Matt Bush
Matt Bush
Aug 23, 2017 · 1 min read

This is inaccurate on multiple levels. According to History.com 32% of white families in the states that later succeeded owned slaves according to their answers in the 1860 census.

You also fail to mention that there was a party swap in the deep south in the last century. The Republican’s are now the Dixiecrats. Democrats are much closer to the Republicans of the 1860’s.

Some unique perspective. I was born and raised in Jones County, Mississippi. Before last years movie most people would not have known what “The Free State of Jones” meant other than a county slogan. Although the movie took generous historic liberties the actual story is much more important. It effectively breaks the “Lost Cause” mythology. How could a county rebel against a rebellion. Easy. They were poor and had no skin in the game. The majority were not slave holders. “Rich Man’s War, Poor Man’s Fight” Knight walked away after Corinth and fought an insurgency against Johnny Reb. In Jones county he is remembered by many as a cheat, traitor and a murder. Their is substantial evidence that Knight’s men attempted to link up with the Union forces.

We have two statues in Jones County provided by the The United Daughters of the Confederacy. Knight has a headstone.

)

    Matt Bush

    Written by

    Matt Bush

    Award winning photojournalist in the south. Opinions are my own. Retweets are not endorsements.