You've all seen the ads; swords, knives, statues, watches and the like. Why do you think it's all Confederate stuff? I can't remember the last time I saw an ad for something Federal.

I once asked the same thing about the prints being made and was told that Confederate stuff sells and Union is not that big of a seller.

to answer your first question in the topic... ummm... no. didnt even know there were magazines.

Dave

I have noticed the same thing.. but also noticed that it is mostly Lee, Jackson, Forrest images..  Don't see to many Sibly or Ewell images on stuff..

Somehow, I believe it all has to do with modern PR popularity...or that the underdog is still the favorite.  I don't know...just a guess.

OK, I'll stir the pot. I think it's because folks are still trying to justify the loss...

Dulcie, I'd suggest subscribing to Civil War Historian Magazine. There are great articles on both civilian and military stuff in every issue. You might even see something written by someone you see 'round.

Actually, I don't susbcribe to the magazines either, but I know the phenomenon. On an emotional level, it's always made sense to me. I could imagine flying a Confederate flag or hanging a print of Lee or Confederate soldiers in my house, long before I'd think to fly a 35-star US flag or hang a picture of Grant or Union soldiers going into battle.

I think it's because most people see the Civil War as being "about" the south's struggle to secede, not about the north's struggle to put down a rebellion. So for most people, the iconic figures of the war are southern, not northern.

Additionally, the northern side won and moved on. If people just want symbols to show patriotic support of the United States or its soldiers, they'll buy a modern flag or a support-the-troops car magnet. Also, if people would naturally identify with the northern side, there's no fantasy of what things might have been like if their cause had been victorious because, well, it was.

The Confederacy got interrupted before its potential could be realized, so there's more speculation to grip the imagination. Plus, identifying with a conquered people held down by those damnyankees gives one built-in excuses for not succeeding in modern life. And there's no natural lineage from the Confederacy to the present, unlike the United States, so the symbols of southern nationality are forever stuck in 1865.

Obviously there are plenty of historians and real people too who identify with the northern side on an emotional level and purchase northern memorabilia, but as noted, they're not in the majority.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

Hey, I relish my Uncle Billy lithograph. Funny how his image isn't on many tee shirts down South.

Magazines? I read Hallowed Ground cover to cover, eyeball much of what is in CW Historian, and enjoy the fact CW News tends to have a lot more widespread preservation than "Nuttin-But-Gettysburg" articles in it these days. I see a copy of CW Courier maybe once a year (and that's way too often), and gave up on Chump Change Gazette once Nicky got canned, and it went down the toilet. I used to subscribe to The Watchdawg, but only pick up a single copy every year and a half or so when there is an article of interest. As to the glossies, I'll buy one once in a while at an NPS visitor center if we need a good overview for an event or something. I used to read North-South Trader on a regular basis when I was in the Library of Va. on a regular basis. That magazine doesn't get a lot of play in reenacting circles, but it sure is packed with information and great photographs.  

--Last edited by Charles Heath on 2007-07-11 13:37:59 --

This thread made me think of the publications I receive:

Hollowed Ground
The Watchdog
Camp Chase Gazette
Civil War Historian
The Civil War News
Military Images
Civil War Times (Since 1963)  
Blue & Gray Magazine
Military History

Finding time to read them all is a different matter.  

Dulcie,

I also reccomed the Civil War Historian and the Watchdog. All of the others I would say look at them at your local bookseller and if something grabs your attention buy it. Just be vary careful as not all magazines have the same level of shall we say ethics and scrutiny as others. Those of you who have been around know what I'm talking about. But overall Civil War Historian is one of the best when it comes to researched articles and careful scrutiny. The watchdog is excellent when it comes to the reenactor gear.

 BTW, on the subject of Confederate stuff and Federal stuff, i have a great set of bookends one is Lee and the other Grant.

Let's face it, right or wrong there is a certain "romance" to the era that seems to play well on the Confederae side (think Gone with the Wind). Unfortunately this is where many people's historic background comes from. There are many people who want to hang on to that romantic idea only and not unerstand all of the facets of the era. There is always something mysterious and appealing about the "rebel" if you think about it (James Dean, Grease, The Outsiders, West Side Story, GWTW, etc). I know this may be a stretch but I think you get the idea.

You don’t have to know doodlum squat about the Civil War but it is hard to ignore it down here.  It seems like most every little community has a historical marker of some kind.  Here in this relatively small coastal town there was a reconnaissance by USCT from Ship Island.  Well, by gollies, if you run across the right people today they will bend your ear about the Battle of Pascagoula.  Now, that’s not really a complaint as much as it is an example of the almost omni-present character of the Civil War.  The down side to that is a lot of what is passed off as the true historical Gospel is nothing less than baloney.

About the only mag i receive thru the mail is the gazette, bercause you can't buy it on the newstand.  the others(soo many to list) I pick up at Barnes & Noble, or some such store, that way I can pick and choose what I want to read.

Quote :

Poor Private wrote : About the only mag i receive thru the mail is the gazette, bercause you can't buy it on the newstand.  the others(soo many to list) I pick up at Barnes & Noble, or some such store, that way I can pick and choose what I want to read.

My local Books A Million carries CCG. I find Barnes and Noble to have a dismal selection of magazines geared towards our hobby (was there last night trying to find something to read while I'm in a hotel at night). Usually they have Civil War Times, America's Civil War, and maybe North and South (if you are REAL LUCKY they might have the old issue of Civil War Historian) but that is about it.

Quote :

hanktrent wrote : I could imagine flying a Confederate flag or hanging a print of Lee or Confederate soldiers in my house, long before I'd think to fly a 35-star US flag or hang a picture of Grant or Union soldiers going into battle.

Not in my house.      Nope.

Oh, I just couldn't resist.  

Linda.  

--Last edited by Linda Trent on 2007-07-12 16:15:46 --

Ok now, no happy couple spats here    

Quote :

toptimlrd wrote : Ok now, no happy couple spats here

Hey my family came here on the Mayflower, November 1620.  

His came to Virginia on the London Merchant, March 1620, and settled in Henrico County, VA.

Dang, he won that one too, by only 8 months, but still...  Yep, I'm one of those real Yankees from New England (well, upstate New York, close enough).

Linda

Quote :

Linda Trent wrote :   Hey my family came here on the Mayflower, November 1620.   His came to Virginia on the London Merchant, March 1620, and settled in Henrico County, VA. Dang, he won that one too, by only 8 months, but still...  Yep, I'm one of those real Yankees from New England (well, upstate New York, close enough). Linda

Talk about a house divided.  

Quote :

toptimlrd wrote :   Talk about a house divided.

Yeah, but I surrendered I swore I'd never portray a Confederate sympathizer as long as I live, well... that was 17 years ago and countless events across the upper eastern US. I've probably been a CS sympathizer twice as often as I have been US.

Linda.

She didn't have to convince me, though. I was portraying a yankee from New York and a Confederate from Virginia about half the time each, when we met. She was more interested in courting the yankee, but it was the Confederate who actually proposed to her.

Dual impressions make courtship and weddings so complicated.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net