Brothers in War
It is commonly known that the American Civil War was the bloodiest and costliest in American history; however, its immense impact on the American society of the time has been dumbed down as the years have passed. Due to the importance of the issues that caused secession and the division of the nation, Americans were forced to choose a side, indecision was not an option. This idea demonstrated itself in the division of families as the war pushed forward, as brothers picked opposing sides to fight for and met on the battlefield. Additionally, the Civil War was also responsible for creating many relationships between soldier. Men who were previously on different social levels could become brothers in arms due to their common goal of defeating the opposition. Also, when blacks were able to enlist in the armies, they created bonds that would last lifetimes. Perspectives on the morality of slavery and the extent of states’ rights were powerful enough to tear family bonds apart. A specific example of this was the Campbell brothers who moved from Scotland to different portions of America and, eventually, fought on opposing sides. James Campbell, the brother who fought for the Confederacy, wrote in a noteworthy letter to his Alexander, “But if such should be the case…I can assure you I will strive to discharge my deauty to my country & my cause”. This exemplifies the fact that social issues became more important than family ties to many people.
This is an image of the Campbell letter from James to his brother Alexander. He says “I can assure you I will strive to discharge my deauty to my country and my cause”, essentially saying that he is willing to kill his own brother for his cause. The bleakness of this letter is an example that the war not only split families physically by pitting them against each other in battle, but changed their mindsets to put their cause in front of their family, even if it meant killing your own blood brother.
This is a photo taken around 1861 of two brothers who fought for the Union side because they had similar beliefs about slavery. These two were most likely Northerners because most Northern families weren't torn apart over the war. It was more common for a Southern family to split over the causes of the civil war because the South was breaking off and forming an entirely new country while the North was simply, as Abraham Lincoln said, "preserving the Union", a task less traitorous to the American people.
This powerful picture shows Lincoln in between two people from the opposing Union and Confederate armies. The two figures are representative of two people who were separated by the war. In the end however, they meet on the battle field in the midst of a bloody war.
Although the War did break family bonds, it sometimes formed new ones between non relatives, as shown in this picture of two black soldiers. They are not blood relatives but fighting together for a common cause brought them together both physically and emotionally. The Union began to allow Blacks to enlist in the army after the Emancipation Proclamation and is one of the reasons the Union was able to defeat the Confederacy.
People felt so strongly about the issues at hand in the war that they developed strong relationships with their fellow soldiers who shared their views. Through sharing hard times and enduring battles together, they, essentially, became brothers with the other members of their regiment.
Works Cited
- "FOR LOVE OF LIBERTY: Stories of Black Patriots In The Civil War."MusicUNTOLDcom. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Dec. 2013.
- "Civil War: Union Military Leaders." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 06 Dec. 2013.
- "Printable PDF Version." Letters between James and Alexander Campbell after the Battle of Secessionville (brothers on Opposing Sides of the War), June 1862. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Dec. 2013.
- "History." Bowdoin and the Civil War at 150: Brothers in Arms (Bowdoin. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Dec. 2013.
- "Civil War Brothers in Arms, Literally | 22 Words." 22 Words Civil War Brothers in Arms Literally Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Dec. 2013.