re: University of Alabama system to review all building names, remove Confederate Army plaques

quote:

---

They were traitors, and them being manipulated by rich people to kill Americans so that the rich people could maintain their cheap labor force does not make them victims.

---

Ignorance is why we are where we are today.

Many did not have a choice especially in the south. You did not join up you were conscripted into service. My 3rd GGF from East TN fought for the north. His unit was captured by Wheeler in McMinnville TN. They were released to return home. On the way home him and his cousin were conscripted by the another confederate unit and were sent to New Orleans to fight for the south. During the siege they escaped and rejoined the Union army in Kentucky. His unit was later captured and he died in Libby prison in Richmond VA.

It is estimated that up to 20% of those who fought for the south were forced via the draft/conscription into service.Not to mention the majority did not join to join the confederacy but joined that state unit/militias to protect their states. Why so many fought under their state flag not the actual confederate flag which is another misconception.

Another note for those unaware East TN tried to leave TN and join the Union but was unsuccessful. Slavery was not supported in the area that was made up mostly of German, Scotch, and Irish families. Everyone in my family with the exception of one fought for the north during the war. Andrew Johnson is from there as well.