VIRGINIA. It
is now abundantly and terrifyingly clear that this war will not be over in a
few months. Families in the North and
the South are grieving the loss of husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers. Perhaps readers of this very paper have lost
a loved one in the last month. This is
not surprising considering the staggering loss of life at such battles as Bull
Run, Antietam, and bloody Shiloh
Church. Those who thought the South would crumble
under the might of northern armies and weapons are painfully and shockingly
surprised. The South has done more than put up a fight. They are winning the war in the East. Virginia
is theirs. And so much for the North’s
vaunted advantage in technology. It was
the Southern ironclad, Virginia,
that reeked havoc on Northern ships in Hampton Roads last March.
Reports of spies seeping into the very fabric
of our lives in the North and the South have alarmed not only Presidents
Lincoln and Davis, they have aroused the suspicions of ordinary citizens. There are also reports that the Confederacy
is sending representatives to Great Britain
to ask Queen Victoria
to join the South in defeating the North.
Great Britain! It appears that the Revolutionary War is NOT
over.
If we defeat the Union in the east, they will stand no chance. While we still ask Britain to be an ally in this war, they already supply our need of tools and weapons. We can destroy the North's factories and weapon storage at no risk, but if they destroy a supply ship from Britain, the Queen's army will surely join the war. The Union's "independence" will be their downfall. Our spirit has won us many battles so far, just as I predicted. May God carry us to victory.
ReplyDeleteWell stated Mr. Davis. This victory in Virginia has proven that we are not just some pesky insect for the union to swat aside. We are on the path to victory, as you predicted. Our generals, the British, and God will all seeing us through this war, and soon we will retain our rights to our property. The confederacy is now showing their true colors. Honest Abe up North will now see the true extent of our power.
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DeleteYes! The spies!--I mean-- what spies? *scoffs* All these bish-boshes about spies. You would be balled up to think I was a spy. I'm surely not the person who was involved in one of the most famous cavalry raids of the war. I'm surely not the person who slipped past Union pickets and into the Fairfax Court House in two o'clock in the morning on March 9, 1863. The only one who is actually in trouble should be General Stoughton because he surely wasn't napping on the job! Go ahead! Ask John Singleton Mosby. He would blow about how I'm "as innocent as Abraham Lincoln"!
ReplyDeleteIf the rumors are true, and Great Brittain are joining the south, then my spirits will be dwindled. We stand no chance against their great forces, and will surely beat us. Though, I highly doubt that Queen Victoria will agree to join the south in a battle for allowing slavery, when Great Britain doesn't even allow slavery! The southerners are foolish to think that a nation who disagrees with slavery, will join a war for slavery! I am as well very worried about the rumored spies that have woven themselves into our lives. What will they do to us? Am I friends with one now? It brings me great fear that a potential wicked southerner could be walking by my side at any moment. Although these are merely just rumors, it can make a person quite paranoid.
ReplyDeleteWe aren’t looking like the weak scrubs you all thought we were. I have spent years training a group of experienced fighters learn to work as a whole. Already, in this war, our cavalry has proved itself. In the Battle of the Bull Run, I was able to fool a dim-witted Union Army into staying away from the battle, and then I rushed our cavalry into battle, pushing the rest of that Union Army into a hasty retreat. At Antietam, I lead the cavalry corps again, being able to preserve more people than many other generals in the battle. I have been scouting the Union Army for a while, preventing any surprise attacks, even though there were many federal attempts to catch me. Ha! I even made it easy for them, as I love wearing my flamboyant red and yellow cape. Thanks to the stupidity of the Northern troops, I’m now the face of the rising Confederate Cavalrymen. Now, enough about my (amazing) self, let’s talk about the future. The South has this in the bag, since when we get Britain involved into this war because of their need for cotton, we will win, and the North will be defeated.
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ReplyDeleteThough a war’s struggle is imminently ridden with success and failure, I, along with my fellow Confederates, rejoice at the sudden upheaval of events. Starting with our flag in the soil at the First Battle of Bull Run, we Southerners have shown our true strength and ferocity, so long derided by the Northerners. Fools shall suffer for their ignorance, and the Union will have no one to blame but themselves. As such, I have concealed a coded message regarding Union General Irwin McDowell’s plans to advance upon our Confederate army on July 16th in the hair of an accomplice spy, Betty Duvall. Aiding my espionage were Confederate Congress members and my fellow spy and dentist, Aaron Van Camp. The message, directed to General Beauregard, prompted him to request for our President to send General Joseph E. Johnston’s troops to Bull Run. Once my message alit in the hands of Beauregard, I was sure. Victory is nigh. True to my augury, the Confederacy won the battle soon thereafter.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, our path to victory is quite circuitous. The two entailing battles, Antietam and Shiloh Church, have wounded our beloved General Johnston and defeated our troops. Intuition tells me that the North had regained some of their arrogance during that period, believing that our victory is simple luck. A dark doubt rises within my rib cage: has fate chosen the Union instead? Nevertheless, our Confederate spirit stands strong, for we have secured Virginia for our own and defeated a large portion of the Union’s navy. God bless our two Virginias.
I smile a victor’s triumph behind my midnight disguise as I watch the war unfold in my preordained play. The tides have inevitably backlashed against the Union, so mightily arrogant in their blind faith just one month past. Though I am not so foolish as to assume victory like the Northerners, I must confess to my heightened confidence. Only God’s hands can give the Union dominion now. My message: you may be aware of me, but you will not find me. Until my country falls in the hands of this wicked “justice”, or emerges as the victor, you can’t touch what you don’t see.
I was present at all of those battles and I can assure all of you that the outcomes were not pleasant. There were about three thousand Union soldiers and two thousand Confederate casualties. Even a month after the battles, heaps of men are still lying in the hospital, wondering if the next day would be their last. Each day I spend writing letters to the families of the men who died. I can only imagine their grief as they hear that their husbands or brothers have fallen in war. This war will not end in a short while. I’ve seen the elephant. Both Union and Confederate sides are pushing to win the war. Neither side is willing to throw in the towel. As for spies, I’ve only heard scuttlebutt of them being captured and killed on the spot. Spies certainly jeopardize the missions of the opposing side, but the trouble they cause is worth their life. What a dangerous way to live. (I certainly only know this having gone on a few missions as a spy. I have already infiltrated a Southern camp and procured valuable information about their troops. I was almost caught when my disguise slipped, and nearly shot when returning back to camp. My fellow soldiers are very confused about how I live my life in constant danger. They all have family to return to should they survive the war. I have none. That is how I live my life in danger.)
ReplyDeleteThe South's actions are truly despicable and desperate. Not only have the Southerners started the Civil War, but they have also decided that reinstituting the immoral establishment of slavery was worth continuing the revolutionary war. The South's actions are a coward's actions. They are too afraid to face us alone so they have brought the Yankees over to help. They are willing to sacrifice all the freedom our Nation has won, and to forgo the independence they have earned for the reinstatement of slavery. What is more, the Southerners have caused a massive gap in trust. Obviously the North and South have been split, but each side has been further fragmented by the fear of spies and imposters. The South has ruined the postulates upon which are nation stands. Lynch mobs and mob rule and overruled the law of the land: lynching suspected spies and harassing law keepers. Since the government does not do enough to prevent this, I must enforce the law myself. As the Union Spy Chief, the news of the Southerners ironclad is no surprise; I had been aware of this for a while. Although the CSS Virginia has wreaked havoc on some of our ships, I am confident that the USS Monitor, our own ironclad will be more than capable of defeating her. Our ironclad truly is peculiar in design, it will be mostly underwater, almost like a submarine, save for a revolving turret on the top.
ReplyDeleteIf I were alive today, I would be infuriated by the fact that the Revolutionary War is basically repeating itself all over again. I could not believe that the South went to the point to be allies with the British to fight against us. It is unfortunate news for the North. The North might have factories and machines but the South has more manpower with the slaves and British. Another rumor that I have been finding disturbing as of lately is the fact that the North and South have been spying on each other. This is the reason why the South had seceded from the United States. We do not even have their trust. Now, the South has a larger desire for war. They want our land to be a callaboose. This will be the destruction of both the United States and the Confederate States.
ReplyDeleteAfter I shot a Union soldier for addressing my mother and I in such a way that was quite offensive, my position in this war has been clearer every day. The North went into this war as confident as ever, and now that the South in looking to be on top I am going to stand by my homeland until the end. As for the rumors that the confederacy is addressing Great Britain, I think that that is outrageous, fight your own war. It is cowardly to be scared off by our troops in the South, although I understand why that may be the case. Regarding all of the spies, I wouldn't know what to say. They is nothing we can do. People are getting worked up over these people invading their lives, but I say, just go one with your life, there is already enough going on to be anxious about. I am glad to see the Southerners coming out of the dust and want watch the Northerners get a taste of their own doings.
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ReplyDeleteAfter the defeat at Bull Run, it is evident that every ounce of union strength must be utilized. The men cannot afford to pridefully keep our women complacent at home. I, for one, will not stand by and watch soldiers die without any effort given to save them. Yet another part of me fears for how these actions will affect my sense of propriety. It is far from respectable for a woman to be on the near war, lest her intentions be misinterpreted. Nevertheless, I have a duty to protect my country and salvage precarious lives of soldiers. The situation has grown increasingly grim for our side, and I have lost a father along the way. The worst had to have been Antietam. Many soldiers were lost and numerous others were injured. So many in fact, that the other volunteers and I went from one makeshift hospital to another, going three whole days without sleep. It all payed off with an outcome for the blue. This victory gives me strength to carry on through this weak time.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree. We must put forth every bit of our efforts towards the Union cause. When we have perfectly fine women, why don't we use their abilities to help our soldiers? Let these women take on the roles of nurses. (Or even as soldiers as I am. But if they choose to become a soldier as I they must be careful. It is still illegal for women to join the army at this time, which I consider rich. I have already heard of other women soldiers, some who were discharged immediately. Women are just as capable as men. If we wish to win this war we will need to use all our efforts, both male and female.)
DeleteJust as I thought, Southern grit is trumping Northern technology in this Civil War. Confederate soldiers have found strength in themselves, and are beating the Union soldiers. Confederate representatives have gone to England to hopefully gain support. With the Queen's aid, this war will be over soon. Then, our loved ones can come home.
ReplyDelete(I am dismayed to see the South is winning the Civil War. Already there is bloodshed, and many soldiers will not return home. I fear though that if the South can win Britain's support, they will win. It seems like another Revolutionary War is beginning. Last time, history sided with the rebels I can only hope this time the tides have turned. Lincoln and Davis must come to their senses and stop this madness. We can heal our nation if we all work things out peacefully.)
It looks like I have chosen the winning sides. My efforts as a sniper attacking Union soldiers has finally resulted in something beneficial for the war. Throughout this war, I have been attacking soldiers more than half a mile away on land, transports, and gunboats. The only advantage the North have are resources, nothing else. We're winning this war and our spies are aiding us too. With their help, we can surprise the North, but they can't surprise us. All we need to do is to defend ourselves from the North's futile attempts at invading us.
ReplyDeleteWe must continue to have faith. I cannot predict the outcome of this war but I know that we mustn't loose hope in our nation. Being a nurse during this war, I have witnessed the brutality that soldiers on both the Union and Confederate sides have been through. Almost every family, including my own, has lost a family member or friend. When it comes to spying... one must do what is necessary to help the nation survive this battle. Even if it means taking a position in this spying business.
ReplyDeleteThis war is a bequest immured in the veins of our ancestry as their pulses ring to bestow our fate. This war is a resonance of suffering, yet a contingency for liberty. This war is not a representation of balance, but a battle. This war is an opportunity to burnish our scars and create more. I wish not to secede from this solution for I have promised all my morals to this cause. Bull Run is not something to regret. We must learn from our mistakes and abolish any chances of their reoccurrences. The Unionist Army may be branded as shattered, but victories such as Antietam and Shiloh, in which we drew back the Confederate Army, will be defined only as a testament to Northern will. God shan’t shield the distorted viewpoint of the South. I only hope that England incurs the fierce dislike of both the North and South. This dispute, fought around a mockery of the “justifiable” practice of slavery, will not end without a side caving. We are happy to believe - indeed, that the Administration in Washington notwithstanding appearances, do stand ready to inaugurate and carry out a policy towards slavery which will most certainly eventuate in breaking down its occurrence in all the rebel States. Therefore, by instituting a cure that’s spreads like a fever, we may be able to clear Mother America’s vision of any tears. As a consultant to President Abraham Lincoln, I believe in his sprawl to implement this long sought-after ideal of emancipation, allowing Confederate Slaves to embrace autonomy.
ReplyDeleteWith my nails free of the blood that has long hardened in my comrades, I shall continue to aid in my enlistment of the contraband. This war will be won in the favor of those who deserve it. May Mother America stray from her shadow, as my fellow brethren shield her from the sun.
These spies have caused some serious problems for the Union. The war would have been over by now if it hadn't been for Rose Greenhow. We would have captured Richmond, except Rose Greenhow managed to alert the South and started the Battle of Bull Run. Now that she's in the calaboose, she shouldn't be causing any trouble. All these battles have certainly showed that the Confederate States will not easily back down. We are surprised by the South's force, but not intimidated. Battles like Antietam have showed the true realities of war. Many of my fellow soldiers have fallen from rifles and cannons. Some have even died from consumption. We must persist as one in order to win the war.
ReplyDeleteThe men on both sides were too proud to see that this would not be an easy war. Both sides were blind to the other side's strengths, too ignorant to see their own weaknesses. The smug south thinks that they can win support from Great Britain, a country that has had slavery outlawed for almost 30 years. Perhaps us losing the battle of Bull Run is a good thing, at least to some degree. If we had won the battle, we might have continued to underestimate the south. Despite their outdated beliefs about slavery, they do have their strengths, and it is never a good thing to underestimate the enemy. Working at the Patent Office Hospital, I have seen firsthand the damage that the war can do, and have the dark feeling that it will last much longer than has been predicted.
ReplyDelete(There is scuttlebutt about Great Britain. I am a spy for the Union at the Confederate Presidents house. While cleaning I learned that it is true the Confederates are trying to get Great Britain on their side. Jefferson Davis seems to think they will give in. I pray they do not decide to help. If they do, the Union is a goner. With the Union gone and no one to spy for, I will be stuck as a slave.)
ReplyDeleteThis war has been indeed a mighty one. To think that this war would be over in only in 90 days has been foolish of us. But, we will not give into the river quite yet. Positions can change almost overnight it seems, and I have great confidence in the Union to succeed. We only have to play it according to Hoyle and this war will be ours. You'll see southerners, for you are going to be goners. We will never throw in the sponge, so get ready fetch your guns because this war will be a big one.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed that this war, lasting a while, is not to just unleash anger on each other for one disagreement we had, but multiple. This is a big reason why this war is lasting so long. There were many causes of the civil war, including differences between northern and southern states on the idea of slavery, as well as trade, tariffs, and states rights. Those were just the main reasons why we have to fight about this. However, there are still small disaggrements that add up as well. Only people from the North and South truly know what this war is about, and what is trying to settle. Despite all of that, Most people believe that the event that started the civil war was the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, leading to many southern states to secede from the union. Despite all that, Most people believe that the event that started the civil war was the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, leading to many southern states to secede from the union.
ReplyDeleteThe war is repeating itself. But the South won't surrender. We walk our territory proudly and are not planning on giving up any time soon. Our boys didn't die for nothing! We're losing them by the thousands! This war may be repeating itself, and maybe it always will, but it isn't by fault of the South alone. It's not what we signed up for. It's not what anyone signed up for.
ReplyDelete(As a spy, I'm stuck. My faith is with the Union, it always will be. But there are identities warring in my head. I don't know how much longer I can hold out, and with the repetition, I don't know how much longer it will last.)
I for one don’t want the South to win nor the North to win. All this bosh about war is nonsense to me. I want the country that we all worked so hard for to rejoin again and to have equality for everyone. As I have seen in my own plantation black have an interesting input and opinions. A lot of black folks can grandly help our economy, and our country. With just a little education we can help
ReplyDeleteblacks improve and be the people we want them to be. I still believe in slavery, because slaves really help our southern economy. It makes me sad to hear that the war won’t end anytime soon because it has really damaged our business, and has also killed my brother. As I can imagine the same has happened to many other families. All I hear about when I read the news by the fire in the night time is war. I just can’t wait for the war to end.
It pains me to be leading my men into battle knowing fully that many will likely not return. When the war started, I had high hopes for the north. We had more people, better weapons and better motivation but are lack of experience and arrogance has blinded us. After that embarrassing loss in Chancellorsville I am not so confident in our abilities to win this war. But we shall remain steadfast if we want to win this war.
ReplyDeleteFrom the beginning, I could already tell this battle for freedom was not going to last just a couple of months. This is just the horrible and bloody result of immorality. The price these two groups will have to pay, mutually, is the damage of the economy and the number of causalities from both sides. At first, I was resistant against war, but now, I fear that it is the only way to solve this ongoing dilemma that has been going on for decades. Although the Confederacy has the upper hand, the Union has hopes. They have devised a clever but lengthy plan to end this war and protect the rights of freedom and liberty for all those living on American soil.
ReplyDeleteFrom the beginning, I could already tell this battle for freedom was not going to last just a couple of months. This is just the horrible and bloody result of immorality. The price these two groups will have to pay, mutually, is the damage of the economy and the number of causalities from both sides. At first, I was resistant against war, but now, I fear that it is the only way to solve this ongoing dilemma that has been going on for decades. Although the Confederacy has the upper hand, the Union has hopes. They have devised a clever but lengthy plan to end this war and protect the rights of freedom and liberty for all those living on American soil.
ReplyDeleteSpies?! In the North?! Treachery! The southern scum must be weeded out and dealt with accordingly. On the matter of Britain, they have already abolished slavery! Why would they help the south? If anything, Great Britain will assist the Union. This war should be over by now, in my opinion. Its time to crush the secessionists.
ReplyDeleteFinally, we are on our way to win this battle. Although we have been doubted by many, the Confederacy has come through on their promises of winning this war. Step by step, the Union will be defeated. Virginia is ours!
ReplyDelete(No matter if the Confederacy is currently ahead. They have no chance against our troops and generals. I continue to serve my country as a spy and aid of the Union and vow to stay loyal to my cause and risk my life and liberty for our army. With every freed prisoner and every secret message sent to the Union, (through hollowed-out book spines and empty egg shells) I have faith that our forces are working towards their destined victory.)
This war is a terrible thing. Where I live, we are constantly hiding in the shelter to avoid being shelled. All mother and I do all day is take care of my baby sister. Soldiers walk through my yard, and gunshots are seen from my window in my little room. Daddy is still gone and fighting, we think. He did not tell mother where he was going, or if he was coming back. I am in constant fear of being hit by whatever is happening outside. I don't quite know what is going on or why, but I hope it ends soon so I can come out of the basement.
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