I had been thinking about this for a while, but yesterday, while watching the latest Harry Potter movie, I caught myself thinking of Southern Unionists in a different light (yes, I know… of all things, how would I think about Southern Unionists in a Harry Potter movie… I suppose I’m hopeless…). Why did I think this?
Well, in one portion of the Harry Potter movie, there are scenes in which a Nazi-like police force is standing guard here and there, and there are patrols asking for papers. Clearly, this was done to mirror the situation that could be encountered in Nazi Germany. When we see things like this, I think we can’t help but feel something for those who are pressed under such a tremendous weight. That burden… the ever-present feeling of oppression. The directors of the movie got that right… it was dismal, it was depressing… but, enough about the movie…
Scenes like this may have been common in tracking down Southern Unionists... or conscript-hunting. This image is from "The Thrilling Adventures of Daniel Ellis" (1867)
Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not comparing Confederates to Nazis, however, I can’t help but think about native German people, in their own land, not going along with the majority… not going along with the government in power, and comparing them to native Southerners, in their own land, not going along with the majority… not going along with the government in power. Can you see what I’m seeing?
It’s such an incredibly heavy feeling to think about Southern Unionists under these terms, but really, give it some thought… what would it have been like to restrain yourself, and not to reveal your sentiment? How awkward would it have been to put on a facade? I do, however, get the impression that maybe the Southern experience wasn’t quite as oppressive as what the Germans may have experienced. For example, there are Southern Unionists who were documented in regard to being outspoken in their sentiments at the time of the war… yet, can we say the same for some in Germany? I get the impression that people wouldn’t dare be among those who spoke negatively against the government, but maybe I’m wrong. Help me out if you know better.
A depiction of a hanging of Southern Unionists in Tennessee. From "Thrilling Adventures of Daniel Ellis" (1867)
The point is to think about Southern Unionists, not as “traitors” to their native states, but as an oppressed people in their own land. They had a vision of Union that was not shared by others, and frankly, all those who wore gray didn’t have one vision of Union alone. We hear about the oppressive reach of the United States government at the time of the war, but stop and give consideration to the reach of the Confederate government that was just as oppressive, and coercive.
Conform, leave, or die… because your views are not in harmony with those of the government in power of the land that is yours, and was generations before, that of your ancestors.
captainrlm
November 28, 2010
Interesting perspective.
A few years ago, I read a book “Secret Yankees” about Unionists around Atlanta. living like what you described.
It certainly would have been difficult to keep your true beliefs hidden and to know whom to trust.
Craig Swain
November 28, 2010
I was thinking more of the opening parts of Star Wars, Episode IV (you know it as “the first one”).
Robert Moore
November 30, 2010
Hmmm, I’m not so sure. But then, maybe “the force” was stronger with some Southern Unionists more than others… “we are not the Southern Unionists you seek”.
Mike Musick
November 28, 2010
Your posts are always thought-provoking. This one reminded me of C.H. Woodson’s Company of Missouri Confederates, who disguised themselves as Unionists in the Shenandoah Valley in 1864 to smoke out those who sympathized with the Yankees. On the other side, and similarly, there were Federal soldiers in Delaware who volunteered to pass themselves off as escaped Rebel POWs from Ft. Delaware in order to ferret out those who would help such escapees. As you are well aware, war can bring out the best and the worst in people. Keep up the good work!
Robert Moore
November 29, 2010
Thanks, Mike. I’m glad to hear that you consider my posts thought provoking and appreciate you taking time to comment.
I wonder now, if Woodson’s men were the ones who foiled Noah Foltz’s efforts to operate an underground railroad for Union soldiers from Page County. He was caught in a “sting” such as the ones you speak about. Fortunately, he wasn’t killed for it, probably because he was the ironmaster at Catherine’s Furnace, and such men were hard to find to keep the furnace turning out pig iron for the Confederacy.
Dick Stanley
December 4, 2010
Although I’ve never seen any numbers put to it, I think the Unionists of East Tennessee, particularly around Knoxville, outnumbered the Confederates. Some of the former were hung after getting caught burning railroad bridges, but that’s not the same thing as merely having a contrary opinion.
Got any idea whether there was any truth to the idea (found in a Web unit history of the 28th Pennsylvania Regiment) that the Confeds planned in early 1862 (upon the Army’s withdrawal to Culpeper) to burn the Loudoun County villages of Waterford and Wheatland? They apparently were predominantly Unionist.
I suppose Craig might know, if you don’t.
Robert Moore
December 4, 2010
I’m hoping to get something in a post here soon, rehashing the numbers as reviewed by Current in Lincoln’s Loyalists. I think Unionists are more easily identified in pockets throughout the South, and those that aren’t in those types of concentrations in the other areas, are left to be rediscovered. North Alabama might also be an interesting case study, compared to what was found in E. Tennessee. Then again, there are those in eastern N.C. and other areas as well.
Never heard about a plan to burn Waterford and Wheatland, but if there is anything to it, the best source of info may be found in the morning order books for the regiment.