26th Mississippi Infantry

Years ago I started to investigate my CW ancestors. I remember seeing my Mom's ancestor's grave at Mackey's Creek near Booneville, Mississippi, when I was a youngster. He has a confederate stone on his grave. His name was W.A.H. Shackleford and was a captain in the 26th Mississippi Infantry. Several years ago I requested his military records and have an idea of his service. Because he was an officer, there's some supplemental material too.
What this did was to give me a connection to my past, my roots, and to the conflict that I was so interested in. I have also connected with the 26th Miss Inf. site on the Internet and have made connections there, too. I underestimated the power of the past. I was surprised to find such an emotional connection. After all, he was long gone by the time I showed up. What's the deal? Quite often we don't understand something until we've immersed ourselves in the details and subject matter. That's the case with me.
Once I started on my past, I enjoyed finding Terri's , friend's, and other people's ancestors. I found that they were interested in their past and connection to all this, as well. Many people have this passion. Our reenactment unit has done several grave dedications to our ancestors. Quite moving, actually.
Although I ambivalent to the "lost cause" stuff, I do not deny my connection to the South. Who is to say what side I'd been on? Real heroes often fight their own as well as the enemy. They sacrifice everything for what they believe in. See George, the Rock of Chickamauga, Thomas, for a case in point. He is a real hero to me. My friends have all done genealogies, and it is fun to learn about their past. Some are completely taken by the "cause". Funny, quite. To each his own.