The end of Week Four of DSSF left off at an interesting place. Leaving me to go to the annual Civil War Conference hosted by the Civil War Institute here at Gettysburg. It was amazing and I had the time of my life going to lectures about Reconstruction, probably the least talked about period in Civil War Era history.
I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia and to a very deep-rooted Southern family that can trace back heritage to the 1600s. A family that not only served in the Confederate Army but that also owned slaves as planters in Louisiana. So growing up I just heard of Reconstruction in passing as the worst thing since Sherman and how those “darn Yankees” ruined the southern way of life. (Honestly it’s a miracle that I’m not a lost causer considering my background) It was honestly refreshing to get a new view of reconstruction and to debunk some myths that had been pounded into my head ever since I was old enough to watch Gone With the Wind.
So often historians of the Civil War get carried away with tactics, generals, weapons, and battles that we forget why it was fought and how it impacted us as a nation. But by placing the focus of the conference on the topic of Reconstruction the CWI made me remember that the war was not just how many men died at Gettysburg but rather what they died for: not just that “that nation might live” but to also redefine that nation and give it “a new birth of freedom”.
(The title comes from a quote by my dear friend Thomas)
-Julia
Glad you had the opportunity to go to some sessions. It seems like we sometimes lose the fact that individuals fought, and they are more than caricatures of “Rebel” and “Yankee,” that there were many nuanced reasons why people on both sides fought, some good, some bad. Providing a voice to these soldiers is important, be it through their own letters/journals, or finding ways to piece together their lives in other means.
And I, also, had no idea you were so interested in the Civil War. I love Captain America.