I am halfway through watching the excellent Ken Burns documentary on the US Civil War

[Burney]

They didn't have to win militarily. They just had to cause the north to get bogged down indefinitely, persuading the northerners of the folly of pursuing their ends. Kind of a Vietnam-type deal, Tet Offensive.

I personally like William Tecumseh Sherman. Scorched earth, faggits.

Yes. The man who promised to 'Make Georgia howl' and very much did. Of course, his march to the sea was by any modern definition you care to name a massive war crime, but highly effective nonetheless.

[SWv2]

There is much to suggest that had Stonewall Jackson not been killed in a freak accident the month before then the South would have stood a far better chance at Gettysburg. THe hill they were five minutes too slow in taking because Lee's orders were misunderstood; had they taken the hill then the fateful charge the following day wouldn't have happened.

I stopped at the part where Shelby Foote says that every Southern boy is able to put himself in that field at 1pm, just before the charge and drink in the last moment where victory was still possible.....I had to turn it off and weep like a baby..

That said, the situation at Vicksburg was dire and even victory at Gettysburg wasnt enough. He needed to draw Grant and his resources northwards to ensure that Vicksburg held and Gettysburg came too late- Vicksburg surrendered the following day.

Sounds shíte to be fair.

I can recommend Thor Ragnorak at the cinema.

[Peter]

Sounds shíte to be fair.

I can recommend Thor Ragnorak at the cinema.

Thank you. I wont be partaking.

[Sir C]

We are up to the middle of 1863 and the Confederacy are winning

I think I am going to have to stop watching it here as it is about to get quite sad.....

I've never been able to bring myself to have any interest in this grubby little conflict, fought between the child-like inhabitants of such a pointless shíthole. I mean really, who cares?

[Peter]

I've never been able to bring myself to have any interest in this grubby little conflict, fought between the child-like inhabitants of such a pointless shíthole. I mean really, who cares?

You have never been seduced by the charms of old Dixy?

The romance, the music, the whisky....terrible racism of course, but you cant have everything....

[Sir C]

You have never been seduced by the charms of old Dixy?

The romance, the music, the whisky....terrible racism of course, but you cant have everything....

Lynyrd Skynyrd, Elvis' American Trilogy, Johnny Cash, the Zac Brown Band? Certainly, these are charming consequences of whatever local unpleasantness the Land Of The (Un)Free put itself through. The details of this conflict seem to me, though, immaterial in all respects.

[Peter]

Lynyrd Skynyrd, Elvis' American Trilogy, Johnny Cash, the Zac Brown Band? Certainly, these are charming consequences of whatever local unpleasantness the Land Of The (Un)Free put itself through. The details of this conflict seem to me, though, immaterial in all respects.

Ah, I know why. Its because there are no planes involved. You only like war in the skies, don't you.

[Sir C]

Ah, I know why. Its because there are no planes involved. You only like war in the skies, don't you.

Lord no. What about Agincourt? Waterloo? Proper battles, between proper armies, about proper issues. Not grubby little untrained oiks firing pop guns at each other and missing. Rubbish.

[Burney]

Lynyrd Skynyrd, Elvis' American Trilogy, Johnny Cash, the Zac Brown Band? Certainly, these are charming consequences of whatever local unpleasantness the Land Of The (Un)Free put itself through. The details of this conflict seem to me, though, immaterial in all respects.

Hang on. I’m pretty sure I remember you dressed up in a Confederate uniform once, you massive racialist.

[Sir C]

Hang on. I’m pretty sure I remember you dressed up in a Confederate uniform once, you massive racialist.

Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.