History Unplugged Podcast The Alabaman Jacksonians Who Rejected the Confederacy and Marched with Sherman to the Sea
Sep 2, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Howell Raines, an acclaimed author and historian, sheds light on the often-overlooked Alabamian Union soldiers who fought bravely in the Civil War. Raines reveals how these unsung heroes, including his own ancestors, played a crucial role in Sherman's campaigns, including the burning of Atlanta. He questions why their contributions have been erased from history and probes into the complexities of Southern Unionism. This conversation challenges the traditional narratives surrounding the Civil War, bringing forth a rich tapestry of hidden histories.
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Family Memory Sparked Research
- Howell Raines learned as a child that his family were Republicans and Southern Unionists, hinted by a story from his grandmother.
- That curiosity led him decades later to research Winston County and figures like Chris Sheets who opposed secession.
Mountain Yeomen Formed Union Core
- The First Alabama Cavalry recruited mainly from 22 northern Alabama mountain counties with few slaves and small farms.
- These Jacksonian Democrats preserved Unionist sentiment and opposed secession without being abolitionists.
The South Had Two Cultures
- Two distinct Souths developed: wealthy plantation lowlands and independent Appalachian highlands with different cultures and politics.
- Highlanders lacked access to institutions that shaped the dominant Confederate historical narrative.
