VIRGINIA. It
is now abundantly and terrifyingly clear that this war will not be over in a
few months. Families in the North and
the South are grieving the loss of husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers. Perhaps readers of this very paper have lost
a loved one in the last month. This is
not surprising considering the staggering loss of life at such battles as Bull
Run, Antietam, and bloody Shiloh
Church. Those who thought the South would crumble
under the might of northern armies and weapons are painfully and shockingly
surprised. The South has done more than put up a fight. They are winning the war in the East. Virginia
is theirs. And so much for the North’s
vaunted advantage in technology. It was
the Southern ironclad, Virginia,
that reeked havoc on Northern ships in Hampton Roads last March.
Reports of spies seeping into the very fabric
of our lives in the North and the South have alarmed not only Presidents
Lincoln and Davis, they have aroused the suspicions of ordinary citizens. There are also reports that the Confederacy
is sending representatives to Great Britain
to ask Queen Victoria
to join the South in defeating the North.
Great Britain! It appears that the Revolutionary War is NOT
over.
I believe the north can win this war. I did not want war to come, but it came. The north will make the union United once more! The casualties are mounting and the south is fighting strongly, but the north has to prevail! Their will be no winner of this war because so many will be dead but the north will fight to keep the union together!
ReplyDeleteI have slaves, but I'm nuetral at the start of this war. Only when my sons are killed by union soldiers, do I go to war for the confederates. I become a sharpshooter for the south and kill many people. In fact, I killed over 100 soldier and even a couple officers. The north has ruined my life and I am willing to fight against them.
ReplyDeleteHow can you tell us that you are neutral. Owning slaves is a clear sign that you are part of the scandalous rebellion. Your sons were killed because they were attacking the united states of america. Those soldiers who attacked them were doing their part in preserving the union and supporting our president. A true soldier that is willing to give his life for his country wouldn't sit back and shoot people who run by him. If were really brave and fighting for your country then you would be battling in the front lines. Or you would be slipping behind your enemy's front lines, and tricking dim witted southerners who will believe anything you tell them. While doing that, you would listen as the opposing generals talk about their battle strategies right in front of your face without them knowing that you were listening. The south seceded from the union while the north is just trying to uphold the constitution. The constitution, which founded our country, is something worth fighting for.
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DeleteThe constitution says nothing about the states seceding. The South is constitutionally allowed to secede, so don't mention "The constitution, which founded our country, is something worth fighting for," when the North is being unconstitutional by not allowing the South to secede. How does Jack Hinson being a front line soldier show any more bravery then him sharpshooting? He sure is killing a lot of y'all Union soldiers. He has helped the South a tremendous amount. If he is an excellent sharp shooter, why waste him in the front line. A front line men may be brave and courageous, but does that really mean you're not brave and courageous if you're not a front line men? He is fighting for the South so he must be brave.
DeleteAs a Union resident of Richmond, Virginia, I found my friends listening to the roar of the artillery during a battle near their house. The windows rattled. The flash of the bursting shells could be seen, and the house shook with each report. The Union was forced to retreat, but many wounded prisoners of war were left behind, and confined in Libby Prison. This prison is just 6 blocks from my mansion, and I see here a pristine opportunity to help my dear Union. I am deeply dismayed by the stories I hear of the abuse and mistreatment of my Union prisoners, and I intend to help them in any way I can, simultaneously gathering and charming information from the prisoners and the prison staff that I can send back to the Union to help them win this war.
ReplyDeleteMy dear Elizabeth, do realize that your great, valiant Northern soldiers are most likely treating the Southern prisoners of war just as badly as the South is treating its Northern prisoners. You have no right to complain about how the Union soldiers are being mistreated, even as the South's troops are most likely being tortured for information even now by your "just" and "courageous" soldiers whom, it seems can"do no wrong". How dare you accuse the South of inhumanely treating prisoners of war even while your side is just as savage and brutal! Saying such words is most hypocritical and I find it most aggravating that it turns out that I live in the same state as you.
DeleteThe North may be surprised, but the South is delited. We are all grieving the loss of loved ones, yet we are celebrating victories won. We have shown the Union that we can put up a fight and we are doing just that. However, it is shocking how both the confederacy and the Union are using spies. I do not know who to trust any more, and its only getting harder. While I am happy by our level of ability, I am dismayed by the increasing number of lives lost. Hopefully the South will win soon...
ReplyDeleteAs a southern spy, I think that people should stop keeping there eyes out for spies. Also, sense I'm from the south, I think that the war should go on! Slavery is what America needs to srive. Slavery benefits everyone (except the slaves). But sense the slaves are property, not people, it doesn't matter! Let the war continue!!
ReplyDeleteI know see that I must fight for my home. I will join the Confederates to try and earn their freedom. I may not fully believe and may never believe but I will not watch my home state burn, or my neighbors die. I now serve under General Leonidas Polk, or "The Fighting Bishop". Hopefully the end of the war is near.
ReplyDeleteTo see the North have its dignity wounded is quite a sight to see, one even worth the bloodshed and slaughter brought on by this war. Do not underestimate the South; we are a force that is not to be dallied with and taken lightly. As for attempting to enlist Great Britain's aid, it would only show that we know how to forgive and foster new relations; after all, the North is not known for making friends. I would think that the North is better at making enemies than making friends. But the South is stronger than ever, and even as the Northern cynics are in possession of ships, guns, and steel, we have spirit and a tradition to defend. I might not stand on the battlefield, but my support goes out to the Confederate soldiers. And as for the spies... My dear Northerners? I suggest you watch both your tongues and your backs.
ReplyDeleteThe spies are on the prowl, and I would know.
Although I am an abolitionist, I do not support war. I believe that there are much better ways to solve this conflict over slavery. Perhaps there is a method to come to a compromise through diplomacy alone. However, even if us Northerners wish to take a non-violent approach, I'm quite certain that many Southerners will not agree. Given that it was one on our side, John Brown, who was one of the first to use violence, the Southerners will not willingly agree to a peace treaty or anything of the sort. Both the North and the South have already begun preparing for war, so there is little anyone can do to prevent it from happening at this point. I myself am partially to blame for kindling this Civil War. My anti-slavery novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, contributed to a larger divide between the North and the South. Even though I may not be very useful in war, I will wholeheartedly support the Union on its path to a slavery-free nation.
ReplyDeleteThe south has fought valiantly but I will never say that I respect them. All of the early battles are giving the south a false sense of hope. They never will have a chance winning this war. African Americans can help the north immensely if President Lincoln decides to let my people help. The Massachusetts 54th regimen is historic! One of the first containing only us Negroes, they attacked Fort Wagner outside of Charleston. Though it was an impossible mission to succeed, and though they lost nearly half of their men, the 54th was a great step forward to getting African americans into the army. Also, their bravery won them widespread respect. They represented us well.
ReplyDeleteThe Confederacy is fighting for a noble cause. We know that this war isn't just about slavery anymore; it is the envy and jealousy of the bitter North on our glorious South. Yes, we lack good land and good weaponry, but we have the strongest generals and the most passionate men to fight for us. We will surely win the war, with everyone that supports our cause, like our president, Davis. Mr. Jefferson Davis, though dignified and whose literary style goes un-excelled, has no practical judgement and rejects the opinions of the intelligent people who advise him. I do not know if he will be a leader that our countrymen shall need, for he does not give a fighting spirit to those around him.
ReplyDeleteOh man, I thought we had this in the bag! But I also love fighting for my country and beliefs and I believe that America is a free nation that should be full of free people. I love this country and all the white people in it also slaves are cool and putting them in hard labor is wrong so let's free them all and see how they can join our society and become valued.
ReplyDeleteI know that the North can win this war and we just need to keep fighting to make that happen. The southern states have much more power than we thought at first but we need to fight back as a Union with even more. We need to fight for our country and fight as one. We will win and slavery will be ended at last. This war may be long but we will not let the confederate states have the victory that they think will be easy. This needs to be a free country and that is what will happen. As a union, we will come together and use our forces to take down the south.
ReplyDeleteI hear very little about the on goings of the war. Mail stops coming if the rebel soldiers are near. I have spoken of this in my diary, and though I wish to hear of the safety of my husband, I trust in my Heavenly Father to shield him from harm. Though we are not fighting, my child and I are in the midst of bloodshed. I will seek the safest place for us, but I trust in God to watch over us. Nevertheless, the South has wreaked havoc everywhere, and the sooner the shells have finished flying the better.
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ReplyDeleteOh please, the south has no right to call upon the help of Great Britain. The South's game of spies is mediocre and amateur. That cursed Greenhow, I have to say, brilliantly took our surprise attack and delivered it to those Confederate scumbags. But we'll have to watch out and stay alert, remember, any pedestrian or citizen could be a spy. The only way to win this war is to fight fire with fire! The south are going up against a force they terribly underestimate. Do you southerners think you can really win? We have money, people, Abraham Lincoln, Farms, Land, Factories and more! Can you compete with that, you war-seeking hoodlums.
ReplyDeleteThe South are quite the curly wolves. The North won't and must not back down. Victory is inevitable, but the South's great military leadership has kept their cause alive against our superior technology. I wish the South would just throw in the towel. I have witnessed the front lines of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. At the Battle of Antieta, a bullet tore through my sleeve and killed the man I was treating. Although I try to create more sanitary treatment, some wounded men would rather go die out on the battlefield than of the fever. That's how awful this war is. Despite experiencing these horrors, the war must go on. The North must prevail and abolish slavery in this country for good.
ReplyDelete-Clara Barton #NorthForTheWin
This war must be fought not only to free the slaves, but also to keep the Southern states from breaking off of our mighty United States of America! In order to remain united, it is necessary that we take 1 step backward in order to take 2 steps forward! The north must keep fighting because if the South wins, it would make all of the Revolutionary war work for nothing! So many lives were lost then, and it will all be for nothing if the South wins. In the long run, the South will look back on this and see why it was such bosh to fight against the North. So many Southerners will die fighting for an inmoral and terrible cause because the North will come through and win!
ReplyDeleteAsking for help from Britain is a new low for the South. You are asking for help from the same country who wanted to keep us under ropes barely 60 years ago? This is truly sad. This war must not be fought with lies and deceit. Or else the battlefield will be stained with more than just blood and tears. Slavery is wrong yes, but is it worth it to murder our brethren? There are better ways to sort out differences. I just hope that the South comes to its senses and stops this nonsense.
ReplyDelete---Franklin Thompson
If I were still alive today I would say, the men and women mostly men who have been dying in the war. They have died noble deaths, especially if your from the north. They are fighting to end slavery and death will come because we are at war with the South. We need to get better generals and attack the South with armies too strong for them to handle so they back down. Keep sending troops and keeping the war on is the only way the North will end slavery through violence.
ReplyDeleteAs an iconic and highly respected general, I must say their are many other ways to accommodate everyone, rather than a bloody war. I must now return to my home town and lead the Confederate Army. Frankly, looking over this war and having a neutral position, I think this is a foolish reason to battle. Families and friends will mourn the deaths of those who have passed. As for myself, I will continue to struggle in the East, while watching so many deaths in the West.
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ReplyDeleteThis is just a little hiccup, we will still defeat the South in the long run. It may not be as quick as we had hoped but we have a bigger army and better technology. Just because the South is winning a bit doesn't mean that they have even the slightest chance at defeating us. The South calling upon the help of Great Britain just shows that they are scared they will lose and are trying to get as much help as they can. We will prevail and the slaves will be freed.
ReplyDeleteI believe war is here. And it is not going to be going away soon. The fact that the south feels so threatened by our forces that they feel the need to call to England is great. Our lines are strong and will not take more defeats. We will win this war, for the north and for our country.
ReplyDeleteI have been promoted to General, so intend to make the most of this that I can. I will be serving under General Grant. Personally, I am wondering why the Confederates are even fighting against us. We have at least four times the manpower, and at this moment, the Naval blockade is moving into position to cut off all the trading that the South could use. This may give them a psychological boost, but we still have a huge advantage. I believe that one way to beat an enemy easily is by crushing their spirit. This can be achieve by annihilating and enemy force, or by burning a large city. I hope that we can accomplish one of these, so that we do not lose to many men to the Confederacy.
ReplyDeleteWill
I cant predict what is going to happen at the end of the war. I do know though that we cannot give up. We have to faith and hope for our nation. I have witnessed the pain from the soldiers, since i was a nurse during this war. Being a spy and spying is what needs to happen if we want a chance at winning this battle. So many families have lost a family member, including mine and this cant continue to happen, we shall win the war!
ReplyDeleteThe north has worked very hard to end the war now, we need to keep fighting for what is right. Like Harriet Tubman is saying we cannot give up! Antietam and Shiloh were victories that made us stronger and though Bull run was a victory for the Confederate we still won victory over the south overall. We have lost many soldiers and need to keep fighting for them and for their families. I have hope that we will win the war because we are strong fighters. We cannot and will not give up until we have gotten what we want. "Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never has and it never will." If we all believe and work our hardest we can get what we want. "Be not discouraged, the resistance encountered not predicates hope."
ReplyDeleteI, Ulysses S Grant, believe that the North must win. Slavery cannot continue and if the south prevails then our "land of the free" will turn into the
ReplyDelete"land of the slaves". Innocent men, women and children will be condoned to a life a work, beating and discrimination. The south has gone far enough to force there slaves to fight in a battle in which if they win will enforce slavery! The north MUST succeed!
Although the loss of countless of our men, especially at Bull Run and during the Battle of Antietam, has troubled many of the Unionists, we do have the advantage as their loss is bigger that ours. I urge you all not to feel discouraged. Although I am a black man, I am fighting along side the Union for the same cause. In war like this, we experience the same triumph, the same loss. All I hope for is that the north will no longer underestimate the determination of strength of the south...that more men will not die in vain. If these rebels are doing anything they can to win, by sending spies to their own motherland, our only option is to fight back just as hard.
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