The American Civil War stands as one of the most important events in U.S. history. While much of what is commonly discussed about the conflict holds true, a number of myths have developed over time. Here are some widespread misconceptions about the war that need clarification.
MYTH: Thousands of African-Americans fought for the Confederacy
A contentious topic concerning the American Civil War is the role of African-Americans within the Confederate Army. While some claim that thousands of both freed and enslaved individuals served as soldiers for the South, the truth is that they were neither enlisted soldiers nor participants by choice.
In reality, thousands of African-Americans served with Confederate forces, serving as servants, hospital staff, laborers, and cooks, but they were not recognized as military personnel. Often, White individuals forced them into these roles, maintaining their views of racial inferiority. Although some positions, like musicians and cooks, offered payment, not all received compensation.
In 1865, the Confederate Congress passed legislation permitting the official enlistment of African-American soldiers, but this required slave owners to grant them freedom first, resulting in sluggish or nonexistent enlistment in certain areas.
MYTH: The South lost because the North had more resources
Many believe the myth that the South lost the American Civil War solely due to the North’s abundance of resources. While this was one factor, it wasn’t the only reason the Confederates were unable to secure victory.
The notion that Northern superiority in resources led to the South’s defeat began circulating soon after the war ended. However, as University of North Carolina History professor Karen L. Cox explained to The Washington Post, several other factors contributed, including low morale and social divisions within Southern society.
Combine these with “desertions and the emancipation of enslaved people—the primary labor force supporting Confederate armies,” and the South’s loss to Union forces appears far more complex.
MYTH: Robert E. Lee didn’t own slaves or support slavery
In the decades following the American Civil War, considerable effort was made to portray Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee as a saintly hero, including the claim that he opposed slavery and never owned enslaved individuals himself.
This is false. In 1857, Lee’s wife inherited 189 enslaved people following the death of her father, George Washington Parke Custis, whose will mandated they be freed five years after his passing. As well, records indicate that Lee sold several enslaved individuals to settle debts and took legal action to prevent the emancipation of others.
While it’s been suggested Lee was paternalistic toward his slaves, that doesn’t change the fact he owned them. Civil War historian Eric Foner noted in an article for The New York Times, “He was not a pro-slavery ideologue. But I think equally important is that, unlike some White Southerners, he never spoke out against slavery.”
MYTH: Ulysses S. Grant was drunk during the Battle of Shiloh
Ulysses S. Grant led the Union Army to victory during the American Civil War, becoming a national hero. Accusations of him being a drunk, however, dogged him for much of his military and political career. Some of these claims emerged following his victory at the Battle of Shiloh, when a reporter from the New York Herald wrote that he was drunk during the engagement.
Grant did have a problem with alcohol for much of his life and had a lower tolerance than most men. Writing in the 2017 book, Grant, biographer Ron Chernow stated the Union commanding general would, however, never imperil an upcoming fight by drinking beforehand.
The Shiloh rumors led to requests for President Abraham Lincoln to fire Grant. According to State Sen. Alexander McClure, the president responded, “I can’t spare this man. He fights.” In a letter to his wife, Julia, Grant swore, “[I was] sober as a deacon no matter what was said to the contrary.”
MYTH: Amputations were frequently performed without anesthesia
Many movies and books set during the American Civil War will lead one to believe anesthesia was relatively uncommon during the conflict; the images of soldiers taking a shot of whiskey and biting down on a piece of wood as they have a body part sawn off are ingrained in people’s minds. While that certainly did happen, it wasn’t as common as Hollywood would make us believe.
The reality was that Civil War doctors were quite aware of the need for anesthesia and the majority used chloroform and ether to conduct serious surgeries. According to History Collection, “Over [90 percent] of all amputations performed during the war were accomplished with the patient under anesthesia.”
One of the soldiers on the receiving end of these amputations was Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson. He lost his left arm to friendly fire following the Battle of Chancellorsville and died from pneumonia a week later.
MYTH: The Confederate Army was made up of volunteers
Another claim is that all soldiers within the Confederate Army had volunteered for service. This is so ingrained in our minds that sports teams at the University of Tennessee are nicknamed the “Volunteers.” This is untrue, despite the majority volunteering to join the fight.
Knowing that many soldiers would be needed for the war, the Confederate Army began a conscription program. Between 1862-64, the Confederate government passed a number of acts geared toward ensuring the Army had enough men. It initially made it so all White men between the ages of 18-35 were to serve three years. This range eventually widened to include those who were between 17-50 years old. What’s more, they were to serve in the military for an unlimited amount of time.
Like many conscription programs, the wealthy were favored. Any man owning more than 20 slaves was exempt from the draft, so they could manage their property. Wealthy men also had the choice to hire a substitute to serve in their place. While this created resentment among those who were hired, the poor had little choice but to go to war.
MYTH: States’ rights were the cause of the American Civil War
One of the main arguments from Confederate apologists is that the cause of the American Civil War wasn’t slavery. They argue the cause was states’ rights and that the Union infringed upon the South’s right to continue owning slaves, despite there being no bills put forth to end the practice.
Unfortunately for them, this argument doesn’t hold much weight. There was furious debate in the two decades leading up to the conflict, regarding the practice of slavery, and, for the South, Abraham Lincoln’s election was a bridge too far.
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When the Confederates formed their own government, their constitution made it so that slavery could only be ruled upon at the federal level and not by individual states. One passage, in particular, stood out, reading, “No bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law denying or impairing the right of property in negro slaves shall be passed.”