Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Withywindle

(9,988 posts)
153. Just general knowledge
Wed Nov 21, 2012, 02:08 PM
Nov 2012

I grew up in SW VA, that little tail of it that fits into WV, KY, and TN, and isn't far from NC. People I knew whose families had deep roots in that region had stories about relatives on both sides--and on no side at all, but still getting robbed and raided by soldiers from both sides.

I probably did have ancestors on both sides because of branches of my dad's family that lived in both Virginia and Maryland. Just because a state was Confederate or Union didn't mean that all the people in it supported that side, of course. My grandfather always told me it was his great-great uncle from VA who fought for the Union and the one from MD who fought for the Confederacy! I can't confirm that with actual research, though, just lore.

Don't see my choice there union_maid Nov 2012 #1
OK, there's more of my ignorance exposed. I guess I thought serving was voluntary, but it your GF Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #12
There were massive anti-draft riots, especially among recent immigrants Tanuki Nov 2012 #31
It occurs to me only now, as "draft riots" rings a faint bell, that having watched both Ken Burns' Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #143
The Confederates also instituted a rather comprehensive draft, and did so earlier than the Union alcibiades_mystery Nov 2012 #43
The war was more than protection for the slaveholding class. It was outright treason (take coalition_unwilling Nov 2012 #134
Hey, people lucky enough to live in Venice Beach forfeit their right to bitch about anything in my Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #141
True! "States' Rights! Now, report for duty to your central gov't." VOX Nov 2012 #161
Freedom! Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #164
"Rich man's war, poor man's fight" was a common slogan then. gkhouston Nov 2012 #155
I don't see mine either hfojvt Nov 2012 #72
GAR? Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #142
Grand Army of the Republic geardaddy Nov 2012 #148
But of course. I once knew that. Sorry. My mind's a sieve. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #166
I have direct ancestors that were slave owners TexasProgresive Nov 2012 #2
GGGGF, Clement's father, owned a large number of slaves. I think Clement owned just a few. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #9
I found that out as well, about five or six months ago. Codeine Nov 2012 #48
Ancestry.com is quite the treasure trove. I would feel better if I had family stories that supported Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #103
so do I hfojvt Nov 2012 #70
One (at least) on each side. LuvNewcastle Nov 2012 #3
I am coming to find out I know much less about the CW than I'd imagined. I knew some families split, Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #6
One well known example of a community split Lars39 Nov 2012 #10
TN? Wikipedia claims, "With such sentiment and influence, it's no surprise that Cades Cove remained Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #16
Probably Lars39 Nov 2012 #50
: ) Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #95
My handle is in reference to the ale. LuvNewcastle Nov 2012 #11
Curses! Geography again. Or topography? Makes sense. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #17
Kentucky was split A Little Weird Nov 2012 #55
That's an interesting transition over time. After watching the Dust Bowl doc on PBS, it was Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #121
Kentucky was NOT "solid south," though Withywindle Nov 2012 #90
Do you know that from family history, or just general knowledge about the war? Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #110
Just general knowledge Withywindle Nov 2012 #153
I see some votes have come in. Of course, I'd love to hear more about your family histories Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #4
have you visited the DU Genealogy forum? Viva_La_Revolution Nov 2012 #75
Thanks, I haven't really looked into the various groups/forums. I had no idea there was a Genealogyf Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #96
why emotional. it was a different time and place and dosent really mean anything bad loli phabay Nov 2012 #5
Intellectually, I get that. I don't know. Part of it is just the little stories about how Clement Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #7
I agree Casandia Nov 2012 #32
My mother in law had ancestors who fought in the Revolution... GreenEyedLefty Nov 2012 #8
I'm pretty sure my English-Irish-Welsh-Italian-Slovak ancestors arrived post-Civil War to mine coal. WinkyDink Nov 2012 #13
More likely, to work on the railroad REP Nov 2012 #64
Mine were post-CW but they went to PA to mine coal. geardaddy Nov 2012 #77
Wales was pretty big into coal mining, right? So, did they leave there to come here and mine coal Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #98
I'm guessing that wages were higher here geardaddy Nov 2012 #149
The Welsh suffered under English oppression REP Nov 2012 #183
Dw i'n gwybod. geardaddy Nov 2012 #184
None of my ancestors were here, either. GoCubsGo Nov 2012 #68
My grand father was from Georgia but fought for the North madokie Nov 2012 #14
Were there actually regiments from the south who fought for the North. I mean, did your GF Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #21
My great grand father was a slave owner madokie Nov 2012 #34
I'm intrigued by your dad leaving his slave-owning family to fight for the North, then being Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #39
My great grandfather had already given his slaves freedom and they stayed with him madokie Nov 2012 #73
They were called Southern Unionists theHandpuppet Nov 2012 #146
Great point. Thanks for the links. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #167
Wow ! 3 generations in 108 years ! jaysunb Nov 2012 #99
None for the South (5 for the North), but 4 who fought for the British in the Revolutionary war htuttle Nov 2012 #15
That's a good point. So, you apparently know a great deal about your ancestors. My grandparents Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #24
That's where I started from htuttle Nov 2012 #44
I did a lot of research for free on familyseach.org first, so I had a head start. Then my mom signed Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #128
on my mother's side my family brokechris Nov 2012 #18
oh yeah--the diaries of some family members have brokechris Nov 2012 #19
That must be so interesting! We just have the censuses and a few city directory entries. I guess Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #25
It is addicting. MadrasT Nov 2012 #27
Ooooh, that's exciting. Always more to discover. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #36
That is really cool. MadrasT Nov 2012 #28
I even have some interviews that my ggggrandfather brokechris Nov 2012 #30
Way cool. MadrasT Nov 2012 #35
My wife qualifies for DOC and therefore my son will qualify for SOC aikoaiko Nov 2012 #20
DOC is news to me. That's quite a past. Your son has a fascinating family history to discover. Do Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #26
Not like the Klan. aikoaiko Nov 2012 #60
I'm guessing I'd qualify as a DOC, but, yeah, I don't know. I live in Southeastern PA, and there is Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #101
I qualify for DAR, DOC, and Daughters of the Union REP Nov 2012 #67
We hear that families were torn apart by the war, but the true life stories are so powerful, to me. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #105
it's likely i had some sort of relative fight on both sides fizzgig Nov 2012 #22
I am a Daughter of a Union Veteran MadrasT Nov 2012 #23
Your GGGF made it though all that? We used to take the 5th graders to Gettysburg every year, so I Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #33
It could be that your ancestors were racist. MadrasT Nov 2012 #37
"It is amazing to me to think that had my GG grandpa not survived all those battles, I would not be Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #42
I have a letter from my gggrandfather from a Union battlefield hospital REP Nov 2012 #69
The few old family letters we have are so precious, but none are related to anything of such great Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #168
I had one ancestor lose a leg at Gettysburg quaker bill Nov 2012 #29
Oh my, the stories they tell of the surgeries when you visit the battlefield. It's hard to imagine Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #45
The tale goes that it was shot off by a cannon quaker bill Nov 2012 #92
My Granddaddy's 2 brothers fought and it is an interesting story. newfie11 Nov 2012 #38
So, you're the "I had one direct ancestor who fought for both the North and the South! Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #47
Yep one of the 3 newfie11 Nov 2012 #81
My family has lived in Michigan on both sides as long as they've been in what is now the US gollygee Nov 2012 #40
On my side, all immigrants who got here way past the CW. On my husband's Butterbean Nov 2012 #41
5th-gg veteran of Revolutionary War. 3 gggs fought for Confederacy, 1 ggg fought for Union. Zen Democrat Nov 2012 #46
What a family! Do you happen to know how many fellow WWII survivors your dad still has? Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #49
I've always wondered why Republicans are Reds when they hate Communists so much! Zen Democrat Nov 2012 #58
AFAIK, all of my CW ancestors fought for the North WolverineDG Nov 2012 #51
Wow! Another really interesting family history. Booker T, and the Yan-kees! Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #100
I only know of a Northern one treestar Nov 2012 #52
Yep. I'm finding there can be a lot we don't know about our ancestors! Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #108
Some of us more than others me b zola Nov 2012 #125
That's a tease. Do tell. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #129
Adoption is identity theft me b zola Nov 2012 #150
I can sympathize with the issues brought up there. I'm sorry for your loss. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #163
Genealogy/ancestry research is big business and everyone is interested me b zola Nov 2012 #181
I know for sure that an ancestor on my father's side was a Confederate soldier.. ananda Nov 2012 #53
I had reletives that fought on both sides. nt Javaman Nov 2012 #54
One on each side Spider Jerusalem Nov 2012 #56
I have several that fought on both sides... sunwyn Nov 2012 #57
Duvall, eh? Any relation to Mareen Duvall of Maryland? Spider Jerusalem Nov 2012 #87
Damn, I wonder if I'm related to our president, too. How did you discover that? Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #117
My ancestors were Italian goat-herders at the time of the Civil War. Arkana Nov 2012 #59
The most important point to learn when you're tracing your family tree.... OldDem2012 Nov 2012 #61
I agree, once you start putting together the tree many things pop up flamingdem Nov 2012 #80
A box of chocolates, ha! Yep. Thanks for sharing your insights and stories. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #118
As far as I can tell, all of our relatives fought for the Union. NiteOwll Nov 2012 #62
Every male of age on both sides fought for the confederacy curlyred Nov 2012 #63
My VA relatives are all Teabaggers too. My mom wants me to go down there with her to try to get some Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #106
On both sides? I would have thought there were at least some Union soldiers in the war. (nt) Posteritatis Nov 2012 #109
My parents were JNelson6563 Nov 2012 #65
My GGGF had his earlobe shot off in the war. (Talk about your close calls!) bluedigger Nov 2012 #66
Mine rode with John Brown MuseRider Nov 2012 #71
Truer words! Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #119
What if you knew one your ancestors AsahinaKimi Nov 2012 #74
I can't imagine. War, huh, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing, (well, for the most part...) Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #120
I would say that your dad is right. Major Hogwash Nov 2012 #156
Not sure, there would have been some of those Ozark (AR) hill folk who would have gone back patrice Nov 2012 #76
I have some idea--I get very, very absorbed in good books--audio or print--and when you can relate Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #122
My gr gr had a regimen in NY named after him flamingdem Nov 2012 #78
So, you've got politics in your blood? Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #123
I always did and the rest of the family as well flamingdem Nov 2012 #147
My grandma pointed out the grave of her uncle or great uncle geardaddy Nov 2012 #79
After what I've learned in this thread, I wont assume whether or not that was a Union or Confederate Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #131
I had a very interesting situation... susanna Nov 2012 #82
I think my second last poll option covers this, but certainly not in this much detail! I guess that Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #132
All of the above liberal N proud Nov 2012 #83
My mother's mother's father's father died at Vicksburg. libinnyandia Nov 2012 #84
That's actually a bit of a family mystery for me. Xithras Nov 2012 #85
There are some really big categories missing Retrograde Nov 2012 #86
Not missing, really, since it's a poll about ancestors who fought in the Civil War. Nothing against Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #133
So the rest of us aren't "real" DUers? Retrograde Nov 2012 #162
You have read into my OP Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #169
Have North and South Veterans in my family tree JCMach1 Nov 2012 #88
Holy crossdressing, Machman! Now that's a real behind-the-scenes story you family has. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #170
One ggg on mom's side was in the ashling Nov 2012 #89
I know that I tend to be surprised when family members end up being so politically different Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #171
I have ancestors who served on both sides. I didn't find out about them until I was 51 years old mulsh Nov 2012 #91
Holy crap, GG Uncle Antonio! What were you fighting for? Don't you wish he'd written some letters Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #172
Paternal grandmother's maternal grandfather, 8th Illinois Cavalry, was wounded at Monocacy. FarCenter Nov 2012 #93
Monacacy--another new one to me. Seems like one I'd have heard of. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #173
I have a lot of ancestors who fought for the Confederacy csziggy Nov 2012 #94
I'm related to the wife of Jefferson Davis ismnotwasm Nov 2012 #97
I've been wrong a lot in this thread in my guesses and assumptions about affiliations, so I won't Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #135
My ancestors came "over on the boat" in 1919 OEM BillyJack Nov 2012 #102
You should add another choice for those whose ancestors were immigrants democrattotheend Nov 2012 #104
My ancestors were from Virginia/W. Virginia probably had them on both sides. n/t doc03 Nov 2012 #107
My family was not in the US during the Civil War. nt ZombieHorde Nov 2012 #111
A large branch of my family tree Tree-Hugger Nov 2012 #112
Anyone who compares\equates Lee to Hitler needs to have his or her head examined pronto. FFS, Lee coalition_unwilling Nov 2012 #138
Well, sounds like you know more than many about their family tree. Very interesting. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #139
my gg grandfather veganlush Nov 2012 #113
Well that was mighty neighborly of him! Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #144
none of my relatives had any part of it Skittles Nov 2012 #114
Didn't some Brits have some part in it? At least in weapons sales and other support? Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #137
certainly not my fishermen! Skittles Nov 2012 #145
don't feel too bad; I have some Tories in my ancestry grasswire Nov 2012 #115
Well, it sounds like if they sinned, they sure did pay their penance. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #140
Both sides of my family ellie Nov 2012 #116
Well, then no wonder you're a Dem. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #136
My ancestors all fought for the South. madfloridian Nov 2012 #124
I have family on both sides of WWI, WWII, the Civil War and the Revolution jberryhill Nov 2012 #126
Be very proud of your Confederate ancestor. No Vested Interest Nov 2012 #127
Yeah, when a boy too young to fight tries to sign up anyway, that shows some courage Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #130
Me too get the red out Nov 2012 #151
My ancestors of that time lived under the boot of the Russian Empire. Kaleva Nov 2012 #152
Living under a boot--that sounds less than ideal. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #175
I had a lot of ancestors in the US during the Civil War, so you would think that I would kestrel91316 Nov 2012 #154
Sounds like your ancestral army was resting up for future wars! Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #174
I had ancestors on both sides Nikia Nov 2012 #157
The turn started with my mother. She's a relatively liberal Dem, and three of her five children Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #177
the world of the past was a cruel and brutal world -- no doubt everyone of us us have among our Douglas Carpenter Nov 2012 #158
Nicely put -- and quite true. n/t VOX Nov 2012 #160
True. Sadly, I think for the most part the world of today is still a cruel and brutal world. That's Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #178
If my Confederate GGF had been killed, I wouldn't be typing this... VOX Nov 2012 #159
Another option...my ancestors came over in the early 1900's AFTER the Civil War... joeybee12 Nov 2012 #165
I had no ancestors who were even in the country at the time. Jackpine Radical Nov 2012 #176
Not only ancestors who fought for Union and Confederacy one ancestor armed slaves against Mormons. gordianot Nov 2012 #179
I had ancestors on the wrong side of Civil and Revolutionary Wars catbyte Nov 2012 #180
The Mason-Dixon Line pretty much intertwines with my family tree. luvs2sing Nov 2012 #182
My family is from the so south Drahthaardogs Nov 2012 #185
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»I just found out that one...»Reply #153