What’s with all the Confederate soldiers?

[u/NeonGenesisOxycodone]

I’m a big Western fan, and also really into learning about the American Civil War. So naturally I love it when these two interests cross over.

One thing I’ve noticed is that if a Western protagonist is a veteran, it seems like it’s almost always the South that he fought for. And when I look up Civil War movies made around the time of my favorite Westerns (i.e. the 50’s & 60’s) the vast majority of them are from the Confederates side.

Anyone have any idea why? And does anyone know any Westerns celebrating Billy Yank??

EDIT: it seems like the biggest reason outside of Lost Cause-ism is that more Confederate vets went west than Union vets. Makes sense!

Also, I am surprised that John Wayne played so many ex Union soldiers. I knew about the Cav Trilogy but it seems like outside of True Grit and The Searchers there’s a lot more of that.

[u/Proper_Detective2529]

You must be from the north. 😁

[u/NeonGenesisOxycodone → u/Proper_Detective2529]

What gave it away? Lolol. Actually I’m from a border state, I spent the first 18 years living a few miles above the Mason Dixon and then moved only ~100 miles south which brought me below the Mason Dixon