"we have lost sight of the extent to which enslaved labor made it possible for Confederate armies to function"
I wonder how long it took for society to lose sight of it? Did it happen immediately to those located far from the battlefields? Did it take a couple of generations of Lost Cause myth dissemination?
I was born and raised in Maine. My parents were originally from Ft Edward & Hudson Falls NY, so we of course made the requisite annual pilgrimage to Ticonderoga and Ft. William Henry. Much revolutionary war history, very little Civil War. As an adult, I spent 8 years in northern VA and was obsessed with the battlefields and museums, visiting at every opportunity. Soaked in the Lost Cause and the 'honorable gentleman' image of Lee without even realizing it. Not a single mention of slavery other than the obvious recognition of the institution and emancipation. Certainly not of their participation in the CSA. I know I said it before, but I am thankful for your research that enlightens us all.
You are asking a good question. Certainly, the veterans themselves likely never forgot the presence of enslaved men in the army. As I demonstrated in my Black Confederates book, former Confederates welcomed former body servants/camp slaves to the reunions and other public events, but even in this context their presence was scripted to conform to a Lost Cause narrative. Ultimately, the presence of thousands of nameless enslaved men in the army conflicted with the "loyal slave" narrative.
"we have lost sight of the extent to which enslaved labor made it possible for Confederate armies to function"
I wonder how long it took for society to lose sight of it? Did it happen immediately to those located far from the battlefields? Did it take a couple of generations of Lost Cause myth dissemination?
I was born and raised in Maine. My parents were originally from Ft Edward & Hudson Falls NY, so we of course made the requisite annual pilgrimage to Ticonderoga and Ft. William Henry. Much revolutionary war history, very little Civil War. As an adult, I spent 8 years in northern VA and was obsessed with the battlefields and museums, visiting at every opportunity. Soaked in the Lost Cause and the 'honorable gentleman' image of Lee without even realizing it. Not a single mention of slavery other than the obvious recognition of the institution and emancipation. Certainly not of their participation in the CSA. I know I said it before, but I am thankful for your research that enlightens us all.
First, thanks for the kind words.
You are asking a good question. Certainly, the veterans themselves likely never forgot the presence of enslaved men in the army. As I demonstrated in my Black Confederates book, former Confederates welcomed former body servants/camp slaves to the reunions and other public events, but even in this context their presence was scripted to conform to a Lost Cause narrative. Ultimately, the presence of thousands of nameless enslaved men in the army conflicted with the "loyal slave" narrative.
I have a copy of Co. Aytch on my Kindle bookshelf. Haven't read it yet, but will keep this article in mind whenever it hits my reading list. Thanks.
Sounds like a plan. Enjoy.
I read that article shortly after I saw you mention it on FB and found it wonderfully illuminating.
I would love to see more articles like this in the JCWE.