I just found out that one of my great great grandfathers served on the Confederate side [View all]

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

Last edited Wed Nov 21, 2012, 05:29 PM - Edit history (1)

in the Civil War. He and his brother were in the 40th Infantry Regiment.

FORD, CLEMENT R.: b. Baltimore, Md. Enl. 5/26/61 in Co. F, age 16. At first he was rejected but was officially enlisted 9/1/61. Present until WIA 8/18/64 at Weldon R.R. in right thigh. Furloughed 9/2/64. Present at last record 2/4/65. Farmer. Bur. family cemetery.

His brother, it appears, was killed in the war:
FORD, JOHN W.: b. Northumberland Co. Enl. 5/26/61 in Co. F, age 19. Assistant lumber dealer. MWIA during the 7 Days at an unknown battle. D. 7/1/62. Brother of C. R. Ford, who is two above.

My mom and I have been working on the family tree. Clement Ford was my mother's mother's mother's father. I grew up in MD, NY, and PA and have never lived anywhere else, but I knew my grandmother was from Virginia. We'd thought the family had been there for generations, but, weren't sure. And...I don't know...it just never occurred to me. I'm having quite an emotional response to this.

I wonder how many other DUers know their ancestors fought for the South.

On edit: Please note that this post and poll are about those of us who have ancestors who fought in the Civil War. It is in no way meant to demean or marginalize those DUers who, due to having no family members in the US at the time or whatever other reason, do not have ancestors who fought in the Civil War.

A number of replies have come from DUers who have no ancestors who served in the Civil and who are unhappy that there is no poll choice for them them. There can be only ten choices in a poll, so I can't add that. But, it really wouldn't make sense anyway, as far as I can see. What am I missing (aside from that poll response option, that is)?

So, non-Civil-War-ancestor-having DUers, you can participate, if so desired, by posting in this thread. Just not in the poll itself. Maybe someone can start a new poll?

46 votes, 2 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	I grew up knowing I had one direct ancestor who fought for the South.
	3 (7%)
	I grew up knowing I had more than one direct ancestor who fought for the South.
	7 (15%)
	I found out as an adult that I had one direct ancestor who fought for the South.
	3 (7%)
	I found out as an adult that I had more than one direct ancestor who fought for the South.
	2 (4%)
	I know I had one or more indirect ancestor who fought for the South.
	1 (2%)
	I don't know for sure, but my ancestors were Southerners and it's very likely one or more fought for the South.
	1 (2%)
	I had one or more direct ancestor who fought for the North.
	13 (28%)
	I had one or more direct ancestor who fought for the North and one or more direct ancestor who fought for the South.
	14 (30%)
	I had one direct ancestor who fought for both the North and the South!
	1 (2%)
	Too damn many choices!
	1 (2%)
	2 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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