The most pathetic figure in American history

[Ron Green]

3. He fought for his State.

He understood allegiance to his state, a concept he understood, as opposed to the as-yet-unformed idea of a “union.”

In his mind, soldiers from other states had invaded his land, and he was defending and protecting his community. The “confederacy” likely became the first larger political idea he could apprehend, if not actually comprehend.

Black people were second-class people to him, just as they were in the North.