New Discoveries for the New Year

This week, two interesting news stories broke in regard to the War Between the States. It was announced that descendants of John Wilkes Booth are exhuming his brother's body in order to obtain DNA. It will then be compared to the person thought to be buried as John Wilkes Booth. Speculation has circulated since his death (he was shot in a barn two weeks after assassinating President Abraham Lincoln) that an impostor was actually shot, and that the real JWB escaped and lived until 1903, when he committed suicide in Enid, Oklahoma under the assumed name of John St. Helen. Theories exist that he was a member of the Knights of the Golden Circle, an elite group of Confederates who concealed Booth's identity and assisted in his escape.
http://www.aolnews.com/2010/12/23/did-abraham-lincoln-assassin-john-wilkes-booth-escape-dna-may-s/


Another discovery concerns a message in a bottle. The find was given to the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, Virginia in 1896. It was a gift from Capt. William A. Smith, of King George County, who served during the Vicksburg siege. The message, dated July 4, 1863, was encrypted, and the curator of the museum finally became curious enough to find out what was inside the tiny 2" bottle. Essentially, the author, who is believed to have been Maj. Gen. John G. Walker, of the Texas Division, and who had under his command William Smith, the donor of the bottle, stated that he was unable to provide support to General Pemberton, the Confederate General who was under siege in Vicksburg, Mississippi. It was on that same day that the Confederate army surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant's Union forces.
http://www.aolnews.com/2010/12/25/civil-war-message-in-a-bottle-opened-decoded/?icid=main|htmlws-main-n|dl1|sec1_lnk3|192058

Another Fascinating Discovery

Recently, a site relating to the War Between the States was discovered in Georgia. This time, it was a Confederate prison used for Union POW's. The prison was occupied for a short time before closing in 1864, when prisoners were relocated to South Carolina to avoid Sherman's "March to the Sea."

Specifically, the camp, which was referred to as "Camp Lawton" because it was near Lawton, Georgia, replaced Andersonville in the fall of 1864. The camp was just as foul, and was only used for six weeks. During that time, approximately 725 to 1,330 men perished. The number is unknown because the deceased were tossed into a mass grave, which the Union soldiers discovered in December 1864. Only a board beside a freshly-dug plot, stating "650 buried here," marked their remains. Enraged, Union troops burned the prison to the ground, as well as a hotel and depot in nearby Millen. No photo exists of the camp, but a Union mapmaker named Private Robert Knox Sneden painted watercolor pictures and kept a journal detailing life in Lawton while he was imprisoned there.

The site was lost for nearly 150 years, but was discovered by Georgia Southern University students who were exploring a state park and federal fish hatchery in Lawton. They found prisoners' personal artifacts such as silverware and coins, as well as the exact location of the prison's stockade. Archeologists have proclaimed that the find is "one of the most significant Civil war discoveries in decades."

October Remembrances

This week marks the anniversaries of two significant battles that took place during the War Between the States. Tuesday was the anniversary of the Battle of Cedar Creek (1864), and today was the anniversary of the Battle of Ball's Bluff (1861). Both of these battles took place in Virginia.

The Battle of Ball's Bluff was the second largest battle to take place in 1861. The battle resulted in a victory for the Confederates, and led to the establishment of the Congressional Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War after controversy arose as to whether Union officials were participating in a conspiracy against the U.S. government.

At the Battle of Cedar Creek three years later, the Confederacy suffered a crushing blow when General Jubal Early attempted to attack Washington but failed. The defeat led to Abraham Lincoln's reelection, and prevented the Confederates from ever being able to invade Washington again or protect the economic base in the Shenandoah Valley. General Sheridan rode to fame when his cavalry came to the rescue of the Union Army, and his ride is immortalized in Thomas Buchanan Read's famous poem entitled "Sheridan's Ride."

With next year marking the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, it is without a doubt that much celebration will take place in Virginia, especially on October 21, which will be the sesquicentennial anniversary of the Battle of Ball's Bluff.

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.

Confederacy Reflected on Six States' Flags

Following the Civil War, it was decided that each state should have a flag to represent itself, so in the late 1880's the process began. Not surprisingly, many southern states chose to represent themselves with replicas of their beloved, albeit lost, Confederacy. Over the course of time, criticism and controversy have surrounded these states' decisions, claiming that they are racist. The motto "Heritage Not Hate," has received skepticism as to its sincerity, and whether it is a cover-up for racism underneath.

Alabama's state flag is white with a red saltire cross, similar in design to the most recognizable flag of the Confederacy, the St. Andrews cross, otherwise known as the Southern Cross. Florida also has a red saltire cross on its state flag. Mississippi has the only state flag that still bears the true replica of the Southern Cross. This design is in the upper left-hand corner, with the rest of the flag resembling the Stars and Bars. North Carolina also has a state flag that resembles the Stars and Bars, as does Texas, and Tennessee's flag replicates the battle flag by its color scheme and design with a vertical bar on the fly that is reminiscent of the Stainless Banner. Two other states use similar colors in their flag designs: Arkansas and Missouri. Georgia received so much flack that it underwent numerous changes until finally deciding on a design that displays previous state flags.

It is fascinating to see how some state's flags transformed over the years. Texas and Florida both started out with the Bonnie Blue Flag. Interestingly, California also had a lone star flag, although it was considered to be a part of the Union during the War Between the States.

Hunley Still a Mystery

It has been ten years since the Confederate submarine Hunley was raised from the deep dark depths off the South Carolina coastline, and still the mystery remains as to why it sank in the first place. There has been much speculation, including the idea that the sub lost oxygen inside, thus causing the demise of the crewmen within her thick iron walls. (Their remains were put to rest during a Confederate funeral in 2004.) Another thought is that an explosion occurred after the Hunley rammed a spar with a power charge into a Union blockade ship, the Housatonic, in February 1864. The Hunley was the first submarine to ever sink an enemy warship.

Next year, the hull of the sub will be turned upright to reveal a side that hasn't seen the light of day in nearly 150 years. Approximately $22 million has been spent in the past fifteen years to preserve the Hunley. However, the investment has made its return, as several million people have visited the conservatory where the Hunley rests in a tank-full of water. The Hunley could be displayed in a museum as early as 2015.

For more information and some really cool pics, check out:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/note.php?note_id=144671865557761&id=147175811962358

Civil War Naval News

The National Museum of the United States Marine Corps (www.usmcmuseum.com), located 35 miles south of Washington D.C. near Quantico, Virginia, recently unveiled three new galleries. The new additions convey Marine history from 1775 through 1918. "Defending the Republic: 1775-1865" depicts just that, with interesting displays, including Marines who were called to defend Harper's Ferry from John Brown's raid in 1859. At the start of the Civil War in 1861, the Marines split into two, and Union Corporal John F. Mackie was the first Marine to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. Confederate Marines are also depicted, as is one Union Marine who accompanied Lincoln to Gettysburg, where he gave his infamous "Gettysburg Address." Other galleries include "A Global Expeditionary Force: 1866-1917," and "Marines in World War I: 1918."

The National Civil War Naval Museum in Port Columbus has received an Award of Merit from the American Association for State and Local History. The AASLH, now in its 65th year, gives the most highly-prestigious award to recipients for achievement in preservation and interpretation of state and local history. Only 49 awards were given for 2010 to organizations and individuals across the country.

And lastly, an archaeological project discovered a naval yard site on the east side of the Pee Dee River in Marion County, South Carolina. The site is what remains of the Mars Bluff Naval Yard. Artillery shells and two large cannon were also discovered, belonging to the CSS Pee Dee, which was one of the last Confederate gunboats to be built at the naval yard, and was launched in January 1865. The cannons were thrown into the river upon Sherman's advance into South Carolina to prevent their capture. On March 15, 1865, the boat was set afire and blown up. To find the naval yard, the journal of Lt. Edward Means was used (dating August 3, 1864 to March 15, 1865) as well as ground-penetrating radar and other remote-sensing technologies. A 3-D map was created to help archeologists excavate the site. The items will eventually be on display at the Florence County Museum in South Carolina.

Civil War Battle Anniversaries

Today and tomorrow mark the anniversaries of two significant battles that transpired during the War Between the States. On this date in 1862, the Battle of Cedar Mountain took place, and August 10 marks the 149th anniversary of the Battle of Wilson's Creek.

The Battle of Cedar Mountain took place in Culpeper County, Virginia. Culpeper changed hands between Union and Confederate forces 78 times over the course of the war. Also known as Cedar Run and Slaughter's Mountain, the battle was the first combat to take place in the Northern Virginia campaign, resulting in a Confederate victory led by General Stonewall Jackson. Union casualties were 2,353: Confederate casualties totaled 1,338.

At the Battle of Wilson's Creek, also known as the Battle of Oak Hills, the Missouri State Guard took on attacking Union forces near Springfield. Referred to as "Bull Run of the West," this battle is considered to be the first major conflict west of the Mississippi River, resulting in a Confederate victory. Casualties were nearly equal on both sides: 1,317 Union and 1,230 Confederate. The battlefield is in nearly pristine condition today, hardly changed from how it appeared in 1861, unlike many tainted battlefields in the east.

Riverboats and the Civil War

It is a well-known fact that riverboats were essential to Southern commerce before and during the War Between the States. Southern states used rivers to transport cotton to the north, and one of the most heavily-used rivers was the Mississippi. Old Man River took his share, as there are still many riverboats sunken into the silt of the mighty, muddy Father of Waters.

The Union Army's primary objective in the Western Theatre was to secure the Mississippi, thus strangling the Confederacy's ability to trade and ship wares to various states below the Mason-Dixon Line. By the middle of 1863, the Yankees had accomplished this feat by capturing Vicksburg.

At the end of the war, riverboats were used extensively to transport released prisoners. One such boat, the Sultana, has virtually been lost to history, but her story is fascinating. Overloaded to around 2,400, with a maximum capacity allowance of only 376, the boat chugged her way up the Mississippi until it reached Memphis. A few hours later, as she made her way to Cairo, Illinois, carrying POW's from Andersonville and Catalpa prisons, she exploded. Only a few hundred survived. Known as the worst maritime disaster in North American history, all that remains are a few markers, one of which is located at Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis.

CSS Alabama

(Above: photos of USS Cairo at Vicksburg National Military Park)

On this date in 1862, the CSS Alabama departed the shores of England where it had been constructed. The ship's career was short-lived, however, because she was sunk in 1864. Originally launched as Enrica, the ship never anchored in Southern waters. She was dubbed the Alabama in August of 1862 to the jaunting melody of "Dixie" following President Jefferson Davis'commission of the vessel as read by the captain.

In 1865, the USS San Jacinto was wrecked. What remained of the vessel was sold at auction, and added to the US Treasury. The total sum was $224.61.

Many ships have survived the ages throughout history, and new wrecks are being discovered all the time. It wasn't long ago that the turret to the USS Monitor was discovered, still containing the remains of the poor soldiers inside. Same goes for the CSS Hunley, one of the first submarines ever used which vanished off the coast of South Carolina in 1864 after torpedoing the USS Housatonic. And in today's news, a 150-year-old ship was discovered off the coast of Canada, which is thought to have been searching for the fabled Northwest Passage and lost its way.

I have seen a few remnants of boats during this era that still remain. One interesting artifact is located at Desoto Bend, near Omaha, Nebraska. Here, a museum houses what remains of a riverboat that sunk in the Missouri River around the time of the Civil War. There is also a wildlife refuge there where you can see a wide variety of water birds as they migrate during the fall. Another fascinating relic resides at the National Military Park in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The USS Cairo was sunk into the murky waters of the Yazoo River during the siege of Vicksburg, but all of the occupants managed to escape before she went down. Nearly a century later, the boat was retrieved, and artifacts are on display at the museum inside the park.

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 Endangered Battlefields

Another battlefield has been added to the annual list of ten of the nation's most endangered. Picacho Peak in Arizona, where cavalry clashed 150 years ago, is in danger of becoming extinct because of state budget cuts. The park was slated to close on June 3, but fortunately, was saved by local funding for another year.

Picacho Peak is where, on April 12, 1862, Lt. James Barrett led Union troopers to this rocky spire located 50 miles northwest of Tuscon. There a skirmish took place with Confederate Rangers. As a result, Barrett was killed, the Federals retreated, and Yankees from California eventually came in to conquer the reigning Rebels.

Other endangered battlefields on the list compiled by the Civil War Preservation Trust include:
- Camp Allegheny in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. This is in danger because of a wind farm being built nearby.
- Gettysburg is again on the list because of a second attempt to bring in casino gambling.
- Wilderness Battlefield in Virginia. Another repeated appearance on the list due to Wal-Mart's attempt to move in.
- Pickett's Mill, GA. Faces funding cuts and was damaged by flooding last year.
- Fort Stevens, Washington, D.C. A proposed church community center would tower over the fort.
- Cedar Creek, VA. Mining expansions that will potentially eat up 400 acres.
- Richmond, KY. A new highway interchange with significant commercial growth.
- South Mountain, MD. An energy plant development.
- Thoroughfare Gap, VA. Possible construction of a 150-foot communications tower.

The CWPT calls its list, "History Under Siege," highlighting threats to what the trust calls "tangible links to our shared history." There are also 15 "at risk" sites on the list.

Famous Horses in the War Between the States

Last night I had the privilege of giving a presentation to my UDC chapter on a topic of my choosing. Since I am an avid horse lover, and my novel is about the Confederate cavalry, I decided to speak about famous Civil War horses. The most famous equines are listed below ...

Traveller (Gen. Robert E. Lee) – As a colt, he won 1st prize at a fair in Lewisburg, VA. First named “Jeff Davis” by his owner, Major Thomas Broun, who paid $175 in gold for him, General Lee always referred to him as “my colt.” Lee obtained Traveller in the spring of 1862, purchased him for $200 in currency and changed his name, and the two were seen together almost daily. Lee owned other horses: “Grace Darling,” “Brown Roan,” “Lucy Long,” “Ajax,” and “Richmond,” but all became unserviceable. He was astride Traveller when he rode to the McLean house at Appomattox Court House, and Traveller lived with General Lee at Washington and Lee University after the war. At Lee’s funeral, Traveller marched behind the hearse, his step slow and his head bowed as if he understood the importance of the occasion.

King Philip (Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest) – This horse charged and snapped his teeth at anyone wearing blue. After the war, King Philip chased off Yankees visiting General Forrest, and while pulling a wagon, went after policemen wearing blue uniforms. One of Forrest’s men noted, “Your negroes fight for you and your horses fight for you.” King Philip died later in 1865 from colic and is depicted at Nathan Bedford Forrest Park. General Forrest also owned “Roderick” and “Highlander,” who was shot in the carotid at Chattanooga. Forrest plugged the hole with his finger until after battle, whereby the horse dropped dead. The general had 29 horses shot out from under him, and is quoted as saying after the war, “I was one horse ahead.”

Cincinnati (Lt. Gen. U.S. Grant) – After the Battle of Chattanooga in 1863, General Grant went to St. Louis, where a man offered to sell him his horse if he promised to take good care of it. Grant accepted, renamed the stallion, and kept him until the horse died in 1878. Cincinnati was the son of Lexington, the fastest four-mile thoroughbred in the U.S., and nearly equaled the speed of his half-brother, Kentucky. Grant was offered $10,000 in gold for him but refused. This fact is profound since Grant was near poverty before he wrote his memoirs. General Grant only permitted two others to ride Cincinnati: President Lincoln and Admiral Daniel Ammen, who had saved his life from drowning when he was a boy. Grant was a horse lover who got along better with horses than he did people and originally wanted to be in the cavalry but was declined. Other horses he owned included Jack, who was with him until after the battle of Chattanooga and which Grant used for special occasions and parades. Grant donated him to the Sanitary Fair in Chicago in 1863-64 where the horse was raffled off and brought $4000 to Sanitary Commission. Grant rode “Fox” at Shiloh, “Kangaroo” at Vicksburg, and also owned “Egypt” and “Jeff Davis,” which in 1864, was captured from Joe Davis’ plantation (Jefferson’s brother).

Daniel Webster (Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan) – This horse was called “that Devil Dan” because of his speed. McClellan owned the horse from 1862 until after the war, and the animal died at age 23. McClellan said of his beloved steed, “No soldier ever had a better horse than I had in Daniel Webster.” The general, who invented the McClellan saddle, also owned “Black Burns” and “Kentuck.”

Highfly (Maj. Gen. JEB Stuart) –In the summer of 1862, Stuart was stretched out on a bench on the porch of a tavern waiting for General Fitzhugh Lee to arrive, but the Yankees arrived first. Stuart narrowly escaped on Highfly, but his hat with the long ostrich plume was captured. General Stuart also owned Virginia, a warm-blooded mare who saved Stuart from capture when he invaded Pennsylvania by leaping over a wide gulley and escaping capture.

Old Sorrel (Gen. Stonewall Jackson) – This mare was also known as “Little Sorrel” because she was so small that when Jackson was mounted, his feet almost touched the ground. He obtained her on May 1, 1861 while in command of the garrison at Harper’s Ferry when a train with supplies for Union troops was captured. She was then thought to be 11 years old. In 1884, Old Sorrel appeared at a state fair in Hagerstown, Maryland, where almost all her mane and tail hair was plucked out by souvenir hunters. When she died, she was stuffed, and is now at the Solder’s Home in Richmond.

Winchester (Gen. Philip Sheridan) – Originally named “Rienzi,” he was given to then Colonel Sheridan in the spring of 1862 while Sheridan was stationed at Rienzi, Mississippi, but the horse’s name wasn’t changed until after Sheridan’s famous ride to Winchester in the Battle of Cedar Creek on Oct. 19, 1864. Winchester was so revered that when he died, he was stuffed and given to the Smithsonian Institution. Sheridan also owned “Alderbaron” prior to Winchester.

Baldy (Brig. Gen.George Meade) – The horse was with him at 1st Bull Run (wounded twice) and Antietam, where he was left for dead but later discovered grazing with a deep wound in his neck. He was also at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg, where he received a bullet lodged between his ribs. Meade kept him with the army until the following spring, then sent him to pasture in Pennsylvania. After the war, Meade retrieved his charger, fully recovered, and the two became inseparable. Baldy followed Meade’s hearse, lived 10 more years, and upon his death, his head and two fore hoofs were mounted and are now cherished relics of the George G. Meade Post, Grand Army of the Republic in Philadelphia.

Lexington (Gen. William T. Sherman) – This horse was a Kentucky thoroughbred who attracted admiration due to his fine form. Sherman was astride Lexington when he entered Atlanta, and following the war in 1865, rode him in final Grand Review in Washington. Sherman also owned Sam, a half-thoroughbred bay that made one of the longest and most difficult marches ever recorded in history from Vicksburg to Washington. He died of extreme old age in 1884.

Moscow (Maj. Gen. Philip Kearny) – This was a white horse that made the general very conspicuous during battle, so he switched to a bay named “Decatur” and then to “Bayard.”

Other Famous Horses include:
Lookout (Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker) – obtained in Chattanooga and named after a battle that took place there
Almond Eye (Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler)
Nellie Gray (Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee)
Billy (Maj. Gen. George Thomas) named after his friend, General William T. Sherman
Fleeter (Belle Boyd)
Dixie (Maj. Gen. Patrick Cleburne) – killed at Perryville – Cleburne was killed at Franklin, Tennessee
Rifle (Lt. Gen. Richard Ewell)
Beauregard (Capt. W.I. Rasin) - ridden by Rasin to Appomattox and survived until 1883
Black Hawk (Maj. Gen. William Bate)
Fire-eater (Gen. Albert Johnston)
Old Fox (Col. E.G. Skinner)
Slasher (Maj. Gen. John Logan)
Boomerang (Col. John McArthur)

The Civil War in Missouri

On a recent trip through the Midwest, my spouse and I stumbled upon a significant battlefield near Springfield, Missouri. The Battle of Wilson's Creek, also known as Oak Hills, took place on August 10, 1861. The Union army overran the Confederates in an attempt to take "Bloody Hill," where Union General Lyon was killed. Losses totaled 1,317 for the Federals, and 1,222 for the Confederates.

According to the park ranger, next year's 150th anniversary reenactment promises to be an astounding event, with over 4,000 reenactors participating. The Battle of Wilson's Creek introduced Missouri to the War Between the States. Over the course of the next three and a half years, Missouri experienced fierce fighting (mostly in the form of guerrilla warfare), since it was a border state, and both sides sought control.

By the end of the war, Missouri had witnessed so many battles that it ranks third as the most fought-over state in the nation. The top two are Virginia and Tennessee, respectively.

Gettysburg and the Definition of "Shoddy"

One of the most infamous battles of the Civil War took place in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on July 1-3, 1863. Several factors came into play, determining the location of this decisive battle. While General Lee led his Confederate army into enemy territory in an attempt to intimidate Union troops, invade the north, and impede upon Washington, the Rebel army was also in desperate need of shoes. It just so happens that there was a shoe factory in Gettysburg. So hence, the Confederates came in search of shoes, and yet found so much more - most likely what they realized they didn't bargain for.

The Civil War introduced mass production to America. Northern cities began constructing various clothing items, Bibles, and ammunition in mass quantities to supply the Union army. Within months of the war's start, manufacturing was changed forever. Child labor was commonplace, as were sewing factories, where women worked from 12-16 hours a day. Because there was such a high demand for these products, the advent of "shoddy" commenced.

Uniforms supplied to the Federal army were rapidly stitched together in a frantic attempt to keep up with the War Department's demand to supply troops. In 1861, 75,000 men volunteered to fight for the Union army, but the War Department only had enough uniforms for 13,000. Even though the infantry wore out shoes faster than what could be manufactured at the beginning of the war, within months, clothing companies found ways to keep up with demand, and managed to supply the Union army until the end of the war. This was far superior to that of the Confederacy, which was unable to supply its troops with clothing. Therefore, many new recruits enlisted wearing only their own homespun garments.

Happy 4th of July!

Here's wishing everyone a happy 4th of July. It was on this occasion in 1863 that two very important events played out: Gettysburg and Vicksburg. The battle of Gettysburg, after three days of heavy fighting, ended on July 4th, with both sides thinking they were victorious. It was realized later that the Confederate army had actually suffered a defeat: the first major loss of the war. And at Vicksburg, Mississippi, Union General Grant succeeded in taking the town after a month-long siege, thus securing the Mississippi River for Federal use.

I have recently read certain sentiments expressing disenchantment about celebrating our national holiday because of the outcome of these battles, as well as the way the South was treated after the war, which I find completely understandable. However, I also consider it to be somewhat disrespectful to descendants of that war: veterans who fought and died for this country in subsequent wars, including both World Wars, the Korean War, which my dad fought in, the Vietnam War, and all other wars since. These servicemen and women deserve our respect by our saluting Old Glory, singing the national anthem, and honoring them with celebration.

Our founding fathers sacrificed home and health to secure our freedom. This 4th of July, let us honor those who so loved, cherished, and believed in our country that they laid down their lives unselfishly. God bless America!

"Shenandoah" at Desoto Civic Center in Mississippi

This afternoon I had the immense pleasure of seeing a local theatre production of the musical "Shenandoah." It was a wonderful experience: the actors were fascinating, the music and singing were astounding, and the story was heart-wrenching. I especially liked the part in the play where two twin brothers (one in Union garb, the other in Confederate) sang about going home, and wondered if it would still be the same.

There were many poignant scenes in the play, and the talented actors were impressive, to say the least. Many have participated in numerous community theatre productions. One actor, who is only 12, has been in fifteen plays. Amazing!

Today was the final performance, so afterward, members of Company 6, 11th Mississippi Infantry reenacting unit coaxed the crowd outside to witness a cannon salute. My son, who is visiting from California, stated, "Only in the South would you see a play about the Civil War and then see them firing off a cannon!" God save the South!

Recovering Civil War Flags

It is common knowledge that many flags were captured during the War Between the States, with Union soldiers capturing Confederate flags during certain battles and vice versa. Most would assume that after the war ended, the flags were returned to their rightful owners. This was the intention at the turn of the twentieth century, and laws were enacted to ensure that captured flags would be returned. However, over the years, certain flags fell between the cracks and were never returned, even though the states in possession of them were required to do so.

One such example is a flag that resides in the basement of the State Capitol Building in Des Moines, Iowa. After participating in a reenactment in Mason City last year, we were told by the Confederate camp that the state had a Rebel flag in its possession. After researching and contacting local historians, we found the rumor to be true. However, Iowa refuses to return the flag because it is a tourist attraction for the state.

The flag was captured at Gettysburg, and rightfully belongs to the Mississippi 17th. It is in dire need of repair, so it sits boxed up in the dark cellar of the Capitol Building, waiting for attention. Estimated repair costs range from $5-10,000. The Sons of Confederate Veterans are willing to save up for repairs, but they are having difficulty obtaining the flag.

There are other such cases as well. In the process of investigating the Iowa flag, we learned that there are two in Ohio that belong to the Confederacy. Southern states are reluctant to pursue the issue, as it will undoubtedly be a costly venture, and political ambition always seems to prevail. One can only hope that, perhaps someday, the flags will be returned to their rightful places.

Restoring Civil War Flags

With the sesquicentennial anniversary of the War Between the States close at hand, many historians, parks, and other related entities are preparing for the event. However, old battle flags that have lasted through the years are being pushed by the wayside. The problem is that state budgets don't allow for restoration of the flags due to current economic hard times. New York houses the country's largest state-owned flag collection, but has been forced to scale back its $100,000 annual flag funding this year. Indiana has incorporated its state flag-conservation fund with its general fund, and Ohio hasn't received funding for its 400 battle flags in almost ten years.

States don't realize that it is the wrong time to cut back, as preservation will ultimately result in increased tourism. Regardless, a few southern states have managed to set aside funds to restore their battle flags, one of which is North Carolina. During the Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble charge at Gettysburg, the 11th N.C. carried several flags, but only one survived, avoiding capture by Union troops. The flag, although badly worn on the edges, has recently been restored by the state. It is now part of the Confederate flag collection at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh, and will soon be on public display.

It goes without saying that many other flags are in desperate need of restoration. Perhaps as the 150th anniversary nears, states will reassess their funding and allot monies toward this worthy cause. There are several thousand state-owned battle flags in the U.S., but only a few have been preserved. Unfortunately, many have deteriorated to the point where they are beyond repair, mostly due to neglect.

Confederate Terrorists

Recently, a CNN political analyst by the name of Roland S. Martin, who is black, publicly denounced the Confederacy, conveniently airing his views during Confederate Heritage Month. In his statement, Martin claims that all Confederate soldiers should be considered terrorists, and compares them to, of all things, the jihad and Taliban.

First and foremost, Mr. Martin, these are two separate issues and should by no means be blurred into similarities of any kind. Perhaps you are overlooking the fact that slavery might not have even played a part in the Civil War if Lincoln and his cronies had mimicked the actions of Europe by purchasing slaves from slaveowners, and subsequently allowed their freedom. Lincoln was not in favor of freeing slaves, but in fact, preferred the continuation of slavery to exist in Southern, as well as Northern states, and in western territories. "Terrorist" acts were actually committed by extremists such as the Border Ruffians and John Brown.

If you insist on claiming that Southern soldiers were terrorists, then perhaps you should reacquaint yourself with Northern soldiers' behavior at the time. Their actions were far more terrorist-like than the South in that they indiscriminately invaded, destroyed, raped, and stole everything in their path. To say, Mr. Martin, that Confederates were willing to take up arms against their brethren as an act of terrorism is a malicious attempt to justify what actually took place 150 years ago. The North is just as much to blame for the cause of the Civil War, and slavery could have been abolished far sooner and with a more pleasant outcome than it did because the North refused to compensate the South.

As far as your accusation goes that Confederate soldiers were all terrorists, they were no more terrorists than the Northern soldiers were. (General Sherman comes to mind.)If you take time to read some of these soldiers' letters, Mr. Martin, you will see what their true intentions were, which was in fact to defend their homes. You must also take into account the climate of that era, the predominant Christian faith, which is far different than Muslim beliefs, and the fact that white male supremacy reined in every corner of the world, not just in America. The definition of a terrorist is any unconventional fighter who is unaffiliated with a major military force and attacks civilians for political purposes. To consider Confederate soldiers as terrorists is very narrow-minded indeed. To relate it to the current state of affairs in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Afghanistan is nothing less than laughably ridiculous.