Mr. Owens:
I certainly don't wish to sound patronizing and egotistical, but, none the less, please allow me to congratulate you on one of the finest postings that I have yet seen on this board. While I don't agree with all of your thoughts and conclusions, I admire your work greatly. I especially appreciate your attempt to outline and come to terms with your biases. I wish there were more on this board who could and would examine their own minds and hearts, and learn therefrom. If everyone would keep the debate upon the level that you have set, then this board would evolve from an often hopelessly prejudiced pro-southern cheering squad to a more reasonable forum for the free exchange of ideas. ("Freedom rings where ideas clash"- Thomas Jefferson.)

Having said that, please allow me to answer a few points you raise:

"While Ft. Pillow was not the Alamo, 40,000 copies of the Northern reports of the inquires, for public distribution, certainly suggests that a political end was to be made of it. It is apparent to even an unbiased observer with all the facts that the event was in fact politicized and treated as propaganda for Lincoln's re-election."
MY RESPONSE: Of course the incident was politicized. However, in and of itself, that does not negate the massacre story. By the way, according to most accounts, many more died at Fort Pillow than at the Alamo. If you are truly interested in the truth, (and I have no reason to doubt your sincerity), you might wish to read from the link given below.

" I really believe that one would have to reach maturity somewhere in the Himalayas, preferrably Tibet, to approach any substantial degree of freedom from bias concerning the subject of this message board.
MY RESPONSE: I truly don't see this at all. One can cultivate knowledge of self, and come to terms with one's own bias. I was born in the south and raised under the old days of segregation, hero worship of all things southern and Confederate, etc. I truly believe, (though I may be fooling myself) that I am a dispassionate student of history with no personal agenda. The removal/retention of the Confederate flag neither upsets me nor elates me. (Which, for some reason, seems to be a good indicator of one's bias and emotional attachments, in either direction.)

While I have more that I would like to say, my time is limited at present. I will only add, once again, that the high level of debate of your post is greatly appreciated.

With High Regards,
Hoyt Cagle