Glory Can Not Atone : Shiloh - April 6th, 1862

In the first essay, “Glory Can Not Atone: Shiloh – April 6, 7, 1862” (Binder& Reimers, 2008, p.272). J.L. McDonough details the thoughts and reasons why many of the commanders and soldiers actually participated in the Civil War. McDonough provides us with an account of J.M. Lashlee, a Tennessean, opposed to both slavery and the secession of the south. Lashlee only joined to fight in the Civil War due to the Union invasion of his state. I thought it very poignant he would choose the side that supposedly fought for the things he disagreed with.

Another part of the Civil War the chapter details very well is how under equipped the Confederates were as a fighting force. But – even though the southern troops were without proper supplies, these soldiers still fought for their beliefs. I found it particularly interesting to read that many of the Confederate soldiers had no training, and in many cases the south didn’t even have the supplies to train their them or their commanders. I believe this supports my premise that the war was far more than that of a war against slavery. Why else would under equipped and untrained soldiers fight to the extent these men did?

An added point that also intrigued me was the influence and role the media played during this time. The essay provides us with an insight into the propaganda that the newspapers published. In the south the papers published articles to spur on the beliefs the war was one of a “struggle for Southern Independence”. These articles would have torn at the pride and hearts of the southern people. In contrast, the newspapers in the north wrote of how the end of the war was near due to the Union’s great victories and the Confederate’s growing weariness for the prolonged war.

In conclusion, With regards to the Civil War, both sides fought for what they believed in, and had both good and bad intentions. I do not believe you can classify either side as right or wrong, but as winners and losers. Just...