Considering a broader range of “war crimes” against Southern Civilians
While some folks have done some work compiling stories about war crimes against Southerners, too often they seem to convey only the stories of those who were subjected to the hard hand of war as delivered by the Union army. As I mentioned in a post in Cenantua’s Blog about a year ago, I saw an announcement about the release of the book, War Crimes Against Southern Civilians, and, knowing what I do about Southern Unionists, found it interesting that the scope of the book was so limited. As I mentioned in that post, I can’t but help wonder when the second volume is coming – War Crimes Against Southern Civilians, the Other Side of the Story (or War Crimes Committed by Southerners Against Southern Civilians). If recommendations for stories are accepted, for starters, I’d like to suggest this story about Henry Tucker (*NOTE – This story is NOT RECOMMENDED for children as it is very graphic in detail). The story is originally sourced to Tories of the Hills, a book published in 1953 by Wesley Sylvester Thompson.
Of course, there are other stories that can also be found within the pages of this blog… and there are more to come.
In the meantime, continue to browse through other interesting stories in the rosters of the 1st Alabama Cavalry, USV.
June 30, 2009 at 8:04 pm
I, too, have had an enlightenin journey as the Southern Claim commission documents have been released. First on Footnote and now an even more extensive collection of SCC documents from Marion County, Alabama is on Ancestry.com.
It was interesting to me , after reviewing “Family Maps of Marion county, Alabama” by Gregory A. Boyd, how these Unionist men were geographically connected before and after the Civil War. I am related to most of them, simply for the reason that family members married neighbors, etc..– It would be fascinating to know how and when they declared loyalty to the Union and what factor geography played.
My direct-line Unionist ancestor in Marion County, Alabama is John J. Dickinson, Jr. Other than the SCC documents, I’ve never read anything about him–but his life seems to be woven completely with unionists.
My question is: He refers to brothers and various relatives in his SCC statement –does anyone have details re: his family?
Jeanine Smith
July 1, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Thanks for commenting Jeanine. I always enjoy reading comments such as these. How does Dickinson refer to his brothers and relatives in the SCC claim? I too have an interest in Marion County, via my wife’s family. I also have a post coming later this evening that is from the Official Records of the Rebellion. A report from a Texas cavalry officer writing about Unionists in Marion County!
October 26, 2009 at 10:57 am
Hi:
I looked in your archive for Jul 09 but did not find the OR report about unionists in Marion County that you mention in this note. Is it available? I had two Marion great great grandfathers in First AL Cav