Next week I will interview Professor Ty Seidule about the work that he recently completed as co-chair of The Naming Commission. The commission was created to review military assets that honor Confederate leaders and recommend necessary changes for the U.S. military to implement. The three reports published recommend a wide range of changes, including new names for military bases that honor Confederate leaders and the removal of the Confederate memorial in Arlington National Cemetery.
So glad to see you are speaking with Prof Seidule.
His book was a revelation for me, an overused term I know but I don't know how else to describe the sense of shared experience with him. This even though I grew up at about the same time and in about the same place but very much on the *other side* of the Mason-Dixon line in south Central PA about 30 miles from Gettysburg. Despite the ravages that my state endured at the hands of not just the Confederate Army but also decades of mercenary 'slave catchers' (most famously during the 'Christiana Riot' in 1851) I was fed the same books, information and teaching that portrayed Lee et al as noble - if briefly misguided - warriors for a cause. His examination of how and why we were educated this way had deep personal resonance.
My question for the Prof (you knew I would get there eventually): How has he / has he seen the attitudes of his current and former colleagues in the Military change and evolve over the years similar to his? has there been an awakening similar to the one he has experienced or is his perspective an outlier? I'm not so much interested in public pronouncements of the institutions but in any personal reflections that may have been shared with him. And most importantly what was the inflection or tipping point - the ‘aha I get it’ moment - that helped any of these folks understand that the Confederates were not to be revered but reviled?
Probably three questions for the Professor but thanks again for doing this important work.
As I mentioned in our first book group zoom, over the past decade my opinion of Confederate military figures like Lee, Jackson and Stuart have changed. Most of my life I viewed these men as military leaders, now I am more inclined to see them as guilty of treason. My question is, has the military community come to that same conclusion? Does the military now see them as traitors and that is the reason their names should not have places of honor at West Point and as namesakes for military bases? Or is the military community reacting to the changing views within American society in general regarding an aversion to having Confederates recognized as American icons?
Hi George. Thanks for the comment. I suspect that The Naming Commission reflects some change re: how military leaders think about Confederates, but I can't speak to sentiments among the rank and file. That's a question I can pose to Dr. Seidule given the number of roundtables and other meetings he took part in during the process.
That said, I don't think we can understand the history of men like Lee and Jackson without acknowledging that they did serve as military leaders in a Confederate nation.
For Pr. Seidule: What’s the best way to combat the Lost Cause social media flood that seems to grow faster than efforts by historians to help our nation grapple with the Civil War, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and its legacy?
I first encountered Professor Seidule in the Prager video as well, which I use in my 8th grade history classes. I agree that his statement about soldiers in blue, the same uniform he wears in the video, fighting to end slavery is quite powerful.
My question would be “what can K-12 history teachers do to help dismantle the myth of the Lost Cause?”
I saw professor Seidule's video some years ago. I was surprised he spoke in dress uniform, being in uniform implies he is acting in an official capicity which implies official endorsement of his views. I would be interested in knowing if this was actually the case. As I observed in response to your posing of the Army's new recruitment video; prompted primarily by the discussions in your sub-stack group I have begun to ponder whether the Army is or ever has been comfortable with its role in the Civil War.
On a related note, I had not really thought much about the subject unit you posted on the removal of Confederate battle honors from unit flags but I think an argument could be made that the formation of the National Guard was, in part, an attempt to create a symbol of national reconciliation. A national Army made of up units from all the geographic corners of the country, in a way the regulars would never be.
I also want to concede that it would be very easy to push this idea too far, and maybe I already have
Sent to me via private email: "After reading Robert E. Lee and Me, I often think about how Seidule described a bust of Lee on a church altar, and how that seemed so natural to him in his younger years. Every time I see an image of Donald Trump that's either portraying him as devoutly being with Jesus--or, in some cases, being the resurrected Jesus--I think about how people with white supremacy views often conflate these two men with the divine. I don't have a specific question, but would love to hear more thoughts about that. Thanks!"
Yes I'm just curious if he sees any distinction. Certainly McGuire was a proud Confederate and supporter of the Confederacy until his death. If you don't find time for this question, no worries.
Can you ask him if he has, or had, recommendations concerning memorials to Confederate doctors? As you know, Dr. Hunter Holmes McGuire was my great-grandfather. Was it this naming commission that recommended removing McGuire's name from the VA hospital recently in Richmond (which I fully supported)? Thanks.
I believe that name change was included in The Naming Commission's list. I get the sense that you are inquiring as to whether any kind of association with the Confederacy is problematic, including doctors.
Hi Kevin,
So glad to see you are speaking with Prof Seidule.
His book was a revelation for me, an overused term I know but I don't know how else to describe the sense of shared experience with him. This even though I grew up at about the same time and in about the same place but very much on the *other side* of the Mason-Dixon line in south Central PA about 30 miles from Gettysburg. Despite the ravages that my state endured at the hands of not just the Confederate Army but also decades of mercenary 'slave catchers' (most famously during the 'Christiana Riot' in 1851) I was fed the same books, information and teaching that portrayed Lee et al as noble - if briefly misguided - warriors for a cause. His examination of how and why we were educated this way had deep personal resonance.
My question for the Prof (you knew I would get there eventually): How has he / has he seen the attitudes of his current and former colleagues in the Military change and evolve over the years similar to his? has there been an awakening similar to the one he has experienced or is his perspective an outlier? I'm not so much interested in public pronouncements of the institutions but in any personal reflections that may have been shared with him. And most importantly what was the inflection or tipping point - the ‘aha I get it’ moment - that helped any of these folks understand that the Confederates were not to be revered but reviled?
Probably three questions for the Professor but thanks again for doing this important work.
- Charles Stewart
Excellent questions, Charles. Thank you.
As I mentioned in our first book group zoom, over the past decade my opinion of Confederate military figures like Lee, Jackson and Stuart have changed. Most of my life I viewed these men as military leaders, now I am more inclined to see them as guilty of treason. My question is, has the military community come to that same conclusion? Does the military now see them as traitors and that is the reason their names should not have places of honor at West Point and as namesakes for military bases? Or is the military community reacting to the changing views within American society in general regarding an aversion to having Confederates recognized as American icons?
Hi George. Thanks for the comment. I suspect that The Naming Commission reflects some change re: how military leaders think about Confederates, but I can't speak to sentiments among the rank and file. That's a question I can pose to Dr. Seidule given the number of roundtables and other meetings he took part in during the process.
That said, I don't think we can understand the history of men like Lee and Jackson without acknowledging that they did serve as military leaders in a Confederate nation.
For Pr. Seidule: What’s the best way to combat the Lost Cause social media flood that seems to grow faster than efforts by historians to help our nation grapple with the Civil War, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and its legacy?
Thanks for the question, Richard.
I first encountered Professor Seidule in the Prager video as well, which I use in my 8th grade history classes. I agree that his statement about soldiers in blue, the same uniform he wears in the video, fighting to end slavery is quite powerful.
My question would be “what can K-12 history teachers do to help dismantle the myth of the Lost Cause?”
Good question.
I saw professor Seidule's video some years ago. I was surprised he spoke in dress uniform, being in uniform implies he is acting in an official capicity which implies official endorsement of his views. I would be interested in knowing if this was actually the case. As I observed in response to your posing of the Army's new recruitment video; prompted primarily by the discussions in your sub-stack group I have begun to ponder whether the Army is or ever has been comfortable with its role in the Civil War.
On a related note, I had not really thought much about the subject unit you posted on the removal of Confederate battle honors from unit flags but I think an argument could be made that the formation of the National Guard was, in part, an attempt to create a symbol of national reconciliation. A national Army made of up units from all the geographic corners of the country, in a way the regulars would never be.
I also want to concede that it would be very easy to push this idea too far, and maybe I already have
Thanks for this. Excellent question and your point about the National Guard is also worth discussion.
Sent to me via private email: "After reading Robert E. Lee and Me, I often think about how Seidule described a bust of Lee on a church altar, and how that seemed so natural to him in his younger years. Every time I see an image of Donald Trump that's either portraying him as devoutly being with Jesus--or, in some cases, being the resurrected Jesus--I think about how people with white supremacy views often conflate these two men with the divine. I don't have a specific question, but would love to hear more thoughts about that. Thanks!"
Yes I'm just curious if he sees any distinction. Certainly McGuire was a proud Confederate and supporter of the Confederacy until his death. If you don't find time for this question, no worries.
Can you ask him if he has, or had, recommendations concerning memorials to Confederate doctors? As you know, Dr. Hunter Holmes McGuire was my great-grandfather. Was it this naming commission that recommended removing McGuire's name from the VA hospital recently in Richmond (which I fully supported)? Thanks.
Hi Margaret,
I believe that name change was included in The Naming Commission's list. I get the sense that you are inquiring as to whether any kind of association with the Confederacy is problematic, including doctors.