One of the things that I am fascinated by, in my researching and writing about Robert Gould Shaw, is the extent to which his understanding of slavery was transformed as a result of his extended service in Maryland and Virginia in 1861-62.
Think of the change in the Army of the Potomac that was devastated when Lincoln fired McClellan in November 1862 then voted overwhelmingly for Lincoln over McClellan in the presidential election two years later. McClellan of course detested the Emancipation Proclamation and was probably right when he told Lincoln the Proclamation was very unpopular with the soldiers when it was issued. But two years of moving south, experiencing slavery and freeing slaves, convinced them that Lincoln was right on this issue, and McClellan was wrong.
Thanks for the comment. I don't know if it was a matter of one being right and the other wrong as much as enough of the rank and file finally coming to terms that the Union would be stronger only after slavery had been abolished. As you know, even Lincoln evolved over time on this issue.
"....perverts the conscience..". Good read. Thanks for sharing these thoughts.
Think of the change in the Army of the Potomac that was devastated when Lincoln fired McClellan in November 1862 then voted overwhelmingly for Lincoln over McClellan in the presidential election two years later. McClellan of course detested the Emancipation Proclamation and was probably right when he told Lincoln the Proclamation was very unpopular with the soldiers when it was issued. But two years of moving south, experiencing slavery and freeing slaves, convinced them that Lincoln was right on this issue, and McClellan was wrong.
Thanks for the comment. I don't know if it was a matter of one being right and the other wrong as much as enough of the rank and file finally coming to terms that the Union would be stronger only after slavery had been abolished. As you know, even Lincoln evolved over time on this issue.