“Duty is the sublimest word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less.” Robert E. Lee, Confederate general. All across the South, young men were hearing this call to action in hope that they would pledge themselves to service, but in this brutal, bloody war, what made them put their lives on the line to answer the call? The Civil War was our nation’s most devastating war, with over six-hundred thousand casualties, so the question begs; Why did Texans fight in this disastrous war? Simply put, we chose to fight in the Civil War to protect states’ rights, preserve slavery, and most of all to defend Southern honor. First off, many Southern states felt that the Union was eradicating their
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Slavery was an important economic boost, if you will, and allowed plantation owners to obtain more income per acre than that of non-slave plantations. In 1860, over thirty percent of the southern population were slaves, (Doc A). Texas feared a drastic downfall in the economy, so, like the six states before them, they seceded from the nation and fought the Union in hope to preserve their economic way of life. Finally, Texans fought for their own pride, glory, and ultimately to preserve Southern honor across the state. “Our army is still going on. We will retreat till we find a suitable place in Ala. to make a stand and then there will be a big fight… Tell Lissy not to talk to me about marrying here. If I ever marry it will be in Texas [my home], (John Wesley Rabb letters, Doc D). ” Our Texan citizens not only violated, but betrayed by the North, and many were willing to pay the ultimate price to fight for what their beloved state. Across the South, people were outraged at the fact that they were stripped of their rights, economic stability, and most of all their honor and pride. Many Texans fought to the death to defend these inherent rights, and to preserve their way of life. Now and in the future, history repeats itself, and people across the globe will continue to make a stand for their
Slavery was an important economic boost, if you will, and allowed plantation owners to obtain more income per acre than that of non-slave plantations. In 1860, over thirty percent of the southern population were slaves, (Doc A). Texas feared a drastic downfall in the economy, so, like the six states before them, they seceded from the nation and fought the Union in hope to preserve their economic way of life. Finally, Texans fought for their own pride, glory, and ultimately to preserve Southern honor across the state. “Our army is still going on. We will retreat till we find a suitable place in Ala. to make a stand and then there will be a big fight… Tell Lissy not to talk to me about marrying here. If I ever marry it will be in Texas [my home], (John Wesley Rabb letters, Doc D). ” Our Texan citizens not only violated, but betrayed by the North, and many were willing to pay the ultimate price to fight for what their beloved state. Across the South, people were outraged at the fact that they were stripped of their rights, economic stability, and most of all their honor and pride. Many Texans fought to the death to defend these inherent rights, and to preserve their way of life. Now and in the future, history repeats itself, and people across the globe will continue to make a stand for their