Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Interesting. Any hypothesis in mind as to why the older graduates were more likely to stay in the Union? I wonder if there is a breakdown between 1830-1845 and 1845-1860.
I would note that the linked article uses the term "slave states" rather than "Confederate states" which means that Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland and Delaware cadets, all from states which remained loyal, are being counted in this survey.
I would note that the linked article uses the term "slave states" rather than "Confederate states" which means that Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland and Delaware cadets, all from states which remained loyal, are being counted in this survey.
That's true but the numbers hold percentage wise when you... I was going to say for Virginia but then I forgot that Virginia was half anti-secession like the border states.
A couple of well known Virginians who did not join the CSA:
George "Pap" Thomas, and Winfield Scott. Scott was the General Officer in Charge of the US Army, and offered the field command to
Robert E. Lee before Lee's resignation. Thomas was for most of the War, a Corps commander in the Army of the Cumberland.
Virginia was half anti-secession like the border states.
(Hi), Generally, Virginia was initially against secession, but quickly reconsidered when they saw that Lincoln was going to conscript Virginians to fight against seceded, fellow Southern states.
Virginia was an incredibly important Upper South state, that may have been held in the Union. But was ultimately alienated by Lincoln's response to Deep South secession (not his election to the presidency). Virginia became intensely mobilized against Lincoln, when he revealed that he was willing to kill Americans to forcefully retain (what the South considered a voluntary) Union. (peace)
(Hi), Generally, Virginia was initially against secession, but quickly reconsidered when they saw that Lincoln was going to conscript Virginians to fight against seceded, fellow Southern states.
Virginia was an incredibly important Upper South state, that may have been held in the Union. But was ultimately alienated by Lincoln's response to Deep South secession (not his election to the presidency). Virginia became intensely mobilized against Lincoln, when he revealed that he was willing to kill Americans to forcefully retain (what the South considered a voluntary) Union. (peace)
Virginia approves secession convention on Jan 14, 1861, a month before Lincoln's inauguration which convenes on Feb 13,1861. It took three tries to win a successful vote for secession at their April convention and loses half of the state to the Union. This leads to rethink the whole Virginia reluctant secessionist narrative into serious question.
Does this figure those who graduated prior to 1830 and were still in uniform? Does that mean the remaining joined the union or just sat it out? 1830 is of course three decades prior to the civil war, I would venture to guess that most of them, 50 years old and older, were retired from service.
Perhaps more interesting is Mexican-American war vets vs. non-war vets from West Point - Almost all the top leaders on both sides fought in this war (Lee and Grant of course included) but it would be interesting to see if, otherwise, the experience of fighting under the American flag discouraged other southerners from joining the confederacy.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.