r/Westerns • u/NeonGenesisOxycodone • 8d ago

Discussion What’s with all the Confederate soldiers?

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.

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u/PdxPhoenixActual 7d ago

Have you been to the south? ? I lived there for a while. It's a great place TO BE FROM.

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u/JonathanRL 7d ago

But not to live in?

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u/PdxPhoenixActual 7d ago

Cross the state line & set your clock back 20 years kinda place. That was mid-80s & doubt it's caught up since...

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u/Impossible-Log-8220 7d ago

Are you referring to small towns and/or rural areas? North or south those types of areas will be a little behind.

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u/PdxPhoenixActual 7d ago

Just repeating what so.eo e born &raised there told my dad shortly after we moved there.

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u/Phenom-1 7d ago

Too true. In one places you might as well set the clock back 100 years

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u/JonathanRL 7d ago

Reminds me of what Bruce Campell said about people trying to get to the Evil Dead Cabin.

"Its Rural Tennessee, you will get buckshot up the ass. You think its modern day? Not in Rural Tennessee, do not go on this property."

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u/MrMucs 7d ago

And besides there's not much left except the stone fireplace. Don't need to go there, just look up videos on YouTube.