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Near the southwest corner of Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood stands a 30-foot granite monument dedicated to the thousands of Confederate soldiers who died as prisoners of war at Camp Douglas. The monument marks a mass grave containing the remains of more than 4,000 Confederate prisoners, reinterred here from the grounds of the prison camp and the old Chicago City Cemetery.
The prison camp was known by some as “the North’s Andersonville,” which is a gross exaggeration because 13,000 Union soldiers died in Andersonville.
* Tribune…
The differences start in how the burial markers look at Oak Woods Cemetery on the city’s South Side.
One, a Confederate Mound, lists the names of thousands of Confederate soldiers who were captured and died at Camp Douglas in Chicago. It’s topped with a bronze statute of a Confederate infantry soldier. Farther north, a simple gravestone marks where famed African-American journalist Ida B. Wells-Barnett was buried. She shares a gravestone with her husband that states, “Crusaders For Justice,” under their names.
On Sunday, two groups held simultaneous but separate ceremonies, putting a spotlight not only on the juxtaposition of the markers in the Grand Crossing cemetery but also on the contrasting opinions of the role Confederate monuments should have in modern America. Both ceremonies remained peaceful, and the opposing groups did not interact with each other Sunday morning.
Matthew Evans, part of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, stood next to five men dressed as Confederate soldiers as he told a small crowd that he wasn’t there to debate the causes of the Civil War. He said he was there to honor the men who died at Camp Douglas who fought on behalf of the Confederacy. […]
But David Robinson, 62, who came from Maryland to attend the Confederate Mound ceremony, said people should think about the families behind the names etched into the monument. He’s been able to trace his great-great-grandfather to the mass grave. His membership in the Sons of Confederate Veterans has lapsed, but he said he is considering rejoining.
“There’s a politically correct culture defining right and wrong with no basis on fact,” Robinson said. “For instance, this for me is a grave marker. It’s not a monument to glorify the Confederacy.”
* I didn’t know there was an Illinois chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans until today. If you go to their website, you’ll see this…
All members of the S.C.V. have to provide proof that their ancestor fought for the Confederate States of America armed forces between 1861-1865. We condemn in the strongest terms possible the misuse of our sacred battle flag by any and all groups who use it to promote hate and violence, and promote themselves and their cause by displaying the Confederate Battle flag.
* But you’ll also see this at the top of the page…
Hard pass.
More at the Beachwood Reporter.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 1:48 pm
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This seems like a very specific memorial, for people who died (almost certainly due to mistreatment) as prisoners of war. I really, really don’t have a problem with that. Unlike other statues that try to celebrate the cause in general, which is problematic at the very least.
Comment by Perrid Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 1:54 pm
Confederate “heritage” is nothing but slavery and only slavery. Any talk about the Southern “lost cause” or “family heritage” is nothing but utter bullhockey and racist dog whistling.
Comment by Nick Name Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 1:57 pm
And why did they die in a northern POW camp? Because they took up arms against their own country and are traitors.
It may be a very specific memorial, but its a memorial to specific traitors, sorry no reason to celebrate or recognize them or their cause.
Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 2:04 pm
I don’t consider this a Confederate monument. It’s a grave marker.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 2:06 pm
I has at least one ancestor that switched from confederate to the right side. As I recall he fled from VA to Quincy and switched and stayed in Illinois.Look like I am eligible for their organization…doesnt look like I would fit in.
Comment by Not a Billionaire Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 2:06 pm
As someone who had relatives killed in battles against the South, I have no issues with the monument. These men did ask to be buried here or ask for a monument.
Comment by Huh? Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 2:08 pm
==a memorial to specific traitors==
You do realize the irony in that statement, since this country was founded by a bunch of traitors who took up arms against their own country, right?
Comment by HangingOn Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 2:09 pm
Agree with Perrid’s sentiment, this is a marker on a grave site. Not a statue of Robert E Lee or Stonewall Jackson on main street, which really have no place today.
The SCVs sentiment of “vindicating the cause of the confederate south” is absurd.
Also, a side note, 13,000 Union died at Andersonville, it housed 45,000 (which was extremely over capacity)
Comment by Buford Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 2:10 pm
I used to believe the civil war came to an end on April 9, 1865 with Lee’s surrender. In the past few years I’ve come to the realization that it hasn’t ended yet.
Comment by AC Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 2:10 pm
You do realize the irony in that statement, since this country was founded by a bunch of traitors who took up arms against their own country, right?
Nice try, but the founders were not fighting to keep other humans as slaves.
Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 2:10 pm
I’ve been a supporter of the move the confederate statue effort with the exception of those in battlefields and museums. Cemeteries should also be included as exceptions. The Oak Woods Cemetery commemoration for those who died at Camp Douglas is reasonable.
If there is a feeling that notable minorities need more recognition, let’s address that issue.
Comment by Norseman Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 2:10 pm
==- VanillaMan - Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 2:06 pm:==
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monument
Words have meanings. This is a monument.
Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 2:12 pm
Some people sure have a soft spot in their hearts for white men who take up arms against the United States of America.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 2:13 pm
===since this country was founded by a bunch of traitors===
Please do not compare the founding fathers to Confederates on this blog ever again.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 2:18 pm
” . . . our efforts to vindicate the cause of the Confederate South”? Really? That cause was slavery.
Sheesh.
Comment by JoanP Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 2:27 pm
“If there is a feeling that notable minorities need more recognition, let’s address that issue.”
May I humbly recommend: http://www.idabwellsmonument.org/
You can read more about it here: https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2018/04/14/an-online-fund-raising-push-may-finally-bring-a-monument-to-ida-b-wells-to-chicago
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 2:28 pm
The dead here got over the politics that killed them, 153 years ago. Sad to think that folks today feel a need to desecrate their remains in a way that the actual victors were just too noble to do.
Too bad we’re not that enlightened anymore.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 2:29 pm
===Too bad we’re not that enlightened anymore.===
What are you talking about? It wasn’t politics that killed these men, it was mistreatment by their Union captors.
What am I missing, other than legitimate criticism of present-day Confederate apologists?
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 2:38 pm
=If there is a feeling that notable minorities need more recognition, let’s address that issue.=
More recognition? These modern-day secessionists should be on a watch list. Mainstreaming of overthrow and dismantling of the USA needs to be addressed.
Even the VA doesn’t allow the flags of enemies who killed US service members inside national cemeteries.
Comment by US Veteran AKA Deadbeat Conservative Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 2:40 pm
I had a forebearer in Andersonville. Miraculously, the war ended in time for him to make it out alive–barely. Many were not as fortunate. There was great effort to document the horrors of Andersonville and the names of all the people who died there as prisoners and also the names of the soldiers who were released/paroled. Yes, it is family heritage to go there and see those names and know that a close relative was deeply part of this nation’s story.
Although they were on the losing side I don’t think the Confederate soldiers who died at Camp Douglas were any less loved or missed by their families than the men of Andersonville, and they and their families do deserve a tangible reminder of their burial place location as well as some recognition of their circumstances immediately prior to their deaths.
We are not talking about a monument to the Confederate “cause”. We are talking about a monument at the burial site of dead boys and men and documenting and reminding current generations of the terrible cost in human life of each and every war. This really should not be controversial, IMO.
Comment by Responsa Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 2:41 pm
The sad truth is that as the US expanded westward the Southern states wanted the new states to have the option whether or not to choose to be a free or slave state. Maybe most of your average Confederate soldiers didn’t understand the reason for the war but it was about slavery.
Comment by The Dude Abides Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 2:50 pm
With VM. Grave markers of POWs are quite different than heroic statues of traitorous leaders.
Comment by walker Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 2:55 pm
In the link below, you can find, in their own words, the secessionists’ cause that the Sons of the Confederacy seek to vindicate, with God’s blessing.
Unlike the weaselly revisionists who started popping up almost immediately after Appamattox and continue to this day, the actual secessionists did not hide their light under a bushel. It was all about slavery.
https://www.civilwar.org/learn/primary-sources/declaration-causes-seceding-states
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 2:58 pm
The SCV really hurt their own case. If they’re going around claiming to want to “vindicate the Southern cause” then they don’t get to claim this isn’t political.
Secondly, to me, discussions of who is and is not a traitor are moot. Whether or not someone is loyal matters far less than what they are loyal too. These men were loyal too a regime that explicitly and solely fought for the right to own human beings like chattel. I have no problem saying: they don’t deserve respect.
Comment by Actual Red Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 3:00 pm
–We are not talking about a monument to the Confederate “cause”.–
Why do you choose to ignore the Sons of Confederate Veterans own words? They’re right there, in the thread.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 3:02 pm
“Vindicate the Cause of the Confederate South”…. after that you lose me.
Comment by 44th Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 3:13 pm
==Why do you choose to ignore==
Not ignoring at all. But I don’t think it’s reasonable to view the situation as if that organization is definitively representing or speaking authoritatively for all the families of the dead from Camp Douglas.
Comment by Responsa Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 3:15 pm
–“Vindicate the Cause of the Confederate South”…. after that you lose me.–
And in the actual written words of the secessionists, here is that cause:
https://www.civilwar.org/learn/primary-sources/declaration-causes-seceding-states
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 3:15 pm
AC at 2;10 was correct I believe that we should preserve our natural history even if it seems wrong to some and we should hide the fact that it took place. these monuments should remain in place as a reminder to not let history repeat itself
Comment by jwI Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 3:47 pm
– I believe that we should preserve our natural history..–
You don’t mean “natural history” in this context.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 3:51 pm
==I used to believe the civil war came to an end on April 9, 1865 with Lee’s surrender. In the past few years I’ve come to the realization that it hasn’t ended yet.==
Amen. Visited Richmond once, was in “Monument Alley” looking at all the Confederate monuments. Referred to the place as “Losers Lane.” Barely made it out alive. Nope, that war’s still being fought by some folks.
Comment by Flapdoodle Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 4:12 pm
jwI, the problem is monuments to Confederate soldiers and statesman aren’t meant as a reminder of history, that’s what a museum or a textbook is for, they’re meant to commemorate and celebrate the leaders of the Confederacy and as well as intimidate African Americans and remind them they weren’t welcome in the south. Taking them down isn’t hiding the fact it took place, it’s saying we’re not proud of the people who held slaves.
Comment by Anon Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 4:23 pm
==I didn’t know there was an Illinois chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans until today.==
Last month I met with an historian who was visiting my town in Marshal County. She was researching a Virginia family who moved here in 1852. While the parents moved back to Virginia in 1856, their son stayed in Marshal County until the war broke out. He then went back to Virginia, enlisted in the 2nd Virginia Infantry, part of the famous “Stonewall Brigade,” and was killed during the battle of First Bull Run on 21 July, 1862. What this probably means is that the first person from Marshal County to die in the Civil War died as a Confederate.
I know, this doesn’t have much to do with Illinois politics, it is an interesting story.
Comment by G'Kar Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 4:29 pm
Ooops, s/b Marshall County.
Comment by G'Kar Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 4:30 pm
If not for the SCV, it would be not too controversial to have a statue of a soldier in a graveyard. The footsoldiers of war are typically not making or supporting policy. They showed up because they were asked. That was honorable. Too bad they were on the losing side of history. Their traitorous leaders should be forgotten.
Comment by Jibba Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 6:28 pm
====We condemn in the strongest terms possible the misuse of our sacred battle flag by any and all groups who use it to promote hate and violence, and promote themselves and their cause by displaying the Confederate Battle flag.
Like General Lee did.
Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 8:32 pm
I’m tentatively okay with the marker even with a confederate soldier. While not nearly as bad as Andersonville we should have the reminder of where the United States fell short on human rights during the war and prisoners of war deserve humane treatment.
As for the Cosplaying traitors in defense of slavery, they can pound sand.
Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 8:36 pm