Preface – This is not a post to argue the legitimacy of the Confederacy, the “Lost Cause,” or the issue of the abhorrent “Peculiar Institution” of Slavery. Preface – This is not a post to argue the legitimacy of the Confederacy, the “Lost Cause,” or the issue of the abhorrent “Peculiar Institution” of Slavery. Slavery in all of its forms is evil. From the beginning of recorded history, slaves have been taken and held. It is not just a past American institution, and regardless of “who started it” it has had worldwide acceptance, and practiced by ALL races on every continent. That being said, we are one of only a few nations who fought a bloody war, in part to end the institution, and have transformed our government, laws, mores, values, and norms, to not only abolish slavery, but to rid ourselves of the stench of systemic, and “legal” racism.

While there are still, and always will be, people who are bigoted, racist, and supremacists in their own way, one of the beautiful things about how the United States has morphed and changed, is that we can look back and see just how far we have come. 200 years ago, most blacks in the United States were little more than chattel. A few decades ago, a black person could not own a home in certain neighborhoods, drink from certain fountains, or expect equal treatment under the law or in the workplace. Today, we have had a black President, and have had many black Governors, Military Leaders, Legislators, business magnates, and others in positions of power. This is not to say that bigots do not exist – it is just to say that the Nation as changed, and given an official cold shoulder to the evil that is judgement based on the color of skin, instead of the content of character.

This missive is just as an aside to address the late movement to remove statues, rename Army installations, exhume bodies, remove headstones and sandblast monuments from living rock. While I understand that some of these monuments may be “triggering” to some, we must take history in the entire context of its own times, and not so harshly judge based on modern sensibilities, mores, and values –

The gravestone of Confederate Soldiers are those of American Veterans. Like or or not – just like the ACA and Gay Marriage is “the law of the land” – so is the status of Confederate Soldiers. So, as some people would desecrate these monuments, graves, and statues – I would beg the question: Would you do the same to any other American Soldier? Would you desecrate the Iwo Jima monument, the Tomb of the Unknowns, The Vietnam Wall? I would hope not. But, it seems that some of the same people that would desecrate these tributes to American Soldiers of the Confederacy, have done the same to American Soldiers from the Union, and many other American conflicts. Desecrating the grave or a memorial to a Soldier is wrong – no matter the nationality.

So what do I care? Well, the picture above is a government-issued (VA) headstone marking the burial place of my direct paternal ancestor. Harm or attempt to remove that one – go ahead…I double dog dare you.

See the link below, where you can see how one can order a headstone for a Confederate American Soldier, and have it placed by the VA.

Deeper still is the Deeper still is the fact that the US Government in years past has gone to great extents to reconcile with Confederate American Soldiers and their families – and point in fact – they are that the US Government in years past has gone to great extents to reconcile with Confederate American Soldiers and their families – and point in fact – they are by law, American Veterans and are to be given the same benefits, respect and honor that other American Soldiers are. Indeed, many former Confederates went on to serve the United States in both official and unofficial Capacities. For example, Major General Wheeler rejoined the United States Army, and fought in both Cuba and the Philippines during the Spanish-American War. Wheeler is just the tip of the iceberg. Almost every Confederate leader rejoined the Union, and lived out their days in service of their fellow American, and the Soldiers went back to farms and businesses, to help rebuild the nation. Were there exceptions? Sure. A very small minority formed groups like the Klan, and they have largely gone the way of the dodo.

Since the end of the War, the United States Government has gone to great lengths to heal the rift between the belligerents. The Department of Defense – specifically the US Army, recognizes both Veterans and units of the Confederate Armies as members of the United States military. The Civil War Campaign Medal and Battle Streamers are authorized for Confederate American Veterans and Units receptively, that at the time were Confederate Army Regiments, and the only difference is the position of the Blue and Grey stripes and the actual names of the battles (as each side chose different names for the same battle) on the streamers – with precedence given to the side with which the Unit fought.

Those that would call the Confederate American Soldiers “traitors” – I have some information that might be shocking to you. Regardless of how you feel, blanket amnesty and pardon were given to ALL Confederates between 1865 and 1868 by President Johnson – per the wishes of President Lincoln. So please – lets let these American Veterans rest in peace.

Concerning memorials, statues, and other markers – here is my take – Put it up for referendum. Don’t let mob rules. Our options are these (please add other options if you can think of them):

Those that would call the Confederate American Soldiers “traitors” – I have some information that might be shocking to you. Regardless of how you feel, blanket amnesty and pardon were given to ALL Confederates between 1865 and 1868 by President Johnson – per the wishes of President Lincoln. So please – lets let these American Veterans rest in peace.

Concerning memorials, statues, and other markers – here is my take – Put it up for referendum. Don’t let mob rules. Our options are these (please add other options if you can think of them):

1) Take down/destroy them all. I don’t like this one at all as it reeks of AQ/ISIS style erasure of history.

2) Leave them where they are, without context. They are part of what has made us what we are, for better or worse. They remind us of what has happened, and how we can avoid the mistakes of the past.

3) Take them down and move them to a “separate” park/museum that specializes in Confederate history. This might be a good compromise, although it is a slippery slope, and does not address more permanent monuments such as Stone Mountain.

4) Leave them where they are, but add plaques or other informative markers that give context and add value to the display.

Related laws and regulations:

Public Law 38, 59th Congress, Chap. 631-34 Stat. 56, 9 March 1906

Authorized the furnishing of headstones for the graves of Confederates who died, primarily in Union prison camps and were buried in Federal cemeteries.

U.S. Public Law 810, Approved by 17th Congress 26 February 1929; (45 Stat 1307 – Currently on the books as 38 U.S. Code, Sec. 2306)

This law, passed by the U.S. Congress, authorized the “Secretary of War to erect headstones over the graves of soldiers who served in the Confederate Army and to direct him to preserve in the records of the War Department the names and places of burial of all soldiers for whom such headstones shall have been erected.”

U.S. Public Law 85-425: Sec. 410 Approved 23 May 1958; US Statutes at Large Volume 72, Part 1, Page 133-134

The Administrator shall pay to each person who served in the military or naval forces of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War a monthly pension in the same amounts and subject to the same conditions as would have been applicable to such person under the laws in effect on December 31, 1957, if his service in such forces had been service in the military or naval forces of the United States

U.S. Code Title 38 – Veterans’ Benefits, Part II – General Benefits, Chapter 15 –

Pension for Non-Service-Connected Disability or Death or for Service, Subchapter I – General, § 1501. Definitions: (3) The term “Civil War veteran” includes a person who served in the military or naval forces of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War, and the term “active military or naval service” includes active service in those forces.

From Army Regulation 600-8-22; Paragraph 5–20

Civil War Campaign Medal – This medal was established by War Department General Order 12, 1907. It is awarded for service between 15 April 1861 and 9 April 1865, or in Texas between 15 April 1861 and 20 August 1866.

Army Regulation 600-8-22; Paragraph 5–20; Table B–1

Campaigns, Service Requirements, and Inscriptions Prescribed for Streamers – For Confederate service, campaign honors to indicate Bull Run, Manassas, and Antietam, will use inscriptions: First Manassas, Second Manassas, and Sharpsburg, respectively

From Army Regulation 840–10; Paragraph 9–11

Campaign streamers (e) Civil War (Confederate Service). Campaign streamers and war service streamers will be awarded for active Confederate military service as an exception to the requirement of “active Federal military service.” The streamer is divided horizontally gray above blue. The inscription is golden yellow. (See fig 9-35.)

From the VA website:

Pre-World War I Era Headstones and Markers: The inscription on the recessed-shield headstone is limited. For Civil War Union and Spanish American War, a shield is inscribed which encompasses the arched name and abbreviated military organization. Because of the special design and historical uniform significance, no emblem of belief or additional inscription may be inscribed. The dates of birth and death are inscribed below the shield.

A special style is also available to mark the graves of Confederate war dead. These special styles are available in upright marble or granite. To request this special style select the appropriate box in block 11 for upright marble (U) or upright granite (V) and write the words “special style – confederate” in block 11.

Headstone with the Southern Cross of Honor The inscription on the special style for Civil War Confederate is also limited. The Southern Cross of Honor is automatically inscribed at the top. The name is arched, followed by abbreviated military organization and dates of birth and death. No additional items can be inscribed. If a flat marker is desired for a Confederate soldier, the Southern Cross of Honor can be inscribed if requested, or any of the other approved emblems may be inscribed if requested.

Further official actions:

May 29, 1865: President Andrew Johnson issued his Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction. . The majority of former Confederates could receive pardon for their participation in the rebellion by taking an oath swearing allegiance to the United States of America. However, within the Proclamation, Johnson excluded fourteen “classes” of former Confederates.

September 7, 1867: Johnson, desiring to hasten Reconstruction, narrowed the excepted classes to three, one of which being “all who held . . . a military rank or title above the grade of brigadier general, or the naval rank or title above that of captain.”

July 4, 1868: : : Johnson granted pardon to most former Confederates, excluding approximately three hundred, who were “under presentment or indictment in any court of the United States upon a charge of treason or other felony.”

December 25, 1868::: Johnson granted a final pardon to all former Confederates, hoping that his actions would “secure permanent peace, order, and prosperity throughout the land, and to renew and fully restore confidence and fraternal feeling among the whole people and their respect and attachment to the National Government.”