The Free State of Jones: Mississippi's Anti-Confederate Insurgency In the Heart of the Civil War

[@geographicstravel]

Go to → thld.co/lucy_geographics and use the promo code geographics at checkout for 20% off your order today!

[@fullmetalalchemist9126]

Do a video on the Kremlin

[@j_morco]

Well you’ve got to do one of “The State Of Dade” in Georgia now!!!

[@timcavazos4199]

DANG! Democrats are RUTHLESS 😕

[@InfiltrateIndustries]

Please only do in-vid adverts for companies which operate internationally - thanks We aren't all americans as you aren't either End the money grab ILU

[@cullendelmore2614]

Hey, I get the pressure to keep the revenue flowing to sustain and grow the parallel channels, but it might be wise to reconsider advertising any nicotine products. The history of smokeless nicotine products is rather unpleasantly awash with instances of companies intentionally expanding nicotine usage while claiming to offer smoking-cessation products. I'm sure you're aware and I'm going to bet you considered this and didn't see any better choices, but I felt I should say something. Anyway, apart from ethics, I don't think it plays well optically and the risk of associating your brand with a social liability of this potential magnitude may not balance against your immediate need for operating income. Of course, that calculation depends on the urgency of that need. Maybe just finish out the deal, try like hell to line up something else, and sweep it under the rug? Easy for me to say, I'm sure. In any case, good luck.

[@theepicgerman6153]

I currently live here in “The Free State of Jones.” Jones County, Mississippi. The sad thing is, most of its residents are absolutely oblivious to its past. I’ve walked the grounds of these battles, but the others do not even realise what historically rich place they live in. The only reason I know of it’s past is because I’m a military historian. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know either.

[@amandahankins2731]

Born and raised here. Where my family is buried by the Palestine primitive church in laurel has some knights there

[@rhondasisco-cleveland2665]

Do you send people into the schools, to give presentations? If not, you should.

[@daverobinson6110]

​@@rhondasisco-cleveland2665 it's probably illegal to do that

[@jimdandy8119]

That's funny, because I went to school in Poplarville and we were taught about it. I'm only 35.

[@hanisk2]

Or, they’re just simply not infatuated by it as you are… I don’t think it’s a fault.

[@jasepoag8930]

"It's a rich man's war, and a poor man's fight" Isn't that almost always the way?

[@deemariedubois4916]

Vietnam was. Rich boys went to college and partied; poor black inner city boys and poor white country boys, went to Vietnam. Those that returned were men. My husband was one of the poor white country boys. In the picture of him in his Army uniform after boot camp headed to Vietnam, he looked like he was 13 years old. The lean but muscular tan man who returned after a year looked over 30. He brought his best friend home in a body bag lost two days before they were to come home. We named our youngest son in honor of him.

[@moonwolf8470]

Not in medieval ages, even nobles have to fight in wars in that era. Aaah The good old days

[@seawolf9616]

@@moonwolf8470 Funny, since the overwhelming majority (More than 99%) of Medieval war casualties were common folk fighting or civilians. Take off your rose tinted glasses. It wasn't very pleasant to live back then.

[@Rockoblocko]

@@moonwolf8470 Also, any common soldier who killed a noble in combat was executed, at least in midevil Europe.

[@moonwolf8470]

@@seawolf9616 I was joking, Christ

[@HXXIIA]

Anyone else surprised how beautiful the photo of "Rachel" is? Old photos don't often captures folks best looks and that one really stood out.

[@pensepf49]

lovely

[@meatonp]

Kinda looks like Aubrey Plaza (April Ludgate; P&R)

[@bradwatson2085]

Exactly what I was thinking. Definitely a smokeshow!

[@rodchallis8031]

She's movingly beautiful.

[@jekanyika]

I thought she would be mentioned in the comments, I didn't have to scroll far. Stunning.

[@hearmeout9138]

There was also a “Free State of Winston” county in Alabama. My ancestors lived there and probably over twenty of them fought for the First Alabama Cavalry of the US Volunteers. Many of them accompanied General William T. Sherman on his campaign through Georgia and the Carolinas. Both my G-G-G-G grandfather and my G-G-G grandfather died in service to the US during 1862-1863. I think two ancestors served in the CSA: one died at Vicksburg, MS and the other (conscripted) deserted and joined an Indiana US Cavalry unit. There’s a book named “The Free State of Winston” that describes what happened there.

[@Pablo668]

Interesting that you have ancestors on both sides. Do you think that is a reasonably common thing? For what it's worth I have ancestors (European) who were on both sides in WWI and WWII, and somehow all survived.

[@hearmeout9138]

@@Pablo668 It was fairly common in this region of the Appalachian Piedmont to have soldiers on both sides. Very few people had slaves but all the government and media was controlled by the Planters so it was unpopular to support the union and they were persecuted by the confederates so much that it was just easier to join the confederates.

[@Pablo668]

@@hearmeout9138 Thx for the reply.

[@hearmeout9138]

@@Pablo668 No problem. I have German, French, Irish, and English ancestry, so I had relatives that also fought on both sides in the two World Wars. The city near where I grew up was a German settlement and my grandmother was a Speegle. They had changed their name from Spiegel before or during WWI.

[@Pablo668]

@@hearmeout9138 Ahh ok, I'm an Australian, Scots/German ancestry.nKinda makes you realise how lucky to exist you are.

[@xpkareem]

"A rich man's war and a poor man's fight" could pretty much describe every war.

[@peterhoulihan9766]

All wars are bankers' wars.

[@tavernburner3066]

No. In fact most wars historically were quite bad for trade.

[@Gravelgratious]

Meh peasants revolts could be argued as for the poor. Though most peasant revolts were started by rich peasants wanting more position along with increased human rights. A slave revolt is a poor mans fight against the rich as well.

[@peterhoulihan9766]

@@tavernburner3066 And? Why would they care about trade shutting down when so long as they get to carve out a bigger piece of the pie for themselves? If wars were bad for bankers they wouldn't happen.

[@tavernburner3066]

@@peterhoulihan9766 wow. learn some economics and politics. it would take me an hour and short book to explain in all the ways that statement is wrong.

[@grapeshot]

I actually thought the movie was pretty good that was about the Free State of Jones. A lot of people only focus on the very large Napoleonic style battles of the Civil War. Not realizing there's a lot more to the Civil War than that.

[@cattibingo]

Haha canons go brrrrrr

[@kingjellybean9795]

Ever hear of the battle of schrute farm? Of course not, the gettysburg industrial complex doesnt want to lose its status as the northern most battle lol

[@YouarethinkinglikeAlbertFish]

@@kingjellybean9795 these delicate lovely men found a place of refuge among the Schrutes at Schrute Farms. Amidst the macho brutality of War this was a place where dandies and dreamers could put on plays and sing tender ballads and dance in the moonlight.

[@piperar2014]

There are 11 Confederate states but 13 stars on the flag. Stars 12 and 13 were for Missouri and Kentucky, slave states that didn't leave the Union. So the Confederates set out to conquer them by force. Fighting in Missouri was done mostly by militias not regular armies and certainly not to the scale of battles in Virginia. Rebels did drive the pro Union government from Jefferson City so a provisional capitol was established.

[@JeanLucCaptain]

I loved that movie. i didn't know there was such a thing until I watched it.

[@nappssnapps2891]

Rachel and Newton are my 4 times great grand uncle/aunt. i never knew this until i was 18 and went off to college. im so proud to be their blood. what an amazing story

[@CaptainHalibut]

You SHOULD be proud! Unfortunately, his (great)grandkids weren’t so lucky... one of his descendants was arrested in the 1940’s after getting married to a white woman because they figured out he was 1/8 “colored” (but the dude was white looking af) so they annulled his marriage and arrested him. When he was released early, people burned effigies of the court members to protest his release. U.S. history is really fucked up.

[@nappssnapps2891]

@@CaptainHalibut yea its very sick how America was/is with race. Im in a interracial relationship myself and couldn't image how it must of been like back then. my husband is white, i dont know what id do if we couldnt be together over skin pigmentation. Its not that big a deal idk why people make it so. Thank god times has changed

[@riichobamin7612]

@@nappssnapps2891 a white husband eh ? I can imagine Newton Knight chuckling to himself in Heaven, watching over you and saying to himself "She is a Knight alright!" 😂😂 !

[@nappssnapps2891]

@@riichobamin7612 lmfaoo i said the same thing!! Keeping the family tradition alive 😂😂😂

[@riichobamin7612]

@@nappssnapps2891 😂😂😂 bless you and your husband ❤️🤘🏻 !!!

[@socksal]

I'm Southern and this makes me proud of forebears who weren't monsters.

[@chancebrown98]

Im from jones county. Laurel Mississippi

[@passiveaggressivenegotiato8087]

Northern Arkansas had Union supporters as well, and they were attacked often.

[@1313tennisman]

Well, Newton Knights great-grandson (who was at most 1/8th black) was put on trial for miscegenation in 1947 and only got off on account of a technicality (miscegenation laws required one party to be 1/8th or more non-white and the prosecutor never proved that Rachel Knight was fully black) and the Klan nearly burnt the judges' house to the ground. Also, the Echo of the Black Horn, a book written by a white supremacist relative of Newton Knight detailing his treachery to the confederacy for committing miscegenation and "forcing his white children to as well" was required reading in many schools in Mississippi up until very recently. Your forebearers may not have been all, but a good majority were.

[@enoughisenough3618]

We never got taught this though. I grew up in Mobile, and only herd about this after I became an adult!

[@louisaugustexvi4515]

@@tiffanyq6464 what?

[@andrewdurand339]

I have some ancestors from Kentucky who were opposed to slavery and fought for the Union. When another ancestor from Iowa, a cavalryman, was captured at Shiloh and sent to a Confederate POW camp in Louisiana, he escaped and enough southerners hated slavery that he was able to find help to get back north.

[@YourPupsBestFriendNY]

The Free State of Jones movie with Matthew McConaughey is absolutely brilliant, while not perfectly historically accurate i still highly recommended people to go watch it

[@theawesomeman9821]

I'm interested

[@flavio_spqr]

After having watched this, I think I'm going to re-watch the movie. Seen it a couple of years ago.

[@theoutlook55]

It was surprisingly well made, extremely Melancholy though. Everything after the war's end is just punch in the gut after punch in the gut.

[@cornbreadfedkirkpatrick9647]

they could have gotten a better actor

[@gumpinatergump8840]

one great thing about it is they sent out a call for extras in jones county so people who live their are in the movie

[@MrTexasDan]

"The fact that any of it is true is amazing. The fact that it all might be true makes it a story we're happy to pass on to you." - That's golden stuff right there.

[@LancasterResponding]

The name reminds me of “The Republic of Dave” in Fallout 3

[@krisk6954]

I was just leaving that comment when I seen yours 😂 lol..... Garyyyyy!!!

[@slinkbradshaw8674]

And as fate would have it, I just started a fresh Fallout 3 playthrough a few moment before seeing this lol

[@LancasterResponding]

@@slinkbradshaw8674 It’s literally my second favorite game just behind Halo 3 which I just finished playing through in the Master Chief Collection last week

[@Russo-Delenda-Est]

"You will address me as 'Mr. President' or I will have you executed!" That's what he told me about 3 seconds before he became a very bloody mess.

[@joeyr7294]

Lmao 🍻

[@hobbitreet]

Loved this. Since you have an interest in Civil War topics of late, you might take on the creation of the State of West Virginia, the price paid by Virginia for choosing the wrong side in the Civil War. A true child of rebellion, WV is the only state created from an existing state without that state's consent. It is one of the best divorce stories involving a president, the congress, and the USSC.

[@dakotaravenwood7755]

Interesting, I did not know this, thank you!

[@valeriouscatastros8717]

Well, the modern state of Virginia is liberal. West Virginia is conservative.

[@hobbitreet]

@@valeriouscatastros8717 I can't speak for all West Virginians, but I for one agree. I never thought I'd see WV become red in my lifetime but here we are.

[@lolitabubbles26]

I love the way Oversimplified dramatized the creation of WV. "They could have named it anything, but they went with WEST Virginia."

[@hobbitreet]

@@lolitabubbles26 True. In the naming of the state, EVERYONE put their ideas in. But ultimately the new state had to come up with a moniker that would please defectively no one but offended the fewest. So we got West Virginia.

[@normabee2719]

I've lived in MS all my life. I also went to Jones County Junior College. In Ellisville, there are several monument plaques dedicated to the Free State. It's definitely wild that more people don't know about Knight and his fight.

[@caldoborg]

I live 15 minutes away from there it’s so cool that you are coving my local history. Thank you for always having the best videos on KZbin.

[@Usagi393]

Small world. I live in Hattiesburg, while my parents are in Ellisville. Nice to see a fellow fan so close to home

[@markbullock3741]

@@Usagi393 Ever heard of Bogue Chitto?

[@lsxbird7874]

@@Usagi393 i live in saucier.

[@geovonnie69]

I'm in Laurel!

[@geovonnie69]

@@lsxbird7874 You on the coast bud.

[@JamesSavik]

My father's family came from that part of Mississippi.Many Swedes settled in Smith and Jones country- they were Lutherans and wanted nothing to do with slavery. That part of Mississippi was not suited for slave based agriculture. The Confederacy was not loved there either as they conscripted many young men and took horses and cattle and paid with worthless Confederate money.

[@cornbreadfedkirkpatrick9647]

actually, several folks wanted nothing to do with that

[@tylernicovich7525]

I live in this area of mississippi, this story is legendary. It's sad that no one knows more about it

[@JesusChrist2000BC]

You need to teach more people about it then. It's your duty especially today.

[@cornbreadfedkirkpatrick9647]

they don't want anyone really, other than the morons in white sheets with torches

[@tylernicovich7525]

@@cornbreadfedkirkpatrick9647 that's not it. The main reason for it not being spoke about is bc of how the state education is set up. State history classes only go over the basic history like what battles were fought here, who were the first european people to settle here, and events that happened during the 1940's to 1980s involving civil rights. The main big reason that knights story isn't taught is because of how most of the history around the man and his small army was never written down. The only stuff we know is that he attacked confederate officers and people who were against him. But a majority of the information is labeled as myths or as hypothetical question. Not bc of racist white people.

[@auntheidi9389]

I never knew anything about this. People in Jones County, MS should be proud of their ancestors and I hope this feeling of equality continues today.

[@baileybrewer1172]

Newton Knight makes me proud to be an American.

[@allengainey1937]

Imagine being from Mississippi and being told about how terrible you are over its history your whole life. Hes still talked about here

[@JesusChrist2000BC]

Jones county baby. United against tyranny

[@getemjones11]

It's truly sad that it took a movie and a KZbin video for this story to get out. I have lived in Laurel for more than 20 years, and this never gets talked about. This should have been in history textbooks.

[@woodrowcall3158]

Homeschooled here, hailing from Pontotoc county. Newton Knight, The Free State of Winston, and a history of southern abolitionist societies was part of our curriculum right alongside more common subjects. Current history curriculums in local public schools are super watered down and I suspect that they want to avoid controversial topics that aren’t easy to mentally digest.

[@hyperion3145]

Florida had similar cases where most of the major cities refused to acknowledge the Confederacy and stayed with the Union. St. Augustine, Pensacola and what's now Tampa are most notable. The rural areas were where the Confederate sympathies was highest. Additionally, there was a referendum to secede in Florida that had a lot of packing non Floridians to vote for secession, only two attendees were actually natives. People don't really talk about this part of the Civil War

[@deondaniels4470]

Being from Wayne County, 30 minutes away from Jones County shocked to see a story about them today.

[@geovonnie69]

You not seen the movie? And we learn about it early in Jones County (Laurel)

[@zydicious]

I knew some but not all of the information in the video and I'm down in Harrison. Was nice to see something positive on our state considering how rarely that seems to happen.

[@slice1419]

Same here Im from Forrest County and never knew this story

[@Beryllahawk]

I'm in Forrest County and heard about this from my friends who were born and raised in Laurel But I'm kind of a "transplant" since I wasn't born here haha Hi neighbors!

[@slinkbradshaw8674]

I swear the Black man's fight for freedom in the Civil War doesn't get talked about enough, especially in schools

[@WKRP187]

Not to mention thousands and thousands of lives of white Union Soldiers that gave their lives to keep the Union together and end slavery isn't given enough praise for their ultimate sacrifice either.

[@Dommy521]

@@WKRP187 what do you mean? That is always talked about

[@gphjr1444]

@@WKRP187 Seems the North wanted to move on while the South pouted till federal troops pulled out then they tried their best to go back to how things were short of legal slavery.

[@themadmonk6379]

I feel like they mention a couple slave riots and the under ground railroad and thats it. It would be cool to hear more about black units.

[@peterhoulihan9766]

That's a joke right? Almost nothing else gets talked about when it comes to the civil war. The entire war is framed as being about that one issue.

[@LysanderSpooner-zl5vm]

I drive through Jones County regularly. There are still “Free State of Jones” road signs. Never knew why until this video.

[@johnvance882]

This is one of my favorite things to learn about in history, it's commonly taught here in Mississippi.

[@cornbreadfedkirkpatrick9647]

shocked about that

[@cameronmartin9600]

knight was a true patriot and a good man we should rise his statue instead of confederate traitors

[@pavelthedog6939]

They weren't traitors.... they were loyal to their state....their state WAS their country....they had more loyalty for their country than you probably have for yours .....you can call them a lot of things, but "traitor " isn't one of them

[@antthomas7916]

@@pavelthedog6939 Nah, you can definitely call them traitors because that's what they were. They were traitors to the United States of America, and anyone who supports them can go to hell. I can definitely call them some more choice words, like racist assholes, but traitors works just fine.

[@unclesam5230]

@@antthomas7916 YOU MEAN FASCISTS!!!!!!!! ALL FASCISTS DESERVE WHAT HAPPENED TO MUSSOLINI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,

[@pavelthedog6939]

@@antthomas7916 unlike yourself, they didn't view the world through a 21st century prism... how could they ? .... from where we sit , they're racist monsters , but back then , they were only following the science of the time... biology books read much differently back then as opposed to today .... 100 years from now ,when they look back at us , they're going to palm their faces and laugh and wonder how insane were we to actually recognize 27(?) genders .....among other things

[@michaelhowze8198]

@@unclesam5230 Fascism wasnt a thing at the time also fascism isnt a catchall for bad. It's a specific political ideology and using it for everything just cheapens it. The Confederates ran a classic aristocratic oligarchy still repressive not fascism.

[@mssarah1101]

This guy needs to be talked about soooo much more! Love it! Break the normal and follow your heart!

[@enoughisenough3618]

I grew up in Mobile Alabama, and this, a HUGE, powrrful, revolutionary, and significant peice of history that was never taught in the south. We were taught about Dr. King, and the march from Selma to Montgomery, and the atrocities committed there. We never herd about this kind of thing though. The confederate generals, and solders were made into deities almost. It's sickening that we were never taught this, BUT we were taught the history of the Klan and how they were just trying to "protect their homes and families". Shit you not ... I'm 35 ... that type of bigoted bullshit was STILL being taught in the 90s and 2000s. Theres a reason I dont live there anymore.

[@canaan5337]

"A rich man's war but a poor man's fight" that is an apt description of war in general.

[@resileaf9501]

As much as I am impressed by this man of principles, who openly went against all conventions to do what he thought was right, I am digusted by the open racism of his contemporaries. Can't believe those racist laws lasted so long.

[@ArakDBlade]

They still exist. They're just less explicit now. The South has proven time and again they can be very creative in finding ways to institute legal racism.

[@ekdaufin1485]

@@ArakDBlade the North and West and Midwest and...

[@kl0wnkiller912]

@@ArakDBlade And that is wrong. But what is also wrong are those screaming for "Reparations". Had those people not been brought here as slaves their descendants would still be living in disease and poverty-ridden Africa with no hope for escape and would likely be enslaved by African warlords who still practice slavery to this day. This Nation fought a horrible and bloody war to make right the wrongs done to them and to all those living today, that should be enough.

[@videosub5d]

@@kl0wnkiller912 hahaha I guess you don`t get out much mate. have you been to Africa or even left your state...

[@kl0wnkiller912]

@@videosub5d Yeah been to 34 countries... 4 in Africa so I think I been out much. Africa is a dump.

[@ignitionfrn2223]

1:40 - Chapter 1 - King cotton & his forgotten subjects 4:20 - Chapter 2 - The harsh realities of war 7:05 - Chapter 3 - From patriot to outlaw 9:30 - Mid roll ads 10:40 - Chapter 4 - Rebellion within a rebellion 13:40 - Chapter 5 - The free state of jones 15:30 - Chapter 6 - Retaliation 17:00 - Chapter 7 - After the war 19:05 - Chapter 8 - Legacy

[@Theaielman]

"A traitor to the confederacy" So....a patriot then? A decent human being?

[@martins.4240]

Yep. Being called a traitor by confederates should be seen as a badge of honor.

[@marksmadhousemetaphysicalm2938]

Yes, a patriot in the eyes of history too, apparently...except for the few people who still fight the civil war...🙄

[@jgc4818]

Hold on... in my opinion it’s unfair to imply supporters of the confederacy aren’t decent human beings, that’s a very loaded statement. Of course the primary cause for the south’s existence was slavery but that by no means means that everyone who fought for the south, or even supported slavery, wasn’t a decent person. 100 years ago, they would have thought us crazy to defend homosexuality, and we’d think they’re crazy to deny their social welfare. So then, who is right, out of the two? It’s just a matter of how you look at it.

[@Theaielman]

@@jgc4818 to be fair I didn't mean that by saying the Knight Company specifically where decent human beings for what they did that anyone who fought for the south was by implication not a decent human being. Patrick Cleburne is a prominent example of one. However I'm gonna have to disagree with saying someone who supported slavery could be a decent human being.

[@shxtgigs4662]

@@jgc4818 yeah slavery is fucked and so is homophobia ?? What’s your point? If murdered 20 people in cold blood in 1200s or 2000s it’s still fucked ? Just because it happened a while ago (which 150 yrs isn’t that long) doesn’t excuse the fact they fought against there own country in order to keep slavery

[@pointly]

Not all of Dixie were slave owners or rebels. Patriots are all over and the Star and Stripes still flew in the South.

[@ekdaufin1485]

Sending you so much love and appreciation for this Sukie. Thank you! 🎉

[@geovonnie69]

I live in Laurel, Ms (Jones County). We're taught about this before we start middle school.

[@chancebrown98]

Yoooo im so happy you covered this:) im from Jones county and im very proud to be part of the only part of the south that was against racism to this extent

[@amberkyz]

I live in the US and never heard of the Free State of Jones... 👀 honestly Simon has taught me more about US history then the school system has.

[@cornbreadfedkirkpatrick9647]

the US and southern school system doesn't think this and other truths aren't worth mentioning

[@lordpumpkinhead265]

@@cornbreadfedkirkpatrick9647 Well, our school system is just ass in general. It demotivates students, usually leading to students retaining knowledge JUST long enough to utilize it on tests, then it gets thrown out.

[@pavlovsworld9122]

This story should be taught in every school especially today.

[@0311Mushroom]

Rachel was actually owned by Newton's grandfather. He was one of the largest slave owners in the county. By the time she was 16 she already had 2 daughters. And when she was 18 she had a son by her owners son. After his father died, he fathered 2 more kids with her, and 2 years later she had her first child with Newton. And to make things more complex, Newton's son married one of Rachel's daughters. Fathered by Newton's great-uncle. Only in Mississippi.

[@Jonathanbegg]

Yes, the planter's family had sexual rights ('droit du seigneur') over the female slaves.

[@alexlaza5301]

Alabama: Hold my beer

[@jasonwomack4064]

Bonus fact, the last person to receive a civil war pension check from the veteran's administration died in 2020.

[@riichobamin7612]

Wait ? TILL 2020 ? How so ?

[@franklynterrell8182]

Pretty sure it was a widow of a veteran. And by widow I mean she was born 1919 and married the veteran in the 1930’s, she was 17 and he was 93.

[@PRDreams]

Yup!

[@ZambonieDude]

@@franklynterrell8182 I’m dead.

[@franklynterrell8182]

@@ZambonieDude yeah the moment I read the article I was dead too. Just the craziness of it all

[@robertwalley6692]

This is close to home for me, I was raised right down the road from Jones county Mississippi

[@NevadaLamb]

Thank you for another wonderful history lesson. I’m an avid US cross country traveller and your videos give me a better appreciation for where I’m visiting and sometimes inspires places for me to visit!

[@geared2cre8]

Love these stories of heroic values, men fighting for their liberty. Beautiful

[@tengrisyesugei7995]

Simon, I'm absolutely glad you told the story of the Free State of Jones, but there's one big production note you're going to want to think about if you do more videos about Mississippi. I'm a native Mississippian and every time you say Mizzizzippi it makes me chuckle. We use the s sound not the zed sound. Otherwise fantastic video. Other topics about Mississippi would include the times the weather channel forget who we are. It's a running joke to us.

[@woodrowcall3158]

“The land mass between Louisiana and Alabama”.

[@manicmechanic448]

Scott county Tennessee did the same thing. We were the Independent State of Scott till the 80s, and in ww1 we declared war on Germany before the rest of the U.S.

[@thekingdamian4215]

States don’t declare war buddy 🤦🏾🤦🏾

[@manicmechanic448]

@@thekingdamian4215 ours did "buddy ".

[@lordpumpkinhead265]

@@thekingdamian4215 If micro-states like Andorra can declare war, so can Tennessee.

[@ekdaufin1485]

These 3 are still the BEST exercises! Thank you Sukie!

[@JohnCarterG19]

You always make the endings so fricken beautiful

[@pyrodoll2422]

Absolutely brilliant! What a story! Thank you Simon, your content just gets better and better. This is one of the very best of a fabulous bunch.

[@swirvinbirds1971]

It's a shame the south stil to this day try to glorify the Confederacy but it remains silent on southern Unionists. No glorification, no monuments.

[@michaeltheundeadmariachi4494]

I'll say this, in Texas, it doesn't glorify the Confederacy as much as our neighboring Southern states east of us

[@dutch5083]

My great great (great?) grandfathers were apart of the Unionist resistance in Arkansas called the Peace Society. One of them was hunted down and murdered in the mountains. A cemetery was erected around where he was shot.

[@Mrderwrtr]

I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. I had never hear of this story until a few years ago when the Mathew McConaughey movie came out. Might I suggest that since it's Black History month here in the US would you do an episode on the 1985 bombing of the MOVE organization in Philadelphia and the 1921 bombing of Black Wallstreet in Tulsa Oklahoma. Thank you for creating so many diverse channels and opening minds to the rest of the world.

[@adamhuckfeldt2895]

This is fascinating. Thank you for sharing this piece of forgotten history.

[@thegunslinger1363]

Wasn't there a film made about this. With Matthew McConaughey?

[@rcarey131]

Correct watched it last night good movie

[@keithharper1470]

Free State Of Jones

[@alejandrohernandezcarrillo2436]

I was about to ask exactly this. Thanks

[@jamesguidash9296]

It's actually THE Matthew McConaughey.

[@trevorslinkard31]

Thank you for someone finally doing something about this! One of my favorite movies as well.

[@tecumsehcristero]

As a native from The Land of Lincoln AKA Illinois, I salute you Jones County

[@kadesmith3033]

I’m from Jones county born and raised its awesome that you covered some of our local history

[@jefchance]

Just stellar, Simon. Whomever wrote this did a great job, too.

[@ditzygypsy]

This was fantastic! A great accompaniment to the movie Free State of Jones, which I really enjoyed. My gosh, Rachel was SO beautiful and Davis was incredibly handsome. I’d never seen their photos before. I’m Canadian, but my great great paternal grandfather (whose name was Christopher Columbus Coble, lol) was from Missouri, and he fought for the Union. When we learned which side he fought for, we were all very relieved! Thank you for doing this excellent piece.

[@trevorslinkard31]

Another mention of Sherman. When are we gonna hear about the man who made Georgia howl????

[@theoutlook55]

There's a good documentary here on KZbin that's titled when Georgia howled.

[@michealmcneal2259]

And neo-Dixie people hate it lol. About 75% of the comments seem to be the south will rise again and such madness.

[@cornbreadfedkirkpatrick9647]

HOWWWLLLL

[@heathercopeland21]

Newton Knight is grandfather...I think 3 greats. My aunt wrote the first book about him..Echo of the Black Horn”

[@nappssnapps2891]

Ooooh ok that's why I was asking you how he's just your grandfather because he lived so long ago. So gets your 3xs great grandfather. Ok I get it now

[@BrandyHoelscher]

Very well done, Simon. I am a descendant of Newt and Rachel Knight. It is a great story and one I’m glad you’ve shared. Thank you!

[@Amadeus-ni3et]

I used to live in Jones County. I was kinda proud to see a movie about it with MM

[@Dommy521]

True American hero

[@ekdaufin1485]

Thank you so much for doing the counting for us so we can relax and focus into our bodies. Thank you.

[@FrancoSciaraffia]

Would be awesome if you guys made some videos about a complete overview of specific civilizations from beginning to collapse. Such as the ancient greeks, roman empire, and so on.

[@turkson1]

It can be observed in real time in the US.

[@chrissiek8706]

There is a chanel, and also podcast, fall of civilizations, really cool, try it if you haven't yet

[@PeaceItUp]

This is the type of story I love to hear. I really do hope it is all true, but even if only parts are true, it is still one of my favorite stories from the Civil War.

[@lilithlives]

By far, my favorite story of the "Confederacy". There is also a movie of the same name. This, and the story of John Brown, should be an inspiration to all Constitutional Americans.

[@CleverRiley9]

I forget his name which i feel badly about. But another amazing story is that of an escaped slave who stole a steam boat and freed an entire plantation of slaves and then became one of the first African American congressmen. I think his name was Robert something

[@lilithlives]

@@CleverRiley9 and they haven't made a movie? 😏

[@LeAnwar1]

@@CleverRiley9 Robert smalls...there is no movie but an entertaining drunk history episode

[@LeAnwar1]

And the original Cassius Clay

[@EdMcF1]

The English Civil War had the Woodberry Clubmen, who fought against both Crown and Parliamentary armies to protect their localities. Thanks for the fantastic bit of history, how long it echoed down the years.

[@tracychesnutt3660]

This story is an amazing demonstration of how two different races can work together. I wish that more Americans could see this and end the divisive narrative so prevalent today.

[@pensepf49]

I really like the righteous tone you get at times when your doing these American race history stories. Their my favorite .

[@ekdaufin1485]

Thank you all year long for these @Sukie! Happy Hanukkah, Happy Winter Solstice, Merry Christmas , Happy New Year’24. Much love.

[@romanwolf0072]

How about The Black Hills of South Dakota. Once a holy site for the Native Americans, now more or less a large tourist trap. Home to Mt. Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, Deadwood, Homestake Mine and Black Hills Gold, Custer State Park, several large commercial caves (Jewel and Wind). The Great Sioux War, A gold rush in the 1870s to a flood in the 1970s where 200+ people died. Home to unique geology and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The Depp Underground Science and Engineering laboratory, Ellsworth Air Force Base, Devil's Tower nearby, The Big Badlands and the Great Plains. ...Just a idea ;)

[@trese2658]

Born and raised in Mississippi and still living here... Why have I not heard of this??

[@twocvbloke]

Just shows that good people know what is right and wrong, and the elitist classes will always try to convince you otherwise...

[@petershim5900]

I was introduced to this by the movie The Free State Of Jones. The integration of race was clearly evident as it went along. I'm a sucker for humanitarian anything. It totally warms my heart to tears of kindness. It's how everything should be.

[@JeanLucCaptain]

Yet somehow racism, jim crowe and all the BS STILL persists.

[@tommypetraglia4688]

Yup, it was another case of "We need the South to rebuild the country", just like the "good Nazis" rocket scientist, and the Emporer of Japan was allowed to stay in power to rebuild his country as a democracy so they wouldn't become communist. Trouble is those racist fkrs don't think the war is over

[@mathieufortin2627]

Great video Buddy!

[@erinmcdonald7781]

An amazing group of people facing the challenges of doing the right thing against the odds. They should be included in our students textbooks, if not already. ✊

[@donsandsii4642]

Another historic gem for us to know

[@theawesomeman9821]

Did anyone else think of Matthew McConaughey's movie about Jones county, when they saw the thumbnail?

[@thatdudekyle4509]

I was raised in Jones County and Knight has always been spoken of with high regard from everyone I knew. It’s true that most of the history was lost however. Folklore is abundant regarding Knight’s Company. Most people here believe the account in the book “Echo of the Black Horn”

[@rjspires]

A 2+ hours film with Matthew McConaughey or 20+ minutes with Simon Whistler? I'll go with my man Simon.

[@Zebred2001]

I remember seeing a book called Lincoln's Loyalists about southerners who fought for the Union.

[@scotto9591]

I'm not sure how common this scenario was. There was also, the free state of Winston County, Alabama. They refused the Confederacy and were an "Island" unto themselves BTW Mobile = Moe-Beal The original home of Mardi Gras in the United States. Laissez les bons temps rouler. 🎉

[@ekdaufin1485]

For those who complained about the prologue and breaks Susie takes in this priceless free lesson, please consider this. I turn it on as I am preparing to do the session so as I am arranging things I get a positive repetition of the excellent information. The breaks I focus on the release or whatever else I’m feeling in my body. Also consider that if you are in that much of a hurry and don’t want to do the exercises alone (without the recording) maybe now is not the time for you to do it, or maybe think about what is pressing you to be in such a hurry today vs. generally. Thank you.

[@WackyJack322]

In a just world, THESE are the southern heroes we should have statues of and read about in history books. Not slave-owning traitors.

[@FriedEgg101]

Newton Knight died when my grandmother was 11. Crazy to think.

[@claytonberg721]

nobody should think the civil war is ancient history. It's effects are being felt today just as loudly as 9/11.

[@Marleysmom]

I found out through taking a ancestry DNA test and through research I'm a decent of Newton Knight. Thanks for putting this out. Very interesting.

[@spencerd.3893]

Please no more Lucy ads....

[@herrensaar1989]

Yeah, I thaught he was a pretty smart guy. Especially with all the making fun of other drugs, years after they were found to be unhealthy.

[@blueberrypirate3601]

Better than that crummy Money Supermarket garbage

[@caldodge]

Great video. I especially appreciated learning the bits that were omitted by the Matthew McConaughey movie.

[@kavemanthewoodbutcher]

Hey he got Shilo right this time!

[@claytonberg721]

It's like finding bigfoot riding a unicorn. Simon pronouncing something right. This is one of simon's better videos in a while.

[@kavemanthewoodbutcher]

@@claytonberg721 all of Simon's videos are good. The man has a voice perfect for a "presenter".

[@claytonberg721]

@@kavemanthewoodbutcher It's a joke, when you watch more of his videos you'll notice he often mispronounces simple words like chameleon and such.

[@kavemanthewoodbutcher]

@@claytonberg721 been watching whistler for years. All brits mispronounce lots of words, I don't think English is their first language.

[@claytonberg721]

@@kavemanthewoodbutcher We get thousands of workers from GB/Oz/NZ every year. I know how they speak and the majority of them can say cantaloupe. This is a whistler thing.

[@leoscheibelhut940]

Great work again. Could you do some on the extensive guerrilla warfare that went on in the border states, and perhaps the war west of the Mississippi which involved the Indian nations in Oklahoma?

[@briangarrow448]

Simon conveniently doesn’t mention the support of the Confederacy by the British because of the cotton trade. British government sent military officials to confer with Confederate army. And offered financial support along with helping smuggle supplies into and out of blockaded Southern ports. A little more honesty about how business owners and the government from England turned a blind eye to chattel slavery would be refreshing.

[@ols1483]

He's mentioned it in other videos before

[@rodchallis8031]

I think the British could be described as "Neutral-- on the side of the Confederacy." Oddly, however, they did nothing to stop many thousands of British subjects from what's now called Canada from fighting for the North.

[@sknkwrksowner]

Not like he wrote the script. These channels are a huge operation (see the BTS video they did). Sometimes the research is off.

[@jopiaspieder1184]

This was a great video thank you Simon

[@MrInuhanyou123]

Virgin prager : "slavery wasn't so bad!" Chad geographics : "free state of jones"

[@danieldoesdumbstuff]

I live in Mississippi. And the Civil War is still a black spot in our country

[@OGDeepStroke]

Fun fact: after the civil war, Egyptian cotton went bust because of America getting back into the game

[@michaelhowze8198]

Until the Boll weevil at least lol

[@Svensk7119]

Barbara Frietchie is another example of a Southern Unionist.

[@shakiMiki]

Great video. Can you do something on John Brown, the crazy anti slavery preacher? Recently played by Ehan Hawke in The Good Lord Bird. He sounds like an amazing man. It would be good to have the facts,