Antietam Dead from the LOC archives
Don’t think that the current nightly news has just become a slanted situation where it is liberal, conservative, or some other situation!
The {War Correspondent} as a profession came into its own during the American Civil War as various media publication most were local based of course.
Yes they were very partisan at the time and it wasn’t just Reb and Yank based some Northern newspapers held high the issues that were dear to the Southern cause!
Reporting was very slanted to match up to the editorial viewpoint much like the world sees in FOXNEWS, MSNBC, etc.
Some folks accept as true that the slanted reporting could have helped to force the necessary wedge between the factions that led to secession.
Actually starting the American Civil War and just like the current situation with input from WikiLeaks revealing details of planned or past operations that could put troops in harms way.
Many field correspondents would add puffery to the commanding Generals circumstances and his exploits to have him viewed favorably by the country.
By doing these favors, commanding Generals would aid the field correspondents with support in the field.
While the Army was not required to provide food, access to the mail and the telegraph these favorable, reports helped to grease the wheels of journalism.
The media also delivered consecutive reports on various battles and the war in general sometimes the reports were as mentioned before sometimes puffed up and sometimes they were actual reports which exposed blunders and ineptitude.
The newspapers of the time served as Reb and Yank cheerleaders, no matter how buoyant or unpromising the day’s input.
Many of the generals on both sides of the conflict wanted nothing to do with the reporters!
Grant, said, in essence, "You are professionals. Do your job, I'll do mine.”
Lincoln frequently welcomed them to the White House. He even used them for his confidants in giving him more current and accurate information than the input delivered by courier from his field commanders.
Jefferson Davis never held a press conference EVER!
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