We are at war with ourselves: April 12 2011 is the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War
On April 12, 1861 Confederate batteries in Charleston, SC open fire on Fort Sumter and thus initiate the opening salvos of the American Civil War, a war which would not end until April 1865 with 660,000 lives lost. Thus, this April of 2011 we begin our commemorations of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War, otherwise known as the Civil War 150.
That is commemorate, with honor and respect, those events in the life of our nation that nearly tore the infant nation apart. The only thing we are celebrating is the fact that after this conflict, when we were able to sew the pieces together again, we were able to define who we were as a Nation; for before the war we were Ohioans and Virginians, et cetera, but after the war we were Americans! The Civil War period, 1860-1865, was a time of hardship and wartime but also a time of bold ideas, contrasts, innovations, inventions, and the defining of the role of women in our nation’s history.
It was not yet 100 years since the American Revolution and yet we had had to defend our country again in 1812 and we had fought in Mexico in the 1850’s for our safety and security. We were defining ourselves as a nation, proving we could grow as a nation as well as become a global power. Yet, internally, we were faced with issues which were never addressed and never properly dealt with personally or politically. Finally, arguments and legislation, agriculture, business, and industry as well as culture all clashed by the end of the 1850’s.
When North Carolina seceded from the Union of the United States on December 20, 1860, the conflict and the eventual break of that Union occurred. So many believed it would never come to this, including our own State Representative, James A. Garfield. However, as more states seceded from the Union and the Confederate States was formed, war was inevitable; especially with Lincoln calling for 75,000 troops in Washington and then with Virginia’s final decision to secede from the Union on April 17, 1861. It was a war, though many didn’t see it lasting very long, and believed it would remain localized.
I have studied much on the Civil War and have the privilege of teaching about it with my husband, who is also the Executive Director of the Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Monument on Cleveland’s historic Public Square. Through all the atrocities and the horror of war, never before did one see such courage and devotion in the face of adversity. We should learn from this and never forget what took place on the battlefields of our country, or forget the “valorous deeds of her sons” and daughters.
During this Sesquicentennial of the Civil War, let us strive to commemorate and remember what our ancestors did to ensure that our country survived to become greater and bigger than it was. The Civil War is the story of freedom, from slavery, yes, but also of many other kinds of freedoms; the story of the strength and determination of women; and, the story of courage to overcome daunting odds. May we learn from our ancestors!
There will be more articles forthcoming about Ohio in the Civil War and I hope to be able to talk about the involvement of Cleveland’s women and our Collinwood boys in this conflict. If there is anything you would like to read about on this subject – please let me know via email at CollNottHistory@aol.com. Remember that the Historic Society is here for the preservation of the history of our community, as well as to teach people about our history. Collinwood has a rich history connected with the Civil War period.
COME SEE CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTORS AND THEIR DEMONSTRATIONS/DISPLAYS AT THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE TATOO TO BE HELD AT CLEVELAND’S PUBLIC HALL, MAY 21, 2011! Email me for more information.