Total War Policy was brought upon the South when they invaded the South with very large organized armies. Remember the history before the war even began, high tariffs and government corruption. The South was thriving in agriculture, and exports, among other things and the North didn't like it and imposed such exorbitant taxes with the intent to break the Southern states that wanted to secede from a corrupt government. The Union invaded, and the South defended itself, war yes, but the Confederacy did not fight under the Total War Policy, which means winning the war at all costs, by killing noncombatants, like women, children, and the elderly, the South did not ravage the land by burning down whole towns, pillaging, raping and killing noncombatants. The South fought under Christian values and killed on sight any soldier who committed such heinous acts, the ones which the Union widely practiced. This is how the two sides differed. This is not how the war was taught in school textbooks. The textbooks teach the war was started over slavery, that's false. It was an after thought well into the war. There were just as many slaves in northern households during that time as there were in the South. I will write about that in future articles. There are many very detailed diaries, and war journals kept by Confederate soldiers, nurses, doctors, and families that the South was able to preserve from being destroyed even during the Reconstruction period. These archives exist, if one chooses to understand beyond what we were taught in school. The federal government sets the standard what is taught in our schools in all 50 states, so because of that, we're only told what they want us know, the victor's write the books. Let there be peace! Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Justin for commenting! I believe the truth needs to be told from the other side. I see so many comments where people demonize the South for wanting to fly the Southern Cross. To the people of the South, it has nothing to do with slavery, which is why I began this whole series with the Confederate Battle Flag's origins. There will be more posts coming on the Union's Total War Policy. So gald you're here!
Thank you for presenting the truth through actual evidence and factual information that that is backed up by history I am a southerner , I am proud to be a Southerner. History is written by those who win the victory and the truth is hidden. I study history to learn the truth. Even in this year of 2025, I will run into some people who will tell me that I have an accent and want to know where was I born? I explained to them about the southern dialect so that they can understand how stupid they are to ask such a question. I lived in Ohio for a while as a young man. The mystique and mythology of the south is biased against us in the north even today. But yet they continue to come here and corrupt our culture and our way of life because they feel superior from what they’ve been told from their ancestors who clearly has no ground to stand on morally for the crimes that the North committed especially post war era. Reconstruction was a occupation by a foreign army in the south. True bloodline Southerners to this day see that as a stain on southern ground. Thank you for the work that you do please continue. I look forward to seeing more.
Thank you for commenting, Darrell! I understand how you feel, even though I am originally a northerner 50 miles from Canada. One of my older brothers was the first of our family to move south to Alabama in 1976. His wife's family was born and raise there for several generations. Her stories of her mother's family always fascinated me, and I fell in love with the South after visiting for the first time in 1980. My sister-in-law was the blunt of many snide remarks by other family members from the time her and my brother started dating in the early 60's, because of her heritage. I actually envied the closeness she had with her family and how she defended her heritage. I did not even see that within my own family. Her mother lived down the street from us, and she was one of the most congenial, and gentle women I have ever met. It took a real interest in the Civil War back in grade school when she helped me with a required project on the war. She provided many of the stories I am writing about today, with pictures, and documentation. I remember getting an A+ for my presentation, because it wasn't out of Britannica.
We have lived here in SC for 34 years, and we always heard the saying, "You ain't from around here, are ya?" or this one, "85 goes north!" It didn't take long to assimilate, but it wasn't easy at first. I was warned by an elderly friend when we moved from Phoenix here things would be different since she was from Kentucky, "You're moving to the Deep South, Honey," she'd say. I couldn't imagine it being different, but it was.
I obviously have a Michigan/Canadian accent that always gave me away when some asked, "Where you from?" I'd say, "Arizona." "No. Where are you originally from?" When I said, "Michigan." I had many people turn their backs on me, literally. But then, I developed a saying my brother used when he first moved South, and it usually broke the ice, and made life easier to have great conversations, it goes like this... Native: "You ain't from around here, are ya?" I said "No, I'm not. I guess you can say I'm a backdoor Yankee after a stint in Arizona." They would chuckle. Then I would say, "You know, I think there's a difference between a Yankee and a damn Yankee?" They's wait for the punch line. "A Yank is like hemorrhoids; they keep coming back. A damn Yankee stays. So, I guess I'm a damn Yank and I love it here!" It broke the ice on many occasions. But that's me, I have a strange sense of humor, Lol!
But seriously, I've been done many family trees as a genealogist, and have referrals from our county library, because I love the hunt. The more researching histories I've done, the closer a bond I became with this beautiful area. When I was invited to attend several new monument ceremonies, the more I became acquainted with the descendants of the Revolutionary War and Civil War, I hungered to know more. Walk cemeteries, search libraries, state archives, and my biggest honor was when I was given my "Green Card" by the President Mike Couch of the Sons of the Confederacy. Blue no longer runs through these old veins. South Carolina is my permanent home and here I will stay.
I asked someone (a preacher here on Substack) who was raised in the South why he protested with others for the removal of Confederate monuments, and he was proud that he did. When I asked him why, he mention many ugly things because I was in support of keeping them all. Then it was followed by many ugly remarks from many people because I support keeping history alive, because we learn from it, and not to repeat it again. Anyway, I will not fight the vulgarity people are reduced to using in defense of their ignorance, so I blocked all of them. I will debate peacefully and will continue to write about the truth we never learned in school anywhere in the US, because the victors write the history throughout the ages. I have proofs and copies of documents to support my publications. Many thoughts may be my own which may leave questions with many. If I don't know the answer, I will find out and answer to the best of my ability. But, to be disgraced by your Southern heritage is totally absurd to me.
Yes, the area in SC is drastically changing here, subdivisions, apartments going up everywhere, the people are from diverse backgrounds from around the world with the new industries. I don't like it. It's nothing like it was 30 years ago and is becoming more like Atlanta than most people who live here would like. So, wear your roots proud, Darrell, and embrace it as you have. I feel honored you shared your thoughts with me. Peace, my friend!
Actually, it is Sherman, an earlier pre-war photograph. The picture I posted of the book, A History of the Civil War at the end of this post is the official account of the Civil War published by the War Memorial Association, it includes all the reproductions of the illustrations and photographs taken by Matthew Brady, who was officially commissioned by War (Union) Department. This is where this photograph came from. I own this copy, which is rare book to find. Like I said several times in my posts concerning the Civil War, the victors of war write the history. The book itself is quite biased, featuring the Union's side of the War. There is not one thing in this book which states otherwise. I have to assume you have roots in the South, by your comment. Those who demonize the South as traitors, clearly does not know their history. Even Southern people are quick to dismantle monuments, while General William Tecumseh Sherman's monument in Washington D.C. strikes discord in those who know their history. To honor a man who burned, ravaged, and raped the South, its people, the land, is beyond comprehension. The South didn't want War.
A fine article. Something that I believe needs to be recognized and stated is that so many of the Union Army’s high command, beginning with Lincoln, were
War Criminals, Pure and Simple. The worst kind of people who are a disgrace. I hope to encounter more of your articles in the future.
Thank you, Bud for your comment! I agree with you, and this is the reason I write these posts. Also, thank you for reading, there is more to come on this subject.
Another great article. I wish our history books would include the full story. Since we know they won't, your work is important in documenting and advancing the truth.
Thank you, Jason! This post is the first in a series on the Union's Total War Policy. It is important, you can't dismiss history, it does have a tendency to repeat itself! So glad you're here!
Total whitewash. Please do your research and report on Total War as practiced by both the Union and Confederacy. This is not history, it is a tall tale.
Old, you wrote, "This is not history, it is a tall tale." implying the article is a fabrication. Where are the errors in the article? I'll wait right here for your response...
Total War Policy was brought upon the South when they invaded the South with very large organized armies. Remember the history before the war even began, high tariffs and government corruption. The South was thriving in agriculture, and exports, among other things and the North didn't like it and imposed such exorbitant taxes with the intent to break the Southern states that wanted to secede from a corrupt government. The Union invaded, and the South defended itself, war yes, but the Confederacy did not fight under the Total War Policy, which means winning the war at all costs, by killing noncombatants, like women, children, and the elderly, the South did not ravage the land by burning down whole towns, pillaging, raping and killing noncombatants. The South fought under Christian values and killed on sight any soldier who committed such heinous acts, the ones which the Union widely practiced. This is how the two sides differed. This is not how the war was taught in school textbooks. The textbooks teach the war was started over slavery, that's false. It was an after thought well into the war. There were just as many slaves in northern households during that time as there were in the South. I will write about that in future articles. There are many very detailed diaries, and war journals kept by Confederate soldiers, nurses, doctors, and families that the South was able to preserve from being destroyed even during the Reconstruction period. These archives exist, if one chooses to understand beyond what we were taught in school. The federal government sets the standard what is taught in our schools in all 50 states, so because of that, we're only told what they want us know, the victor's write the books. Let there be peace! Merry Christmas!
Truth!
OUTSTANDING! One of the very few accurate depictions of what really happened during our not-so "civil" war.
Thank you, Justin for commenting! I believe the truth needs to be told from the other side. I see so many comments where people demonize the South for wanting to fly the Southern Cross. To the people of the South, it has nothing to do with slavery, which is why I began this whole series with the Confederate Battle Flag's origins. There will be more posts coming on the Union's Total War Policy. So gald you're here!
Thank you for presenting the truth through actual evidence and factual information that that is backed up by history I am a southerner , I am proud to be a Southerner. History is written by those who win the victory and the truth is hidden. I study history to learn the truth. Even in this year of 2025, I will run into some people who will tell me that I have an accent and want to know where was I born? I explained to them about the southern dialect so that they can understand how stupid they are to ask such a question. I lived in Ohio for a while as a young man. The mystique and mythology of the south is biased against us in the north even today. But yet they continue to come here and corrupt our culture and our way of life because they feel superior from what they’ve been told from their ancestors who clearly has no ground to stand on morally for the crimes that the North committed especially post war era. Reconstruction was a occupation by a foreign army in the south. True bloodline Southerners to this day see that as a stain on southern ground. Thank you for the work that you do please continue. I look forward to seeing more.
Thank you for commenting, Darrell! I understand how you feel, even though I am originally a northerner 50 miles from Canada. One of my older brothers was the first of our family to move south to Alabama in 1976. His wife's family was born and raise there for several generations. Her stories of her mother's family always fascinated me, and I fell in love with the South after visiting for the first time in 1980. My sister-in-law was the blunt of many snide remarks by other family members from the time her and my brother started dating in the early 60's, because of her heritage. I actually envied the closeness she had with her family and how she defended her heritage. I did not even see that within my own family. Her mother lived down the street from us, and she was one of the most congenial, and gentle women I have ever met. It took a real interest in the Civil War back in grade school when she helped me with a required project on the war. She provided many of the stories I am writing about today, with pictures, and documentation. I remember getting an A+ for my presentation, because it wasn't out of Britannica.
We have lived here in SC for 34 years, and we always heard the saying, "You ain't from around here, are ya?" or this one, "85 goes north!" It didn't take long to assimilate, but it wasn't easy at first. I was warned by an elderly friend when we moved from Phoenix here things would be different since she was from Kentucky, "You're moving to the Deep South, Honey," she'd say. I couldn't imagine it being different, but it was.
I obviously have a Michigan/Canadian accent that always gave me away when some asked, "Where you from?" I'd say, "Arizona." "No. Where are you originally from?" When I said, "Michigan." I had many people turn their backs on me, literally. But then, I developed a saying my brother used when he first moved South, and it usually broke the ice, and made life easier to have great conversations, it goes like this... Native: "You ain't from around here, are ya?" I said "No, I'm not. I guess you can say I'm a backdoor Yankee after a stint in Arizona." They would chuckle. Then I would say, "You know, I think there's a difference between a Yankee and a damn Yankee?" They's wait for the punch line. "A Yank is like hemorrhoids; they keep coming back. A damn Yankee stays. So, I guess I'm a damn Yank and I love it here!" It broke the ice on many occasions. But that's me, I have a strange sense of humor, Lol!
But seriously, I've been done many family trees as a genealogist, and have referrals from our county library, because I love the hunt. The more researching histories I've done, the closer a bond I became with this beautiful area. When I was invited to attend several new monument ceremonies, the more I became acquainted with the descendants of the Revolutionary War and Civil War, I hungered to know more. Walk cemeteries, search libraries, state archives, and my biggest honor was when I was given my "Green Card" by the President Mike Couch of the Sons of the Confederacy. Blue no longer runs through these old veins. South Carolina is my permanent home and here I will stay.
I asked someone (a preacher here on Substack) who was raised in the South why he protested with others for the removal of Confederate monuments, and he was proud that he did. When I asked him why, he mention many ugly things because I was in support of keeping them all. Then it was followed by many ugly remarks from many people because I support keeping history alive, because we learn from it, and not to repeat it again. Anyway, I will not fight the vulgarity people are reduced to using in defense of their ignorance, so I blocked all of them. I will debate peacefully and will continue to write about the truth we never learned in school anywhere in the US, because the victors write the history throughout the ages. I have proofs and copies of documents to support my publications. Many thoughts may be my own which may leave questions with many. If I don't know the answer, I will find out and answer to the best of my ability. But, to be disgraced by your Southern heritage is totally absurd to me.
Yes, the area in SC is drastically changing here, subdivisions, apartments going up everywhere, the people are from diverse backgrounds from around the world with the new industries. I don't like it. It's nothing like it was 30 years ago and is becoming more like Atlanta than most people who live here would like. So, wear your roots proud, Darrell, and embrace it as you have. I feel honored you shared your thoughts with me. Peace, my friend!
not sure who is in the photo labelled t.w. sherman. its not w.t. sherman.
“what the yankees did to us” by stephen davis is a native atlantan’s view of what sherman put atlanta through.
Actually, it is Sherman, an earlier pre-war photograph. The picture I posted of the book, A History of the Civil War at the end of this post is the official account of the Civil War published by the War Memorial Association, it includes all the reproductions of the illustrations and photographs taken by Matthew Brady, who was officially commissioned by War (Union) Department. This is where this photograph came from. I own this copy, which is rare book to find. Like I said several times in my posts concerning the Civil War, the victors of war write the history. The book itself is quite biased, featuring the Union's side of the War. There is not one thing in this book which states otherwise. I have to assume you have roots in the South, by your comment. Those who demonize the South as traitors, clearly does not know their history. Even Southern people are quick to dismantle monuments, while General William Tecumseh Sherman's monument in Washington D.C. strikes discord in those who know their history. To honor a man who burned, ravaged, and raped the South, its people, the land, is beyond comprehension. The South didn't want War.
A fine article. Something that I believe needs to be recognized and stated is that so many of the Union Army’s high command, beginning with Lincoln, were
War Criminals, Pure and Simple. The worst kind of people who are a disgrace. I hope to encounter more of your articles in the future.
Thank you, Bud for your comment! I agree with you, and this is the reason I write these posts. Also, thank you for reading, there is more to come on this subject.
Another great article. I wish our history books would include the full story. Since we know they won't, your work is important in documenting and advancing the truth.
Thank you, Jason! This post is the first in a series on the Union's Total War Policy. It is important, you can't dismiss history, it does have a tendency to repeat itself! So glad you're here!
Thank you for commenting, but I have throughly done my research before posting. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Total whitewash. Please do your research and report on Total War as practiced by both the Union and Confederacy. This is not history, it is a tall tale.
Yet you bring no refuting evidence? Nothing. You are a weak keyboard historian.
Rooster do you hear what you are saying? I didn’t deny that the Union practiced total war. I just said both sides did so. Pot, kettle.
Old, you wrote, "This is not history, it is a tall tale." implying the article is a fabrication. Where are the errors in the article? I'll wait right here for your response...