Stop Fighting the Civil War

This is not going to be a popular post….

“We should just stop reenacting that war. People think they’re still fighting it…”

My daughter seemed to be very adamant about her point.

It was the Civil War she was talking about — the battles that are recreated all over the country — in relation to the historical dates. Not just the battles but the home front — ladies in beautiful full dresses, carrying parasols and fans.

It’s almost the end of June — closing in on the dates of the Gettysburg Reenactment where the small town comes alive with history — concerts, lectures, and the battle itself.

As a history/Gettysburg buff, I’ve attended many years. But I know which “side” won and still wins every year. I understand where my daughter’s coming from: the ongoing “battles keeps the controversy alive.” The south lost. There was no way it economically could have won and survived as a county. In other words: Get Over it. You were traitors to your county…you got off because of Lincoln’s belief in reconciliation. Stop fighting these battles — even pretend fighting. Go to Gettysburg during the days of the Battle; go to the lectures, the book signings. Walk the town and realize the unsung heroes were the people of the town itself who cared for the wounded on both sides, who burned thousands of dead horses and mules, and who buried the dead…

But no matter how many times the Battle of Gettysburg is reenacted, the results are the same, Lee rides away in…