Shelby Foote and the Old South’s Fading Tale
Shelby Foote, the last great Southern historian of the South before and during the War Between the States, has gone. The Times published a large and respectful obituary (June 29). It took participation in Ken Burns’ miniseries to bring this man’s gifts to light, for which I will always be grateful.
Now, the only ones to relate this history will be weakened by the voices of the victors and relegated to repaint this war and its times with broader, and less capable, strokes.
The Old South and its ways die daily as prosperity dilutes its citizenry to opportunists of all stripes. A gap in our lines was breached when Foote finally laid down his sword.
He will never answer the bugle again, and no one will replace him in camp.
Soon, when those of us who know his tale and remember the Southern story are gone, only the mockingbird will sing his tribute. Foote’s death commemorates not only the loss of a great and gentle man, but the passing of an era.
I will miss him. I will hold his image of the Old South as long as I live, and tell all those I know of the truth he passed along.
Terry Caplenor
Bell Canyon
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