Myths About the Civil War That Have Been Entirely Debunked

The longer these myths linger, the more difficult it will be for a comprehensive understanding to emerge that encompasses the complexities surrounding this larger-than-life conflict. Here we debunk a number of prevalent and persistent misconceptions, throwing a light on the lesser-known aspects of the American Civil War.

Led by figures like Governor Horatio Seymour of New York, these dissenters opposed Lincoln’s leadership and the war itself. The Civil War Draft Riots of 1863 exemplify the depth of this dissent, as working-class citizens, angered by the Enrollment Act, engaged in violent acts against African Americans and their establishments.

While many did volunteer to fight in the war, this isn’t completely true. Many men were also conscripted in the draft. The Confederacy even passed the first draft laws in U.S. history in 1862. Meanwhile, Northern states drafted men in both 1863 and 1864.

Documents have proven that many German, Irish, and Scandinavian immigrants fought for the Union, among many others. Now, it is thought that about a third of the entire Union Army consisted of immigrants or foreign-born people.

While there were many Irish immigrants who fought for the Union, this little scenario isn’t true. However, it is true that many immigrants from Ireland disagreed with the war. The draft riots in New York in 1863 were mainly conducted by Irish immigrants who disagreed with the ongoing war’s policy and drafting.

Southern and northern states weren’t on the same page on the politics and economics of slavery. The South also didn’t want Abraham Lincoln as their president. All of this also had to do with states’ rights.

Similarly, General Robert E. Lee, while initially hesitant about secession, aligned with his home state of Virginia when it seceded. The prevailing ideology, however, revolved around the question of slavery, with Davis staunchly defending it as a “moral, social, and political blessing.”

It excluded border states like Kentucky and Delaware, and its efficacy hinged on the Union’s victory.

The Confederate’s Vice President Alexander A. Stephens discussed this inequality of man and disagreed with the founders in 1861. Stephens said, “Our new government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea; its foundations are laid, its corner-stone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition.”

This phrase didn’t begin to appear popularly in society until the 1950s during the Jim Crow era. Segregationists came up with the phrase as they tried to compare their efforts against segregation to the Civil War.

However, there is ample evidence that suggests there were many elder soldiers in the war. While the Union Army mainly only had under 30 soldiers, some Confederate soldiers enlisted in their 50s, 60s, and even 70s.

The 13th Amendment in December 1865 solidified the end of slavery in the United States.

In fact, Lincoln thought that abolitionism was an even greater danger to the United States’ republic than slavery was.

This is because abolitionists knew what needed to be done. Slavery needed to be abolished, something Lincoln didn’t outright call for in the early 1850s thanks to what could be done under the Constitution. However, once emancipation and the 13th Amendment rolled around, abolitionists finally fully supported Lincoln.

While not without controversies, advancements in medical practices allowed for a substantial use of anesthesia during this period.

This isn’t true — though rather dire situations of this sort may have occurred. However, it wasn’t common, at all. For the most part, any amputated body part was treated with respect and was often buried.

Disguised as men, some managed to infiltrate the front lines, engaging in activities such as spying, reconnaissance, and combat. Jennie Hodgers, fighting as Albert Cashier, exemplifies one such individual.

Despite being the shortest soldier in the regiment, Albert was accepted by fellow soldiers and proved to be a dedicated fighter. Albert’s regiment participated in over 40 engagements, including the siege of Vicksburg, the Battle of Nashville, and campaigns in Georgia. Post-war, Albert continued to live as a man. Their unwavering commitment to a male identity has led some scholars to consider Albert as a transgender man.

However, many slaves did follow Confederate Armies, as they worked as camp slaves for soldiers. These slaves had the roles of cooks or musicians, while others repaired railroad lines or worked in munitions factories.

However, by March 1865, things had changed. The Confederates agreed to use Black troops in their fight against the Union — only four weeks before the war ended. This move never appeared to even have time to allow slaves to be trained as soldiers.

Renowned orator Edward Everett was slated to deliver the primary address, a meticulously prepared two-hour speech. President Lincoln, delivering his concise address afterward, overshadowed Everett’s lengthy oration, reducing it to a historical footnote.

In reality, he had been meticulously crafting his remarks ever since receiving the invitation. Like the rest of the nation, he had almost five months to reflect on the profound costs of the battle. It is probable, however, that the finishing touches to the Gettysburg Address were applied the night before the ceremony.

The Battle of Cherbourg off the coast of France in 1864, where the Confederate ship CSS Alabama faced the Union’s USS Kearsarge, exemplifies the war’s international dimension.

A range of diverse perspectives, challenges, and unexpected moments defined this transformative period in U.S. history. Understanding that conventional narratives gloss over complexities is crucial for a comprehensive grasp of the Civil War’s profound impact on the nation.