John McCorkle
Jonathan Voss
John McCorkle Life Brief
Confederate Pistol
Confederate Flag
Newton's Third Law
Background/Photo Symbolism
The background of this Smore is White, to symbolize his feelings of innocence. "This was yet another relative of mine whose foul murder I was called upon to revenge" (Barton and McCorkle 158). Throughout the entire book, McCorkle is trying to prove that his actions are justified, and that he is innocent. This purity and innocence of McCorkle's conscious is represented by the white background.
The title coloring of this Smore is red. The red represents McCorkle's fiery passion for his cause. "We were determined to have revenge" (McCorkle and Barton 123). McCorkle was dead set on taking revenge for his murdered relatives throughout the Civil War. McCorkle's powerful determination is represented by the fiery red text.
The pistol in the photo is one like John McCorkle used. Most of Quantrill's men only had sidearms, like pistols. Quantrill's men, McCorkle being one of them, were known to have more side arms than any other group. The pistol also symbolizes McCorkle's quick thinking. McCorkle's quick thinking saved him from multiple dangerous situations, and helped him hold unsuspecting conversations with federal soldiers.
The second photo is of the Confederate flag. McCorkle was a Confederate guerrilla, so naturally the Confederate flag is a symbol of McCorkle. On a deeper level, the Confederate flag is a symbol of McCorkle's will and beliefs, as well as the beliefs and will of southerners. McCorkle was very steadfast in his beliefs. "In the service of the federal government and whom with the Kansas Jayhawkers, had killed and scalped a number of women and children" (Barton and McCorkle 142). McCorkle never fought a man for no reason. McCorkle fought the Union because of the atrocities the committed towards all southerners. McCorkle had firm beliefs about the Union based on facts, and this iron resolution is represented by the Confederate flag.
The third photo is an illustration of Newton's Third Law. The law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This symbolizes McCorkle's motivation. McCorkle's book seems to not only recount his experiences, but justify his actions. McCorkle explains his actions as relations to union actions. "This was yet another relative of mine whose foul murder I was called upon to revenge" (Barton and McCorkle 158). McCorkle's actions were all ruled by the murders of and threats to his relatives. These motives are a strong example of Newton's Third Law.
Three Facts
Because they ware a group of guerrilla soldiers, McCorkle and the men had to scavenge for food from houses most nights. "We stopped at a house on the edge of timber and got something to eat" (Barton and McCorkle 149). McCorkle's renowned charisma served him well in this aspect, as good conversationalism assisted him getting food from old friends or complete strangers. McCorkle knew a stunning number of families all through Missouri and Kansas, and his conduct earned his trust in many people.
McCorkle, despite the many cruel and horrible murders and raids on federals that he took part in, was a completely different man after the war. McCorkle was not cruel or bitter following the war, but instead returned home to Missouri. In Missouri, he lived a nice, peaceful life as a farmer. Eventually, he became a Baptist and entered a happy marriage. "He became known as a Christian gentleman of strong character and a tender heart" (Barton, McCorkle, and Hattaway 17-18). His drastic change in character during and after the war is unexplainable, but very interesting.