Preview

Why Did Samuel Scorrow Want To Fight In The Civil War

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
758 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Why Did Samuel Scorrow Want To Fight In The Civil War
The Civil War was a time of deep personal and national conflict, where individuals had to make difficult decisions about their loyalties. This is vividly illustrated by the contrasting choices of Samuel Storrow and Captain George Pickett. While Samuel Storrow passionately wanted to fight for the North, believing that "if this great and glorious fabric of our Union...is to be shattered to pieces," his life would be meaningless, Captain George Pickett resigned his Northern commission to fight for the South, asserting that "there can never again reign for either of us the true spirit of national unity whether divided under two flags or united under one." These opposing stances highlight the complexity of loyalty and duty during the Civil War, …show more content…
The American Civil War was when individuals were forced to make deeply personal and often agonizing decisions about their loyalties and duties. Samuel Storrow and Captain George E. Pickett exemplify the complexity of these choices, each embodying a different perspective rooted in their unique circumstances and values. Storrow, a young student from Boston, felt a profound sense of duty to the Union. His letter to his father reveals his struggle with the idea of staying safe at home while others fought for the nation's survival. For Storrow, the thought of not participating in the defense of the Union was cowardly, reflecting his deep commitment to the national cause and the principles he believed his forefathers had fought to establish. Conversely, Captain George E. Pickett's decision to join the Confederacy was driven by a strong sense of loyalty to his home state of Virginia. Pickett's letters to his fiancée articulate his internal conflict and sorrow over leaving his post and comrades, but ultimately, he felt compelled to support his state in its bid for freedom. His actions were guided by a belief in the right of states to break away and a sense of regional loyalty that outweighed his commitment to the Union. Pickett's narrative
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Best Essays

    The Killer Angels Research Paper
    • 1531 Words
    • 7 Pages

    The Killer Angels Research Paper

    Man. The killer angel. [1] Since the dawn of civilization humanity has fought to protect what they hold dear. Whether that be freedom, religion or land, the body politic has been at war, even within their own borders. Civil War is defined as a war between regions of the same country.[2] Throughout the course of the four and a half year Civil War, many battles were fought, but none quite as pivotal as the Battle of Gettysburg. Had Lee obliged Longstreet in his persistence of a defensive strategy, the Confederate Army very well could have won the war. Instead, the Union succeeded in holding their ground atop a hillside and thus defeating the Confederate Army and ultimately winning the war. One contemplates the motivations of both the Confederates and the Union soldiers in the United States Civil War. Was it money? Power? Dominance? Michael Shaara, author of The Killer Angels suggests alternative motives. In his novel about the pivotal battle, he suggests that even though it was commonly perceived that soldiers were fighting solely…

    • 1531 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Best Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Killer Angels: The American Civil War
    • 1410 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The Killer Angels: The American Civil War

    Although this book is a novel about the Civil War, it is written through the eyes of the soldiers and generals on both sides, the North and the South. That is the factor that makes it so unique and engaging. It is not a textbook account of the battle, nor does it show the Union troops in a better light than the Confederate troops. Every viewpoint from the great General Lee, to a Union colonel, to a spy, to a British adversary is shown, among others.…

    • 1410 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Killer Angels Reflections
    • 1664 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Killer Angels Reflections

    The Civil War was one of the nation’s bloodiest wars in history, and there is so much more to it than the average person knows. “Killer Angels” by Michael Shaara does a fantastic job of ‘opening the doors’ into the true struggles of the Civil War. The book begins from a spy’s perspective, on his way to Longstreet to inform him of the Union Army’s position. The news caught Longstreet off guard because General Stuart was supposed to be on the lookout for the Union Army. It takes a while for him to convince his colleagues that they need to trust this spy because most of them want do not believe that Stuart would leave them blind as he gallivants around, getting publicity in the north. Longstreet decides to trust the spy and moves towards Gettysburg. At this point, the generals have no idea of the violent battle that is about to take place in Gettysburg. Meanwhile, Colonel Chamberlain is informed that men disbanded from the Old Second Maine. These men have decided not to fight in protest. Chamberlain delivers a very inspiring speech, and great detail is given describing his excellent speech giving skills. All but six of the men decide to join Twentieth Maine. Longstreet is completely astounded by this, but grateful. On the morning of July 1st, Stuart is still nowhere to be found. Stuart is very important to the Confederate Army; he is their eyes when it comes to knowing the location of the Union Army. Meanwhile, the battle at Gettysburg begins when the Confederates attack Buford’s men. Day one at Gettysburg ends with the Union retreat into the hills. This makes Longstreet anxious; hills are very good defensive positions. Though they should swing around to attack from behind, he knows that is not what General Lee wants to do. The next day, Chamberlain wakes up and his regiment begins moving towards Gettysburg. They run into an escaped slave on the way, and Chamberlain ponders his feelings towards the war and race. Chamberlain’s regiment is put on Little Round Top as…

    • 1664 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Rhetorical Analysis Of Henry Grady's 'The New South'
    • 705 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Rhetorical Analysis Of Henry Grady's 'The New South'

    As the Civil War came to an end, the South experienced an era of changes. One of the most popular speeches, explaining how the post-war South had grown out of its old customs and made progress, was Henry Grady’s The New South. This document is an important historical speech when comparing examinations of how life was for Southerners in the years following the Reconstruction and the Compromise of 1877. Although this speech is very motivational, it differs from the reality of how the South was managing during this time period. Grady’s vision seemed almost too good to be true when covering the stance of the economy, the termination of slavery, and the attitudes of Confederate soldiers after the war.…

    • 705 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Essay On Killer Angels
    • 1380 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Essay On Killer Angels

    In the book Killer Angels by Michael Shaara, he analyzes the roles of two important men in Civil War history. One is Robert E. Lee, the commander of the Confederate army, and the other is James Longstreet, a Confederate general. Both men play key parts in the battle of Gettysburg and their choices help direct the course of the whole war, both in their favor and against. While they are fighting on the same side, there are differences that distinguish them and cause conflict between them, and these differences will determine major turning points in the war.…

    • 1380 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Michael Shaara's The Killer Angels
    • 548 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Michael Shaara's The Killer Angels

    The North (Union) fought on for the sake of keeping the country united under one flag and one leader. Their ideas were like those of the northern abolitionists – they opposed the ideas of slavery being continued and fought to give the blacks the freedom that they ever so rightfully deserved. This reason to go to war, although just, was a very weak call to arms for many of the union soldiers. They constantly debated on whether it was really worth putting their lives on the line for a union that was already broken. The South fought for the people dwelling within – for their families and neighbors. “He fought for his people, for the children and the kin,” (Shaara…

    • 548 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    James Longstreet's Military Career
    • 1332 Words
    • 6 Pages

    James Longstreet's Military Career

    Longstreet was a successful man that is still well known today for his defensive tactics during the Civil War. He transitioned from fighting with the nation during the Mexican War to fighting against it during the Civil War, and joining the country again to execute many different careers before his retirement. Although Longstreet faced criticism from many southerners about his service during the Civil War, his reputation has been restored and his legacy as a successful confederate general during the Civil War lives…

    • 1332 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Examples Of Compromises After The Civil War
    • 159 Words
    • 1 Page

    Examples Of Compromises After The Civil War

    After the Constitution was received by the greater part of the States in 1789, uniting the States into one country, contrasts between the States had been worked out through compromises. By 1861 these contrasts between the Northern States (which incorporated the Mid-Western and Western States) and the Southern States had turned out to be great to the point that compromise would no more work. Along these lines, a contention began inside of our country that was known as the Civil War. This Civil War was absolutely encouraged by the vigorous requests of numerous Northerners for the prompt abrogation of subjugation. Yet, an examination of the occasions driving specifically to war will demonstrate that Southern politicians likewise must share a great…

    • 159 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Why Did The South Lose The Civil War Analysis
    • 1205 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Why Did The South Lose The Civil War Analysis

    Gary Gallagher first examines the drive that the Confederates had to fight. Gary Gallagher expresses that it was not just the soldiers on the battlefields that wanted the war it was almost every citizen in the Confederacy. It included women, teenagers, planters, yeoman…

    • 1205 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    General Sherman's role in the Civil War
    • 670 Words
    • 2 Pages

    General Sherman's role in the Civil War

    Sherman’s attitude to the Confederate forces was a key aspect in the result of a Union Victory. Sherman admired the Southern forces and wrote in a letter to his wife in 1864, describing the Confederate forces. “The devils seem to have a determination that cannot but be admired. No amount of poverty or adversity seems to shake their faith.” Sherman’s view on the Southern spirit would play a significant role in the way Sherman attempted to overcome these forces. Sherman’s subsequent actions after his letter to his wife accentuated his belief that severe measures were necessary to break the dogged Confederate resistance.…

    • 670 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Civil War Awakening Summary
    • 821 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Civil War Awakening Summary

    All the reasons have a tendency, in the author's point of view, to point to the Republican administration of the Union on the need for drastic change in the leadership of military operations, and the general approach to military and domestic policies. This is especially true of the President Lincoln, whose authority grew, and the government during the war was almost unlimited. The political analysis of the situation of the war years provided throughout the book is not the key purpose of the author of 1861: The Civil War Awakening. The real aim of Goodheart (2011) is to present it fluently as it would be frivolous and arrogant in relation to this complex, multi-dimensional process. To understand the situation of those difficult years, to understand a complex set of problems which confronted Lincoln and his administration, is possible only if a reader grasps as much as possible, in order to break through…

    • 821 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Killer Angels Shaara
    • 770 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Killer Angels Shaara

    Is an excellent poker player but has not played since the death of his children. He is a stubborn, bad tempered, kind of slow man. Concerned with the lack of information about the enemy he sends his spy, Harrison to Gettysburg to see what information he could find out. Longstreet considers the men in his command family. In Longstreet’s unit some of his men he commanded where Europeans and somewhere Southerners. The Europeans thought the war is about slavery. While the southerners thought the war was about the Constitution. During the battle Longstreet recognizes that the men they are fighting against are not enemies but instead old friends. Later during the battle Longstreet wants Alexander to take command and responsibility of the unit. He cannot order his men to their deaths; a death that he feels is preventable and an attack he in which he disagrees with. Longstreet what to resign but cannot leave Lee alone or with this attack in the hand of Hill. Longstreet also feels there are not enough men to do this…

    • 770 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Harriet Beecher Stowe's Argumentative Essay
    • 773 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Harriet Beecher Stowe's Argumentative Essay

    I t’s an intense tug a war between the North and the South. Both wanting to prove that they are stronger and that their side is right. So much tension between them, someone can practically cut it with a knife. The North and the South have been at each other’s throats for a long time. This bad blood between the North and South has been going on for a long time. This whole controversy came into existence because of Lincoln’s election. The Republicans elected Lincoln as their presidential candidate around the year 1860. The feud happened right in their home country, the United States. This has developed because the North and South couldn’t get along on just one topic, and that topic is slavery. Therefore, the southern states seceded because the…

    • 773 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Gettysburg Address: Letter To Sarah Ballou
    • 582 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Gettysburg Address: Letter To Sarah Ballou

    “Under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Sullivan shows his appreciation for his country by serving and dedication his life towards it, and his wife by writing his letter and showing affection towards her. “Sarah, my love for you is deathless; it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield.” These two increased my understanding to the Civil War by the information in the…

    • 582 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Why Did The South Want To Secede
    • 632 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Why Did The South Want To Secede

    Why were certain groups for secession? Would you like to live in the south where you are mainly an agricultural state? Where the Confederate comes into your house and took food and your children's clothing. Where the people who ruled your country where into factories, and tax your goods? I think not, these are some of the few reasons the south wanted to secede.…

    • 632 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More