Copperheads |
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Copperhead - "A venomous serpent-head thick, neck contracted, tail short-prefers dark and moist places-gives no warning of its proximity-feeds on mice, small birds, etc., and seldom attacks man- is slow and clumsy in its motions, and a very slight blow suffices to kill it-it is also called 'chunkhead.'" Aledo Weekly Record Feb 5, 1864.
Interesting that this is the term used to refer to those northerners who sympathised with the southern cause and did not join the Union army. The 1863 cartoon above refers to the "Copperhead Party" and we wonder if the Peace Democrats weren't also referred to as Copperheads? Peace Democrats felt that the differences between north and south could be resolved without war, cf. David Honeyman Page. Not all men who didn't enlist were thought of as "Copperheads." MEN AND MEANS - Aledo Weekly Record April 23, 1861 "...it is highly probable that all who desire it will yet have an opportunity to demonstrate their love for their county, in some way or other. If they do not take the field, there is work to be done at home. Some can leave better than others. Peculiarities of business, domestic considerations, etc., must all be taken into accounty. We know men who have no pressing business beyond the immediate support of their families, and would be glad to enroll at once, could their families be supplied in their absence. Now, let those who are so much entangled in business affairs that they cannot leave without very serious detriment come forward with money and provisions to meet this difficulty. Let there be no lack of means in the noble work. What say you patriots of Mercer? shall this be done?" |
Ye CopperheadWho have left your Northern firesides Southern traitors to subdue, Let's send home for a "Copperhead" [a regular blatant cuss], And the beauties of a soldier's life make him share with us We'll put him in a "pup tent," with the cold ground for his bed, With no rubber blanket underneath, no "government" overhead; Let him shiver there till morning, sleepless and in pain, And each succeeding night should he the same thing do again. At breakfast time no dainty dish his appetite would tempt, For from such little luxuries most soldiers are exempt. "Sow-belly" should he breakfast on, rusty, poor and black, Accompanied by coffee weak and miserable "hard tack." Then preparation quickly make, get everything in trim, March him off on picket, and may a secesh "pick at" him. May every bush a rebel seem, strange sounds salute his ears, And all he sees and all he hears but serve to wake his fears. Let him "slosh" round shoeless in the mud, into puddles, fall, And always late to dinner be, also at bugle call; While shivering round the camp fire may he burn his boots and clothes, May the smoke blow always in his eyes and curl stinging up his nose. May he six months without money be, and no trusting sutler 'bout, And should he get his canteen filled, may it somehow all leak out. May he never have a postage stamp, and for his aching jaw Of tobacco not quite half enough for even half a chaw! Forced marches may he have to make, in rain and snow and mud, The driving rain his clothing soak, the chill wind freeze his blood; And that the beauties of a march he might the better see, Rheumatic twinges all day have, and the chronic diarrhea. From Nashville down to Huntsville, the coming summer days, Let him "hoof it" on the dusty pike beneath the sun's hot rays His feet with blisters covered, his limbs all weak and lame, And I guess he'll think a solider's life is anything but tame. Infested may his clothing be with all the little fry That the soil of Alabama can so abundantly supply; Have all his dirty shirts to wash in water scant and black, "Shiftless" and many weeks to go - no clean rags for his back. And when the conflict rates fierce keep him always in the front, Let him feel, besides exposure, the battle's fiercest brunt; Let "minnies" whistle round his head - shrieking shell burst near, Let him keenly feel the agonies which alone the guilty fear. And finally in a hospital, minus a leg or so - Somewhat emaciated and most dreadfully low - We'll lay what's left of "Copperhead" upon a dirty bunk, To regain his wasted energies on weak tea and tough "junk." To the call of Uncle Abraham we cheerfully all flew - Severed the ties which bound our hearts, bade cherished ones adieu, And we will not brook the insults which are heaped upon our heads By the trait'rous Northern cowards, the slimy "Copperheads." |
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