Talk:Edmund Pettus

I would like to know the source of the statement that Edmund Pettus was in the KKK and a Grand Dragon in the KKK. There should be a reference footnote for this assertion. M. D. Mchugh  http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Talk:Edmund_Pettus&action=edit&section=new#  — Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.56.17.253 (talk) 17:41, 7 March 2015 (UTC)

Verifiability that Pettus was in the KKK and a Grand Dragon?68.56.17.253 (talk) 20:11, 7 March 2015 (UTC)
Verifiability that Pettus was in the KKK and a Grand Dragon? M. D. McHugh: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Talk:Edmund_Pettus&action=edit&section=new#

Watson, Elbert L. (January 5, 2015). "Edmund Pettus". Encyclopedia of Alabama. Whack, Errin (March 7, 2015). "Who Was Ajpajpajp1 (talk) 14:36, 18 January 2021 (UTC)

Article needs references
There are several places that desperately need references, especially where the text makes a statement and then questions the veracity of that statement. For example, "some say" his wound was self-inflicted; if true there should be documentation that should be referenced here. If that assertion was made in "Civil War High Commands" by Eicher (the source for the next sentence) then a pinpoint cite would be very helpful. GregE625 (talk) 16:51, 5 May 2018 (UTC)

Is Eicher the source for the Mexican War being from 1847 through 1849 (footnote 7)? If so, where does Eicher assert this? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.163.186.10 (talk) 23:22, 21 July 2020 (UTC)

"an assertion that's questioned by some historians"
Without a reference, this is clearly an irresponsible claim. A suitable reference needs to be added, otherwise the phrase should be removed immediately. 198.167.171.110 (talk) 16:33, 15 November 2018 (UTC)
 * It's been tagged 7 months, and you're remark has been here for 3 months. I've hidden this text, which is an exellent example of WP:WEASEL. If such historians exist, they likely hold a fringe opinion which does not warrant a place in the lede. Afasmit (talk) 21:40, 12 February 2019 (UTC)

Dates (stylistic edit)
I think the word "born" should be removed from his dates. (After all, the word "died" isn't used there.) I would've normally done this as a minor edit, but with that editor's note regarding the first paragraph, I wasn't taking any chances. Rontrigger (talk) 06:11, 21 July 2020 (UTC)

incomplete information?
This sentence "On May 2 he was paroled from Salisbury, North Carolina... " doesn't make sense. It is talking about 1865. Was he captured again? Was he paroled from a prison in Salisbury? Bubba73 You talkin' to me? 01:28, 6 August 2020 (UTC)

Ethnic cleansing
This article uses the phrase 'ethnic cleansing' to describe Pettus' activities in California. I think this is a remarkably poor choice of words, as the term itself was created to justify a genocide by the people committing it. At best, it is a euphemism that does not belong in an encyclopedia. Here is the quote as it appears:

During the Mexican–American War in 1846–48, Pettus served as a lieutenant with the Alabama Volunteers, and after the end of hostilities he moved to California, where he participated in ethnic cleansing of Yukis and other Native Americans.[7]

May I change it?

Would genocide be an appropriate replacement? Billb (talk) 04:12, 12 August 2020 (UTC)


 * Was it part of American Indian Wars? Bubba73 You talkin' to me? 04:34, 12 August 2020 (UTC)

Yes, it would seem so, although not officially, nor any apparent use of U.S. troops. From Yuki people Billb (talk) 17:08, 13 August 2020 (UTC)


 * Other people who were involved with that aren't portrayed that way.


 * George Armstrong Custer "Custer reported killing 103 warriors and some women and children..." but there is no mention of ethnic cleaning or genocide.
 * William Tecumseh Sherman mentions his "harsh treatment" of the native Americans and "during an assault, the soldiers can not pause to distinguish between male and female, or even discriminate as to age." but no mention of genocide or ethnic cleaning.
 * Philip Sheridan quotes him as saying "The only good Indians I ever saw were dead.", but no mention of genocide or ethnic cleaning. Bubba73 You talkin' to me? 19:38, 13 August 2020 (UTC)

I get your point, what would you suggest to replace ethnic cleansing? Billb (talk) 06:09, 15 August 2020 (UTC)


 * Someone made a change yesterday. Bubba73 You talkin' to me? 06:28, 15 August 2020 (UTC)

Living black relative
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/26/opinion/confederate-monuments-racism.html — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2003:C0:DF2E:7D00:51B5:91AF:C639:14D1 (talk) 00:19, 11 November 2021 (UTC)


 * The claim of Caroline Randall Williams (from article): "My great-grandfather Will was raised with the knowledge that Edmund Pettus was his father." This great-grandfather Will was born in 1893 when Pettus was 72 years old. -Topcat777


 * We must go by what reliable sources say, rather than my opinion or yours.Jacona (talk) 13:46, 8 March 2022 (UTC)


 * An opinion piece is not counted as a reliable source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/26/opinion/confederate-monuments-racism.html -Topcat777