Two Generations of Patriots

Hey, Y’all! Today I have a fun post for you, comparing two grand armies to each other. Though from two different centuries and fighting two different foes, they couldn’t be more alike. Enjoy!
 
American Patriots & American Confederates
 

1. Both groups fought against government gone amuck. The British oppressed the colonists with unfair legislation which took away their rights as Englishmen. These laws only benefited England. The Federal government oppressed the South with legislation that only benefited the industrial Northern states, taking away their rights in competitive free enterprise.
2. They both fought for religious rights. One of the reasons the Patriots cited that they were displeased with the British rule was the fact that they were prohibited from printing their own Bibles and sending out missionaries to other countries. The Southerners also came up against religious persecution. Abraham Lincoln declared Bibles were contraband of war and that they were to be confiscated from prisoners. The South on the other hand gave Bibles and tracts to prisoners. With the help of distressed Christian Northerners, printing press parts, paper, ink and templates were smuggled into the South so that Bibles could be printed.
3. They were both undermanned and coming up against the greatest army of their time. No one can dispute the fact that both the British and Union armies were large in man and fire power. Nor will many debate the fact that both armies were well trained in comparison to their belligerents. But what is so amazing is that the Patriots, undermanned and ill trained, ousted the greatest army of their day. And the South, contrary to what many say, nearly did the same. (Remember, 2 out of 3 days of Gettysburg were Southern Victory! And the final battle of the War Between the States was won by the Confederates.)
4. Both wars began in Southern States. It’s true. The American Revolution began with the Battle of Alamance, perpetrated by North Carolinians known as the Regulators. That’s a long ways from Boston Harbor. J Yes, the Boston Massacre took place a year prior to Alamance, but that’s a post for another time. But take my word for it, the Massacre did not start the War. Likewise, Ft. Sumter did not start the Civil War. That was not an act of war, but of self-defense. The war really started when Union troops invaded Virginia and took over Alexandria in June of 1861, nearly a month after Lincoln declared war.
5. Christians played a big role in both armies. Preachers and parishioners flocked to the ranks of the Patriot army. The same happened with the Confederate army, with churches sending their pastors to the front as Chaplains, congregations mustering into the same company and churches turning themselves into hospitals. Even bells were taken to make cannon shot for the army.
6. Churches suffered at the hands of the enemy. In both wars, churches were burned to the ground by disrespectful enemy soldiers. One famous incident of the American Revolution was the burning of a church pastored by Frederick Muhlenberg, brother of Peter Muhlenberg, a preacher turned patriot. There are multiple accounts of both Gen. Butler and Gen. Sherman of the Union Army burning churches throughout the South. That’s just one of the many atrocities committed by tyrants.
7. Both often went barefoot. Everyone’s heard about the famous winter of Valley Forge where our brave forefathers froze without proper clothing and footwear. The same was a common aliment of our Southern forefathers, for with all the marching and elements of war they had to endure, their clothing lacked much to be desired and at times, nearly every man could be found shoeless.
8. Both Armies were led by Christians. Contrary to what the media says, George Washington was not a deist, but a devout Christian. Likewise, Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and numerous other Confederate leaders proclaimed their faith in God and promoted Salvation messages throughout their camps.
9. Both leaders were natives to Virginia. While we’re talking about Washington and Lee, we might as well add that they were both native Sons of Virginia. And a bonus, Lee was married into the Washington Family. Plus, their last names were tied together for Washington and Lee University.
10. They both fought for Liberty. They both suffered and died for the cause of freedom, not only for themselves, but for future generations. While one army won and the other lost, no one can dispute their bravery and dedication to the Cause they loved and served. All gave some, some gave all. Thank you for your service!

 
Well, that’s all for now. There are more similarities I’m sure, but this is a good overview I think. Why not study out these armies and try to spot some more for yourself?
 
Have a Blessed Day!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22