The Confederate Veteran Magazine

The Confederate Veteran Magazine was first published in 1893 and became a significant cultural and historical publication related to the Confederate States Army and the American Civil War. It was founded by Sumner Archibald Cunningham in Nashville, Tennessee, initially as a fundraising newsletter for a monument in honor of Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederate States.

The magazine quickly evolved into a more comprehensive publication, serving as the official organ for various Confederate organizations such as the United Confederate Veterans, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and the Confederate Southern Memorial Society.

The magazine's content included biographical sketches, literary works, obituaries, and articles about the activities of Confederate veterans' organizations. It played a crucial role in propagating the "Lost Cause" narrative, a perspective that sought to present the Confederate cause as just and heroic. This narrative often downplayed the role of slavery and emphasized themes like southern honor and valor.

The Confederate Veteran ceased publication in 1932 due to the economic strains of the Great Depression but was revived in 1984 by the Sons of Confederate Veterans. The modern incarnation continues to be published today, available in both print and digital formats, and includes historical articles as well as information relevant to the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

Throughout its history, the magazine has been instrumental in shaping the collective memory of the Confederacy, influencing public perception and historical interpretation of the Civil War and the Southern United States.