Were There Really BLACK CONFEDERATES???!!!

Episode 6 of Checkmate, Lincolnites! Debunking the Lost Cause myth that tens of thousands of black men served as soldiers in the Confederate army during the American Civil War.
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~REFERENCES~
[1] “Black Confederate Movement ‘Demented’” (2014). AmericanForum • Black Confederate Move...
[2] Sam Smith. “Black Confederates: Myth and Legend.” American Battlefield Trust www.battlefields.org/learn/ar...
[3] “25th USCT: The Sable Sons of Uncle Abe.” National Park Service www.nps.gov/articles/25-usct.htm
[4] Justin A. Nystrom. New Orleans After the Civil War (2010). Johns Hopkins Press, Page 20-27
[5] Kevin M. Levin. Searching for Black Confederates (2019). University of North Carolina Press, Page 45
[6] James Parton. General Butler in New Orleans (1864). Mason & Hamlin, Page 516-517
[7] Levin, Page 12-15
[8] Levin, Page 34-35
[9] Myra Chandler Sampson & Kevin M. Levin. “The Loyalty of ‘Heroic Black Confederate’ Silas Chandler” (2012). HistoryNet www.historynet.com/loyalty-si...
[10] Levin, Page 82-83
[11] James G. Hollandsworth, Jr. Looking for Bob: Black Confederate Pensioners After the Civil War (2007). The Journal of Mississippi History, Vol. LXVIX, Page 304-306
[12] Lewis H. Steiner. An Account of the Operations of the U.S. Sanitary Commission During the Campaign in Maryland, September 1862 (1862). Anson D. F. Randolph, Page 19-20
[13] Levin, Page 32-33
[14] Charles Augustus Stevens. Berdan’s United States Sharpshooters in the Army of the Potomac (1892). Price-McGill Company, Page 54-55
[15] Levin, Page 44
[16] Andy Hall. “Frederick Douglass and the ‘N*gro Regiment’ at First Manassas” (2011). Dead Confederates Blog deadconfederates.com/2011/07/...
[17] Jaime Amanda Martinez. “Black Confederates” (2018). Encyclopedia Virginia www.encyclopediavirginia.org/...
[18] Levin, Page 58-61
[19] Levin, Page 39
[20] Levin, Page 46

[@donaldreynolds6857]

A black man named Robert Smalls was captain of the Confederate gunboat CSS Planter. But only after he stole it first.

[@mikaelleonbriones6356]

He was also one of the main people who pushed Lincoln to adopt an Emancipation Proclamation

[@neilpemberton5523]

He was amazingly brave and cool-headed. He wore a hat and timed his run for freedom in the pre-dawn gloom so observers from shore would not be able to tell he was black. He steered his boat under the shore batteries with his and other slave families below decks, and ran up a white flag when he reached the union blockade.

[@helbent4]

Unless I missed it there is no movie about this guy. Seriously, why is there no movie about this dude?

[@nosebleeds6305]

they had us in the first half not gonna lie

[@gordonfreeman8109]

What an absolute Chad

[@morriganlefay5438]

'If slaves will make good soldiers our whole theory of slavery is wrong' They were so close to realising lmao

[@warweasel2832]

In that stage where you know you're wrong, but you just won't allow the opportunity to be proven as such. I also have no idea how the idea of being a subservient enlisted man, whose job is to follow orders quickly and well was at all contradictory to their view of African Americans as a "naturally subservient" slave population.

[@maildaemon]

@@warweasel2832 Yeah, even if, at that point, there were doubts in the Confederacy regarding voracity of the foundational theory of slavery, I don't think it would have mattered. They had too much to lose if the institution of slavery was abolished.

[@occam7382]

@@warweasel2832, because according to Confederates, black people were "subhuman" and fundamentally inferior to white people, which was their justification for enslaving black people. So what that asshole was getting at was that if black people were as good or even better than whites at being soldiers, their feverish ideas of Anglo-Saxon racial superiority would be proven wrong in the most spectacular fashion, and by that extension, their whole idea that, in the words of A. Stephens, slavery is the black man's natural and normal condition, would also be wrong. And we can't have that now, can we?

[@ahiwalter9153]

okay, let’s not pretend the view of American-American people was “naturally subservient” they were seen as stupid, physical inferior, incapable & deserved of servitude. To even be comparable or given the chance to show MORE aptitude than a white man was so threatening that it greatly cost the South the war, let’s be real here.

[@BlaseHenryProductions]

@@maildaemonTo rephrase your words, they were in too deep, they sunk too much into it, sunk cost fallacy and all that. They couldn’t turn back even if they knew it meant going off a cliff. They were going to commit to it to the very end.

[@tifforo1]

Modern Confederacy apologist: "The Confederacy hired black soldiers! They weren't racist!" Historical Confederate leader: "How dare you, sir!"

[@ramsessdavis2179]

They were racists, because they used as and I'm chattel slavery The Males an Females of the strong Economic South

[@hayleynew3605]

How dare you? We work so hard on being racist says the confederate soldier

[@pancytryna9378]

Imagine neo confederate getting a time machine and trying to convince Jefferson Davis to abolish slavery

[@carywest9256]

@@pancytryna9378 lffen the war hadn't came about, the steam tractor was invented in1870. Just think how many farm hands wouldn't have a job. Don't know what your moniker means nor care. But this country may have not let all the immigration if the war hadn't come. For the country would have had plenty of workers, North & South. The ex-slaves would have been shipped to Africa, and the Native Americans herded onto rezes. And everyone lived happily ever after. You really believe that, the world is just hunky-dory?

[@pancytryna9378]

@@carywest9256 Im going to be honest with you, I have no idea what the fuck are you trying to say

[@joeystromboli2036]

The Wii U lasted longer than the confederacy

[@knuckl6972]

And it was 69420 times better

[@satan1189]

@@knuckl6972 "funnee redditor number"

[@jacksonguillory8114]

@@satan1189 lmfao

[@likedebia4693]

Sorry for taking away your 69 but I couldn't not like this comment

[@mattaffenit9898]

O o f

[@arachnofiend2859]

"If slaves will make good soldiers our whole theory of slavery is wrong." Oh, Cobb, you're so close to the truth...

[@MrRemicas]

So close, yet so far...

[@rileyfair5]

Imagine telling others on their history cuz your so focused on slavery even though slavery in the south was never a conversation in 1858 only slavery in the west. Maybe you should understand the relationships between slaves and their owners in the south at that time. Yes some were bad but most were raised in that family and were treated as such, also another reason most slaves continued to live and work on plantations after 1865 plus most they had no other way of survival than to stay

[@Mark-sl4bw]

@@rileyfair5 Where did you learn that most slaves were treated like family or that slavery in the south wasn't up for debate in 1858? Both of those couldn't be further from the truth.

[@rileyfair5]

@@Mark-sl4bw no I said slavery in the south wasnt the debate in that time. And by doing my own research. Reading what former slaves have said about their owners. Try listening to HK his family were actually slaves in I think north or south Carolina. Dont be bias when learning our history. Victors dont always speak the truth kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIbakINsrJ2Fmtk

[@JohnDoe-fu6zt]

I always thought he was spot on. Former slaves made excellent soldiers, just ask General Grant about the 200,000 serving in the Union armies. And yes, Mr. Cobb, your "whole theory of slavery is wrong." So he was 100% right.

[@fryingpancakes8445]

"If slaves will make good soldiers our whole theory of slavery is wrong." -Howell Cobb. Also known as the biggest self-roast of 1864.

[@raptordoniv6779]

How was it the biggest roast of 1864? I don’t really understand it.

[@EdgieAlias]

@@raptordoniv6779 Because their theory of slavery was wrong.

[@raptordoniv6779]

@@EdgieAlias oh ok

[@wpc9163]

"The reasons that induce me to recommend the employment of [black] troops at all render the effect of the measures I have suggested upon slavery immaterial, and in my opinion the best means of securing the efficiency and fidelity of this auxiliary force would be to accompany the measure with a well-digested plan of gradual and general emancipation." General Robert E Lee As you can see, Cobb and his ilk didn't speak for all Confederates. Neither did Cleburne's proposal, which included gradual, universal (Confederate) emancipation, crash against a solid wall of refusal, as it's portrayed in the video as having done. In fact, around 13 senior-ranked officers gave full support to it. Three other senior-ranked officers gave limited support to it. Contrary to myth, all Southern people don't think exactly alike.

[@509Gman]

@@wpc9163 and it’s interesting that integration measures in later incarnations of the US Army produced similar civil rights precedents.

[@morsecode980]

Whites fighting for the North: “I’m fighting to preserve the Union!” Whites fighting for the South: “I’m fighting for state’s rights!” Blacks fighting for the North: “I’m fighting for my fucking life!” Blacks fighting for the South: “I don’t even wanna be here bruh”

[@nicholashollis1522]

A state's right to what? 😏

[@morsecode980]

@@nicholashollis1522 lmao

[@helbent4]

@@nicholashollis1522 Certainly not the Northern states' rights to refuse to hand over escaped slaves!

[@morsecode980]

@Leonard squirrel Eh, it was more to keep the USA together than anything else

[@ieatmice751]

@@morsecode980 as the war progressed, abolition became a major goal for the Union army, especially for the soldiers on the ground who saw firsthand the condition slaves lived it

[@tysondennis1016]

Confederates: “We can’t be racist, we have black men fighting for us!” Slaves: “We don’t want to fight-“ Confederates: “Shut up!”

[@holzmann-]

You think the black soldiers in the Union had a choice to fight? Surely there was slavery, but that didn't cause the civil war. Back then, slavery was still legal in every state.

[@yunuss58]

@@holzmann- man, read the fucking secession documents of those states. Nearly all mention slavery. Also the Cornerstone speech

[@Ohioan-man]

@@holzmann-and sure it was legal but spousal rape was until the late eighties but it wasn’t socially acceptable

[@baneofbanes]

@@holzmann-yes they did in fact have a choice.

[@Meyr3356]

@@holzmann- No it wasn't, at least, not the kind you're speaking of. It's literally the point of the Dred v. Scott (Does a slave's status as property become null if they are in a location where it is illegal for them to be property).

[@theoian]

"My confederate ancestor wasn't racist, he had black friends."

[@helbent4]

In fact some of his closest friends were black.

[@thewest8630]

"Yea. We loved Aunt Betty! She raised all of my family. Had to whip her a few times to teach her to behave, but you know how it is. We love black people!"

[@helbent4]

@@thewest8630 "...and they love us! And the Confederacy."

[@theoian]

@@Wheninrome6042 uhm.. yeah? That's the joke lol

[@trevorwalsh9443]

@@Wheninrome6042 Which the Dumbest shit I ever heard in my life

[@JP12345]

Sometimes I unironically forget these two are the same person

[@jesseberg3271]

That last shot was amazingly well edited for what is essentially an amateur production.

[@neilpemberton5523]

Twin brothers. One raised in the South and the other in the North. The war between brothers boiled down to a single conversation.

[@randomnameseventytwo1307]

@@neilpemberton5523 and now im imagining a Christmas dinner after the war ended and it being awkward for them having to sit across from one another

[@theodoreroosevelt8261]

We can just keep saying they're twins who chose different sides in the war

[@randomnameseventytwo1307]

@@theodoreroosevelt8261 i disagree sir

[@RaptorJesus]

I appreciate the fact that you portray Johhny Reb as someone fundamentally decent, holding no actual racist or bigoted views, and genuinely just wants to believe his ancestors and people *weren't* those things. Even the "questionable" views he does hold seem to come from a place of genuine ignorance rather than malice. It would've been so much easier to write him as trailer-trash, and I cannot say how much it pleases me you didn't.

[@KennyHazy97]

He's gotten better ever since the VVitchfinder-General exorcised the Nazi out of him.

[@blixer8384]

To be fair Johnny Reb did hold some pretty racists views early on but that was because he was possessed by Klaus the Nazi but the Witchfinder General exorcised him and he’s been less racists ever since.

[@MsZsc]

@@KennyHazy97 atun shei lore

[@brandonmorel2658]

I don't think Atun Shei holds much respect or empathy for his Johnny Reb character. Reb is constantly belittled, proven wrong and portrayed as a wacko who constantly nitpicks historic accounts and refuses to accept the fact that his views are wrong in any way. Johnny Reb is mostly characterized as the whitey lost causer trailer-trash he is parodying, a strawman who deserves no mercy or actual empathy. If the writer thought he were deserving of any respect then each episode would spend some more time understanding why Reb believes in the Lost Cause Myth. Reb himself has said he was a slave owner, solidifying even more his scumbag nature. Put simply he *is* written as a bad person who deserves to be gunned down, he was in the first episode actually.

[@Killzoneguy117]

@@brandonmorel2658 Well what exactly do you want him to say? That Johnny Reb is a genius who is completely correct in his views on the Confederacy and its reasons? The reality is, if you seriously looked at the Confederate States of America, you look at what they themselves said their cause was, look at what they were in effect fighting for, you would have to be an idiot to seriously believe that they had anything resembling a just cause. You can respect their determination and willingness to fight, their perseverance in the face of terrible battlefield conditions. Their resolve to keep fighting even as the war devastated their homes. But at the end of the day, you have to acknowledge the simple fact that they were fighting for an unjust cause and that if they had won, the world would objectively have been worse off for it. And if you cannot acknowledge that, if you cannot acknowledge slavery as a defining characteristic of the Confederate struggle, even as the Confederate states themselves admitted it to be, well then... I'm sorry to blunt but you are a moron. Frankly, at that point, I'd have more respect for you if you acknowledged slavery as a cause and actually endorsed slavery as an institution. Because at least then, you're not willfully blind to the truth. You just... take a very very very different moral lesson from those facts. If nothing else, I can always respect Thucydides' maxim about the strong inevitably dominating the weak. Even if many of us may find that view to not be ethically palatable.

[@Earlesstag]

The most unrealistic thing about these series is how the confederate guy just sits there and lets you talk. usually you get 3 to 4 words out and they are all ready screaming

[@Iijjccbb]

Clearly these two were friends before the war

[@williamblackfyre4866]

Word? How many confederate soldiers have you conversed with in your life?

[@Earlesstag]

@@williamblackfyre4866 I've talked to quite a few people who are pro confederacy, which I thought was the implied meaning. I apologize I'll make sure I'm incredibly clear and persice next time

[@williamblackfyre4866]

@@Earlesstag ok, but would you still call someone that is pro confederacy, a confederate? That is what I was hung up on. I'm not sure if it's a typo or you say it funny so you spelled it different, but it's 'precise' not per.

[@deez1356]

@@williamblackfyre4866 shut

[@vurrunna]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I really appreciate the relationship between Johnny Rebel and Billy Yank. They disagree on a pretty fundamental level, and frankly Billy Yank would have every right to treat Johnny Rebel as little more than a racist revisionist; but instead, he recognizes that Johnny Rebel is essentially just ignorant of the facts, wanting to believe a version of events that will make him proud of his heritage. They get along very well, telling jokes and giving each other gifts. It speaks to the idea that you'll change more minds through kindness and level-headedness than you ever will through vitriol and anger--yelling at people for people for being stupid might make you feel superior, but it's also the fastest way to make sure someone never listens to a word you say.

[@AtunSheiFilms]

This guy gets it

[@thewest8630]

Being born and raised from the South, and having argued with lost causers my whole life, I couldn't agree more.

[@fernandollanos2587]

Excellent insight. Also speaks to Andy’s brilliance.

[@depthsofpentecost2973]

Well... other than shooting him in the first episode! 😂

[@klisterklister2367]

@@depthsofpentecost2973 he got better

[@BarkyLondon]

"As this Facebook meme clearly demonstrates..." is the level of proof that most people seem to be satisfied with these days, tbh.

[@bowen4878]

“It is however of primary importance that the Africans should know that the service is voluntary on their part. As to the name of the troops, the general thinks you cannot do better than consult the men themselves. His only objection to calling them colored troops was that the enemy had selected that designation for theirs. But this has no weight against the choice of the troops and he recommends that they be called colored or if they prefer, they can be called simply Confederate troops or volunteers. Everything should be done to impress them with the responsibility and character of their position, and while of course due respect and subordination should be exacted, they should be so treated as to feel that their obligations are those of any other soldier and their rights and privileges dependent in law & order as obligations upon others as upon theirselves. Harshness and contemptuous or offensive language or conduct to them must be forbidden and they should be made to forget as soon as possible that they were regarded as menials. You will readily understand however how to conciliate their good will & elevate the tone and character of the men” - Robert E Lee to General Ewell on black confederate soldiers

[@BarkyLondon]

@@bowen4878 Oh, wow, one lofty quote out of line with the reality of the situation has totally changed my mind on this whole complex issue. Thank you for enlightening me

[@bowen4878]

“Lee viewed slavery as a evil.” - Historians Douglas Cohn and Jim Kelly “In this enlightened age, there are few I believe, but what will acknowledge, that slavery as an institution, is a moral & political evil in any Country.” - Robert E Lee 1856 “While we see the Course of the final abolition of human slavery is onward, & we give it the aid of our prayers & all justifiable means in our power we must leave the progress as well as the result in his hands who Sees the end” - Robert E Lee 1856 “I am rejoiced that slavery is abolished. I believe it will be greatly for the interests of the South. So fully am I satisfied of this, as regards Virginia especially, that I would cheerfully have lost all I have lost by the war, and have suffered all I have suffered, to have this object attained.” - Robert E Lee 1865 “I can anticipate no greater calamity for the country than a dissolution of the Union. It would be an accumulation of all the evils we complain of, and I am willing to sacrifice anything but honor for its preservation.” Robert E Lee 1861 “During my research, came across instances where black men stated they were soldiers. Soldiers were clearly crossed out and body servant or teamster on pension applications replaced it.” - Black Historian Ervin Jordan I can assure you, that the gallant hearts that throb beneath its sacred folds, will only be content, when this glorious banner is planted first and foremost in the coming struggle for our independence. - John Bell Hood “For my part, I have no hesitancy from the first that, right or wrong, alone or otherwise, I go with Virginia.” - JEB Stuart “I would rather be a private in Virginia’s army than a general in any army that was going to coerce her.” - JEB Stuart

[@BarkyLondon]

@@bowen4878 Wow, even more quotes! I'm definitely convinced of the righteousness of the southern cause now. I will now be erecting a Confederate flag outside my house so I can show poor hapless Yankees the error of their ways. Thank you for your service

[@bowen4878]

@@BarkyLondon Don’t forget old glory. “Raise your children to love the United States.” - Robert E Lee

[@MSNL123]

Honestly, the more I hear about lost cause myths, the more I think that the most fatal concoction to a lost cause believer would be that which would allow any confederate politician or army officer to ressurect for as little as 15 minutes.

[@JamesF0790]

The phrase "Never meet your heroes" would never be more true than that.

[@Destroyer_V0]

This should be interesting with recent developments in the attunshei cinematic universe.

[@lightmetro7508]

@@Destroyer_V0 johnny is about to learn the meaning of "never meet your heroes"

[@Destroyer_V0]

@@lightmetro7508 Indeed

[@scottbivins4758]

I think if you listened to both music on both sides the union and the Confederacy it paints a picture we cant just say slavery was the only cause for it cuz it wasn't it was one of many reason for the war. More than anything it was cultural difference between north and South. Listen to im good ole rebel 2nd south Carolina string band and Southern soldier by 2nd Carolina string band. Every Confederate had their reason for picking up Arms for dixie and you know what if it had to be done again god damn it it would be apart of it. Im not a racist i just have my veiws on government and America aint gotten better its gotten worse.

[@austinfowler2707]

The biggest thing that disproves the idea of black confederate soldiers is the lack of documentation. If they were in fact soldiers, what was their rank? What was the highest rank a black confederate soldier ever recived and who received it? Where is the contract? All enlisting members have to sign a contract. What is the length of the contract? What regiment were they assigned to? Who was their commanding officer? And every soldier is given compensation for their contract? What was their pay? How did the confederacy send money to the bank accounts? And were they're any disciplinary actions taken on these soldiers? This shit is documented. Even in the union. So the idea that they would be seen as soldiers...is entirely without merit. And if there were, why don't we have statues in the south about them?

[@chestydajarhead]

Let me be clear that the following are just a small example of proof that blacks served in the confederacy. I also want to state for the record that i know that all slaves were not treated fairly and i want to also let it be known i DO NOT, HAVE NOT be a proponnent of slavery that it is a horrible instituition At least one Black Confederate was a non-commissioned officer. James Washington, Co. D 34th Texas Cavalry, “Terrell’s Texas Cavalry” became it’s 3rd Sergeant. In comparison, The highest-ranking Black Union soldier during the war was a Sergeant Major. Free black musicians, cooks, soldiers and teamsters earned the same pay as white confederate privates. This was not the case in the Union army where blacks did not receive equal pay. At the Confederate Buffalo Forge in Rockbridge County, Virginia, skilled black workers “earned on average three times the wages of white Confederate soldiers and more than most Confederate army officers ($350-$600 a year). Nearly 180,000 Black Southerners, from Virginia alone, provided logistical support for the Confederate military. Many were highly skilled workers. These included a wide range of jobs: nurses, military engineers, teamsters, ordnance department workers, brakemen, firemen, harness makers, blacksmiths, wagonmakers, boatmen, mechanics, wheelwrights, etc. In the 1920’S Confederate pensions were finally allowed to those workers that were still living. Many thousands more served in other Confederate States. The first military monument in the US Capitol that honors an African-American soldier is the Confederate monument at Arlington National cemetery. The monument was designed 1914 by Moses Ezekiel, a Jewish Confederate, who wanted to correctly portray the “racial makeup” in the Confederate Army. A black Confederate soldier is depicted marching in step with white Confederate soldiers. Also shown is one “white soldier giving his child to a black woman for protection”. - Source: Edward Smith, African American professor at the American University, Washington DC. Black Confederate heritage is beginning to receive the attention it deserves. For instance, Terri Williams, a black journalist for the Suffolk “Virginia Pilot” newspaper, writes: “I’ve had to re-examine my feelings toward the [Confederate] flag…It started when I read a newspaper article about an elderly black man whose ancestor worked with the Confederate forces. The man spoke with pride about his family member’s contribution to the cause, was photographed with the [Confederate] flag draped over his lap…that’s why I now have no definite stand on just what the flag symbolizes, because it no longer is their history, or my history, but our history.” sources Charles Kelly Barrow, et. al. Forgotten Confederates: An Anthology About Black Southerners (1995). Currently the best book on the subject. Ervin L. Jordan, Jr. Black Confederates and Afro-Yankees in Civil War Virginia (1995). Well researched and very good source of information on Black Confederates, but has a strong Union bias. Richard Rollins. Black Southerners in Gray (1994). Also an excellent source. Dr. Edward Smith and Nelson Winbush, “Black Southern Heritage”. An excellent educational video. Mr. Winbush is a descendent of a Black Confederate and a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV).

[@dillonblair6491]

@@chestydajarhead Lmao you're literally defending slavery. Also the people who were "workers" were slaves and unpaid. James Washington being a black confederate doesn't seem to be evidenced anywhere i can see, where are you getting this from? That statue you're referring to about "the racial makeup" of the confederates army depicts a slave helping white owners. "The Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery includes a depiction of an enslaved black woman holding the child of a white" And then the last paragraph is conjecture

[@chestydajarhead]

@@dillonblair6491 I'm sorry i didn't know that your reading skills were not able to pick up the part where i wrote that i am not a proponent of slavery .....also that you are not correct in your statements ,please learn to read and do research before your ignorant mouth makes you a fool

[@LordVader1094]

​@@chestydajarheadNothing but anecdotal evidence. 180,00 support staff are not soldiers. They were (as this video mentions) slaves serving their masters. None were paid. None had ranks. None of them were official Confederate soldiers. As OP says, any real soldiers would've been officially documented to some degree, yet none are.

[@jeffreygao3956]

If slaves make good soldiers, then the entire theory of slavery is wrong.

[@SiraSpirit]

"As diverse as a college admissions photo." So exactly one Black guy appearing in every photo? Great line.

[@brandonk.4864]

@@MatthewChenault come on dude, give it up

[@zekedia2223]

@@brandonk.4864 Well, he isn’t wrong about most Union regiments. The US Army was segregated for decades after the Civil War. I can’t speak of “most left wing circles” because I am not part of “left wing circles”, and I doubt Matthew is either.

[@internetman1213]

@@zekedia2223 it’s not that Matthew Chenault is wrong, but it’s just trying to save face for the confederacy. Here I’ll give you an example : ‘Oh yeah! The Yankees segregated their troops, and were racists! Meanwhile our southern brethren fought alongside colored ‘troops’! What’s that? Confederacy fighting for the rights to own slaves? You know northerners had slaves! What do you mean they’re the ones who fought for and ratified the 13th amendment?’ See what I mean?

[@zekedia2223]

@@internetman1213 Yeah, I know what you mean, Mr. Internet Man.

[@mikaelleonbriones6356]

The way he said "Photo" remined me of the "Chillin' yearing for freedom yankee tyranny"

[@johnlittle6836]

This is the best Christmas gift since Sherman gave Lincoln Savannah

[@ibefullofme]

Murmur is a good album

[@5000rgb]

It certainly is but I am missing the relevance to this conversation, unless you believe it's universally relevant.

[@Momo_2-4]

"And though survivng a New Orleans parade can make you feel like a combat veteran, this unit never saw any real action" love this

[@theomegajuice8660]

"If slaves will make good soldiers then our whole theory of slavery is wrong" So apparently they had self-aware wolves in the 19th century too

[@ethanarnold4441]

What?

[@justaghostinthesea]

What?

[@JJMcCullough]

I tried to name a more iconic duo, but I could not :(

[@ciaranodalaigh7448]

It's always cool to see two youtubers you watch commenting on eachothers videos, a rare but great sight

[@lealien9247]

Communism and starvation

[@writingwithspears9015]

Justine and Tabitha

[@joshuafan4419]

A JJ and Atun-Shei collab would blow the pants off of my mind legs.

[@JJMcCullough]

@@joshuafan4419 He cameoed in one of my flag videos!

[@mjlamey1066]

The amount of effort and talent it takes to write, shoot, and act this is ridiculous, we need to give this man more money and influence.

[@mjlamey1066]

And getting the timing just right must be a pain in the ass

[@AtunSheiFilms]

I'll take the money but could do without the influence. Merry Christmas!

[@alexmorris6954]

@@AtunSheiFilms what about woman and drugs?

[@ericbrown175]

@@alexmorris6954 give him money and he can have those too!

[@patrickazzarella6729]

@@alexmorris6954 he has a girlfriend lol

[@wordsdistorted]

This was probably THE biggest myth I used to believe to be true. I even remember doing a school project and finding so many websites peddling this info with pictures and everything. My teacher didn't even tell me I was wrong... It's a shame America waits until the college level to teach critical thinking skills, as well as the listing and vetting of sources.

[@jester7061]

I would argue even colleges don’t teach critical thinking but that depends on your professor

[@Valyssi]

Critical thinking, you mean **looks through DeSantis-approved dictionary** communism

[@ConfusedRevolutionary]

😊😊

[@stevenpringle9492]

It's a shame you had to go to college to realize Black Confederate soldiers is a bunch of BS.😂

[@Civilwar.relics]

So in all that learning you never heard of holt collier, or William ellison son lol. Looks like you didn't try very hard

[@dragoninthewest1]

I love that the intro is very historically accurate. I heard there was a huge black market trade of coffee and tobacco during the Civil War

[@Andandand25]

I believe it is part of the reason why chicory in coffee is popular in New Orleans.

[@whyjnot420]

@@Andandand25 And not because it is a laxitive?

[@TheUSgoverment]

@@Andandand25 no. Chicory was popularized because of the blokade which also caused the black market. They didn't have any regular coffee so tried to make do with that

[@curtisthomas2670]

Roasted okra seeds were used as a coffee substitute

[@petermmm42]

The hell that confederates doing in a black market? Thought they didn't like that stuff /j

[@Yannis1a]

Confederate Capitan: "Poor Silas, they captured him! Those yankees are probably torturing him for information" Soldier: "Isn't that your slave, sir?" Confederate Capitan: "Ha! We are save! Silas infiltrated the enemy army to betray them before they overwhelm us" Soldier: "They are charging, sir" Confederate Capitan: "Any second Now" Soldier: "He is aiming at you, sir" Confederate Capitan: "Any second Now"

[@manperson5315]

*POP*

[@509Gman]

@@manperson5315 Silas, y u do dis?

[@Pikkabuu]

@@509Gman You aren't using the right words. Et tu Silas.

[@mikaelleonbriones6356]

*BANG*

[@Khronos12]

@@509Gman Silas! You were black all this time?

[@mister_i9245]

My Dad liked to watch your channel before he passed, he said he liked you because you 'tell it like it is'

[@AtunSheiFilms]

My condolences. Death sucks.

[@CoffeeSuccubus]

@@AtunSheiFilms Both Unionites and Confederates can agree Death sucks

[@JimbobZ17]

@J. E. B. Stuart you are a disgrace to Gen. J.E.B. Stuart name.

[@Derginator]

@@JimbobZ17 snowflake ❄️

[@paltheporg7821]

I’m sorry for your loss.

[@kitjohnson2767]

“Our great and glorious Confederacy was as diverse as a college admissions photo.” That made me laugh. Though I will say in the Silas Chandler photo the white guy looks FAR more scared than Silas.

[@BadWebDiver]

They also looked extremely close, if you know what I mean...

[@Jackson_the_king66]

@@BadWebDiverthought that too

[@justicebeske5704]

The fact he's able to recite these unhinged comments while holding the accent and not breaking out laughing is a feet of great power.

[@FlyingTooFast]

Anyone else notice with every checkmate lincolnites, he starts to climb the ranks in the Union army?

[@ultramarinescaptain3840]

Wait. You right.

[@garrett9769]

Haha yes. I suppose at the end of CL he'll have General's stars. 😄

[@generalsherman1213]

Oh shit I think he's after my rank

[@garrett9769]

@General Sherman 😂😂

[@FlyingTooFast]

@@generalsherman1213 don't worry Sherman..... You and grant are still my favorite guys.....

[@johntaylor7029]

I love how even the small jokes on this channel, in this case exchanging coffee and tobacco (related products), have historical precedent.

[@mikaelleonbriones6356]

Thank god I wasn't the only one who noticed the historical value of the gift giving scene (as those are the exact same products the Union and Confederacy secretly gave to the other side)

[@thesweatleaf]

I bought Cafe Du Monde Coffee and Chicorie after I watch this

[@kennethfharkin]

He gave him Folgers; I do not think that counts as coffee.

[@fishing_withGarrett07]

@@kennethfharkin shut up lol 😂😂😂

[@509Gman]

@@kennethfharkin hey, in the wartime South, a can of Folgers would have been as valuable as a kilo of cocaine. What I find funny is his dissing of chicory coffee, since that’s still a New Orleans thing today (albeit mixed with real coffee, iirc)

[@maogu1999]

"As this facebook meme clearly demonstrates" Hard to argue with that kind of robust evidence.

[@kyekruchoski1457]

facebook memes or written and spoken words from actual confederates. I think we all know which one is more relevant

[@mikeor-]

Having written a book about the Civil War, I can safely say that the very idea of Black Confederates is nothing short of utterly absurd.

[@noskpain2792]

Alexander Dimitri was a Louisiana Creole of Color that served in the confederate government along with his son who was one of the few POC to be venerated by the post Confederates.

[@vehx9316]

@@noskpain2792 Noted that you said the word "Creole" which is a person of mixed white and black heritage. So no he isn't like the "Black Confederates" that post Confederates like to hail up. And also, a handful of "black" confederates fail to counter the fact that there was 100k black soldiers in active combat service with the Union by the time of the end of the war. You need at least a few thousand people to make a convincing argument as this individual cases are more of "the execption to the rule" rather than the norm. Heck there was more women pretending to be men to serve in the civil war then there was black confederates. But no sane person will make the claim that women were allowed to serve during the civil war.

[@jaman6622]

BRO THERE WERE BLACK CONFEDERATES!!! KNOW YOUR HISTORY

[@Raine749]

@@jaman6622history says no

[@erikandersen3274]

@@noskpain2792 Alexander Dimitry defected from the Confederate cause before the 1st Battle of Bull Run and fled to New York where he remained for the rest of the war, you can look it up. PGT Beauregard was apparently so incensed that he called Dimitry "a traitor to the land of his birth."

[@lucasmatiasdelaguilamacdon7798]

I met a deep southerner from Tennessee once that had a southern unionist ancestor and was dang proud of it. He talked about how his ancestor was amongst the few locals from his small town being friendly and welcoming towards local ex-slaves after the war ended.

[@thicclegendfeep4050]

That's awsome

[@MalrexMontresor]

I wish I had a Southern unionist ancestor. For my family, our Southern cousins in Louisiana blamed us for them losing all their slaves during the war and making them poor (they had borrowed heavily on their slaves as collateral and thus lost all their land due to excessive debt). We didn't have a proper family reunion with both Northern and Southern branches until the late 1970's. Then sometime in 2003, we discovered we had black relatives (due to our Southern cousins' fondness for raping their slaves) and my grandmother invited them to join the family reunions. Which sparked a big debate, and a good portion of my Southern relatives refusing to come back to the family reunions. As you can guess, the ones most adverse to spending time with our black cousins are the biggest lost causers.

[@thicclegendfeep4050]

@@MalrexMontresor my uncle even hangs a Virginia battle flag in his barn, despite having no traitor heritage whatsoever, I can't even fathom this kind of stupidity

[@MalrexMontresor]

@@thicclegendfeep4050 I've always wondered about this dynamic of people with zero Southern heritage and only Union ancestors supporting the Confederacy. Ultimately, it comes down to only two reasons: 1. They have completely fallen for Lost Cause propaganda and believe that the CSA was fighting for "State's Rights". 2. Or they are racist and actually believe slavery was a good thing.

[@thicclegendfeep4050]

@@MalrexMontresor bit of both for them unfortunately

[@SpunkyMcGoo]

the coffee gag as a transition into the first comment is fucking brilliant

[@granderonde599]

I was wondering where he was going with the elaborate set up. Worth the wait!

[@bastage5932]

@@granderonde599 I kinda just assumed it was one long attempt at taking the piss out of Gods and Generals

[@mfitzburger5137]

even better than the Folgers incest commercial reference?

[@gabrielegenota1480]

@@bastage5932 I thought it was a sponsor or something lMAO

[@robertwalton434]

25:28 Probably unintentional, but I find it amusing that in his attempt to checkmate Lincolnites, Reb places the chess board sideways.

[@jamie8032]

As a European brushing up on his American history you're videos are very entertaining and insightful (:. A friend of mine, from Tennessee is adamant, and unrelenting in his opinion that 100,000 enslaved and free men willingly fought for the Confederacy.. He will not budge in his opinion. I've showed him so many videos bebunking the myth... Like, I'm from Ireland, I'm not even from the U.S - I was never thought U.S history in school, all of it i've researched myself yet even I know the black confederate myth couldn't be a more false piece of historical revisionism. Why would people fight for an institution that keeps them enslaved? I think it sometimes takes an outsiders perspective to see what's real and what's myth. But yeah, when my friend says the confederate cause was about *freedom* I retort with "yeah.. freedom! the freedom to keep human beings in bondage and to pivot an entire society around this enterprise!" .. Also that Irish accent you did for Cleburne was on point 👌

[@jonnie106]

@Wajjjeeaa There be a lot of truth-stretching going on in support of the notion of 'black confederates'. But my favorite part is how to these neo-cons, the handful of documented black men that approached something like military service for the confederacy serves to exonerate Dixie; where the 180,000 documented black men marching for the Union doesn't signal to them that people don't want to be slaves! The handful of black camp slaves so loyal as to be 'honored' at meetings, etc are the example of people broken to the constant, unrelenting mental abuse of 'you are inferior'. Any black man or woman that succumbed to this brainwashing, literally did become the bosom of south; the epitome of the dream they had. An entire class of voluntarily subservient humans, who can be tasked with every chore too distasteful for someone with money to have to do. Some of these black people can be seen in video interview in the year I was born, 1965. You can see the proud white lady who has special feels for her negroes. smh Those blacks who didn't cave and accept this existence, while also not escaping to anywhere but the south, were like the defects if you will. It was this group that southern veterans, who supposedly didn't care about slavery, launched a campaign of violent intimidation against. You know them as the kkk, Jim Crow, the Black Codes, segregation, etc; eight decades of voter intimidation, demeaning treatment for generations, the impact of which is fairly plain to see. Atun-Shei succinctly lays this out right here, but you can just 'feel' the neo-cons spacing off and not listening to any of it. Right back to 'it wasn't about slavery!

[@jonnie106]

@@jamie8032 As a black American whose grandparents suffered the end of the Jim Crow era, I didn't think my feedback on a public forum discussing black confederates required any soliciting. I only agreed with you, from a position of directly observing the impact of this lost cause nonsense from your Tennessean friend in my own family as well as in my countrymen. You don't have to be talking to me for me to respect your position. What you do with that respect is up to you.

[@Winrarnt]

Glad to see another Irishman here!

[@stevenholmes8854]

I am from a Texas town named after Cleburne after the war. The more I learn about him, the more I like him. I had to shed the lost cause narrative I learned in Cleburne public schools though.

[@joshuasitzema9920]

Wonderfully insightful, even more so considering that many of the regiments in Meade's army at Gettysburg were Irish volunteers. Your people had as much of a stake in keeping the Union together as did the those who were enslaved and oppressed because at the time, both groups were oppressed at one place or another.

[@landonbass83]

There is nothing an American southerner like me likes more than a good history lesson 🇺🇸

[@samkangal8428]

What about a drink?

[@kaminsod4077]

@@samkangal8428 Or a nice joint?

[@vsaucepuppet697]

same haha. im from Texas and i love this series

[@samkangal8428]

@@kaminsod4077 i would take both😈

[@brandonye2569]

Or deep southern fried food message from Arkansas

[@ollaniuspius1211]

I know it all went down-hill afterwards, but I truly think it's nice that Johnny Reb got him a present.

[@thebohemian814]

Hey it’s Christmas.

[@SpectralTime]

Way I see it, if he really hated his opposite number that much, he’d just stop showing up.

[@mikaelleonbriones6356]

So cool that J. Reb got drunk totally runingin the intro and I LOVE IT

[@harshbansal7982]

Really liked the ending as well .

[@gabivermes2501]

When they're not arguing over who's side is right they're surprisingly wholesome

[@Zombie-rj6nd]

As someone who was born and raised in the first secession state South Carolina, your videos have changed my mind about the lost cause. I feel really stupid that I actually believed it, but this southerner thanks you. Keep it up!!!!!!

[@obi-wankenobi1233]

Out of curiosity, what made you believe the lost cause myth? Who taught it to you?

[@Zombie-rj6nd]

@@obi-wankenobi1233 I appreciate the curiosity because I like to self-reflect every once in a while. To be honest I never really had any love for the Confederacy and was never really big on Southern pride. I've always felt that slavery was an evil institution that needed to be destroyed, and I never at all doubted for a second that the main cause of the Civil War was slavery. Neither my family nor my schools ever taught me to sympathize with the Confederacy or downplay the monstrosity of slavery, quite the opposite in fact. Where I dwelled into Lost Cause territory has to do with my belief that if a state or a region wants to be it's own sovereign nation then it has the right to do so. I didn't understand the need to send hundreds of thousands of men to their deaths simply to force the South back into the Union, even if they were trying to keep slavery in tact. I felt the South would've eventually been pressured by the West to outlaw slavery, and also eventually would have returned to the Union. I also thought that most Confederate soldiers were like Robert E. Lee, who simply fought out of loyalty and willingness to protect their land and families. When instead the vast majority were not only willing, but happy to fight for slavery. These videos(and the podcast History That Doesn't Suck) changed my mind on these things and made me realize I was asking the wrong question. That I should have been asking "Why cause so much human suffering to protect and spread an evil institution that was steadily being phased out of the civilized world?" I still believe in the right to independence and secession, but I now believe the South's secession was illegitimate due to its main reason for doing so was to continue the spread of slavery throughout North America.

[@justfiddlinaround1128]

@@Zombie-rj6nd Ever heard of the Abbeville Institute? I suggest looking into their stuff. I also suggest DiLorenzo's "The Real Lincoln" if you want a interesting view. kzbin.info/www/bejne/boScZ5yHjrFjmNk

[@boomanchu2]

@@justfiddlinaround1128 LOL, The Abbeville Institute is nothing but Lost Cause dipshittery.

[@tlee51ftw]

@@justfiddlinaround1128 No doubt that it would be interesting, but from a cursory review, that's about it.

[@generalsherman1213]

I think I just realized how the first drunk comment was written, I think the person was speech to text and didn't bother to double check when they were finished. That explains the words in there with no context and there being only an opening quotation mark, I think they said quote and it put the symbol. Still funny as hell though.

[@mrcnub]

That sounds right. I worked with a TV reporter that used speech to text to fill in his scripts. 80% of them would be fine and the other 20% would be complete nonsense, especially when the speech to text ran into proper names. Anderson would become and her son, that sort of thing. I'm pretty sure Arkansas got turned into I can saw in the drunk comment. The best phrase that the reporter's speech to text spat out was "power steering tire in the chest". I don't even remember what it was supposed to say, but I do remember that every single one of those words was wrong. 🤣

[@nukclear2741]

What are you doing here Sherman? Georgia is still in open rebellion, get on it man.

[@mattaffenit9898]

@@nukclear2741 Hey, he can't spend all his time marching and burning. The man still had to eat, take shits, and write reports. Probably had a few minutes on the latrine.

[@alleycat7482]

"Help me Obi-Wan, you're my only hope." -Johnny Reb, Dec. 2020

[@jeffersonclippership2588]

"And remember, Catholics and Quakers worship the devil and should be killed" -General Kenobi

[@weldonwin]

*"THE CONFDERACY OF INDEPENDENT SYSTEMS, ARE WRETCHED SINNERS, UNWORTHY OF THE FORCE'S LOVE!!!"*

[@slitor]

God damnit! Why did it take me so LONG to figure out that JOKE! Shouldn't have used Prequel Obi-Wan.

[@twistedQC]

HELLO THERE!!!!!!!!

[@ComradeOgilvy1984]

Getting drunk in order to read that viewer comment correctly was fabulous enough to earn a like right there!

[@ComradeOgilvy1984]

"It's [Christmas is] a vile pagan holiday and everyone who celebrates it is going to hell."

[@Jason32Bourne]

I had to pause for a second. I was like now way, holy hell this comment is as bad as it's said.

[@Vesperitis]

It earned my subscription

[@poe_slaw]

“Instead he used a piece of gold to buy whiskey, which he used to buy a bottle of whiskey” makes sense to me

[@therealSunTzu]

*stonks*

[@jacksonmacpherson6101]

Saying the confederacy isn't racist because there were black Confederates is like saying the SS was tolerant because they had volunteers and "suggested volunteers" from Eastern Europe. CHECKMATE ALLIES

[@MrRemicas]

There were Muslim SS, and the Japanese were honorary Aryans. Pretty much telling how Nazi race theories were mumbo jumbo changing according to their political needs.

[@pilot1721]

The well known SS motto "diversity is our strength"

[@jaojao1768]

@@MrRemicas they also claimed the Finns had been "aryanised" due to the positive influence of Finland-Swedes on the country

[@TSimo113]

You're using the term "racist" incorrectly.

[@jacksonmacpherson6101]

@@TSimo113 how so?

[@johnwall7968]

I'm a simple man. I see a notification from Atun-Shei: I drop everything and watch.

[@johnnotrealname8168]

I hate how much this has filled comments pages.

[@wierdalien1]

@@johnnotrealname8168 but in this tis true

[@johnnotrealname8168]

@@wierdalien1 It is overused. Hence the frustration, like people complaining about modern pop in old time music, and how cultured they are. It is true but monotonous.

[@wierdalien1]

@@johnnotrealname8168 i mean, they arent right there.

[@hhiimmddoo]

This channel has educated me much more than my school ever did. We were taught the lost cause myth as fact and until finding this channel, which deconstructed and disproved it in a way that I didn’t immediately turn off the videos, i still believed it.

[@possumverde]

A decent chunk of the "lost cause" myth is accurate. It's primarily the hero worship/chivalry aspect concerning their leaders/generals and the portrayal of slavery as being beneficial to the slaves where things get silly. The states had a right to secede and Lincoln's actions started the actual war, not the Confederacy's. Also, Lincoln's refusal to recognize their right to leave and decision to force them to stay at gunpoint qualifies it as a war over states rights as it violated the rights granted the states by the 10th amendment. It was pretty much legislation by gun rather than pen. Not exactly a precedent most would want to set.

[@hannaford111]

I don't remember much about the Civil War from school, but I vividly remember my US History teacher in 7th grade going out of his way to say that the Civil War wasn't about slavery, but states' rights. I kinda just took the guy's word for it (obviously, that's BS). The subject never really interested me until much later in life.

[@jeffreygao3956]

@@hannaford111 But it was provincial(provinces is technically more accurate) rights! The right to use slave labor for profit!

[@kieranhurst8543]

​@@possumverdeplease read the tenth amendment

[@ycylchgames]

Man I miss Checkmate Lincolnite. This series was amazing.

[@Lanetgm]

Imagine if he does this with Cold War stuff

[@jeffreygao3956]

Episode 10 will be the grand finale!

[@warlordofbritannia]

Things that have happened in “Checkmate, Lincolnites!”: -Immortal (?) Confederate soldier who gets resurrected -Possession by a Nazi archeologist of said Confederate -An exorcism preformed by a VVitchfinder General from Puritan times -Advertisements at gunpoint -Obi-God Kenobi -Whatever the fuck Andy was watching at the start of the episode on tariffs

[@kmaher1424]

Far more than mere education!

[@mikaelleonbriones6356]

You forgot: --Drunk Confederate officer (Christmas Episode) --Confederate being threatened at gun point (Sherman Episode) --Racist o'meter goign nuts in the end (Poilot Episode) --No they did not, yes they did, NO THEY DID NOT, NO, NO, NO SIR, NO (Fight for Slavery Episode)

[@Reagan1984]

FROM SPACE! (Sherman Ep)

[@TerrorBlades]

Why did you have to remind me of that video from the Tariffs!? UGGHHH

[@lemmonboy6459]

Don’t forget the weird Nazi erotica!

[@AceHawk37]

Best Christmas present I could have asked for, more Checkmate, Lincolinites.

[@stacyannsanders13]

Me to

[@fernandollanos2587]

So agree!

[@jimp8400]

Your “ Johnny Reb “ Character is the best. He is so funny/informative in his own way.. he’s a brilliant idea to get the real message out. That slavery is/was the sole base root of succession Kudos for your videos. Well done sir. Very well done.

[@aidanfarnan4683]

"-and although surviving a New Orleans parade can make you feel like a combat veteran." Is such a great line.

[@thomasbicknell175]

I went to Bourbon Street once. I’m not making that mistake again.

[@wyattplayzgaming]

Southerner here, I love this. Definitely agree that the Confederacy was wrong and was formed upon slavery. But Mr. Reb, please never concede, we need more of this amazing series!

[@Bushwackinggroyper]

sherman didn’t burn enough we should have charged every single traitor that killed innocent american men protecting the union

[@evanceier8577]

@@Bushwackinggroyper WHOAH okay then That's uncalled for

[@kaidenhall2718]

The rebel is called Johnny and the Union one is called billy yank

[@evanceier8577]

@@kaidenhall2718 yeah, johnny reb

[@kittycatwithinternetaccess2356]

@@Bushwackinggroyper sherman is a war criminal

[@lukasuhlenkamp9850]

I like that the chess set itself contradicts the “northern aggression” myth, given that in chess white makes the first move

[@SidheKnight]

The colors are also appropiate, given that the Union ended up freeing the (black) slaves, and the Confederacy fought for.. you know.

[@dergotzvonberlichingen4880]

@@SidheKnight staterights?

[@levimalone4433]

There is no way you actually believe the colors have anything to do with racism the game is over 1500 years old the colors are a simple result of black and white material being both easier to obtain and easier to differentiate. When you play chess you can have black make the first move, no one is going to hurt you. Me and my friends flip coins to decide who goes first.

[@SidheKnight]

@@levimalone4433 Of course I don't believe the colors are racist. I just thought it was oddly appropiate that the Confederate side played with white pieces since, you know, the whole white supremacy thing, and the Union gets the black pieces, which is fitting since they ended up freeing the black slaves. The fact that, customarily, white plays first (just like the South attacked first) is the cherry on top.

[@dergotzvonberlichingen4880]

@@levimalone4433 1. Modern chess is only 500 Years old, Three where others Version before, but chess as we now it, is from the 15.Century. 2. You can flip coins, but white goes first. This is the rule, you can play it with other rule, but is it chess then?

[@aetu35]

I think the real reason Cleburne could even think of arming the slaves is because he wasn't really a Southerner. He was an Anglo-Irishman who had immigrated to the South, he didn't grow there. He didn't cite slavery as a reason for joining the South, but because the Southerners had accepted him as one of their own. He didn't own slaves nor did he care for its trade. He was pretty much what actual Southerners want to imagine what all of the Confederacy was.

[@dr.aisaitl7439]

The man was fighting for the wrong side, what a shame

[@fantasyskeep]

I've literally watched this series over 6 times and it never gets less funny. A. Please bring it back and B. Atun-Shei is a genius.

[@murphyrutledge5590]

“As this Facebook meme clearly indicates.”

[@jammehrmann1871]

fakt

[@EdgieAlias]

Had a debate with an anti-masker who almost did the same shit verbatim. This was after they told me to stop watching CNN, of course.

[@naughtybear2187]

@@EdgieAlias even though the rally the debater stood behind is asinine, the advice he gives rings true. If you value unbiased news information then I highly suggest to stick to other mediums other than C.N.N.

[@palestalemale8831]

@@naughtybear2187 ok name those media outlets. Tell us where you get your "unbiased" media. 😅🤣😂

[@naughtybear2187]

@@palestalemale8831 idk how about you look into that on your own accord. I like how I told you to think for yourself and you still end up asking me on how to do that. 😅🤣😂

[@PitterPatter20]

This should be really easy to prove. Lost Causers should be able to point to regiments in the Confederate order of battle, not resorting to these random collections of sources. Unless they actually want us to believe that the Confederate Army was desegregated when the Union's wasn't lol. Which they might actually attempt knowing them. There's also the fact that even if they were right and black soldiers fought for the Confederacy it still wouldn't prove the war wasn't about slavery lmao. It's wrong and it's pointless.

[@AtunSheiFilms]

There actually are some people who claim the Confederate army was desegregated. Or that blacks were "officially" prohibited from enlisting,* but because Confederate officers were just so cool and chill they let blacks fight for them anyway. There are some Lost Cause myths that are reasonable but misguided, misleading or simplistic. This one is just wrong, wrong, wrong - the mental gymnastics are astounding. *EDIT: As soldiers, that is. Like I said in the video some free blacks enlisted as musicians, cooks, etc.

[@williambrown1095]

@@AtunSheiFilms Try reading "towards the end of the war, Southern Officers were so desperate they didn't look very close." {could be. there's a lot of "half Breed" enlisted. didn't say who. {and my family said "half white" when the last white was in the seventeenth century. We fought for the Union. But you're treading on hate now. Try to talk to a few southerners. We don't bite.} [ok, usually don't bite. Bark a lot}

[@messman10]

@@AtunSheiFilms Since you had "Godly McGregor:" 2 Timothy 4:3: people 'want their ears tickled.' Basically, anything that contradicts a belief, a person wants to dump from their mind. I think 'shrinks' call the phenomenon "confirmation bias." But yeah, the gymnastics are amazing and super creative.

[@philmccracken7520]

Holt Collier , John Nolan,Bass Reeves , Amos Rucker ,, read learn , enough said

[@thewizard7396]

"Misinterpreting interpretation is the name, revisionising is the game." -Probably the UDC

[@robloxplayer0003]

The tf2 update gap lasted longer than the confederacy.

[@Ohioan-man]

Yeah but thats gonna outlast us all the second time around

[@deeellebee9720]

I’ve watched all of Checkmate, Lincolnites a few times through, and only just now noticed Johnny checking his own rifle in horror when Billy says the guns in the photo of Andrew and Silas are props. Can’t believe I missed that, lol. Priceless

[@danielduvernay3207]

He actually does a pretty good job trying to argue for the Confederate cause, it's not like he's only addressing one thing, he's trying to find the best evidence for the Confederacy.

[@stevendorries]

Yeah, because if you don’t present the absolutely strongest version of an argument you are rebutting you leave your rebuttal vulnerable to some flaw that you overlooked. It’s the inverse of a strawman.

[@sciencealltheway]

@@stevendorries I believe the technical term is “steelman”.

[@Lordmun445]

@@sciencealltheway ironman

[@aureavita8653]

@@Lordmun445 Fe-man

[@johntaylor7029]

My professor told me the best way to win an argument is to actually be right, and that you can't even know what is right unless you know the issues to the fullest extent. Big reason I like this channel, use of sources and it's never one sided.

[@northchurch753]

Having Ewan McGregor as God answering Johnny Reb's prayer had me in stitches. Great video sir, and as always: Thou art a wretched sinner, utterly unworthy of God's love. A fountain o' pollution is deep within thy nature, and thou livest as a winter tree, unprofitable, fit only to be hewn down and burned. Steep thy life in prayer, and hope that God sees fit to show mercy upon thy corrupted soul.

[@ScarriorIII]

There's a meme out there with obi wan in a picture frame and the caption says " grandma, that's not Jesus." XD

[@joshuawells835]

Does that mean Darth Maul is the Devil?

[@wisewolftony]

@@joshuawells835 Nah Darth Maul was never really as evil as he seemed to be. Sure he wasn't a good guy or anything. But he didn't have a choice in the matter to become Palpatine apprentice as his mother was promised that position but then Palpatine just grabbed Maul one day and decided he would become his apprentice. After Phantom Menace he lost his mind for awhile and after regaining it decided to take over the crime syndicate and Mandalore in order gain enough power to take his revenge on Obi Wan and over throw Palpatine. But he was defeated by Palpatine and kept captive until the group of Mandalorians he was the leader of rescued him. After that his goal was to lure Obi Wan to Mandalore so he could kill Anakin as he knew that Anakin was to become the apprantice of Palpatine and that they would rule over the galaxy. He tried to convince Ahsoka to join him and she was going to until she asked him what he wanted with Anakin and he told her but she refused to believe that Anakin would join the Sith. He was then beaten by Ahsoka and captured but after Order 66 was ordered to happen Ahsoka let Maul escape because she needed someone to create a distraction. He then escaped and went back to leading his crime syndicate. So Palpatine is the devil and Maul is just more like some guy who was tricked by the devil. Only way you could call Maul the devil is if you decide to call Palpatine God. As Lucifer aka the Devil rebelled against his father god and was cast out for doing so. And Maul did rebel against Palpatine and was cast out by him.

[@joshuawells835]

@@wisewolftony Fair, however, Maul himself would disagree, as he said he chose to become a Sith, only for it to turn on him. It was his choice, even as it was chosen for him. Rewatch the scene in the Mandalorian throne room when he kills Satine.

[@StealthMarmot_]

"...and though surviving a New Orleans parade can often make you FEEL like a combat veteran..." how did I miss this chuckleworthy line the first time around. He says it so factually you don't realize he's making a joke at first.

[@brendanokeefe1103]

The way this man seamlessly blends memes and historical analysis is just *chefs kiss*

[@linussextips7619]

The best Christmas present, a brand new atun-shei video.

[@killjoycat3947]

Yes it is

[@therand0mchannle350]

Yes

[@jaojao1768]

More specifically Checkmate Lincolnites

[@S3BAST1AN696]

Not only an atún shei video, but a CHECKMATE LINCONITES!

[@mikaelleonbriones6356]

Probably the best Christmas present, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MetallicaMan76]

Merry Christmas Atun-Shei you Carpet Bagging Blue-Belly

[@teucer915]

I'm reminded of this video today when I saw a Facebook comment saying the reason Lincoln didn't originally want to do the emancipation proclamation was because his support mostly came from the north and that's where most of the slave holders were. Which is so confused I couldn't even formulate a coherent reply.

[@janellevans878]

After finding the Cornerstone Speech by CSA, VP Stevens openly states slavery was the reason for CSA.

[@helbent4]

To say black people were an integral part of Confederate units was to say that horses and livestock were equally integral to the Confederate army. Before the advent of mechanisation (and even some time after) armies literally could do nothing without horses and mules as they hauled vital supplies like food, ammunition, etc. But that didn't mean they fought in the front lines or didn't get whipped when they weren't moving fast enough.

[@helbent4]

​@Maximus Brutus Your "logic" (and I deliberately use scare quotes to denote it is the opposite of actual logic) is easily shown to be faulty and disproved. Saying that because livestock were whipped, and British soldiers were whipped, ergo "British soldiers were livestock" is foolish sophistry that ignores basic facts. Whipping was not an uncommon punishment of that era. A slave could be whipped not only for punishment but for any reason, including to make them work harder, like livestock. British soldiers were flogged for punishment solely as a function of military discipline and it's use was limited (if it was used at all) by law after 1811; by 1868 it was used only for a unit in wartime. Much of the time this punishment was no doubt unfair, but still a legal punishment meted out by order of a court martial with some due process. It's materially different than some random farmer whipping livestock. The farmer is certainly not doing it because the livestock committed some infraction as an example to the other cattle. If that weren't enough of a difference for you, every goddamn British soldier still had the rights of an Englishman under the law. Slaves fundamentally had no individual rights under the law.

[@helbent4]

@@TheGuitarReb No kidding! I bet you were thankful. Did they send you to Europe or Viet Nam? Or elsewhere?

[@helbent4]

@@TheGuitarReb My apologies, I understand. I just didn't want to mistakenly assume you were, because not everyone who served in the US Army at the time were sent there.

[@bowen4878]

Black Confederates served in militias, the navy, artillery throughout the war and in 1865 they were allowed in the regular ranks.

[@bowen4878]

“It is however of primary importance that the Africans should know that the service is voluntary on their part. As to the name of the troops, the general thinks you cannot do better than consult the men themselves. His only objection to calling them colored troops was that the enemy had selected that designation for theirs. But this has no weight against the choice of the troops and he recommends that they be called colored or if they prefer, they can be called simply Confederate troops or volunteers. Everything should be done to impress them with the responsibility and character of their position, and while of course due respect and subordination should be exacted, they should be so treated as to feel that their obligations are those of any other soldier and their rights and privileges dependent in law & order as obligations upon others as upon theirselves. Harshness and contemptuous or offensive language or conduct to them must be forbidden and they should be made to forget as soon as possible that they were regarded as menials. You will readily understand however how to conciliate their good will & elevate the tone and character of the men” - Robert E Lee to General Ewell on black confederate soldiers

[@kapitankapital6580]

"If slaves would make good soldiers our whole theory of slavery would be wrong" Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

[@mikaelleonbriones6356]

Freed slaves fighting for the Union be like: am I a joke to you.

[@nomorelibsplease1975r]

I know u

[@__yt9081]

The British freed slaves that fought I. Thier army during the American revolution

[@kapitankapital6580]

@@__yt9081 yeah, the British were a bit better at actually freeing at least some of the American slaves who fled the United States, including some efforts at granting them land in the colonies. The British program definitely had a lot of problems, but it was better than the US approach which was to put as many of them back into slavery as possible and, in many states, to completely bar those that were free from public life.

[@__yt9081]

@@kapitankapital6580 the Catholic Church sold thier slaves instead of setting them free

[@mwm48]

Really good transitions man, the edits make it feel like there are two people. Very good edits!

[@rickbarents9336]

It’s crazy how entertaining and informative this is.

[@joeevans5770]

I like to think Billy Yank died in the war and is stuck in hell being forced to debate Jonny Reb for all eternity

[@vengefulaug]

Maybe Billy is one of Sherman’s men and Johnny is one of the guys that kidnapped free blacks in PA.

[@downsjmmyjones101]

It would explain Billy being possessed in the last episode.

[@kmaher1424]

@K This holiday season, many are sad that health concerns forbid family gatherings. Others are....not.

[@thewest8630]

@K funny to annoy the piss out of them sometimes though.

[@fernandollanos2587]

LOL... poor guy!

[@AWACS_Snowblind]

_"Yes, it's me [Jesus Christ]. But I wasn't really born on Christmas. It's a vile pagan carnival, and everyone who celebrates it is going to hell."_ _- Obi-Wan Kenobi_

[@nialcc]

And a "fake" Jesus at that. Too funny.

[@november2435]

To think that Saturnalia can be considered "vile" by the barbarians in the east is most despicable.

[@elliejensen4035]

Amen

[@eatmedrinkme9628]

@@november2435 Saturnalia is not the only vile pagan celebration of midwinter, wasn't even the first. :D

[@johanrunfeldt7174]

So Jesus Christ, Obi-Wan Kenobi and the Witchfinder General are one and the same? I think I finally understand the (un)Holy Trinity. Christmas, or rather the pagan festivals it replaced, is all about joy, love for your fellow man (and woman) and a promise about lighter, warmer times. Anyone who opposes that, is vile.

[@Poagoo]

I like how with every episode they both get more civil in their convos

[@Forestdude-be6ud]

Can we talk about the editing? Freakin' amazing! Everytime I have to rewatch because my brain just sees a guy throwing water at another guy when I know it's one dude with good editing and wet floors!

[@kevinbertram4828]

Is Ewan McGregor the Confederate Jesus?

[@alessiobellotti3912]

He's jesus period

[@sarahluise3153]

Ironic considering Obi Wan Kenobi help destroy a Confederacy

[@HRush-lu6fj]

He’s just two brothers from Minnesota fighting over a postage stamp.

[@GUNROCKS1990]

Oh no 😂

[@weldonwin]

"THE CONFEDERACY OF INDEPENDENT SYSTEMS ARE VILE PAPISTS, NOT WORTHY OF THE FORCES LOVE!!!"

[@kmac9372]

Funny how every mention of slavery by a confederate supporter always says the majority of slaves were happy. My only question is, would you give up all of the agency in your life and your children’s lives to serve someone else, no matter how good they treat you?

[@futurestoryteller]

Hmmm... Well this focuses the attention on the wrong thing regardless, but I think it is a clue as to how they are regarding their black brethren as "other," since it is typically the conservative mindset that self-reliance is the best thing, not only to be admired but pursued, or even _enforced_ to be considered a man, if not a true American. In that sense incessantly proselytizing these qualities to other Americans while denying this imaginary "kind" slavery's antithesis to that betrays their true feelings about black people. As if their defense of the historical evil of slavery wasn't enough to do that in the first place.

[@__yt9081]

Hell no

[@fatcat1414]

@@heroic9631 Yes, slavery was an expensive practice that could only be maintained if you were making enough to profit off of slave labor to begin with.

[@AV57]

It is very odd how Americans have always grappled with the moral principles in the Declaration of Independence. They love the document when they think of their family and friends, but as soon as they start thinking of the “others,” then they often like to search for loopholes in those principles.

[@gamermosley7803]

A lot of people throughout life has shown willingness to dedicate his life to a greater cause. It is nothing new people prefering to obey the orders from someone they like than 'having their own will'. So...

[@EasternRomanHistory]

These are so fascinating to listen to and the primary sources are always a huge benefit. I remember several people here in England that think Lincoln was so sort of half-hearted, reluctant abolitionist purely because of the single sentence clipping from his newspaper response. It is surprising just how many myths and misconceptions there are about this war because of ignorance and face-value readings of bits of the sources. It just goes to show how important primary sources are and believing a scholar or a random post on twitter over the evidence in full is like believing hearsay in a trial over prima faci evidence. Cheers Billy Yank and Johnny Reb.

[@-goontoons-70]

These videos are fantastic, incredibly entertaining and full of rich knowledge. Absolutely love this series.

[@thejoester1011]

Honestly this man is doing the country a service by debunking this "Lost Cause" bs. I tip my blue hat to you sir!

[@Afemboybuddy]

I like blue hats the only grey hats I like are ushankas

[@EpicMetalTime]

Yes and there was a time i nearly fell for the Lost Cause bs but thankfully this channel steered me in the right direction

[@naughtybear2187]

@@EpicMetalTime you shouldn't let one person decide your views historical or otherwise. Atun is smart but he has his own perspective and therefore bias towards the civil war just as any gentleman should.

[@thepunisher8676]

What's the lost cause myth?

[@thejoester1011]

@@thepunisher8676 A myth formed after the Civil War that the Confederacy was not fighting for slavery but for some other more justifiable reason like states rights, tariffs, or Union "tyranny" in an effort to save face.

[@McBeard1987]

I don't know who you got to voice Douglas, but he somehow was able to get a healthy mix between Morgan Freeman and Darth Vader, and it's amazing.

[@jeffbenton6183]

By Darth Vader, I take it that you mean James Earl Jones?

[@RaptorJesus]

@@jeffbenton6183 I assume he means specifically the voice James Earl Jones uses as Darth Vader. It isn't his standard speaking voice, though it is close.

[@ReznovTheGamer]

Atun-Shei, I just want to say this is my most influential channel I've ever watched, no I'm not exaggerating. I never agreed with the confederacy but I live in Monroe, you know, like that town north of you, and always thought that the war was fought over slavery. On the contrary before watching your videos I thought taking down confederate monuments was "destroying history" until I saw how actually racist most were, I'm scarred by the white league one man. This channel combines my love for history and the young non monotone person explaining why and giving actual evidence to back up their claims instead of "just trust me bro". I will never watch gods and generals due to my gullibleness and I would spouting racist stuff quoting the film or something. I just want to thank you for educating me the way I wished my teachers did, thank you and I hope you have a very wonderful 2022.

[@ummmhelp]

That's like the military equivalent to "I'm not racist I have black friends"

[@WanderingTaoist101]

All I want for Christmas is historical accuracy.

[@chrysalisamidst]

Hallelujah

[@landonbass83]

I like that lol

[@kmaher1424]

And a bit of wit!

[@clintfields5728]

I have to admit at first I didn’t like this guy but he’s growing on me and his videos are really good. Now I don’t agree with everything you say but some of your information has made me stop and ponder the possibility, and for that thank you sir!

[@Celestial_Cerulean]

@@clintfields5728 good, I’d encourage you to read more into it if you still have doubts. I’ve done most of my own research through books and Articles made by credited historians and 99.9% if not 100% of what he is saying is true. But by all means read about it in your own. It’s a very interesting and important part of American History.

[@tsmotions3446]

Your impression of Obi-Wan Kenobi as Jesus is sickeningly good

[@november2435]

I wish to like the comment but the senate wont allow me. Edit: to the people who liked this comment over 66 how dare you! >:(

[@silvershocknicktail6638]

"If black slaves make good soldiers our whole theory of slavery is wrong." - Ooooh, so close.

[@kevinhutchison4136]

These videos are brilliant. Intelligent and good-humored but serious, too. Well researched and balanced. What a gift. This is the level of complex, deep national discourse we need about our history. Sadly, it will never happen at a scale desperately needed.

[@StefanMilo]

Truly, a christmas gift for all

[@samkangal8428]

I agree.

[@omgitsjoetime]

Graham Hancock is the truth

[@JimbobZ17]

Who wants to believe a lie.

[@AuburnDetroitTiger]

You've taken on "Gods and Generals," when are you gonna take on, "GONE WITH THE WIND?" Time to go against Scarlett O'Hara!

[@509Gman]

That Karen debunks herself. What a bitch.

[@georgeselly3426]

Even putting aside the confederate sympathies it's just incredible how unlikable Scarlett is as a protagonist. If only we had been treated to Rhett's life story.

[@robinrinsmith]

@@georgeselly3426 He wasn’t that likable either. In the novel, he kills a black man and thinks nothing of it.

[@georgeselly3426]

I'd say there's a difference between being a captivating, complex character and being morally upstanding. Rhett never claimed to be the latter, even through the author's warped worldview.

[@yilvoxe4017]

My mom made me watch it when I turned 13, claiming it was a rite of passage. I found it dreadfully boring, and I hated Scarlett. My parents are pro-confederate, I found out later. [Curb your enthusiasm plays distantly]

[@keenanzibert2001]

that timing of that water throw was incredibly impressive editing I love this series so much

[@sornord]

Just discovered this channel via Vlogging Thru History. Very clever videos. Well done...subscribed and liked.

[@victoriajenkins1424]

“And though surviving a New Orleans parade can often make you feel like a combat veteran...” 👏💜

[@HistorywithCy]

The next installment of my favorite Atun-Shei series. No wrapping necessary...thank you for the wonderful holiday gift! And thank you Atun-Shei films for a great 2020. Looking forward to 2021, stay safe!

[@lb7643]

The Confederacy was so pitiful that it betrayed its last, if detestable, principle of black subjugation in the army in a final whimper of pathetic desperation. Kind of impressive how sad and weak they truly were... 😂

[@vehx9316]

Actually this is one part where I would give the Confederacy credit for sticking to a principle, as detestable as it is. Black slaves were only allowed to join the army in 1865 only with the express permission of their masters. Like imagine that, you are promised your freedom if you joined and fight, but you cannot leave and fight unless your master gives the OK. Which defeats the whole purpose.

[@Baconcatboy]

I like how confederates are using their battle flag instead if the actual one

[@its_a_sign9038]

well when you make a nation just to go to war a flag of battle is seen more

[@krankarvolund7771]

To be fair, they've used 6 flags in 4 years, it's hard to point one official flag, while the battle flag didn't change ^^

[@tlee51ftw]

Outside of changes in the number of stars, The Stars and Bars, The Stainless Banner, and The Blood Stained Banner. The "battle flag" was a square on The Army of Northern Virginia, a rectangle on The Army of Tennessee, and naval ships.

[@delcapslock100]

George Washington had hundreds of slaves that attended to him both at Mt Vernon and throughout the war. He was definitely overconfident in their loyalty to him, as scores of them escaped to British warships at the first opportunity. He just couldn't quite wrap his mind around slaves valuing their freedom more than being his slaves.

[@ProjectEkerTest33]

Which given that he was fighting a war for "freedom" seems shocking.

[@delcapslock100]

@@ProjectEkerTest33 cognitively dissonant maybe, but not shocking for his time. It took another 150 years for whites to start viewing blacks as equals, even when they believed that slavery was evil.

[@ProjectEkerTest33]

@@delcapslock100 Fair enough. It seems obvious to us now I guess but at the time it probably didn't even cross their minds.

[@suddenllybah]

@@delcapslock100 eh, only if you consider the good ol' US of A to be the only source of whiteness. ... but like in 1793, Upper Canada banned slavery, and those Brits doing so and such would be classified as white... by pretty much everyone now and then.

[@gurneyqueen5782]

@@ProjectEkerTest33 he was fighting for the freedom of humans. When you own someone as property, you dont see them as human

[@downsjmmyjones101]

"He's gonna say it. He's gonna say the S-word.....slavery"

[@davidschneider172]

I've been catching up on these. I very much enjoy them, thanks for all the hard work!

[@UGAlawdawg]

This is an important KZbin series for the well meaning kids being indoctrinated into Lost Cause Culture.

[@garrett9769]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😄👍🏻 Absolutely!!!

[@jeffreygao3956]

But Lost Causers have no culture!

[@Artur_M.]

This might be the best episode of "Checkmate, Lincolnites!" yet. The ending was so wholesome! I'm actually starting to see some character development in Johnny Reb, he kinda accepted losing the argument in the end here. I wonder if the next episode will be about the Native Confederates (or rather the Native/Indigenous Americans in the Civil War in general)? At least in that case poor Johnny will have some better footing. Also, the topic covered this time makes me even more curious about your opinion of the 1999 movie Ride with the Devil, because the "exceptionally loyal slave fighting with his master" motive was featured there in a nuanced way if I remember correctly (it was a long time since I watched that movie).

[@harshbansal7982]

I want the next video to be about Robert e lee . There’s a lot of stuff surrounding him and I wonder how much of it is true or not.

[@MiloTheCrotonian]

I think this video actually shown that Confederates are still flawed humans just like the rest of us

[@ogrehaslayers605]

Yes.

[@BB-hx4mj]

Artur M. you’re under almost every history video on KZbin I’ve watched.

[@Artur_M.]

@@BB-hx4mj I'm trying my best. Now it's a struggle more than ever because I got Kingdom Come: Deliverance for Christmas. I mean I'm very busy with serious work. 😅