Battle of Newton Station

CSA: Battle at Newton Station – April 24th 1863! (1.7.2026)

Although I am no fan of the right-wing (racist) actor – John Wayne – the 1959 film entitled “The Horse Soldiers” covers the so-called “Battle at Newton Station” which unfolded on April 24th, 1863 – and took place in Mississippi. This involved the penetration of the South in the Western Theatre by Col. Benjamin Grierson (1826-1911) and his Union Cavalry Unit. The idea was to commit acts of terrorism and sabotage toward the CSA and its train network – so that it could not easily transport troops and supplies around the country. As Cavalry acted as a light and highly mobile infantry – these troops often turned-out to be highly effective in this role. The clip I have added above is from the film “The Horse Soldiers” and depicts Confederate troops arriving by train at the station and launching what they thought to be a surprise attack. From what records survive, it is said that the CSA lost around 25 men – but this number could have been higher. I am told that Confederate charges like this – from trains – did take place on more than one occasion. 

Jazz Fusion in the Confederacy

CSA: Jazz – An Interesting Assessment of “Black Freedom” in the Post-Confederate Period! (4.6.2026)

He had come from the British colony of the West Indies – and was surprised to observe how cognitively undeveloped the slave population was in America. In the West Indies the British had established “Re-Education Camps” which all former-slaves had to be held within. They were daily taught how to read and write, how to count, and how to civilly interact with one another (and other people). They were taught cleanliness and hygiene, etc. This included medical understanding and religious practice (Protestant Christianity). When each individual successfully passed all the sets tests and examinations – they were declared a “Free Citizen” and released into general society. Another way of gaining this status was to join the British Army and serve in Africa for the UK government. Men who survived 20-years gained British Citizenship and the right to settle in England as an Englishman – a great honour. Jefferson Davis wanted a phased reduction and abolition of slavery once the sovereign status of each State had been decided. He certainly had no intention of extending or preserving the institution – but you can see from the above quote that the North preserved slavery well into the 20th century – but gave it a thin-veneer of a faux “freedom”. Just as Davis promised the Native Americans their own country – he promised all Black men who supported the Confederacy “Freedom” and “Citizenship”. Because the North did not bother to transition the former slave populations – America is today riddled with all kinds of sociological ills. As matters stand, a “forced” assimilation does not seem to be working.

Confederate Civil War hero Colonel W.M. Shy!

CSA: The Body of a Confederate Colonel was Discovered in 1977! (18.11.2025)

The Civil War was now in its waning months. The North’s superior industrial strength and never ending supply of manpower had taken their toll over the downtrodden Confederacy. Everything was going downhill for the Rebels. After the fall of Vicksburg the Union had concentrated practically all its force against the “other Rebel army,” the Army of Tennessee. This army was the last hope for the South. It was led by General John Bell Hood who at this time was a physically beaten and emotionally unstable man. He had lost the use of one arm at Gettysburg and lost a leg at the Battle of Chickamauga. He had to be literally strapped to his horse to travel. Hood’s condition well depicted the general condition of the Army of Tennessee at this stage of the war.

last csa casuality

CSA: On How President Jefferson Davis Changed His Opinion on Arming Southern Slaves! (15.11.2025)

Something of an oddity for a man who is often demonised in modern discourse as being the “defender of slavery”. Be that as it may, free Black men did exist in the South – and chose to join the Confederate Army – as free men. As the war wore-on – and the number of the White male population dwindled – it became ever apparent that the only resource the South possessed was its population of Black (male) slaves. General Pat Cleburne (the Irish-British volunteer killed at Franklin during late 1864) had suggested to Davis that the slaves be “freed” and conscripted into the Confederate Army. At the time, the conservative elements of the Confederate Congress refused to consider this idea. Following the Battle of Franklin (30.11.1864) and the huge casualties suffered by the Confederacy – Jefferson Davies decided to exercise his executive power and authorise 40,000 slaves to be co-opted into the Confederate Army to form Labour and Guarding Corps to free-up White soldiers for frontline duty. However, with the Confederate defeat at the Battle of Nashville (16.12.1864) – Davis stated that all slaves should now be freed and recruited into the Confederate Army – BEFORE the Union could get a chance to liberate them – and use these men against the South!

Major General Patrick R. Cleburne leading his men against Federal breastworks, Battle of Franklin, 30 November 1864!

CSA: The Magnificent Confederate Army of Tennessee Attack [30.11.1864] at the Battle of Franklin! (21.10.2025)

The Confederate Army had deployed in an almost Parade Ground formation… As far as the eye could see, the ranks of butternut and grey extended across the gently undulating farm-land. The men were gaunt, many looked like they had been starved – wrote a soldier – and they stood in tattered ranks with their bayonets already fixed on their imported Enfields, Austrians, and captured Springfield rifle-muskets. Their uniforms were threadbare and worn, with many wearing captured Federal clothing. Some had no coats or shoes, and in their haversack, they carried mostly sugarcane and hickory nuts. Nearly all were ragged and dirty. They looked more like a band of robbers than soldiers thought one Federal Private – who saw some captured prisoners. Another Union soldier noted that the Rebels ‘rob our dead because they have nothing to wear – especially for our shoes and coats. They still retained their droopy-felt hats – which gives them a hasty look.’  They are all that the Confederacy could muster – what was left of the hardened spirit of the middle-South. Yet their ragged appearance belied their ultimate worth.

Major-General Patrick Cleburne - CSA

CSA: Patrick Cleburne – the Irish Private that Rose to Major-General – and Called for the Freeing of the Slaves in the South! (17.7.2025)

As a “British” citizen, Patrick Cleburne joined the 41st Infantry Regiment of Foot of the British Army (serving between 1846-1849) rising to the rank of “Corporal” (and NCO signified by two-chevron stripes worn on the upper-shoulder – pointing-down). He served in the Garrison of Spike Island, situated in Cork Harbour. Here, the British Authorities brutally “processed” ethnic Irish prisoners – and Cleburne got to learn first-hand what anti-Irish racism was really like. Due to this experience, he eventually emigrated with his family to the United States, and was accepted with open arms by the people of Arkansas. He was not interested in preserving slavery and certainly did not own any slaves himself. As he appreciated the kindness of the Southern people – he decided to enlist as a “Private” soldier in the “Yell Rifles” – a local Militia in Arkansas. As these local grass-roots Confederate Units were entirely democratic in nature, all NCOs and Officers were elected by popular vote. This is how Cleburne was elected to the rank of “Captain”. Quite extraordinarily, when the Local Militias and Guards Unit were reformed with many being integrated into Infantry Regiments proper that constituted the Confederate States Army – Patrick Cleburne rose through the ranks to Major-General (CSA).

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