This might seem petty to some, but this is just one of those items that gets under my skin. It’s just one of my those “stickler” issues that I have as an historian.
Just about every morning, I drive by Woodbine Cemetery in Harrisonburg, Virginia and I notice the seven star First National Confederate flag that flies on the flagpole in front of the Stonewall Jackson B&B and the flags (three of them – the Confederate Battleflag, the Virginia flag, and the First National) in the Confederate section of Woodbine. OK, I see the “quaint” connection with the named B&B and, of course, over the graves of Confederate dead. It’s just that the absence of that eighth star in the First National, whenever flown in Virginia, is like a joke when it comes to “responsible flagging” of Confederate graves (it also seems a bit odd that a B&B with the name Stonewall Jackson attached to it flies a seven star First National, considering Jackson hailed from the eighth state to secede). Even if the cemetery wasn’t in Virginia, odds are that about half of the men buried in the Confederate section are from states that seceded after Virginia. So, if a First National is to be flown, and considering those who place the flags are supposed to be “responsible” advocates of Confederate heritage (and “know” their history and heritage), the flags being used need to accurately represent the soldiers in the graves.
Frankly, I find the whole matter of flagging Confederate graves to be very complicated, especially when adding reluctant conscripts to the formula. Just as in examples of wrongful placement of headstones over graves, so too should the placement of Confederate flags on graves be more heavily scrutinized by those who engage in the practice. The persisting question should be, “do the flags over the graves represent the wartime sentiments of those in the graves?” I am quite certain that it is not the rule in all cases, and perhaps not so in more cases than some realize or would care to admit.
Cenantua's Blog 
The Editor
March 30, 2008
One time I saw a bumper sticker that said the following.
“I’d Rather Be Historically Accurate Than Political Correct”
If only everyone followed this slogan.
cenantua
March 30, 2008
Perhaps, but it’s clear that too many people, while avoiding and even condemning political correctness, are still quite capable of proving their ignorance when it comes to their attempts at being historically accurate.
The Editor
March 31, 2008
This might sound harsh but its worth saying. Most people have a get by attitude. They don’t focus on continued education and details. That is horrible and sad at the same time.
People could learn a lot from Stonewall Jackson. He was a Christian Patriot that stood for excellence.
Penny Sanko
May 10, 2008
In your blog you mention that you drive by Woodbine Cemetery daily. Just today in my never ending quest for ancestors, I found some cousins buried there. They are in section 4 and row 7. The names are Dr.. Peachy Harrison, Dr. Peachy Rush Harrison, Mary Harrison, and Edward Tiffin Harrison. Any idea how I could find out if the graves have tombstones? I live in Michigan so it is not possible for me to check it. Thank you for your help!
Carolyn McVicker
April 4, 2011
Hi Penny:
I don’t know if anyone answered your question regarding your ancestors at Woodbine Cemetery in Harrisonburg, VA. I just happened to stumble across your message this morning. I did find your ancestors and they all have headstones. If you type in Woodbine cemetery, Harrisonburg, VA you’ll find a site for their web page. When you open up their web page they have a link for the GenWeb program for Woodbine cemetery listing the sections and rows. You’ll want to go to Section 4, Row 7 (page 2) and you’ll see your ancestors names and their information. Click on “image” and you can see the headstone.
robert lumpkin
July 23, 2010
i am the presedent of vietnam veterans in south ms. we keep the flags up on all the graves that we have permission to do so. i was asked if a confederant
Dick Stanley
August 7, 2010
You could ask the same question of the grave of any soldier who ever fought in any of the country’s wars. And at what point in their soldier lives would you take their answer as covering the whole circumstance.
Robert Moore
August 9, 2010
While this may be true, the determination of a number of people (in contemporary times) to speak in “absolutes” in regard to the reasons behind why Confederate soldiers is the focus here. Additionally, the nature of the war is remarkably different than any other faced by people in the United States. Keep in mind also that the Confederate conscription was the first faced by people on this continent… and it took three conscription acts by that “country” (with expanding requirements in age) to sustain the conflict. If so many people were in favor of the war in the South, that wouldn’t have been an issue.
Dick Stanley
August 9, 2010
I agree. The Solid South was always a myth. The bitter divisions in East Tennessee, alone, proves it.
Robert Moore
August 9, 2010
I’d go back even further, to the election of 1860. The voter dynamics appear to be a quilt-work as opposed to a solid color blanket. But, as for E. Tennessee, I’d say that is the most realized area of division. There are a number of hot spots throughout the South that aren’t given consideration when it comes to rifts in sentiment.
Harry
November 28, 2011
My ancestor was a prisoner of war and had to take an oath before the union would release him from confinement and parole him. 1861-1865 this is documented at the Virginia Historical Society. I’m still searching to find where he is buried and you can bet that I will get a headstone for him if he needs one. I might not have known my great grandfather but I think if he stayed with the confederate side for that long he believed in his cause.
Robert Moore
November 28, 2011
“My ancestor was a prisoner of war and had to take an oath before the union would release him from confinement and parole him. 1861-1865 this is documented at the Virginia Historical Society.”
Nothing unusual. That was a norm as a Confederate pow, at the time.
“I’m still searching to find where he is buried and you can bet that I will get a headstone for him if he needs one. I might not have known my great grandfather but I think if he stayed with the confederate side for that long he believed in his cause.”
I have no need to make such a bet. I do, however, challenge you to reflect on the man in larger terms, and not just within the confines of four years.