And last but not least, we have David Birney. Yes, born in Huntsville, Alabama, but his daddy was a Kentuckian… and a Southern abolitionist… so, yes, there were indeed some Union men who were fighting with the idea of freeing slaves… and some were Southern too!
Gen. David Bell Birney
Posted in: American Civil War, Visualizing History
Bill Newcomer
May 11, 2011
Robert,
It is my understanding George Thomas, one of the more able Union Generals, was from Virginia… He commanded the Union forces in Nashville in Dec 1864 when John Bell Hood and the Army of TN, CSA came calling…. Is it possible you could do an article on Thomas’ Virginia roots sometime, when ever?
Regards, Bill
Robert Moore
May 12, 2011
Hi Bill, I’ve been avoiding GH Thomas, but only because I think he’s like the first, if not only, person folks think of when the topic of Southerners in Union blue comes up. I prefer to stick to the lesser known folks… as there were more than a lot of folks realize. But I guess I do need to discuss him, still. I’ll probably plug something in at my Southern Unionists Chronicles blog.
Stephen Graham
May 12, 2011
Don’t forget David Birney’s brother William, who missed Gettysburg, having been detached from the 4th New Jersey to recruit US Colored Troops.
Robert Moore
May 12, 2011
Haven’t forgotten; just, he wasn’t at Gettysburg. Planning on doing something more with the whole Birney family story… as there’s much to be said.
James F. Epperson
May 12, 2011
As a former resident of the Huntsville area, I always was amused at the fuss they made over being John Hunt Morgan’s birthplace, but they totally ignored the Birneys.
Robert Moore
May 12, 2011
Actually, I think I’ve found 5 Union generals who were born in Huntsville.