Last weekend I photographed a war of northern aggression reenactment in the downtown of Bedford. Since I've been in Virginia I hadn't photographed a civil war reenactment yet but had expected to have this rite of passage any day now. This particular reenactment was about the Hunters Retreat Battle and was when the confederacy recaptured the town of Liberty forcing the Union to retreat. Bedford looked quite surreal that day. They stopped traffic and about 100 men dressed as Civil War Soldiers ascended on the town
While growing up I always thought that everyone in this country would identify with the Union. I kinda thought that it was always a good thing that the Union won and you know we ended slavery and all that. But Southerns have a completely different take which I find quite entertaining.
-First a for most people are still pissed that the Union won.
-Secondly when someone who is from the South is referencing the Civil War and they say "we" most likely they are not talking about the Union.
-Thirdly the Civil War was not about slavery (I guess all the 5th grade history text books are wrong) it was about states rights. Don't ever make the mistake of bringing it up in a southern bar, restaurant or sports event...you might get punched.
-Fourthly the confederate flag is "about Heritage not Hatred"...a phrase I've never quite understood but what do I know.
Aside from all of the politics this event was a hoot and one of my favorite assignments I've had since I have been here. I had to laugh at the buy a foam brick to throw at a Union soldier fundraiser they had during the event and the deafening roar of the crowd as the Confederacy recaptured the town. I tell you I'll never be able to look at Bedford the same again
While growing up I always thought that everyone in this country would identify with the Union. I kinda thought that it was always a good thing that the Union won and you know we ended slavery and all that. But Southerns have a completely different take which I find quite entertaining.
-First a for most people are still pissed that the Union won.
-Secondly when someone who is from the South is referencing the Civil War and they say "we" most likely they are not talking about the Union.
-Thirdly the Civil War was not about slavery (I guess all the 5th grade history text books are wrong) it was about states rights. Don't ever make the mistake of bringing it up in a southern bar, restaurant or sports event...you might get punched.
-Fourthly the confederate flag is "about Heritage not Hatred"...a phrase I've never quite understood but what do I know.
Aside from all of the politics this event was a hoot and one of my favorite assignments I've had since I have been here. I had to laugh at the buy a foam brick to throw at a Union soldier fundraiser they had during the event and the deafening roar of the crowd as the Confederacy recaptured the town. I tell you I'll never be able to look at Bedford the same again
3 comments:
Being from Bedford, I'm kind of surprised that this sort of re-enactment took place. All Bedford is really known for in the Civil War is who slept at the Avenel. However, your observations on what people think of the war is, scarily, right on for many people in the south (not just Bedford). But... to the point of your blog, the photos are great! Being the non-photographer that I am, I've started a photo blog -- nonphotographer.blogspot.com. I have you to thank for going with that black background. :)
Interesting posts. Just fyi, please find a mention at http://jumblebag.blogspot.com/2008/05/photocan.html.
Hi Kim my favorite image of this series is the soldier peeking around the wall, a great composition.
Something I rarely mention around these parts is that General Hunter was one of my ancestors.
Not because he was a Union soldier, but because he attacked Lynchburg.
Post a Comment