Confederate symbols

The explanation offered by many people who are against taking down Confederate statues or relocating them is “It is part of our history.” As a fellow Southerner and amateur historian whose ancestors in Arkansas date back to the 1830s, I would like to give you my perspective on our history.

The Civil War claimed the lives of between 600,000 and 800,000 young American men. It was a horrific, bloody war fought by young men; many were mere boys. Few, I suspect, had anything is common with the men who promoted this bloody conflict. Their recruitment was cloaked in the guise of a noble cause. Ironically, wealthy men were able to buy substitutes as did a young John D. Rockefeller. Many were conscripted into the army and forced to fight. I do not favor anything that glorifies this tragic, ill-advised war.

There were civilians in the South who literally starved to death during the war. Many who survived were forced to eat rats, earthworms and insects. Some of the men who survived the war went home maimed and crippled and were unable to help their families in the fields.

Yes, there were courageous and noble commanders. Some of their exploits almost bring a tear to my eye. On the other hand, there were also commanders like Nathan Bedford Forrest. When faced with the surrender of a black regiment at Fort Pillow, he simply murdered them. Forrest is the man credited with starting the KKK.

I admire the brave young men who fought this conflict even through I detest that senseless war. I think these men should be remembered, but perhaps not so prominently in our public places where they become reminders that divide us. Perhaps we can better honor them in our state parks, Civil War cemeteries and museums.

What about other episodes of history, such as slavery, segregation, women unable to vote, and children working long hours in sweat shops? Is any of that dark history worth preserving? GARY W. JOHNSON

Springdale