Soldiers
Men from all economic and social levels, both slaveholders and nonslaveholders, as well as former Unionists, enlisted in the Confederate military in great numbers. The only areas that sent few or no men to fight for the Confederacy had few slaves, a high percentage of poor families, and a history of opposition to secession, were located on the border with the North, and were sometimes under Union control. 40% of Virginian officers in the United States military stayed with the Union, however.
Read more about this topic: Virginia In The American Civil War
Famous quotes containing the word soldiers:
“All men hesitate
Separately, always, seeing another year gone
Frockcoated gentleman, farmer at his gate,
Villein with mattock, soldiers on their shields,
All silent, watching the winter coming on.”
—Philip Larkin (1922–1986)
“As soldiers we have few saving graces. Perhaps our willingness to die for what we believe in is all that matters.”
—Leo V. Gordon, U.S. screenwriter, and Arthur Hiller. Col. Harker (Nigel Green)
“Bravery in simple soldiers is a dangerous trade, to which they have bound themselves to get their livelihood.”
—François, Duc De La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680)