#US Civil War

[zenosanalytic]

And you're Right.

And you know WHY the Republican Party gave up on Reconstruction, Gave Up on true, multiracial democracy, Gave Up on fighting against racist terrorism in the South?

Because they wanted the USian cotton trade to recover faster, and they needed to get free blacks back to growing cotton for that to happen, and racial terrorism was the fastest way to do that. We COULD be a better country, but Capital didn't want us to be, and that same social force which sabotaged democracy THEN, continues to sabotage it NOW.

we lost the culture war so bad after 1865... we should live in an america where every single citizen looks back with patriotic fervor at how bad the union kicked the confederacy's ass. that should be universally regarded as a triumph of the capital U capital S capital A U-S-A. everyone regardless of geography should feel themselves living in the legacy of the union. the fact that confederate generals went down in anyone's history as anything but a bunch of delusional war-losing loser traitor weenies who dragged their states into a bloodbath and couldn't even keep their own men from deserting in droves is perhaps our greatest historiographical sin and one i truly with all my heart believe we are paying for as americans to this day.

[todaysdocument]

Georgia, Atlanta Battlefield, July 22, 1864

Record Group 165: Records of the War Department General and Special StaffsSeries: Selected Views from "Photographic Views of Sherman's Campaign" by George N. Barnard, Photographer

This sepia-toned photograph shows a somewhat barren landscape in the aftermath of a battle.  There are trees and hills in the background.  The foreground shows wooden pickets sticking up from the ground.  There is a ridge of earthen fortifications visible.  There is scattered vegetation.

[omgthatdress]

[mapsontheweb]

The “Disunited states of America” map from Civil war era.

[dontmean2bepoliticalbut]

[victusinveritas]

Happy Confederate Surrender Day to all who celebrate!!!

[revoltedstates]

My debut Civil War novel, Year of Crows, is now available in paperback and ebook via Lulu, Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and wherever fine books are sold. Or "name your price" via PayPal (brendanchamilton[at]gmail) and I'll email you an epub doc directly.

Cover design by Robert L. Kroening.

[rockyp77mk3]

GETTYSBURG — Located inside the Rose Woods, the monument to the Irish Brigade was dedicated in 1888. Fighting in and around The Wheatfield on July 2, 1863, this famed fighting unit under the command of Colonel Patrick Kelly consisted of the 63rd, 69th, and 88th New York Infantry Regiments, along with the 28th Massachusetts and 116th Pennsylvania. The monument features a Celtic cross and a life sized Irish wolfhound.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

The New Yorker

* * * *

[Robert Hubbell Newsletter]

I want to begin by acknowledging the many emails I am receiving from volunteers across America sharing uplifting stories of positive interactions with voters. I have read them all but could not respond to any emails today. I thank all of you for your hard work. And I also acknowledge the comments and emails about hostile reactions and incivility from voters. It takes a special kind of fortitude to tolerate such abuse and continue the hard work of reclaiming democracy one voter at a time.

Jill and I spent the day completing six different canvass lists with the help of a rented van, Jessica Craven, and readers Steve Hill, Ellen Hill, and Mary Bartlett. It was a little tougher going today as some of the neighborhoods became more insular and upscale, but when we were able to connect, it was almost always positive and productive.

Jessica continues to be a star canvasser. With all six of us packed in the van, we drove up to a residence with a long driveway and expansive lawn. Jessica volunteered to get out and knock on the door. A young woman (who identified as a registered Republican) came out and engaged in conversation with Jessica. The rest of us watched from afar in the van. After about five minutes, Jessica did an “endzone dance” and hugged the voter. We knew she had added another vote to Kamala’s column!

I continue to be impressed by the incredible organization, efficiency, and technology of the MeckDems. The process of canvassing is seamless and automated. Voters who answer the door and say, “I already voted,” are impressed as we are able to ask about others in the same household who have not yet voted.

We covered about 150 residences consisting of voters identified as Democrats and Undecideds. After a full day of canvassing, we saw only two residences with Trump “door hangers” on the front door. We respectfully placed door hangers for Harris / Walz on top of the Trump literature and moved on after receiving no response to our knock. I have been surprised by the general absence of signs, literature, and billboards for Trump.

Later in the evening, the out-of-state canvassers gathered at a local restaurant to hear from Drew Kromer, the Chair of the Mecklenburg Democratic Party. Drew told us that over 1,000 readers of Today’s Edition and Chop Wood Carry Water newsletters have volunteered for MeckDems. Without getting into specifics, the results are encouraging. To all who have or will volunteer for MeckDems, please know that you are making a difference that may make a difference in the electoral college count and statewide races in North Carolina.

The same goes for every reader who is volunteering across the nation. I wish I could capture the enthusiasm and excitement exuded in the emails that flood my inbox. Every vote in every race everywhere matters. We must win up and down the ballot. And we must ensure that Kamala Harris has a commanding margin of victory in the popular vote to protect the integrity of the election.

At the gathering on Sunday evening, Jessica and I gave remarks. I include the notes of my remarks below—because they apply to all of you, dear readers, who have helped us arrive at this moment filled with hope and promise!

Remarks 11/3/2024

First, let me introduce you to a true patriot and hero of democracy. Turn to your left and your right. Give a pat on the back and hug to the person standing next to you. Everyone where is a true hero and patriot. Bless you all for your work to save democracy!

I want to recognize what it took for us to arrive safely at this moment—one that is bursting with possibility and hope. We are here because your work carried to the point where we stand on the verge of victory.

For many, the journey began with Hillary’s devastating loss in 2016. But you did not give up. You picked yourselves up and vowed to do whatever it took win back our democracy.

You fought and won in 2018 in the midterms.

In 2020 with Joe Biden’s victory.

In 2021 in special elections.

In 2022 in defeating the predicted “red wave.”

In 2023 in special elections.

And now, in 2024, you will carry us to victory again.

We have arrived at this moment because you have abided, because you have kept the faith and maintained your spirits by

-gathering in community; -calling; -postcarding; -doorknocking; -fundraising; -Zooming; and -lifting up friends, neighbors and family members when they flagged from fatigue, anxiety, and despair.

We arrived safely at this moment because you refused to give up.

Because you refused to wait for permission to act.

Because you refused to “get in line” or “wait your turn.”

You took democracy into your own hands and saved it.

I am hopeful about this moment because I believe that pollsters and pundits have made the grievous error of underestimating

-the grassroots movement; -women, who have been denied the full liberty afforded all other citizens; -Black and Hispanic voters; -young voters; -older voters; and -voters who care about democracy.

I am filled with confidence about the future of democracy because we are not going back!

It doesn’t matter if we win the Electoral College by 200 votes or lose by 2; we are not going back! This moment has changed us. We will not quit—no matter what happens on election day. We are not going back.

Historians will look back on this period and your efforts. They will conclude that you saved democracy. Literally. Not figuratively. Not metaphorically. Literally. You saved democracy.

So, as we head into Election Day, we should be

-confident;

-proud; and

-joyful.

Because we are on the right side of history. We are going to win. There is no question about our ultimate victory. The only question is when the full, final, and redemptive victory will occur.

If we keep the faith, if we work, if we fight, and if we vote, we will win.

Concluding Thoughts

Polling, predictions, and punditry are red hot. Ignore them. Votes are real. That is all that matters.

Jill posted a video blog about our canvassing and attending the Kamala Harris rally in Charlotte on Saturday. See Everyday With Jill, Canvassing, Rallying, & Celebrating FOR KAMALA!

A reader who is a friend and former law partner, Brent Rushforth sent a note that resonates in this moment.

On my way home from canvassing for Kamala in Gettysburg yesterday, I stopped at the battlefield along a fence line adjacent to the field through which Robert E Lee sent General Pickett's massive assault against the Union forces dug in on Cemetery Hill. It was Lee's audacious gamble to end the war and permanently establish the confederacy.

The Union troops, at enormous cost, held—and the United States survived. Now Trump is once again seeking to render us asunder . . . I am filled with hope over the next couple of days that the center will hold and that the Union Jack will stand proudly over our republic as it did on Cemetery Hill twice our lifetimes ago.

“Twice our lifetimes ago,” Americans gave their lives to defend the Union created by the Constitution in 1789. Now, two lifetimes later, we are asked to once again save our Union. But all we need do is vote—and convince others that they must do so, too.

We can do that. We are doing it. Votes are real. That is all that matters at this point. Vote and urge others to vote!

Talk to you tomorrow!

[Robert B. Hubbell Newsletter]

[midwestaesthetics]

Battle of Gettysburg July 1st-3rd, 1863. Considered by many a turning point in the American Civil War. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania's landscape then and now...

[jadagul]

could you elaborate on that bit about the 14th amendment, if you don't mind?

So I heard this from @necarion so he can probably fill in more details.

But my understanding is that after the US Civil War, Congress wanted to do a bunch of stuff to protect civil rights and kill off Jim Crow racism style laws. And the explicit purpose of the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments were to say that Congress could make those laws.

So the fourteenth amendment says

No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. ... The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.

And then the fifteenth says

Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude— Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

And these are really explicit claims that Congress can protect civil rights and voting rights by passing laws.

But the Supreme Court was much more racist and southern conservative than Congress was. So when Congress actually passed those laws, the Supreme Court said they were overreaches and exceeded Congress's power under the Constitution. Despite them passing actual amendments to say "we have the power to pass these laws."

In the process, SCOTUS basically read the Privileges and Immunities Clause out of the Constitution entirely. Which is why in the 1960s the incorporation had to work through "substantive due process", which is another example "good policy through kinda bullshit reasoning". But they wouldn't have needed to do it that way if they hadn't sworn up and down that the actual clause intended to have that effect meant nothing.

[todaysdocument]

Photograph of Private Hubbard Pryor After Enlistment in 44th U.S. Colored Troops Infantry Regiment

Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's OfficeSeries: Letters ReceivedFile Unit: Consolidated File for Colonel R. D. Mussey

This photograph was enclosed in a letter. The original caption reads: Private Hubbard Pryor After Enlistment in 44th USCT.

This is a sepia-toned photograph of an African-American soldier in a Union uniform.  He stands at attention looking directly at the camera.  His rifle is slung over his shoulder.

[omgthatdress]

[mapsontheweb]

Map posted by the National Union Executive Committee for Lincoln's reelection campaign showing the stage of the war by 1864 showing Confederate territorial control. The CSA had lost KY, TN and most of AR by then. With each state's respective Confederate state governments being driven out of their st

[dontmean2bepoliticalbut]

[victusinveritas]

Don't flush it though that would be bad for the local sewer system.