Tuesday, June 23, 2009

The War of 1861-1865



A statue on the grounds of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. (Known as "Silent Sam.")

The inscription is revealing: What we would normally think of as the Civil War is referred to as "The War of 1861-1865." And everyone reading it would know that "their great commander" is, of course, General Robert E. Lee.

It reminded me of the last episode of the "Civil War" series by Ken Burns, wherein the memories of the hideous carnage of the war got gradually replaced by a sad, overarching nostalgia.

UPDATE: From Wikipedia:

On August 20, 2018, Silent Sam was toppled by protesters, and later that night removed to a secure location by university authorities. The pedestal base and inscription plaques were removed on January 14, 2019, following a letter that day from Chancellor Folt justifying the removal on grounds of public safety, and also announcing her resignation.

Photos: Soldier, Chapel Hill—North Carolina, 2009; Inscription, Chapel Hill—North Carolina, 2009

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