America's Greatest War...to date...

The American Civil War (1861 - 1865).

So far, this has been their greatest war so far; certainly as it relates to deaths - some 665k Americans from both sides of the Mason - Dixon Line.

This is saying something given America's proclivity for war which I attribute to the violent way in which its birth came about.

This is also the 150th Anniversary of that Conflict.

I have always believed myself to be a Southern Sympathizer and would no doubt have supported the South had I been alive at that time.

It has nothing though to do with the Issue of Slavery.

Rather, Wars are caused by issues of Power; in the case of the South it was losing influence to the rapidly expanding North and their two ways of life - Agarian South and Industrial North became less and less compatible.

You may also recall Lincoln's words, spoken at the beginning of the Civil War, in regard to the Issue of Slavery:

" if I could save the Union without freeing a single slave, I would do it..."

Put in today's context - the US and its Allies find themselves engaged in the Middle East conflicts - this has less to do with defending human rights in those troubled nations - rather it has more to do with the fact that the bulk of the world's oil is located there. Again a Power issue rather than one of principle.

As for me, I would have wanted the South to Win that war some 150 years ago: but, at the same time, I am glad they did not.

Why? Because Power and Principle conflicted - it was better that the Principle of freeing the Slaves won out.

In honour of this 150th Anniversary I penned the following Poem. It deals with the Battle of Gettysburg which took place July 1-3 and represented the turning point in that dreadful war; in particular, it deals with the infamous and highly unsuccessful open field Charge, by Maj. General George Pickett.



DEATH ON THE MORROW

There was Death on the Morrow, as he inspected his lines;

Death on the Morrow, in his Plumage so Fine; (Pickett was a bit of a dandy)

Pickett was Resolute in the Face of Dismay;

While Dixie rode with him, on Doomed Shoulders, next day.


He accepted Lee's Orders without Reservation;

While Longstreet looked on, in Solemn Trepidation; (Longstreet, Lee's 2 i.c. did not favour "Pickett's Charge)

The Morrow would see shells rain down from the Round Tops, on High;

Leaving both Man and Beast below, to Die.


And when the Smoke cleared, his Division no more;

He would look on the Field in Anguish so Sore;

Lee would blame Pickett and Pickett, Lee;

And with their Loss, ended the Hopes of the Confederacy.


There was Death on the Morrow, as he inspected his lines;

Death on the Morrow, in his Plumage so Fine.

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