Touch the Elbow - Blogging the Civil War

In my first post, I suggested reading the comments of the story about the closing of CSA galleries. It was a rather normal back and forth argument between two groups, arguing over the “Lost Cause”/ “Heritage not Hate” vs. the evil Carpet Bagging Northerners.

That was until I read this one comment that really hit home on what the true heritage of the Confederacy really is.

It's no surprise that many of you don't understand that many black people hate and discontent with the flag has nothing to do with Slavery.

The hurt, hate and discontent these days comes from the KKK using the flag when they torture my great grandmother, great grand father, my grandmother, grandfather, mother, father, aunts, uncle, cousin and I during the 1900's.

Those pains are still around and people like me who were raised on James Island, and did not have equal rights when it came to the law carries the scares. That is why the flag offends me.

I was not around for slavery and none of my family members I know or meet was either.

Do you know how it feels to 8 years old, black and having a good friend that is white he comes an play with you when his mother visit, and then to find out that his big brother and father think of you as the N word and actually call you it in your face. That's the kind of pain that sticks with you for life.
Let it go, thats easy for someone who don't have to go through it to say. It still goes on, but behind your back.

This article was featured in the Atlanta Journal Constitution on February 14, 1909.




In the many hundreds of celebrations the country over incident to the centennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, there are none which can compare in uniqueness or significance to that which, at Trinity church, in Atlanta, tonight will bring together in common cause to honor the memory of the great American, the veterans of the blue and gray.

Unquestionably in many of these gatherings there have assembled men and women of the south with those of the north and east and west; but here in a southern city which the fortunes of war reduced to ashes will the survivors upon both sides of that conflict, who knew all of its bitterness and miseries, come together to honor the memory of him who was commander-in-chief of the invading army.

Side by side the members of the Atlanta camps, United Confederate Veterans, will join with those of the Grand Army of the Republic, O.M. Mitchel Post No. 1, in tribute to Lincoln, the man, the American. General Clement A. Evans, commander-in-chief of the United Confederate Veterans will offer the opening prayer, followed by the reading of Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address,” by General J.W. Scully, United States army, retired. Other veterans of north and south will alternate upon the program, and Rev. J.W. Lee will deliver the memorial address.

There could be no higher, more glorious evidence of a triumphantly restored nationalism.

Perhaps in no other nation of the world, within less than half a century after the extreme bitterness of the civil conflict had been implanted in every breast, would such a gathering as this, in tribute to the leader of the conquering armies, be possible.

Animosities and prejudices must have disappeared when the defeated voluntarily unite in praise of him who, more than any other, had to do with the victory achieved.

Even the esteem and admiration in which men of the south, back to those who fought its battles, have always held the war president, could not have sufficed to make such celebration possible, had it not been for the victory of fraternal spirit over the deep-rooted enmities of civil strife.

In this the south’s victory is greatest, for it had not only to erase the enmities of war, but to crush and blot out the rankling bitterness of defeat.

How well and nobly it has done this could not be better evidenced than in the mutual tribute which confederate survivors, together with those who stood in opposing ranks, will pay tonight to the most generous of enemies and the most abiding of friends.

Abraham Lincoln belongs to the whole United States.

His work was not sectional, but national, and that is the view which now, less than half a century following his tragic death, is almost full grown.

The celebration at Trinity church is timely in its conception and in its expression of the spirit of today – a spirit in which hand and heart unite in significance of the supremacy of the brotherhood of man.

Today’s post features an article that appeared in the Washington Post on February 8, 1909.

Famous Song Originally Written for Minstrel Show

First Sung in New York

Friend of the Author, Daniel Emmett, Says Words and Music Were Composed in 1859 -
Air Was One of Many Considered by the People of New Orleans for a Popular War Chorus.


Editor Post: I read with much interest the article in your Sunday edition touching the use of “Dixie’s Land,” the production said to have been forbidden recently in Chicago as inappropriate to be used at the Lincoln memorial. It is a matter of congratulation that Joseph Nimmo, jr. has given a correct statement of President Lincoln’s attitude toward the song – one of approval. That was, in the nature of things, perfectly natural. Mr. Lincoln’s heart, always full of sadness, and burdened with a sense of deep responsibility, needed the relief which such a frolicsome song as “Dixie” would afford.

While I would have it sung everywhere, and on all patriotic occasions, I would not have people misunderstand by who and under what circumstances the matter was written. Ten years ago, while the author, Daniel D. Emmett, was still living, I received from him a portrait and an account of the origin of the song and the words. Concerning the controversy I wish to make a few observations, all of which are taken from records that cannot be disputed.

1. Daniel D. Emmett, author of both the words and music of “Dixie,” was born at Mount Vernon, Ohio, October 22, 1815, the son of Abraham and Sarah (Zerick) Emmett. His father was a native of Staunton, Va. and his mother of Frederick, Md. Both parents and Daniel are buried at Mount Vernon, Ohio.

2. “Dixie” both words and music, was written April 5, 1859 by Emmett, in the city of New York, two years prior to the war of 1861-65, for the Bryant minstrels. On Saturday evening, Jerry Bryant, the senior member of the troupe, requested Emmett to present at the rehearsal Monday a “hooray” for the public. Mr. Emmett responded that the time was short in which to compose such a production; but, being urged, he set earnestly at work and presented, at the designated time, both the words and music as they are now sung.

3. It may be interesting to learn how “Dixie” became the popular was song of the South. It occurred in this manner: At the opening of what is called the civil war a great entertainment was being given at New Orleans. All parts were supplied, except the popular war songs for the chorus. Many marches and songs were tested, but failed to render satisfaction. Finally, “Dixie” was tried and proved a great success. The people took to it kindly, and it ran through the halls and along the streets. Once let loose, it spread like wildfire.

Nor were its conquests confined to civil life. It reached the army and was adopted in camp as the song which best expressed Southern sentiment and feeling. It conquered and remained a victor, being put by the side of “Bonnie Blue Flag,” “My Maryland,” &c.

4. On the night preceding the assassination of President Lincoln, viz. April 13, 1865, a brass band serenaded him at the White House. After a number of patriotic pieces were rendered, Mr. Lincoln, evidently under the impression that “Dixie” was a Southern composition, called for it remarking at the time, “We have captured the tune and now have a perfect right to it.” In addition to Joseph Nimmo, jr. others heard it, among the number being the late Dr. Franklin T. Howe and Comrades S.C. Mills and John Bresnahan.

5. One of the members of the original minstrel troupe, Neal Bryant, who some years ago was a clerk in the geodetic coast survey in this city, informed me that so strong was the conviction that “Dixie” was a Southern song that in New York the week following the assassination all theater engagements by the Bryant minstrels were cancelled. The mob feeling engendered was so strong that it could not be booked. Sentiment has changed.

Let Dixie be sung by every one that appreciates stirring music.