The South Lost

[roguevalley]

39. My g grandpa was a sargent in Shelby's Cavalry. He was from Missouri and heard his father had died

he and his best friend walked home for the funeral and were caught by union soldiers. His friend was shot dead in front of him for who knows what reason. Maybe he smart mouthed. Maybe the union soldier was nervous. Grandpa Robert Alonzo Paxton was taken to New Orleans to a prison, jumped out of a two story window and fled to southern Illinois until the war was over. He came home to Missouri, packed up his family and went west over the Oregon Trail in 1868. They pioneered Eastern Oregon and when my mom was in her 60's, I did genealogy about him and told her, "Hey Mama, your grandpa was a reb."

She nearly passed out with surprise.

No one talked about the war. No one had 'stories' though Grandpa apparently told some on his death bed but only the funny stuff, the good things that happened among his friends in camps, not the battles. She was taught to treat people right no matter what and so were the children of Grandpa, my own grandpa and great aunts and uncles. Until my mom was in her 60's, she thought the family was union. That is how they were raised, that is how the family thought about America, that is what they wanted in the family.

The fucking war of southern treason is over. It's dead. Re-enact if you want because cosplay is fun but don't think anyone is ready to put up with your 'Cause' anymore. Rich men conned poor men to fight a war to protect their property and income. That is that. Even my great grandpa would tell you that.

I am related to Jefferson Davis a couple of times removed. To hell with Jefferson Davis and his treason. Its over. Period.