Discussions about the American Civil War are often clouded by misconceptions and, at times, outright myths. While many volumes could be dedicated to debunking these myths, we will focus on addressing some of the most commonly repeated ones. Our goal is to clarify the truths that have been obscured by misremembering, popular legends, and the misrepresentation or oversimplification of historical facts.
We hope you enjoy the following blog. If you want to take your Civil War studies away from the reading lamp and onto the nation’s historic battlefields, consider booking a place on one of our Guided Tours of Civil War Battlefields in Virginia.
Robert E. Lee Was Opposed to Slavery
The portrayal of Robert E. Lee as an anti-slavery figure is a post-war myth. In fact, Lee had direct ties to slavery; in 1857, he inherited 189 enslaved individuals from his father-in-law, George Washington Parke Curtis.
Despite Curtis’ will mandating their release within five years, records reveal Lee’s efforts to delay their emancipation. He even sold some enslaved people to settle debts. While Lee’s approach to slavery wasn’t fueled by pro-slavery advocacy, his actions spoke otherwise.
Historian Eric Foner notes Lee’s silent complicity. Though Lee never championed slavery and was said to treat those in his charge with decency, he never publicly condemned it. This firmly places Lee as an active participant in the institution of slavery, contradicting the idealized image of him as an abolitionist.
The Emancipation Proclamation Brought an End to Slavery
The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, signaled a monumental shift in American history but did not universally end slavery. Targeting Confederate states, it strategically declared enslaved people in those regions free without affecting slave-holding border states like Kentucky and Delaware.
The proclamation, crucially, transformed the Civil War’s aim, incorporating the liberation of slaves as a war objective of the Union, bolstering the cause of Northern abolitionists, and deterring foreign support for the Confederacy. However, actual emancipation unfolded gradually.
Juneteenth commemorates the 1865 declaration of freedom for enslaved people in Texas, marking a very significant but not comprehensive liberation. The definitive abolition of slavery in the U.S. came with the ratification of the 13th Amendment in December 1865, which legally ended the peculiar institution nationwide, highlighting the procedural and piecemeal nature of slavery’s abolition during and post-Civil War.
Amputations Were Done Without Anesthesia
The image of Civil War surgeries conducted without anesthesia is a dramatic but inaccurate portrayal. Civil War medical practitioners were well aware of the importance of anesthesia, predominantly using chloroform and ether for operations.
Historical records suggest that over 90% of amputations during the war were performed with the patient under some form of anesthesia. The misconception of widespread surgery without pain relief likely stems from dramatized accounts and the harrowing instances where anesthesia might not have been available. Still, these were exceptions rather than the norm.
Women Did Not Serve in the American Civil War
Contrary to the traditional narrative, women were not just bystanders during the Civil War. While not officially allowed in the military, it’s estimated that between 400 and 750 women disguised themselves as men to fight.
These women, a small fraction of the 2.75 million soldiers, displayed remarkable bravery, evading detection during physical exams or sneaking into camps after battles commenced.
Women’s roles, though, were not limited to combat; they also participated in espionage and reconnaissance. Jennie Hodgers, known as Albert Cashier, is a notable example, serving in numerous battles and maintaining his identity throughout his life, reflecting the complex narratives of gender and identity during the American Civil War.
States’ Rights Caused the Civil War
The assertion that the Civil War was solely about states’ rights is an oversimplification and often a misdirection from the central issue of slavery. While states’ rights were debated, the root conflict revolved around the extension and preservation of slavery.
The Confederacy’s constitution, aiming to protect slavery at the federal level and prohibit any laws impairing slave ownership, underscores this point — the election of Abraham Lincoln, perceived as a threat to the institution of slavery, was the final catalyst leading to secession. The argument for states’ rights frequently masks the undeniable fact that the primary right in question was the right to own slaves, making slavery the core issue of the conflict.
Read our blog, What Were the Main Reasons for the US Civil War?, to learn more.
The War Was Only Fought in the U.S.
The notion that the Civil War’s battles were confined within American borders overlooks the significant naval engagements that stretched beyond continental shores. Naval warfare was a critical component of the conflict, with pivotal encounters like the Union’s triumph at Port Royal and the stalemate at Hampton Roads.
The Confederacy’s Hunley, for example, marked a historical milestone, being the first submarine to sink an enemy vessel. However, the war’s reach extended even to European waters. The dramatic showdown between the CSS Alabama and the USS Kearsarge off Cherbourg, France, epitomizes the global dimension of the conflict. The eventual rescue of Confederate sailors by a British ship illustrates the far-reaching nature of the Civil War’s theatres of combat.
While these insights scratch only the surface of Civil War myths, they remind us of the importance of revisiting and re-evaluating narratives we’ve come to accept, ensuring a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of the past.
If you have any questions about this blog or our Civil War Battlefield Tours in Virginia, please contact us.
