My Friends, First of all, l would like to say that while l express my opinions on this list, l hope no one takes it personally. l have learned a great deal about the Civil War, having these discussions, because it makes you do your research. Sometimes we get little "digs" in at each other, but it is all in fun, and isn't meant to be vicious and too awfully unkind. Of course, we see the events of the Civil War differently, what caused it, who did the wrong thing and made it worse, and so on. We are all Americans, and proud of our Country, and of our Forefathers who had such grand hopes and visions for this Country. If we regress, and get passionate about our history, is that really so bad? "I MIGHT DISAPPROVE OF WHAT YOU SAY, BUT I WILL DEFEND TO MY DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT." -attributed to Voltaire In a message dated 07/27/2003 4:29:49 PM Eastern Standard Time, mocsa@earthlink.net writes: > The military does not take orders from State level politicians I will only address one of your misconceptions at the moment. So l have chosen maybe the most ridiculous one. Whose Military are you talking about? You are going to have to make up your mind if we are talking about TWO different and separate Countries at War, or just a rebellious South, in your own mind. Whether you want to admit it or not, the South had seceded from the North, had resumed their own God given right to be a sovereign Nation, had the absolute right to empty their own forts of Union, or foreign Soldiers, and take possession of their property. This was done legally, according to our own Constitution! Maj. Anderson was ORDERED out of the Confederate State of South Carolina, off the Property of South Carolina, being a member of the Union's military, he was on enemy territory, and was the benefactor of more time and patients than he deserved. He was therefore, not receiving orders from a "State level politician," but rather, the leaders of a new Country, to surrender Fort Sumter, putting his own life at risk by trespassing, and commiting a crime of war in another Country. Carolyn