The Jewish Confederates

by Robert N. Rosen

In his latest study of the Civil War, Robert N. Rosen introduces readers to the community of Southern Jews of the 1860s, heretofore lost to historians and the general public. With the exception of Judah P. Benjamin, Jewish Confederates are largely unknown even to specialists of American Jewish history and Civil War history. Rosen reveals the remarkable breadth of Southern Jewry's participation in the war and strength of Jewish commitment to the Confederate cause. Intrigued by the apparent irony of their story, Rosen weaves a surprisingly complex chronicle that dispels misconceptions about the Confederacy, its leadership and soldiers, and its Jewish population.Rosen finds that although many members of the established, prominent Jewish communities of Charleston, Richmond, and Savannah volunteered for battle, the majority of Jewish Confederates were recent immigrants. He describes the communities they established throughout the South and explains their reasons for supporting the cause of Southern independence.

This chronicle relates the experiences of officers, enlisted men, businessmen, politicians, nurses, rabbis, and doctors. He recounts the careers of such important Jewish Confederates as Judah P. Benjamin, a member of Jefferson Davis's cabinet; Col. Abraham C. Myers, quartermaster general of the Confederacy; Maj. Adolph Proskauer of the 125th Alabama; Maj. Alexander Hart of the Louisiana 5th; and Phoebe Levy Pember, the matron of Richmond's Chimborazo Hospital. He narrates the adventures and careers of Jewish officers and profiles the many "Jewish Johnny Rebs" who fought in infantry, cavalry, and artillery units in every major campaign.

Genres: History, American Civil War, Civil War, War, Politics, American History

544 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2000

Reviews

[Brett C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent account of Jewish history in the South, their role during the Civil War, and their plight alongside the Southern states following the war. Robert Rosen did a great job of explaining their history, growth, and place among the Southern states. He explained the sociocultural aspects of southern American Jews as a people and a as religious followers, the roles as officers and leaders during the war (in the infantry, artillery, naval service, etc.), as enlisted soldiers and sailors, women's roles, and the effects on Jewish communities after the war. Rosen explained the history of the two Jewish Senators who left the Federal government due to their convictions. Louisiana Senator Judah Benjamin eventually left after secession and became the Secretary of State for the Confederacy; Florida Senator David Yulee returned to his home state to protect his businesses and expanded the Florida railroad system.

The patriotism for the Confederacy and unchallenged support lay rooted in the Jewish psyche and history. Jewish tradition also played part in their commitment. The Book of Esther and Jeremiah ("Seek the welfare of the city to which I have exiled you," Jeremiah 29:7) to rabbinic law, Judaism taught respect and obedience to the established government. Jews had traditionally aligned themselves with monarchs and conservative regimes for self-protection from the masses. There was no evidence that Jews supported slavery as a result of intimidation or fear of reprisals. The Talmud taught the Jews that "the law of the land is law," slavery was the law of the land. (pg 37)

In short, as the new Confederacy was now their lawful government, Jewish tradition demanded loyalty and obedience to it.

Thus, Jewish Johnny Rebs went off to war for a variety of reasons: Patriotism and love of country; to defend their homeland, their yearning for a fatherland they could believe in; Jewish tradition as they understood it; to demonstrate to the North that their rights, liberty, and property, including slaves, could not be assailed; hatred for the Yankees; social and peer pressure; being caught up in the frenzy of secession and war; to escape from home and home and everyday work and see the world; for adventure, pay, and excitement; and to prove that Jews would fight. pg 54

Overall I learned a great deal from this read. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the look at a subculture in the South and their place in history. Thanks!

[Jenny Karraker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book but was overwhelmed by the amount of detail included. The book itself is almost 400 pages long, and the footnotes include another 75 pages. I learned some interesting things including the difference between Sephardic Jews (from Spain and Portugal) and Ashkenazic (from Germany, central and eastern Europe). I was surprised that the southern Jews were not bothered by the issue of slavery, considering their history of enslavement in Egypt. But they identified much more w the genteel society of the South and their business skills were valued there whereas In the North they experienced more prejudice by religious people who saw them as Christ killers. It was also interesting that none of the regiments with many Jewish soldiers were identified as Jewish ones, like the Irish regiments. The Jews from Europe had been kept in ghettos and Condemned bc of their jewish heritage; so in America, they just wanted to fit in and not be identified solely as Jews. Having moved to Florida, it was interesting to note that David yulee, our first governor, was Jewish. Judah Benjamin, a prominent politician from Louisiana, was attorney general and was offered a seat in the Supreme Court. I hadn't realized that Louisiana had the largest Jewish population among the southern states. The book related stories of wealthy families with deep historical ties to charleston and savanna as well as immigrants who came more recently and settled in and fought for the Confederacy. Interesting chapter about sisters, Eugenia Phillips who marries a senator and does a lot of spying for the South and her sister Phoebe Pember who ends up heading the hospital system in Richmond. It took forever to plow through this book, but was enjoyable.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another area about which we are not taught. Fascinating stories. I would have liked to know about this earlier. It never made sense that Judah Benjamin was the only Jewish person in the South in this time period. Don't Jewish people tend to have significant involvement in whatever community/country/area in which they live? I liked seeing the images of the people and their homes.

[Ginger Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book very interesting. I knew that there were large communities of Jews in the South, both before the War Between the States and after. I knew that Georgia was actually settled by two ships of English Jews, after the English determined that prisoners were not reliable workers to build a colony. So, it was not surprise that the Jewish communities that produced most of the stories were in Richmond, Charleston, Savannah, and New Orleans. These soldiers were loyal to their states, just like their Christian neighbors.

However, I did learn many things that were completely new. I did not know that Lehman Brothers was founded by three Jewish brothers in Montgomery, AL and they were responsible for funding the rebuilding of Alabama after the War Between the States. They eventually move their operation to New York, but their start was as cotton brokers in Montgomery.

The devastation the former Confederate States faced impacted the Jewish communities, and they also lost loved ones during the War. Many wealthy families became destitute after the War, but Jewish citizens contributed to rebuilding the South in a multitude of ways. I find it sad that the contributions of this community are not understood or taught, so most of the stories are a surprise. I hope that this will change and the role of minorities in the War Between the States on both sides will receive the attention that it deserves.

[Jeff]

boring!!!! to much detail!

[Jane Mendelsohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second reading of the book. Always good to read about “The War of Great Unpleasantness.

[Jocelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super interesting.

[Bill Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book people should not forget many different faiths and nationalities fought for the cause and should be remembered

[Ange · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a non-fiction book. Didn't quite finish it, but enjoyed it non the less. The book covered little battles and the Jewish men that fought.