The Myth of the Lost Cause Following the defeat of the Confederacy and to lift the morale of a shattered people momentum gathered to enshrine the Myth of the Lost Cause which would transform the Southern soldier living and dead, into a veritable hero. In order to come to terms with defeat and a look of failure in the eyes of God, Southerners mentally transformed their memories of the antebellum South. It became a superior civilization of great purity which had been cruelly brought down by
General Jubal Early led the Confederacy in its most threatening attack against the Union capital. He was not a typical Confederate general since he displayed no religious faith, had few friends, and lacked manners (Axelrod 125). He was not likable as a person, yet seemed to demand respect as a general. He refused to admit defeat, often “rising from the ashes of his own failures” (Swisher). Early’s most admirable quality was his intense loyalty. From the time Virginia seceded to his death, Early devoted
Chase Sweeney 1500 essay Early American history 11/17/17 The Battle of Gettysburg In the summer of 1863, Confederate General, Robert E. Lee launched his second invasion of the Northern states of America. Lee sought to capitalize on recent Confederate victories and defeat the Union army on Northern soil, which he hoped would force the Lincoln administration to negotiate for peace. Lee also sought to take the war out of the ravaged Virginia farmland and gather supplies for his Army of Northern
The Battle of Fredricksburg In the next pages I will explain why Fredericksburg was such a tragedy. Why it was a big morale booster for the South, but a disappointment for the North? It all started in the year 1862. General George McCellen currently controls the army of the Potomac. When it was determined that McCellen was a bad general, in December of 1862 he was replaced with General Ambrose Burnside. Within a week, Burnside decided on a campaign to the Southern capitol, Richmond. He told