Why did the CSA pick a capitol city so close to the front lines?

[alphaboi867]

@JRDelirious

…(Another thing I wonder is why US 1 in Northern VA is called the “Jefferson Davis Highway”, honoring a Mississippian who only brought ruin to the place; not even a proper *Virginian *Confederate.)

Jefferson Davis also has a statue in the US Capitol, though apparently there’s a campaign to replace him with Elvis Presley (another notable Mississippian).

[carnivorousplant]

@alphaboi867

Jefferson Davis also has a statue in the US Capitol, though apparently there’s a campaign to replace him with Elvis Presley (another notable Mississippian).

He was the US Secretary of War under President Pierce.
Introduced camels to the US Cavalry, some of whom supposedly still exist in the American desert.

[JKellyMap]

Carryon, thanks for the informative post — the population figures were revealing.

This whole thread is really interesting, actually.

[Colibri]

@carnivorousplant

Introduced camels to the US Cavalry, some of whom supposedly still exist in the American desert.

While a few feral camels held out until the 1880s, I don’t believe there are any reports since the early 20th Century.

[carnivorousplant]

@Colibri

While a few feral camels held out until the 1880s, I don’t believe there are any reports since the early 20th Century.

But you know why camels drink so much?

To forget.

[Northern_Piper]

@carnivorousplant

He was the US Secretary of War under President Pierce.

And Benedict Arnold was a major figure in the Continental Army, helping to win the key Battle of Saratoga. Why doesn’t he have a statue in the Capitol?

[GiantRat]

@Northern_Piper

And Benedict Arnold was a major figure in the Continental Army, helping to win the key Battle of Saratoga. Why doesn’t he have a statue in the Capitol?

There is a memorial to Arnold in Saratoga, NY. It’s a statue of his boot, and the only Federal memorial to use his name. I guess that doesn’t quite meet the criteria you’re looking for.

[Northern_Piper]

No, according to Wikipedia, it doesn’t mention his name. Just his boot.

Boot Monument

[UltraVires]

@Beckdawrek

Gettysburg proved the South was willing to go further north. I’m no expert but Lee fancied himself annointed by his forefathers( Lighthorse Harry) and Mary C. Lee was Washingtons grand-daughter (adopted). I think maybe he had visions of grandeur. I can’t know, really. I’ve read D.Southalls Freemans complete biography of Lee ( it’s 4 large volumes) and it seems Lee thought highly of himself and as one of Virginia sons he felt privileged. I don’t think for a minute he would have refused to set Davis up in the Whitehouse. And then ran for President himself, down the line. As Grant did. To the victors go the spoils. Afterall.

There is no evidence to show that Lee’s two invasions of the north were ones of conquest. It was done largely to: 1) let the crops grow in VA without Yankees burning, trampling or eating them all, and 2) to show Europe that the South wasn’t a two bit rebellion, but a national power in its own right.

[RealityChuck]

@ftg

Note that the war wasn’t expected to last long. The first Battle of Bull Run was going to be the “knock-out” blow that would end the war.

The arrogance of the South was unbelievable. They knew they were intrinsically better people than the Northerners and would win simply due to their “virtue”. (Guess what other looking-down-on-other-people thing goes with this attitude.)

The idea of Yankees ever being able to take Richmond was a ridiculous thought for virtually the whole war.

To be fair, the North was just as arrogant before Bull Run. They figured they could just march into Richmond and put an end to this secession nonsense.