconstruction was no different than antebellum Alabama or Arkansas or Mississippi. The corruption there was epidemic, all by Democrats.

[stainlessbanner]

I think you disagree with VDH on Sherman right there. I have found he make generalizations about the period without including details, or he leaves them out.

[4CJ]

As for corruption, Reconstruction was no different than antebellum Alabama or Arkansas or Mississippi. The corruption there was epidemic, all by Democrats.

Please! Bribery and grant was epidemic under reconstruction, the legislatures appropriated (stole) millions from states that previously been solvent, and burdened them with debts that would take decades to repay. In the 6 years after the war, the southern states were saddled with 132,000,000 in debt - just for railroad bonds forced upon them by 'Republican' legislatures. In Alabama, both inside and out of the state house, 'bribes were offered and accepted at noonday, and without hesitation or shame.' The same as the antebellum period??? Bwahahahahahahahaha!