I mean it did start to happen when many veterans where still alive. A lot of guys made their post-war careers on playing nice in an attempt to get the occupation of the south lifted or save their reputations. Memoirs reflect that shift with every general saying "well I wanted slavery to end sometime, but couldn't betray my state/ it was every other general who wanted to preserve it" etc.
Longstreet is kinda the ultimate embodiment of this war and rehabilitation
Confederate leaders: We want slavery!
Confederate soldiers: We want slavery!
Union supporters: They want slavery!
Former slaves: They wanted slavery!
Conservatives, inexplicably until like 30-40 years ago: We wanted slavery!
Conservatives now: Well, actually--
I mean it did start to happen when many veterans where still alive. A lot of guys made their post-war careers on playing nice in an attempt to get the occupation of the south lifted or save their reputations. Memoirs reflect that shift with every general saying "well I wanted slavery to end sometime, but couldn't betray my state/ it was every other general who wanted to preserve it" etc.
Longstreet is kinda the ultimate embodiment of this war and rehabilitation
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