Berry Benson

[@brt-jn7kg]

How can this not bring a tear to your eye. If you served it all whether in war or not you miss so dearly the camaraderie and the friendship. Here we are 160 years later standing almost in the same division that politicians got us in. I think if these men could come back and tell you anything after watching the last couple of years it would be for God's sake don't make the mistakes we did don't go down that road all it does is end in butchery.

[@chrisnewport7826]

Look at those faces, the posture even at that age; Americans, real ones, and Men.

[@michaeleastes1705]

Amen, sir.

[@therevolvingmonk]

"In time even death itself might be abolished." Sergeant Berry Benson, the South Carolina veteran from McGowan's Brigade, Wilcox's Division, AP Hill's Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. He had enlisted 3 months before Sumter age 18 and served through Appomattox. Saw it so when he got around to composing the reminiscences he hoped would, "go down amongst my descendants for a long time." Reliving the war in words he began to wish he could relive it in fact. And he came to believe that he and his fellow soldier grey and blue might one day be able to do just that. If not here on Earth, then afterwards in Valhalla. "Who knows?" He asked as his narrative drew towards it close. "But it may be given to us after this life to meet again in the old quarters. To play Chess or Draughts, to get up soon to answer the morning roll call, to fall in at the tap of the drum for drill and dress parade. And again to hastily dawn our war gear while the monotonous patter of the long roll summons to battle. Who knows but again the old flags, ragged and torn, snapping in the wind, may face each other and flutter, pursuing and pursued, while the cries of victory fill a summer day. And after the battle then slain and wounded will arise. And all will meet together under the two flags, all sound and well. And there will be talking and laughter and cheers. And all will say, "did it not seem real? Was it not as in the old days?"

[@clinthowe7629]

That last fellow is an absolutely striking character.

[@robertkibler4662]

Every time over the years when I hear this I am moved to a sense of emotion hard to explain. The gratitude and honor I have for both Gray and Blue, and the pride I feel. Such men to face such hardship and death for the love of their county and their heartfelt beliefs. No one should ever judge any of the men who fought and died in that war. Great honor and respect I have for all of them..

[@robertculver6845]

Shelby Foote was a good American citizen! He was fair about telling both sides of the war! R.I.P.

[@matthew-jy5jp]

I absolutely love this excerpt from Sargent Barry Benson memoirs his words are immortalized by the voice of the best civil war historian Shelby Foote Ken Burn's the civil war awoke such a Pandora's box for me and it was all good hated history on a whole and after Burns documentary on PBS I was changed forever as far as history goes and it started me on a my own personal quest to learn about all these remarkable people and this huge tragedy in American history Shelby Foote described it as " it was the crossroads of our being" I also firmly believe that it is a subject that every American or any one who loves history and drama and as Shakespeare said all the slings and arrows of life I hope you find it as interesting as I do that's how these men and women live on through our memorials of them we should never forget the crossroads of our being 🇺🇸

[@STLOU87]

At Jefferson barracks national cemetery this poem is etched into a monument for the confederate dead. I read every time I go there it seems to leave me in a state wonder.

[@JoJo-dp3di]

and now what do we behold? History trampled and despised, torn and defiled.1864 becomes 1984.

[@finchborat]

We're at the point where the Union vets were more kind toward any/all Confederate-related people and things. And unlike the woke mob, the Union vets were shot at by real Confederates.

[@b17fan52]

@@finchborat Well spoken.

[@jeffsmith2022]

God Bless them all...

[@southernsteel670]

"Tears and love for the blue, love and tears for the grey!"

[@matthewfox3163]

Berry Benson was his name not "Barry" Anyway I think he epitomized what these soldiers felt and still felt after the war. In a way he predicted Civil war reenacting "When the slain and wounded will arise all sound and well" I don't think there was any writing afterwards to compare to this maybe with the exception of Sam Watkins.

[@alexm7627]

Good catch, i think its a reference to the resurrection

[@b17fan52]

Well spoken Matthew - I think that's exactly what he was trying to relate - he was proud to participate in this most important happening of his lifetime. He wishes for a time when he could relive the positive aspects of his military service with his fellow soldiers, comrades and former enemies alike - but in a way where no one would be maimed or killed and everyone could enjoy the comradeship and bond that all soldiers share.

[@ShaDOWDoG667]

I'd like to see all of the 1917 civil war veterans gathering footage compiled.

[@JohnnyReb]

Eventually I plan to do just that.

[@Jubilo1]

Thanks for posting this emotional clip .

[@joaobatistadeoliveiraolive5316]

Very good. Brazil

[@Mynameisntgenji]

Does he like jazz

[@stevendaniel8126]

Tearful.......

[@zeetty]

Beautiful

[@busterdog321]

Till Valhalla

[@RobertElee-uk1bf]

Fake he doesn't even like jazz