Lee-Jackson Celebration

Last Saturday night, the Sons of Confederate Veterans Samuel A. Hughey Camp 1452 celebrated Generals Lee and Jackson's birthdays with a special dinner honoring the occasion. A good-sized crowd turned out to honor the two Confederate generals, including members of the Varina Howell Davis Chapter 2559 United Daughters of the Confederacy.

The participants enjoyed a splendid dinner prepared by Linda McCan who, in this writer's opinion, should start her own catering business! Following dinner, Compatriot Jeppie Barbour, who is Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour's brother, gave a talk about the two celebrated generals.

The gathering participated in a candlelight vigil honoring the two generals as well as each member's ancestor, who was called out by name. Afterward, a drawing was held, whereby some individuals won grab bags containing Civil War movies, toiletries, etc. The annual dinner was a great experience for all.

UDC/SCV Represented at Local Library

This morning I had the privilege of attending the Horn Lake Library with two of my dear friends, Mr. and Mrs. Lynne Herron, where we gave a presentation about the War Between the States to approximately 200 children. It was a lot of fun, and the kids were great! They were all very well-behaved, attentive, and curious about what people 150 years ago lived like.

Our presentation included performing several Civil War songs. Miss Dorothy talked about our period clothing and the language of the fan. Mr. Lynn discussed what a typical soldier in the army had to endure, and he brought along Civil War paraphernalia for the kids to experience, including a cannon ball, bullets, cooking utensils, and weaponry.

We gave each one of the kids a piece of hardtack. Most said they liked it! The event was the first in a series that we plan to give as living history lessons to local school children, as well as Seniors in Action and other groups.

Happy New Year!

Last night, soldiers of SCV Camp 1452 braved the elements in Southaven, Mississippi to guard the gates of Southern Lights. For those of you who are unfamiliar, Southern Lights is a Southaven Christmas tradition. As you drive through the park, music accompanies an awesome light show.

This year, the Sons were chosen to collect admission from cars traveling through Southern Lights on New Year's Eve. Although the turnout was less than in other years, the weather was tolerable in that it wasn't too cold (like it was last year), but a thunderstorm caused heavy rainfall at times. The lights were accentuated by occasional flashes of lightning.

Here's to a wonderful, happy, prosperous New Year for us all!

Blandford Church

While on a recent trip through Virginia, I was able to visit the historic Blandford Church, located in Petersburg. The church is nearly as old as Virginia itself, having been built in 1735. It sat vacant for nearly a century, from 1800 to 1900, but during the War Between the States, it was used as a field hospital. The structure is a simple one-story, with a balcony that was later taken out.

After the war, Louis Tiffany was commissioned to create stained glass windows in honor of the southern states, each one portrayed by a saint. These include St. John for Virginia, St. Peter for Missouri, St Mark for South Carolina, St. Bartholomew for North Carolina, St. Paul for Louisiana, St James for Mississippi, St. Philip for Tennessee, St. Thomas for Georgia, St. Matthew for Florida, St. Luke for Texas, and St. Andrew for Alabama. Two smaller windows at the back of the church represent Arkansas and Maryland. Every saint has subtle details included within the window. There is also a poem etched in pencil on one of the walls, which is thought to have been composed by either Edgar Allen Poe or Tyrone Powers.

There are only five states that have Tiffany glass windows, and they are in Virginia, New York (which has two), Iowa, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Outside the church is a cemetery where 30,000 Confederate soldiers are buried. The cemetery's entrance is marked by a huge granite arch. There are no weekly services conducted, but the church does hold wedding and summer services, as well as a Sons of Confederates Christmas program. This year's program is entitled, "The Winter of 1864," and letters from soldiers will be read. If you have the opportunity, visit this beautiful, amazing old church.

Mississippi First Brigade Reunites at Annual Meeting

Last Saturday night, the local Sons of Confederates Samuel Hughey camp met with other camps from North Mississippi in the fourth annual First Brigade meeting. The event was held in Hernando at an old plantation house. The home, originally built in colonial style in the 1840's, was cut in half to convert it into a Victorian-style home prior to the Civil War.

The meeting was held in the yard of the old house, and the weather cooperated nicely. We enjoyed great food, friends, and fellowship before hearing speakers discuss upcoming plans for the Civil War's 150th anniversary, as well as erecting a Mississippi monument at Shiloh National Military Park. Judge McClure entertained us with a talk about the horses of Nathan Bedford Forrest before the meeting concluded.

Confederates Receive Honor in England with Grave Markers

Although places in America are protesting the public display of Confederate markers, flags, etc., the exact opposite seems to be happening in Great Britain. According to a recent issue of the Confederate Veteran magazine, a senior Sons of Confederate Veterans member visited Britain only to discover that the country had honored fallen soldiers by placing Confederate flags on their graves. There are several thousand Confederate veterans buried in Britain, as well as in nearly every other country throughout the world.

During the War Between the States, there was a profound connection between England and the South of which we will probably never know the exact proportion. It is estimated that 200,000 British-born soldiers fought on both sides, and that 141,000 of the South's citizens were born in the British Isles.

There are over 1,000 Confederate reenactors and two SCV camps existing in Britain at present. It seems British officials are far more supportive about Confederate events and activities, and recently flew a Confederate flag over a government building: the first time since 1865. This is in sharp contrast to what the U.S. is experiencing. In Richmond last year, an article ran that blatantly proclaimed Southern ancestors who fought for the Confederacy to be "terrorists." Unfortunately, nary an SCV member complained, but members in England did voice their protest. In Great Britain, it is considered a privilege to honor those brave ancestors who fought for Southern independence.

Confederate Marker Under Fire

A small monument erected in honor of 51 Confederate soldiers who died at the Battle of Fredericksburg is under scrutiny. Last month, a judge rejected the city's motion to dismiss a lawsuit by the Sons of Confederate Veterans after it was decided last year by the City Council that the monument must be moved.

The SCV Matthew Fontaine Maury Camp #1722 contends that the city has no jurisdiction over the monument, and thus has no right to force its removal. The monument, constructed of granite and marble, and erected in early 2009, sits on the corner of two intersecting streets. A much larger memorial is also located there, which honors all veterans from WWI to the present. Therein lies the controversy. The SCV says they obtained permission from the city zoning administrator, and that other Civil War monuments have been erected on city land, including one for the 7th Michigan Infantry and another for the Union's Irish Brigade.

However, city officials claim that staff weren't authorized to grant permission. According to the SCV's attorney, Patrick McSweeney, the council cannot change the rules after the fact. The judge requested that both sides settle out of court, but the legal dispute could grow. Ironically, the City Council approved the burial of Confederate troops from seven states in 1861.

Confederate Flag on License Plates

In 1998, an appellate court in North Caroline upheld a decision that license plates displaying the Sons of Confederate Veterans logo, which consists of the Southern Cross, may be issued. In "Sons of Confederate vs. DMV", the court noted,"We are aware of the sensitivity of many of our citizens to the display of the Confederate flag. Whether the display of the Confederate flag on state-issued license plates represents sound public policy is not an issue presented to this Court in this case. That is an issue for our General Assembly."

Vehicle owners in Alabama, Louisiana, Maryland, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia may request state-issued license plates featuring the SCV logo. However, a local member was fired from his job in Memphis recently for displaying said logo on his vehicle. He is in the process of litigation, and the first court decision has been appealed. I will keep you posted on any further developments.

Real Sons and Daughters

It amazes me to think that there are still people out there who can claim that they are "real" sons or daughters of Civil War veterans. According to several recent reports, it is estimated that around 300 real sons and daughters are still alive in the United States. Most of them are now in their nineties, which would make them pretty young when their fathers served. Although they were too young to recollect the war themselves, many can still amuse us with stories they grew up hearing from their parents.

In my UDC chapter, we have one real daughter who is a member. She is, of course, in her eighties, and still lives at home. The chapter members religiously send her birthday cards, gifts at Christmastime, and awards to bestow upon her.

Real sons of the Confederacy are thought to number around 100, real daughters are approximately 150, and Union children number only about 50. A recent story that appeared in the Culpeper, Virginia newspaper, featured a local 93-year-old man named Austin Brown. You can read about him at the following link:

http://www2.starexponent.com/cse/news/local/article/93-year-old_is_son_of_Civil_War_veteran/58861/

My father-in-law, who was a WWII veteran, told some mind-blowing stories, but I was too naive to record them, and now I wish I had. So if any of you know a real son or daughter, take my advice: NOW is the time to get their story!

More on Nathan Bedford Forrest

Last Sunday, local SCV camp and UDC chapter members gathered together at Nathan Bedford Forrest Park in Memphis to celebrate the illustrious general's birthday. This celebration has been marked every year, sometimes with noted speakers such as Shelby Foote, Jeff Shaara, and last year, Bertram Hayes-Davis, Jefferson Davis' great grandson.

This year's speaker was Judge Melvin McClure, who enlightened the crowd with his topic about General Forrest's horses. The general had 29 horses shot out from under him, and is quoted as saying he was one horse ahead (meaning he killed 28 Yankees). The first battle where General Forrest lost his mounts (2) was at Dover, Tennessee in February 1863, and the last horse killed was at Selma, Alabama in April 1865. At the battle of Chattanooga, "Highlander" received a fatal wound to his carotid artery. General Forrest plugged the hole with his finger until after the battle, whereby the horse immediately died.

Judge McClure's most amusing story was that of "King Phillip," a white horse with a dark mane and tail. This spirited animal hated the sight of anything in blue, and reportedly snorted, bolted, and snapped his teeth in the air while charging toward the Federals. One soldier told the general, "Your negroes fight for you and your horses fight for you." After the war, General Forrest was riding in a wagon which was being pulled by King Phillip, who saw police officers in blue. To the general's chagrin, the horse immediately charged after them, embarrassing his master. Sadly, King Phillip died of colic later that year. He is represented as a statue, standing regally with his master atop, in Nathan Bedford Forrest Park, which is represented in the above photos.

Happy Birthday General Forrest

Nathan Bedford Forrest was born on this date in 1821. In his honor, a large gathering of local Sons of Confederate Veterans and United Daughters of the Confederacy took part in a celebration ceremony at Nathan Bedford Forrest Equestrian Park in Memphis, Tennessee. There were many spectators on hand, and members of the Children of the Confederacy bestowed wreaths and Confederate flags at the base of the general's statue.

A large display of flags adorned the grounds, as did many wreaths, and the crowd was entertained by several speakers and members of the 52nd Regimental String Band, who performed a few period songs.

A Benediction and musket salute wrapped up the ceremony. I will write more about the event later this week, as well as Nathan Bedford Forrest's lasting impact, particularly in the Memphis region.

SCV Members Support Their Community

Last Friday night was the opening performance of "Shenandoah," a musical about the Civil War. It is being presented by The Desoto Civic Center, a theater here in Mississippi. To support the show, a local chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans attended, and more members will see the play while it shows this week, along with an area chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

The SCV generously donated their uniforms for use as costumes to the cast, along with relics and a cannon. This might not seem like a huge gesture, but when you consider how much they invest in their uniforms, not to mention all the extras like shoes, canteens, etc., it really adds up. Needless to say, the cast is now decked out in very authentic duds!

This is just one example of how local chapters contribute to their communities. I urge all of you to support your local chapters if you can. There is so much negativity attached to the Confederacy now that generosity such as this is often overlooked. The SCV, as well as the UDC, do much to inform and support their heritage.

Confederate Decoration Day

This afternoon an inspiring event took place in Memphis. A large group of historians, reenactors, and spectators gathered at the Soldiers’ Rest in historic Elmwood Cemetery, where they paid homage to their ancestors. Known as Confederate Decoration Day, the event was attended by over sixty people.

The United Daughters of the Confederacy sponsored the occasion. Following a welcome, greeting, and invocation by Tennessee division chapter members, the audience was asked to participate in saluting flags, including the American Flag, the Christian Flag, the Flag of Tennessee, and the Confederate Flag. A wreath presentation came next, followed by music performed by the 52nd Regimental Band, who entertain at many local Civil War events.

Donald Harrison, past Commander of the Robert E. Lee SCV camp in Shelby County, gave a wonderful speech discussing why Confederate soldiers fought, why they should not be considered traitors, and why we should honor them by not questioning their motives, as things were quite different 150 years ago, just as ideals will be very different 150 years from now. After a special presentation to a local author, the Children of the Confederacy decorated the Confederate Monument with a bouquet of red roses. Morton’s Battery and the 51st Tennessee Infantry Regiment gave a musket salute, firing off three rounds to the spectators’ enthrallment.

It is events like this that keep the memory of our ancestors alive. Without them, fallen heroes and departed veterans will be lost to history. Although the Civil War is becoming more distant with each passing year, it is still relevant, and extremely important that we pay homage, or it will be forgotten forever. This is what could become of our blessed veterans to future generations: WWI and WWII vets could become extinct to memory, as well as Korean, Vietnam, and more recent battle-scarred soldiers. It has happened with the Revolutionary War, and it is happening with the War Between the States, because assumptions and simplifications have been made about the war’s motives. Let us always pay honor, lest we forget.

Hernando A-Fair

Last Saturday was the annual A-Fair (A Fair in the Square) in Hernando, Mississippi. This quaint little town is near my home. It was the third A-Fair I have attended since moving from Colorado. The fair consists of local talent performing in front of the Courthouse, and artisans displaying their handmade wares. This year I participated as a reenactor, and greeted visitors while dressed out in period attire. The local Sons of Confederate Veterans camp, as well as the local United Daughters of the Confederacy chapter, occupied adjacent tents. We had a great day conversing, recruiting, and selling our handmade items. A cannon was on display, and the vice president of the UDC chapter, Dorothy Herron, sang "Dixie" on the Courthouse lawn. Despite the heat, humidity, and stagnant economy, we had a very entertaining day!

Confederate Memorial Day - Oxford

Last Saturday was the exact date that the Mississippi Grays marched off to war in 1861. The regiment consisted of enlistees from Ole Miss (University of Mississippi), the only college in the country to recruit soldiers. Sadly, no one returned. In honor of the fallen, a memorial service was performed on campus. All that remains in the cemetery is a large monument, since the individual wooden grave markers were removed, and rumor has it, placed in a local garage. Needless to say, the location of each grave and the soldiers buried in them is lost. Regardless of the harrowing weather, many ventured out to pay their respects and enjoy a wonderful fried catfish/BBQ dinner afterward. This is the first ceremony to take place in a few years due to the weather, which is predictably stormy in May.

Hernando Memorial Service

One of the annual events to take place here in Mississippi is the Confederate Memorial Day ceremony at the old cemetery in Hernando. The town was home to Nathan Bedford Forrest, and many Confederate veterans are buried there. The local Sons of Confederate Veterans camp, as well as the local United Daughters of the Confederacy chapter, participate in this event, and follow it up with a picnic in which the public is invited. This year, approximately 125 people attended, despite the stormy weather.

Mississippi Governor Criticized for Proclaiming April as Confederate Heritage Month

Governor Haley Barbour of Mississippi received criticism from one of his constituents for recently proclaiming April as Confederate Heritage Month. He is the second governor to be attacked for such an act. Representative Robert Johnson, a Democratic Mississippi lawmaker from Natchez who is black, criticized Governor Barbour for failing to mention slavery in his proclamation. According to Rep. Johnson, people need to learn about the "abhorrent, violent, depraved actions of slavery." Saying he often hears white people say that blacks should forgive what happened in the past, he replied, "If they want us to forget and forgive, why don't they stop reminding us of what the Confederacy was?"

Really, Mr. Johnson? I have to wonder why an intelligent man of your stature displays such ignorance when it comes to the history of his own state. According to the Reverend Cecil Fayard, chaplain-in-chief for the Sons of Confederate Veterans,who lives in Mississippi, "the War Between the States was fought for the same reasons that the tea party movement today is voicing their opinion. And that is that you have large government that's not listening to the people ... there's going to be heavy taxation. And the primary cause of the war was not slavery, although slavery was interwoven into the cause, but it was not the cause for the War Between the States." Nine out of ten soldiers, both North and South, were not fighting for slavery. And the war was not brought on by the issue of slavery, but because of economic reasons. It goes back to the same thing I've been saying all along: the Confederacy, as well as the flags that represent it, should not automatically be associated with slavery or the KKK. Governor Barbour supports honoring Confederates because it publicizes the "rich heritage" of the South. This is the seventh consecutive year that he has made such a proclamation, and hadn't received any criticism until now.

Last week, Governor Bob McDonnell of Virginia changed his proclamation to include mentioning slavery as "evil and inhumane" after coming under national criticism. However, Governor Barbour stated on CNN over the weekend that slavery was bad, but the fuss caused by Governor McDonnell's proclamation "doesn't amount to diddly."

"The Northern onslaught upon slavery was no more than a piece of specious humbug designed to conceal its desire for economic control of the Southern states." - Charles Dickens, 1862

April is Confederate History Month!

The governor of Mississippi officially declared April as Confederate History Month, and in honor of this, I gave a presentation at my local library yesterday, April 1. Although the crowd was small due to short notice, we had a rousing discussion on all things Civil War! Thanks to everyone for coming out to support this memorable event. A special thanks to Carson Culver, director of the Horn Lake Library, and Dorothy Herron, who assisted with my presentation and represented the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

Lee-Jackson Dinner

Last Saturday evening, I had the honor of attending the annual Lee-Jackson dinner, which was held by the Pvt. Samuel A. Hughey Camp 1452 Sons of Confederate Veterans and President Jefferson Davis Chapter, Military Order of the Stars and Bars here in Mississippi. This was the first time my husband and I had participated in such an event, and I must admit, it was impressive. About forty people were in attendance, including the commanders of the camp. The guest speaker was the Honorable Greg Davis, who is the mayor of a small (and growing) city here in Northwest Mississippi known as Southaven. Mr. Davis gave a heartfelt speech about how Robert E. Lee has inspired him through the years. He said that people are amused when they enter his office to see pictures of Lee adorning his walls.

Mr. Davis stated that General Lee’s qualities were admirable, and should be upheld today, those being loyalty, truthfulness, and faith. Living here in the Bible Belt, it’s easy to take being Christian for granted, but in other parts of the country, it certainly isn’t as prevalent. Here, it is no big deal to give a prayer of thanks before each gathering, whether it be a picnic, meeting, or whatever. Mayor Davis talked about how the history books have distorted the truth, and sadly, how every person associated with the Confederacy is automatically associated with racism as well. He discussed how he pushed to name a local library after General Lee, and succeeded with a minority vote after persuading the board that reasons were related to heritage, not racism.

The mayor stated how he thought it was important to get involved, and how he did this himself by riding along on a garbage pickup one Saturday afternoon. Needless to say, he so appreciated the sanitation department afterward that he gave everyone a raise! Mayor Davis also talked about how it is important to forgive and forget, to turn the other cheek, and to have faith, because everyone has to go through hardships to appreciate the end result. He stressed that we should not focus on the “what ifs,” but to have fearless faith, as General Lee did.

Following the mayor’s speech, the camp adjutant, Mr. Alan Latimer, led the group in a candlelight vigil honoring everyone’s Confederate ancestors. When a soldier’s name was called, his descendant blew out their candle until the room was left with only three candles lit in the front: one for Robert E. Lee, one for Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, and one for the Southland, which was left burning.

The group enjoyed a wonderful dinner, received door prizes, and hopefully, left inspired. I know I did. In the program we were given, it discussed how General Lee was a tall, impressive man. To me, he was not only tall in stature, but in presence as well. Because of his admirable qualities, he is still endeared by many today. General Lee resigned his position from the U.S. Military to fight for the Confederacy because he didn’t want to raise arms against his beloved Virginia, where his family lived. Following the Battle of Gettysburg, he wanted to resign his post, most likely knowing that the Confederacy was doomed, but continued to fight after being persuaded by President Jefferson Davis. And after the war, General Lee obediently served as the president of a college in Lexington, Virginia until his death, which occurred only five years after the end of the war. He is noted as trusting in God to lead him, for he was a man of depth-less religious conviction, as well as a master of military strategy. May he always be admired for those reasons, and not be associated with racism or discrimination, which was never his intention.

Lee-Jackson Day

A tradition that takes place here in the South is the celebration of their most famous' generals' birthdays, specifically, Robert E. Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. Southerners so cherish them that they even have their likenesses carved into the face of Stone Mountain in Atlanta, along with Jefferson Davis. Although reverence for these important generals has waned in recent years, there are many who still honor them with ceremonies, parades, and dinners.

Not long ago, General Lee's birthday was treated as an observed holiday, in that all state offices were closed on that day to honor him. Because his birthday falls on January 19, it is now clumped together with Martin Luther King Day (ironic, I know). Because Jackson's birthday is on the 21st, the two generals' birthdays are celebrated simultaneously.

Many Civil War organizations honor these extraordinary men by holding what is known as Lee-Jackson dinners around the country, primarily in the east and south. My husband, who is a new member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and I will be attending our first Lee-Jackson dinner this Saturday, so I will give a report of the celebration here on my blog next Monday. It is my hope that this day will continue to be observed, because even though their views are now considered politically incorrect, at the time, these men served their country and God with utmost valor and respect. It is our responsibility to honor that.