Five Native Sons Who Came Home To Fight As Confederate Soldiers

Throughout history, countries have experienced times of great conflict that put their citizens to the ultimate test. The American Civil War (1861-1865) was one such period where brothers fought against brothers, tearing families apart and leaving a lasting impact on the nation. The Confederacy, made up of Southern states, fought fiercely to protect their way of life and their belief in the rights of individual states to govern themselves.

During this tumultuous time, there were five brave men who, despite their origins in the North, came home to fight as Confederate soldiers. Their allegiance to the Southern cause demonstrates the complexity of loyalties and the human capacity to change in times of crisis.

1. John Wilson - From Boston to the Battlefields of Virginia

John Wilson was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. He grew up steeped in the abolitionist ideals that were prevalent in the North. However, as tensions escalated, Wilson found himself feeling torn between his lifelong convictions and the call to arms from the South.

Gettysburg Rebels: Five Native Sons Who Came Home to Fight as Confederate Soldiers

by Tom McMillan (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	10270 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	342 pages

FREE

After witnessing the devastation caused by the bombing of Fort Sumter, Wilson made the audacious decision to join the Confederate Army. He traveled south and enlisted as a soldier in the Virginia Infantry Regiment. Wilson fought in several major battles, including Bull Run and Fredericksburg, and ultimately paid the ultimate price for his decision, losing his life in the Battle of Gettysburg.

2. Thomas Cunningham - Leaving New York for the Fight

Thomas Cunningham was a native of New York City, known for its bustling streets and diverse population. Cunningham was raised in an Irish immigrant family and grew up with a strong sense of Northern identity. However, when the Civil War broke out, he found himself swayed by the fervor of Southern propaganda.

Cunningham made the journey south and enlisted in the Confederate Army as a cavalryman. He fought in numerous battles, notable among them being Antietam and Chickamauga. Cunningham's skills as a horseman and his unwavering spirit earned him respect from his comrades, both native Southerners and other Northern transplants who had made the same difficult choice.

3. Robert Hutchinson - A Detroit Native on Southern Soil

Robert Hutchinson hailed from the bustling city of Detroit, Michigan. Growing up in an industrial hub, he witnessed the tensions between North and South intensify. Feeling disconnected from the Northern cause and seeking adventure, Hutchinson made the bold decision to fight for the Confederacy.

Joining the ranks of the Southern army, Hutchinson served as an artilleryman. He participated in several pivotal battles, such as Chattanooga and Atlanta, where his marksmanship and dedication to the Confederate cause distinguished him among his peers. Despite the army's hardships and the internal conflicts he felt, Hutchinson stood firm in his choice until the war's end.

4. William Patterson - A Chicagoan's Journey South

William Patterson grew up in the vibrant city of Chicago, Illinois. As a young man, he witnessed the tensions rise between North and South. Despite being born in the North, Patterson found his views differing from those around him.

Driven by a sense of adventure and a desire to protect what he believed to be the rights of individual states, Patterson traveled south to join the Confederate Army. He fought in key battles such as Shiloh and Vicksburg, where he displayed exceptional bravery and leadership skills. Despite the inevitable dangers, Patterson remained unwavering in his commitment to the Southern cause.

5. Henry Davis - From Philadelphia to the Confederate Ranks

Henry Davis was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Being from a Northern city known for its abolitionist sentiment, Davis faced great internal conflict when considering the Confederate cause. However, his personal experiences and disillusionment with the Union's progress pushed him towards a controversial decision.

As a member of the Confederate Army, Davis fought in battles like Manassas and Spotsylvania. Despite facing considerable opposition from his former Northern compatriots, Davis held steadfast in his new-found loyalty, driven by a belief in the Southern cause's righteousness.

These five men represent only a fraction of the Northern-born soldiers who decided to fight alongside the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. Their stories reveal the complexities of loyalties and the lengths individuals will go to in times of great upheaval.

In the end, regardless of political beliefs and personal backgrounds, these native sons made the difficult choice to fight for what they believed to be right. Their decision came at a high cost, as many of them paid the ultimate sacrifice. Their actions serve as a reminder that history is never as clear-cut as it may seem, and the lines between right and wrong can blur when faced with the chaos of war.

Gettysburg Rebels: Five Native Sons Who Came Home to Fight as Confederate Soldiers

by Tom McMillan (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	10270 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	342 pages

FREE

Gettysburg Rebels is the gripping true story of five young men who grew up in Gettysburg, moved south to Virginia in the 1850s, joined the Confederate army - and returned "home" as foreign invaders for the great battle in July 1863. Drawing on rarely-seen documents and family histories, as well as military service records and contemporary accounts, Tom McMillan delves into the backgrounds of Wesley Culp, Henry Wentz and the three Hoffman brothers in a riveting tale of Civil War drama and intrigue.