Battle, Death and Burial. A Confederate Cemetery in Divided Charles Town: Civil War West Virginia

Рет қаралды 52,056

3 жыл бұрын

Garry and Dennis make a stop at Edge Hill Cemetery in Charles Town, West Virginia to detail what happened to the Confederate soldiers killed at the Battle of Antietam.
Learn More about Battlefield Death in the Civil War here: www.battlefields.org/learn/vi...
Look for our numerous videos on KZfaq over the next week, and special thanks to all the donors who helped make this trip possible!

Пікірлер: 171

@tommythuntdeer 3 жыл бұрын

Always such a solemn feeling and reminder how much Americans have suffered and sacrificed for their cause. My 3rd Great Grandfather and a Great Uncle both died in the Battle of Chickamauga. Both left wives and children behind. Neither grave have been found. I know what you mean when you say “fortunate”. Thanks for sharing.

@FishnMusic Жыл бұрын

Rock steady✊️🇺🇲

@beezo2560 3 жыл бұрын

I'm asking politely, please, don't politicize here. This video represents all of our histories, north and south. Please honor the dead represented in this video. Thank you.

@davidking909 3 жыл бұрын

Very well said. I have family that fought for the north in Maryland and Gettysburg. We should honor all that fought for both sides. RIP to all our soldiers

@sharynstover1823 3 жыл бұрын

Yes bless all y'all

@mollkatless 2 жыл бұрын

Respectfully, your request has assumptions built into it that are not shared by most people. For example, your request assumes the lost cause narrative is anything other than pure fiction. This was not a war fought by two equally moral opponents. The side being discussed in this video, is the side who fought to preserve slavery, or to preserve a society that was morally corrupt enough to hold human beings as chattel property, it is in every single document of secession, and in the private letters of confederate non slaver owners. The war was political, the truth of why southerners fought the war is not political, it is simply the truth

@beezo2560 2 жыл бұрын

@@mollkatless All I asked was that you NOT do what you just did, politicize. Honor the dead on both sides I asked. But you need to be heard. Your outrage must be recognized. So, go ahead since you feel you must. I'm sure you have lots to complain about.

@DUCKSAREEVILLLLLLLL 2 жыл бұрын

@@mollkatless The guys fighting didn't know they were fighting to preserve slave labor arbitrage that kept them poor. They thought they were just fighting for their state. The entire country, including the north, benefited from cotton and other slave exports, and then, all of a sudden, it became evil. That's probably how they saw it.

@Hurricaneintheroom 3 жыл бұрын

Yes those Confederates buried at that cemetery with names are very fortunate. I've got ancestors who died at Shiloh. No grave. Most likely buried in a mass grave like you were talking about. My fathers' family was in Winchester. Winchester changed hands about 73 times. So tracking ancestors can be hard. Although I've helped a lot of people find their ancestors by relocating, taking pics, and documenting forgotten cemeteries.

@patrickdavies5185 3 жыл бұрын

My family would be honored by the dispassionate discourse of this gentleman. We fought for our nation also.

@patrickharris8180 Жыл бұрын

Wrong. They fought for slavery.

@teddyhaynes9876 Жыл бұрын

Wrong , they was invaded

@Birds_In_Crime Жыл бұрын

@@patrickharris8180 do you know his family members personally? No Do you think they had a choice or say in the matter regardless? No Even if all the answers to those questions were a Yes, everyone's family and ancestors have done heinous things

@christopherhughes5729 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you guys for all you do. Your Awesome!! Love this channel!! My Great Great Grandfather and Uncle fought with the 15th Alabama infantry at Cold Harbor, Seven Pines and Front Royal. My Grandfather was wounded in the knee, foot, and thigh from shrapnel at Cold Harbor and again in the arm pit at a place I can't truthfully remember. I don't know if they fought at Harpers Ferry or not I'll ask my uncle. My family are now here in Florida. But we are from Arab Alabama.

@fastsetinthewest 3 жыл бұрын

I spent a fortnight in a Vietnam field hospital in 1968. I've seen wounded men laid upon stainless steel tables, naked, opened up like a watermelon, crying for water, and crying for their mothers. Right outside our door was the stinking morgue. I had a gg grandfather fight at Chickamauga for Tennessee. My other gg grandfather was in the 23rd Michigan Infantry.

@bp6877 3 жыл бұрын

You are a fantastic guide! Thank you so much! There's another excellent Confederate cemetery right down the street from Antietam battlefield, just past it. I only learned about it while completing a volksmarch. There, you see tombstones with dates of death of September 17+, 1862; that really brought the realness of the battle to me, to see tombstones corresponding with the actual date of battle and shortly thereafter.

@mattpiepenburg8769 Жыл бұрын

Very much appreciate these videos and keeping the memory of (and respect for) the fallen. History matters.

@usmc-veteran7316 2 жыл бұрын

This was an excellent video about West Virginia during the Civil War. I'm proud to say I live in West Virginia. My family supported the Union Army. BUT West Virginia was border State and we had people who supported the Confederates also.

@hounddog3476 Жыл бұрын

Mountain men live free boy. Havent you heard? There was no support for slavers amongst the real mountain men of west virginia.

@jimmystone4823 Жыл бұрын

U probably never served to understand what service is to your community, state, or country. Are you a 1% of this country?

@SouthernGentleman 3 жыл бұрын

Love and respect for all veterans

@montanaskies2702 2 жыл бұрын

No respect for “veterans” who fought for the confederacy. Who actually fought & died to keep & treat human beings like property & animals all cause the color of their skin.

@SouthernGentleman 2 жыл бұрын

@@montanaskies2702 “We Are Fighting for Independence, Not Slavery”. - Jefferson Davis President of the Confederacy to Edward Kirk “I worked night and day for 12 years to prevent the war, but I could not. The north was mad, blind,would not let us govern ourselves, and so the war came.” - Confederate President Jefferson Davis “In this enlightened age, there are few I believe, but what will acknowledge, that slavery as an institution, is a moral & political evil in any Country.” - Robert E Lee 1856 “While we see the Course of the final abolition of human slavery is onward, & we give it the aid of our prayers & all justifiable means in our power we must leave the progress as well as the result in his hands who Sees the end” - Robert E Lee 1856 “I am rejoiced that slavery is abolished. I believe it will be greatly for the interests of the South. So fully am I satisfied of this, as regards Virginia especially, that I would cheerfully have lost all I have lost by the war, and have suffered all I have suffered, to have this object attained.” - Robert E Lee 1865 “All I think that can now be done, is to aid our noble & generous women in their efforts to protect the graves & mark the last resting places of those who have fallen, & wait for better times.” - Robert E. Lee “I have always been in favor of Emancipation.” - Robert E Lee In an 1863 letter to his home state congressman, Elihu Washburne, Grant summed up his pre-war attitude: “I never was an Abolitionist,” he said, “not even what could be called anti-slavery.” “Slavery exists. It is black in the South, and white in the North.” - Union Vice President Johnson. “We're not fighting for the perpetuation of slavery, but for the principles of states rights and free trade, and in defense of our homes which we were ruthlessly invaded.” -VMI Jewish Cadet Moses Jacob Ezekiel “Abolish the Loyal League and the Ku Klux Klan; let us stand together. We may differ in color, but not in sentiment. Many things have been said about me which are wrong, and which white and black persons here, who stood by me through the war, can contradict.” - Nathan Bedford Forrest “African Americans should have the right to vote.” - Confederate Colonel John Salmon Ford The confederate soldier “Fought because he was provoked, intimidated, and ultimately invaded” -James Webb Born Fighting a History of the Scoth-Irish in America “I was fighting for my home, and he had no business being there” -Virginia confederate Soldier Frank Potts

@SouthernGentleman 2 жыл бұрын

@@montanaskies2702 So I guess you hate the Union because they had 7 slave states and the us constitution protected slavery. It’s not like 70% of the south weren’t owners. Oh wait they weren’t and they fought because the north were killing southerners at Harper’s Ferry and building army later.

@SouthernGentleman 2 жыл бұрын

Thousands of blacks fought for the Confederacy like black Confederate sailor David White from CSS Alabama, Cuban Woman Loretta Velasquez dressed as a man to fight for the Confederacy, Cherokee and Choctaw tribes fought for the Confederacy. The last Confederate General to stop fighting was Cherokee General Stand Watie. 10,000 Jews fought for the Confederacy, like Moses Ezekiel. 13,000 Hispanics and 3,000 Mexican-Texans fought for the Confederacy as well, like Santos Benavides. Hundreds of Asians fought for the Confederacy like Charles Chon. Hawaiian Confederate sailors sailed on the CSS Shenandoah.

@chickenflavor9880 2 жыл бұрын

@@SouthernGentleman no respect for you.

@bryantc382 3 жыл бұрын

My grandmother and my mother r.i.p. and myself are members of the son's and daughters of the confederatcy Ky. Great story of historic places!

@bryantc382 3 жыл бұрын

@David Vazquez yes David confederate veterans

@sharongauss9298 3 жыл бұрын

I am a Daughter of the American Revolution

@sharongauss9298 3 жыл бұрын

Maryland, Gov. William Paca Chapter. My ancestor served with George Washington

@sharongauss9298 3 жыл бұрын

My great- grandfather was a Son of Liberty

@dmmchugh3714 Жыл бұрын

I return over and over to watch this episode. The information is presented with sensitivity and precision. RIP to the soldiers, north and south: Americans all.

@annelang8337 3 жыл бұрын

great program sir,i was born 150 years late ,being from shreveport la. love the south thank you sir signing off sgt bill todd

@dobermanpac1064 3 жыл бұрын

Let the lesson begin... it’s knowledge like this, that keeps folks from committing mistakes over again. When we check our feelings at the front door and enter the library or lecture we can see there are always two sides to every battle, both with great cause. However, when we hide history, statues, books, and rewrite things to our liking, it gives way for mistakes to be made once again. Thus ends the lesson. ✝️May the souls of all these hero soldiers rest in peace✝️

@patrickharris8180 Жыл бұрын

The slaver scum aren't worthy of being honored.

@bruceschmidt3404 2 жыл бұрын

Another GREAT 'lecture' !! Fantastic presentation. Excellent speaker!

@aaronshaw6743 Ай бұрын

Thank you Dennis and Gary! Great job as always. Bangor Me here.

@JackFlemingFan1 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for posting another excellent video from you and for keeping American history alive too!

@jeffwalther3935 3 жыл бұрын

This is an OUTSTANDING and TIMELY defense and clarification of the peerless devotion, loyalty, grace and humanity of our people under the worst of times and circumstances, both sides. Further it highlights West Virginia's unique and distinctive wartime birth and WHY it was formed that is little known nor appreciated today. This is ALSO an important, heartwarming video, true in every way and as much as a historical declaration of the timeless, on-going, unique and sacred, (to all humanity) holiness of these graves, cemeteries and monuments, just as all fallen patriots of other lands and ages have been built in the first place, (lest we forget) honored, restored, cherished, puzzled over and protected, as befitting these special dead giving ALL their unlimited service ABSOLUTELY to humanity.

@evaolsson8293 3 жыл бұрын

Looked at Washington Confederate Cemetary on the internet and read "Washington Confederate Cemetery is a separate cemetery located within the grounds of Rose Hill Cemetery. It was dedicated on June 15, 1877. Most of the the graves are of Confederate soldiers who died in the nearby battles of Antietam and South Mountain. More than 2000 soldiers are buried here but only 346 were identified."

@noelp4916 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you, terrific. 🇦🇺

@pauleannetta4063 3 жыл бұрын

Amazing, Love the lessons

@Richkuenneke 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video. I've done some research about a Civil War national cemetery in southern Illinois. Initially, Confederates could not be buried in national cemeteries unless they died as a POW or in a union hospital. According to the National Cemetery Administration, former Confederates were allowed to be buried in national cemeteries starting sometime in the 1870s.

@owenb9370 3 жыл бұрын

Well presented. Very interesting

@anthonybendl8125 3 жыл бұрын

Well done, thank you!

@MilledSteel 3 жыл бұрын

Very well presented

@hscollier 3 жыл бұрын

Really enjoying these videos. Especially in a travel restricted year. Thanks!

@Russell9241 3 жыл бұрын

Fascinating tour and history also very well presented, only just found this channel and subscribed, although I am from the UK I have always been interested in the American Civil War.

@dcasper8514 3 жыл бұрын

The UK was heavily involved trading with the South prior to President Lincoln's blockade of southern ports. My thinking is their motive was with a stronger union with the south, they could try & overtake our country once again. Failed before in 1812, so try once more ..

@dkoogler11 3 жыл бұрын

I see a flag pole behind you, My question is the stars and bars allowed to fly over these men? I’m sure most Americans wouldn’t know it’s a southern flag.

@nautiquecowboynautiquecowb5317 3 жыл бұрын

I've fly the Southern Cross for this reason it's my understanding the greatest honor you could have would be to carry the colors into battle also meant you were going to be killed. I honor The Bravery of those men.

@carlosmartingalindoperez4268 3 жыл бұрын

My respecto to both, Confederate and Union Soldiers. Regards from Mexicali Baja California México.

@johnnychaos152 3 жыл бұрын

I had 3 ancestors who fought at Antietam. One was in the 19th Indiana but the other two were in Virginia units on opposite sides. My great great grandfather was in the 7th (West) Virginia and was killed during the attack on Bloody Lane and my great great uncle was in the 1st Virginia (Irish) Battalion which fought in and around the Cornfield. He was listed as missing after the battle and assumed to be dead.

@nbfgreatgeneral 3 жыл бұрын

Cool place - I have been there once. Great program.

@PolakInHolland 3 жыл бұрын

Sad to see the state those graves are in. Don’t any reconstructors look after cemeteries?

@PolakInHolland 3 жыл бұрын

@David Vazquez Seems a real shame to see them in such a state. The US should have really set up the equivalent of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to look after them and buy the land in perpetuity.

@brianwismer2529 3 жыл бұрын

@David Vazquez Thank you David, for the info on the history of these little known about cemeteries. I often wondered about the ownership/care of these hallowed places. I’ve visited Gettysburg numerous times and thought about all those who where buried where they died on the battlefield and most likely are still there to this day.

@briangoldy8784 3 жыл бұрын

My Parents buried (Florida)...Little section in the corner.....Confederate.Cemetery..Site......I always try to walk over an Give Those Boys a Prayer.......RIP......Confederate & Union Soldiers............

@Bass59 Жыл бұрын

I don't know sir if you've been in Brooklyn a cemetery called greenwood cemetery there are Confederate and Union soldiers buried there because we had a reactment akronwood cemetery it was 150 anniversary of the civil war and I am a union reenactor a Union soldier 14 Brooklyn and that cemetery is very interesting you got Confederates and Union both armies both sides buried there so if you are interested if you can make it there it's greenwood cemetery Brooklyn New York in Park slope

@Sttonkeoj 3 жыл бұрын

My home town. Been there many times.

@donaldharrell9599 9 ай бұрын

Excellent

@ephraim2793 Жыл бұрын

Well done sir!

@stephs9884 3 жыл бұрын

There’s is a confederate cemetery a block away from my house. 1,300 soldiers who were captured and put into a union prison and they died there. Small pox, escaping prisoners were shot, poor living conditions, and other diseases caused a lot of deaths. The grounds keeper messed up and mixed up who was buried where originally. So they just made one big mass grave and put the soldiers name and their troop divisions on plaques at the bottom of a giant oblique. The original prison has one wall standing but it’s in a parking lot and the town rebuilt around it. Probably contributed to why the whole town is super haunted. My apartment was originally used for the daughters of the union veterans of the civil war and they sold it and it was converted into apartments. The memorial was actually paid for by the United States and the project was headed by four officers who served in the confederate army. The union soldiers who served as guards died from disease at the prison and they were excluded from the memorial.

@danielfrancis1208 Жыл бұрын

Where is this located

@travisbayles870 Жыл бұрын

My Great Great Great grandfather Private Joseph McCracken of the 25th North Carolina Infantry Regiment was mortally wounded near the West Woods at Sharpsburg

@aureliusvictor4285 Жыл бұрын

You could have added that there are 184 graves of Confederate soldiers who died in a nearby hospital between 1862 and 1864 (Battles of Antietam in 1862 and Cameron's Depot in 1864).

@michaelmallal9101 Ай бұрын

This is a geography and history lesson. I live in Oz.

@charlescollins9413 3 жыл бұрын

I’ve two grandfathers who fought there. Both survived the battle one didn’t survive the war. I have a grandfather in the 36th Alabama infantry CO H who died at Chattanooga. He was 27. His name is hardy Moore and is buried at the Chattanooga confederate cemetery. I’m 29 will be 30 June 5th and it’s crazy to think I’m older than my 3rd great grandfather..

@charlescollins9413 3 жыл бұрын

I’m also a member of the SCV and an authentic CW reenactor. Just trying to keep history alive

@scotfarquharson6836 Жыл бұрын

Culpeper National Cemetery has both Union and confederates buried there. They are buried together there at least, not sure if it is the only one or not.

@hambam7533 3 жыл бұрын

I had two ancestors that fought for the union one died on the field i believe and one was captured I also learned one of my ancestors was none other than john brown go figure you never know who you are related to until you check it out and i love general Lee and Stonewall jackson who wouldnt love these two brave honorable men lol

@chittumboy88 3 жыл бұрын

I haven't looked through all of your videos but have you been to Lexington Virginia

@sharongauss9298 3 жыл бұрын

How were the soldiers identified? They didn’t have dog tags back then and the dead bodies were plundered for their boots, and clothing, etc.

@dcasper8514 3 жыл бұрын

Good question ...Sharon

@bigjimslade6250 3 жыл бұрын

You will find a lot of different states with soldiers participating at Richmond KY & Perryville too

@imerrill53 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, it is a great sadness to our family that our ggg-grandfather died at the Siege of Petersburg and is buried at Blandford Cemetery in a mass grave with many other Confederate dead.

@brettjones4300 3 жыл бұрын

Can I ask what camera you are using ?

@stevenwiederholt7000 3 жыл бұрын

Yes You Can! :-)

@MrSilviable 3 жыл бұрын

There’s always at least one Karen that dislikes. She must’ve triggered around the time you said confederate.

@M80Ball 3 жыл бұрын

Award for most stupid catch phrases.

@00zero11b 3 жыл бұрын

People are fragile these days.

@robertlyons8067 3 жыл бұрын

Loudon Park National Park Cemetery in Baltimore has both Union and Confederate soldiers buried together.

@TheReckoningBeginsToday 3 жыл бұрын

@@M80Ball Youre a Karen.

@hopatease1 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheReckoningBeginsToday I am sick of you people all say Karyn like its a bad word or name .My granddaughters names is Karyn ! and how we say dumb people are patriots and Her name is spelled Karyn

@jleechadwick 9 ай бұрын

The national cemetery in Beaufort, South Carolina does have some confederate graves, not many, but some.

@johnnytoobad7785 3 жыл бұрын

There's a "quaint" Confederate cemetery in the town of Spotsylvania. I was living in NC at the time and had NC plates on my car so folks just thought I was a living descendant (I'm not..). I just thought it was a nice place to visit. It happened to be on the AAA map. Of course a condo development was going up right next to it...:(

@marybrandle991 3 жыл бұрын

It's so sad what the people are allowing our governors and mayors and so called do getters to do to our Confederate and union statutes and memorials.they died for this country.God bless america.we have graves all over america.

@philmccracken7520 3 жыл бұрын

Correction W.Virginia is not a legal state . No state can be created from a part of State without the home state okay , No legal Okay has been or was ever given By Virginia for the creation of W.Virginia . This is Historic Fact .

@pansy561 Жыл бұрын

Really? Well West Va is a state

@sgtmajtrapp3391 2 жыл бұрын

Brave men all who died for what they believed in which was defending their country, in those days there was no wide spread concept of nationalism, your state was your country. FLORIDA AND TEXAS represented here. Excellent over view. In the South the Civil War was considered the WAR OF NORTHERN AGGRESSION.

@patrickharris8180 Жыл бұрын

I guess that's why so many Virginia men fought for the Union.

@mikaelpettersson5916 3 жыл бұрын

are there Union massgraves as well? (or is it only the south's soldiers)

@evinchester7820 3 жыл бұрын

sadly, yes

@dcasper8514 3 жыл бұрын

With the take over of Gen.Robert E. Lee's property in Virginia, it became Arlington National Cemetery, & was used to originally bury the northern dead.

@thomasgentry9624 3 ай бұрын

Never forget, those men died for their country

@jimdixon6688 5 ай бұрын

Any information on the Confederate dead from the battle of Blue Springs Tennessee.

@wmschooley1234 Жыл бұрын

Respectfully, there NEVER was a new country. There ALWAYS was only one country; the United States of America. Between 1861 and 1865 there were 13 states in rebellion against the lawful government. What's gratifying is that, today, in this cemetery, over the graves of these Texans, North and South Carolinians, Virginians flies the stars and stripes of the American flag. May they rest in peace. W.S.

@chriscarr9171 3 жыл бұрын

Keep your monuments. It's your history.

@roysalazar3999 Жыл бұрын

....somebody should clean them up...😞

@kevindecoteau3186 3 жыл бұрын

We are the United States.

@pansy561 Жыл бұрын

What flag is that?

@Olds_Pwr 11 ай бұрын

One would think just 10 years ago or so, a CSA flag would be flown over your left shoulder instead of the USA one that is present there now.

@buck9739 Жыл бұрын

So Are there confederates buried in Arlington cemetery?? I’ve never been

@theSB39 Жыл бұрын

"Invasion of the north" lol my sides!

@AutoWorldzz 3 жыл бұрын

"Nice and creative Videos，I can see A lot of thought has been put into the content and editing of the video， This is really my favorite channel.:) .🌴🌴🌴excellent 👍👌👍👌👍 🌴🌴🌴 🌴🌴🌴 🌴🌴🌴 🌴🌴🌴 " Kingwood Preston 2021

@1101millie97 3 жыл бұрын

So now we know that Jefferson County, at least, threw itself behind the Confederate cause. Do we have some idea of the geographic distribution of pro-Confederate sentiment in West Virginia during the Civil War? Was there some sort of east-west divide in the state? Or was it north-south? Does anyone know?

@dcasper8514 3 жыл бұрын

Eastern part of Virginia, ( now West Virginia), didn't want slavery.

@1101millie97 3 жыл бұрын

@@dcasper8514 I assume you meant the western part of the old Virginia, but (as this guy said) there were internal divisions even within what is now West Virginia. Hence my question.

@sharongauss9298 3 жыл бұрын

David Vasquez, Maryland. Gov. William Paca Chapter. My ancestor, Lambert Pitner served with George Washington

@sharongauss9298 3 жыл бұрын

David Vasquez, no he served in Pennsylvania and Delaware

@paulblack5883 Жыл бұрын

In death, you lose all your earthly titles and accomplishments..all are equally left but to stand before our Lord and maker. Our bodies like all things in this world whither away back to dust and dirt.

@mcheese420 3 жыл бұрын

R.I.P Brave Confederate Fathers and Sons! May my ancestors rest in peace as i am a PROUD confederate son!

@montanaskies2702 2 жыл бұрын

Proud to be a descendant of racist, white supremacy, entitled men? More like a Disgrace in America history.

@thesouthernhistorian4153 3 жыл бұрын

God bless the confederate dead they were American soldiers as well

@ronaldmercer9616 2 жыл бұрын

This monument is safe , the nut that had the plaque honoring these veterans removed from the courthouse was voted out , only thing she ever did

@johno1396 3 жыл бұрын

This was finally a war for southern liberation. There needs to be monuments the US Colored Infranty that helped liberate the south.

@jenrferruso Жыл бұрын

WHICH IS WHY I AM LOVING BEING BACK IN WEST BY GOD VIRIGINIA!

@jenrferruso Жыл бұрын

MY Grandmother's uncle was a drummer in the civil war! and she was Cherokee Indian.

@johnrobinson1762 3 жыл бұрын

They are lucky, the fight was over for them when they died. The men who lived were more brave. Particularly because you were always wondering where you d be next.