Valley of the Shadow

As we discussed in class on Saturday, I want you to go to the Valley of the Shadow archive listed on the syllabus for April 18 and look at material (letters, diaries, journals, newspapers) from both Franklin County, PA and Augusta County, VA. Specifically, I want you to look at material from the Eve of War and the War Years to see if there were different attitudes and perceptions toward the conflict before and during the war, as well as between the two communities. Also, from the material you read, what is the war about? Does it differ between the two communities?

Comments

[Yousssef Benhammou]

Quetion:
A side from the existence of slavery, the south was not a stratified society. professor Weir, would you please explain to me this, thank you.

[Yousssef Benhammou]

The American civil war was inevitable, because tensions between North and South had reached a critical level just before war. The origin of separation between both regions goes back to the early colonial period. The two opposing regions of Federalist party that represents the interests of the North and the Republican party representing the interests of the South had different principles of governing.
In general, economic issues were a source of dissension between the two regions, especially in terms of the exercise of constitutional power by the central government in economic matters. What is known is that the war occured over slavery, but while slavery was an issue, other political concerns, such as the need of isolating the South as a poor region completely from the rich north. this an other factor that plays also a role in bringing about the conflict.

[Manal Bougazzoul]

I read news papers articles of the period before and during the war of Augusta and Franklin communities. It is very remarkable how the attention of both communities in news writing was drawn toward the general interest of people in politics, daily life news, slavery matters, Arts and entertainment… in the pre-war period, and how it interestingly became of great focus on abolition, emancipation, reconstruction, battles, soldiers’ life and many other war-related topics during war time. This in fact, projects the predominant feelings of the southerners and northerners, and demonstrates how each perceived the same facts.
The pre-war period articles about African-American and race relations in the Augusta community reflected peoples’ anxiety about the subject of slavery. For instance, “the defeat of the Opposition and the sure victory of the Democrats” is a common phrase of expressing their belief in the state rights. Also, a call by Rockingham for a Democratic Convention is another indicator of the need to address issues the party was facing. On the other hand, in articles of the Franklin community, the main concerns of the people were the behaviors of the “Negroes” in the black neighborhoods that represented a big threat to them as they were places of crime, poverty, and alcoholism… Their articles also comprehended detailed crime and swindle stories, and calls to find definite solutions to these black communities.
During the war, the news articles of Augusta County called for an ever growing sectionalism, and stressed the complete separation of the North and the South. They also boldly expressed the peoples’ “violent and disgusted reaction to Lincoln's decision to issue the Emancipation Proclamation”. And finally invited people to help one another in the tough times they were having, by providing food to the poor and to the wounded and helpless soldiers. It also devoted a section to the announcement of dead soldiers in the war. Whereas, the Franklin County articles questioned the purpose of the war; whether it was for the restoration of the union, or the abolition of slavery? In addition, they emphasize the historical importance of this war in accordance with its aim.

[Marna Solomon]

Valley of the shadow, between the eve of war and the war years, had extremely differences among the Southern Virginians, and the Franklin Country population. For the PRE-WAR in 1859, i compared the general overview and a couple of letters from these two states. In Augusta, VA, the majortity of both, masters and slaves farmed on the best soil, and they achieved alot through their hardworking skills on the growing of crop production of corn, even though Slaveholders in Augusta predominated in low-skilled industries. In 1850's, the free black population declined and they only owned about 25% slaves in Augusta.
In Franklin County,PA, Lincoln won in areas of people with wealth and people with farm values. His victory came from the support of wheat planters, unlike the corn in the south. The second comparison was a LETTER from the residents in these places. A letter by A.D Dunlap was written to his mother. In the opening of the letter, he would examine the weather and the health conditions of the relatives, then goes on telling her about his income of $120/month, and his plans on building a house this coming fall. In contrary, a letter by John Baker in Franklin County was a will to his children. He simply talked about his saved money and properties to be given to his living kids, name by name.

During the war years, i examined letters from two soldiers. Thomas Boatwright from Augusta, writes his wife about the experiences and impressions from the places he traveled. He explained about General Lee and the rest of the troops, including the union builidings that were in D.C. According to him, he had never seen this much excitement and the high rise buildings that were foreign to him. On the other hand, a letter from Alex Cressler from PA, was a laid back and thorough letter during the war in 1861. First, he talked about Gov. Curtin coming along with the regiments and the marshal music that was planned to happen the next day. He then continued in describing the marching on the field along with 150 thousand soldiers and how excited he was.

To me, after reading these couple of letters from these two different places, i can say that, the PA people are more patriotic than the VA once. They are more into the American flag waving over the home of the brave,,, where as, in the South, they express their feelings toward their family and loved one, and they sound very family-oriented.

[Naima Alaoui-Ismaili]

I used an article from the Valley Spirit published on April 24 1861 and it’s from Franklin County Pennsylvania. It is titled “Ready, Aim, Fire”, in this article it is very obvious that the north was very patriotic and didn’t want anything to get in the way of this. They felt as if the confederacy betrayed the government by this civil war and the article gives an idea of that every northern needs to be prepared for battle to protect our constitution and laws. “When they determine to break up the Union and array themselves as enemies against us, we are their enemies” this was a quote from the article and i thought it really described the feelings around Pennsylvania and the North itself.
To contrast I read an article published by the spectator on May 3, 1861 titled “Object of the War.” This newspaper was published in Augusta County Virginia. The article explains that the confederacy is in this war to protect their homes and their people and not to attack the union. It as well seems that the reason they are going to be in the war is because they want to relieve their own soil from the oppression of the north.
During the war a lot of the articles in the Spectator were about runaway slaves and there was a value if they were brought back. From this I see that many of the slaves felt that they had enough support from the north to feel comfortable to run away and not be able to be found. From the articles In the Pennsylvanian newspapers a lot of them were regarding the actual war and what was happening. Many covered how African Americans were trying to enlist and such
So the reasons as to why they are both in the war seem completely different. The north feels that the south is violating the government constitution and the law of the land but yet the south feels like it’s their country as well and they don’t want to feel oppressed by the north no longer. The reason for why differ in a way but yet still are the same. Both sides feel that they are protecting their rights as people from each other pretty much.

[Youssef Benhammou]

I have read that during the civil war imigrants were still coming to America, especially the Viet. were they forced to do so, because if they had the choice to decide, why did they do since they know that they were risking their lives by being in war?

[Christopher Dahanayake]

I read the letter from J. Milton Crawford to his Parents, May 18, 1865. “when our army went back after the surrender and there was bands of eight or ten went around and took it all and the old horses that were left they took from the poor” Milton writes that the rich keeps on stealing everything from the poor such as rations and are treated worse than the slaves. He has hard time sending out and receiving letters because its hard to find stamps and the railroads aren’t build near his house.

in Augusta County Charles B. Carter writes to James H. Carter, April 26, 1862 from a camp. It is Easter and Charles Carter is spending the day in a prison writing to his family. “I will try and Rite to you as you All dont Rite to mea It would doe mea good to have a leter from you to Reade to day” seems like he wants to hear from his family but they are not replying for unclear reason. Carter mention that he rarely goes outside instead he works all day try to make money. He also mentions that there are lot of sick people there and don’t get much help.

[Karen]

I compared April 8th 1862 newspapers - The Staunton Spectator and The Franklin PA Semi-Weekly. The Pennsylvania paper makes several points: (1) that Democrats in the County have been misguided by the party leaders, (2) that it is a good thing that the Republicans won, Lincoln in particular, (3) it is a good thing that Mr. Lincoln is in agreement with Europe about ending slavery, and (4) it is remarkable that the Democrats could betray the fundamentals of the Constitution, our freedoms and our democracy by advocating enslavement of some of our population. Also, there is general support for the emancipation goals of the Lincoln Administration. They generally attack the Democratic party and blame it for the "rebellion". Finally, something that is not in the CSA paper - they are already talking about closing Army recruiting stations.

In comparison, the CSA press in Staunton had one very interesting article - it discusses three types of enemies: (1) the Yankees - a known "quantity" that can be fought on the battlefield and beaten, (2) "Croakers" - long faced men with feint hearts and weak nerves (the author suggests putting petticoats and curls on these men, but that is an insult to the women of the county) that destroy the confidence of the people, and (3) speculators and extortioners - apparently by early-mid-1862, there were already inflation and supply problems. The final line in the article was that the "home enemies" were worse than the Yankees. Two more issues in the CSA press - (1) they made a public request for church bells (to be melted down and recast into cannon), and (2) there were lists of casualties and POWs - there were none in the PA paper.

[Teresa Miller]

The Valley of the Shadow
Letter from L. Barnitz Bacon to Edward McPherson dated December 19, 1860. Franklin County, PA
After an exchange of pleasantries you find Mr. Bacon's perspective of the current situation in the US. He talks about no being affiliated with any political party, however, he always votes. He would like to suggest to the legislators to preserve the Union. Let there be harmony even if concessions are made. It this cannot be, he wants to end the disagreement in a peaceful way.
He continues to discuss his children's involvement. The oldest in a Navy officer, the younger son lives in the south. He is concerned that they may take arms against each other. He mentions his father and the sacrifice he made for the colored race. He considered this to be an unnecessary and fratricidal war.
When you compare his opinion with John H Cochran you see that Mr. Bacon calls for a peaceful agreement to deal with slavery. As for Mr. Cochran, he is ready to take up arms and fight to defend the south, namely South Carolina.

Letter from A.G. Guskins Abbeville District, South Carolina to his cousin living in Augusta County, VA
In this letter you see a very different perspective. He reminds his cousin that South Carolina has seceded from the nation. South Carolina has 50,000 ready to march anywhere they are needed, even to Washington. South Carolina supports any slave state that choose to secede because their interest are the same. If not, they are prepared to take care of themselves.
You get the impression that the southern states are united with their intent to defend their interest as a slave state. Sure, I have the advantage of looking back and trying to understand why you would ever consider supporting slavery. Concessions were not an option or even a topic for discussion. The northern states were looking for a peaceful compromise that would end the conflict quickly while the south was gathering supporters to defend their home.
After providing a bit of background the differences are obvious.
The south was ready to defend and preserve their way of life. Slavery was deeply embedded into society and they could no longer see the evil associated with it. I know that slavery supported the local economy and allowed for cotton to be exported around the nation and the world and this was one of the justifications used to allow such behavior in society. The second justification was taken from scripture. The Bible is very specific about the behavior and expectations of a slave and a slave master. Unfortunately our history indicates that the treatment of a slave was horrible and regrettable. The slave owner inflicted atrocities beyond our belief and was not executed as instructed in scripture. So how could you defend this?
I’m a bit surprised to read that Pennsylvania was ready to consider a compromise. The compromise to allow slavery was a mistake. I believe this mistake dates back to the Revolutionary era. The local politicians in Pennsylvania were willing to run for office and propose such compromises within the legislature. The good intention of keeping peace, realizing that fighting brother against brother was difficult. But we indeed did fight a fratricidal war. It was necessary in order to provide emancipation to all men, women, and children who were in bondage.