COMMANDER'S COMMENTS

Members  of  the  Longstreet  camp,   it   is   with   great
appreciation  and gratitude that I write my last Commander's
Comments.  My two-year tenure as commander has  come  to  an
end  and new officers were elected for the next two years at
the June meeting.  The new slate of officers will  be  sworn
in and take their elected positions at the next meeting.    

The  past  two years have gone by so fast!  During this time
our membership has grown to eighty regular members  and  six
associate  members.   We have marked two graves in Hollywood
cemetery belonging to members of  Gen.   Longstreet's  staff
and are currently working on marking more graves in the near
future.   Besides  participating  in  SCV   ceremonies   and
memorials,  we  have  also  contributed  a great deal to the
Confederate Heritage parade put on by the Virginia Division.
Our  annual  scholarship  given  to  the outstanding history
student at Freeman High School has grown to  $500  over  the
last  several  years.  There are a lot of good things in the
pipeline and the Longstreet camp is  sure  to  continue  its
growth  in  the future along with continuing its distinction
as being the best camp in the entire SCV!                   

The new officers make a stellar team and  will  continue  to
make  you proud to be a member of the camp.  I have complete
confidence in Mike Kidd who will take command of the camp at
the  upcoming  meeting.   He  has  been  serving  as  a  Lt.
Commander for four years and will continue to make us  proud
as  our  commander.   Tom  Vance  and  I  will  serve as Lt.
Commanders  and  Walter  will  continue  to  serve  as   our
Adjutant.   Tom has been a long time member of the Executive
Committee and Walter has been the lifeblood of the camp  for
what  seems  like  forever.   Harry Boyd will serve as Judge
Advocate and Preston  Nuttall  will  continue  to  serve  as
Quartermaster.   Dave  George  has  agreed  to  continue  to
publish the award winning "War Horse"  newsletter  and  Gary
Cowardin  (our  Webmaster  and  talented technological guru)
will continue to  run  our  award  winning  website.   Henry
Langford has agreed to continue to serve as our Chaplain and
Pat  Hoggard  will  continue  to  serve  on  the   Executive
Committee.                                                  

The  Longstreet  camp  always  has  and  always  will have a
special place in my heart.  I enjoy seeing everyone at  each
meeting  and  look  forward  to  serving  as one of your Lt.
Commanders for the next two years.  Thank you for making  my
two years as Commander so wonderful!                        

Hope to see you at the next meeting!                        

					Taylor

ADJUTANT'S REPORT

We were delighted to  induct  into  our  Camp  at  our  June
meeting  Will Akers.  Seven of Will's relatives were with us
for the ceremony.                                           

Gene Lyon underwent heart surgery June  18  at  St.   Mary's
Hospital.   Robert  Mahone  has  been  in  the  hospital for
several weeks.  Jerold Evans has had surgery twice in recent
weeks.   Sheri  Millikin,  wife of 2nd Brigade Commander Rob
Millikin, has MS.  Please keep them and  their  families  in
your prayers.                                               

Congratulations  to  Richard  and Karen Campbell who are the
proud parents of twin daughters, Elizabeth  Barton  Campbell
and  Clara  Graham  Campbell.  Delighted grandparents Barton
and Madge Campbell are beaming.                             

Will Shumadine generously donated  his  share  of  the  June
raffle, which gets us off to a good start for the Buck Hurtt
Scholarship fund for next year.                             

Each  Camp  is  required  to  submit  an  annual  report  to
Headquarters   as   of  June  30.   Our  Camp  increased  it
membership by six during the year, giving us 80 members  who
make Longstreet their home camp.  Our Camp has increased its
membership eight times in the last nine years.              

Several  members  worked  with  the  Virginia  Division   in
planning  and executing April's Confederate heritage Parade.
For the  fifth  consecutive  year  we  awarded  a  one  time
scholarship  grant  to  the  outstanding  history student at
Douglas S.  Freeman High School.  Twice during the  year  we
cleaned  up  our  section of state route 606 (Studley Road),
Hanover County, near Enon Church.                           

It was pleasing to see that the Museum  of  the  Confederacy
finished  its  fiscal year in the black.  Executive Director
Waite Rawls and the trustees have worked very diligently  to
improve the situation at this international treasure.       

On  a  negative note, the June vandalism at Oakwood Cemetery
was distressing.  One of the markers broken  was  one  which
had  been redone and rededicated last November.  On March 28
the concrete around the base of  the  main  obelisk  in  the
Confederate  section  was  lying in broken pieces.  That was
not from vandalism.  On June 23, some of the  broken  pieces
were  gone,  but  no  repair  work  was visible.  The Browns
Island marker was knocked over in the vandalism, but it  was
back  in  place June 23.  An obelisk in Section G was broken
into three pieces.  It was glued and back in place, but  the
breaks were all too obvious.  A fence bordering the cemetery
is not complete, enabling anyone to walk into  the  cemetery
from  East  Richmond  Road  at any hour of the night or day.
Virginia  Division  has  been  attempting   to   take   over
maintenance of the Confederate section, but to date has been
unable to get an agreement from the City of Richmond. People
come   from  all  over  the  world  looking  for  graves  of
Confederate ancestors.  They deserve much better  than  what
now exists.                                                 

It  is  pleasing  to  see  two  historians of The War become
presidents of universities.  Drew  Gilpin  Faust  now  heads
Harvard,  and  Edward  L.   Ayers  leads  the  University of
Richmond.  Both have spoken on programs in Richmond.   As  a
Richmond  alumnus,  I  am  delighted  that  we  now  have  a
president born and reared in the South, who has  taught  for
more  than  20 years at Mr.  Jefferson's University, and who
realizes that Richmond and Virginia are in the South.       

					Walter

GENERAL JAMES LONGSTREET CAMP #1247

NEXT MEETING-TUESDAY, JULY 17, 2007

ROMA'S RESTAURANT
8330 STAPLES MILL RD.
LOCATED IN "THE SHOPS AT STAPLES MILL"
TURN LEFT AT FIRST STOPLIGHT NORTH OF
THE WISTAR SHOPPING CENTER

DINNER - SOCIAL 6:00 PM
MEETING STARTS AT 7:00 PM

JULY PROGRAM

Russell Darden will be our speaker for this month.   Russell
is  the  Past Commander of The Army of Northern Virginia and
has spoken to us before.                                    

His subject will be The Battle of Hicksford, Virginia.  This
is  a  little  known,  but important battle, that took place
December 7th-9th, 1864 between 28,000 Union  troops  led  by
Major  General  Gouveneur  K.  Warren and Confederate Troops
under Major Generals Wade Hampton and Fitzhugh Lee.         

You will recall that Russell has spoken to us  in  the  past
and we are delighted to have him take the time to drive from
Franklin County to address us again.                        

Please be sure to attend this meeting so that  we  may  give
him a warm welcome to Longstreet.                           

June PROGRAM

Fred L. Ray

Fred L.  Ray, a veteran  of  two  tours  of  duty  with  the
armored  cavalry  in  Vietnam,  told  us that his book Shock
Troops of the Confederacy: The  Sharpshooter  Battalions  of
the   Army   of   Northern  Virginia  was  an  outgrowth  of
genealogical  research  in  which  he   learned   that   his
Confederate  ancestor  was  a sharpshooter who served in the
12th Alabama Infantry.  Very little has been  written  about
sharpshooters, the last book having been published in 1899. 

Sharpshooters  were  elite  light  infantry,  comparable  to
airborne troops or special forces today.  Only the best  men
became   Confederate   sharpshooters.    An   advantage  was
exemption from fatigue duty.  The sharpshooters were used in
skirmishing,   picketing,  and  reconnaissance.   They  also
served as flank guards for a moving  column.   Sharpshooters
would  engage  the enemy while a marching column formed into
line of battle.                                             

The Confederate officers most responsible for development of
sharpshooters  were Major General Robert Rodes (VMI class of
1848) and Major Eugene Blackford.  Rodes assigned  Blackford
to  command  a corps of sharpshooters in January 1863.  They
were used at Chancellorsville, where they  screened  Jackson
on  his  famous flank march.  Major Blackford's memoir/diary
came to light about five years ago.                         

In 1864 General Robert E.  Lee ordered that  every  infantry
brigade  should  have  a  sharpshooter  battalion.  The men,
though, would  remain  on  the  rosters  of  their  original
regiments.   One  will not find sharpshooter units listed in
orders  of  battle.   Sharpshooters  worked  well  in  Jubal
Early's  1864  Valley Campaign.  They gave excellent service
at Petersburg, enjoying  initial  success  at  Fort  Stedman
until overwhelmed by the Yankees.                           

Skirmishers  fought  in  open  order,  rather  than  line of
battle.  Unlike the traditional shoulder to  shoulder  line,
they  could  be several feet apart.  Firing was at will, not
in unison in response to command of officers.  Sharpshooters
were  more  flexible  in  taking advantage of terrain.  In a
deteriorating situation, no stigma was attached to running. 

Fred discussed weapons used-Enfield copies  of  the  British
Army  service  weapon,  Whitworths,  English  Match  rifles,
Sharps, etc.  Confederates captured some Spencer  repeaters,
but  couldn't  make  the  cartridges,  rendering  the weapon
useless.                                                    

Sharpshooters naturally preferred bigger  targets.   Men  on
horseback  and artillery units were favorites.  Yankee Major
General John Sedgwick, killed at Spotsylvania  after  saying
"They  couldn't  hit an elephant at this distance," was shot
by a Confederate sharpshooter.  It is not clear whether  the
successful  shooter  was  Ben  Powell,  Thomas  Burgess,  or
Charles Grace.                                              

General Longstreet had a  group  of  sharpshooters  attached
directly  to his Corps.  Old Pete got this idea from Patrick
Cleburne while they were serving in the western theater.    

Fred's interesting talk  about  this  little  known  subject
encouraged  several  camp members to buy their own copies of
his self-published book.  Favorable dust jacket comments  by
Robert  K.   Krick (the elder), Jeffry D.  Wert, and William
C.  (Jack) Davis praise Fred for producing a worthy work  on
this  subject and will motivate students of The War to place
it high on their priority lists.                            

More information on sharpshooters and about Fred's book  can
be viewed on the Internet at www.cssharpshooters.com

					Walter

2005-2007 CAMP OFFICERS
LONGSTREET CAMP #1247
Commander: Michael Kidd	                     270-9651
1st. Lt. Cmdr.: Taylor Cowardin              359-9277
2nd Lt. Cmdr.: Thomas G. Vance	             282-6278
Adjutant/Treasurer: Walter Tucker            360-7247
Judge Advocate: Harry Boyd                   741-2060
Quartermaster: R. Preston Nuttall            276-8977
Chaplain: Henry V. Langford                  474-1978

PUBLICATIONS
Webmaster: Gary F. Cowardin                  262-0534
Website: longstreetscv.org                           
War Horse:  David P. George                  200-1311

LONGSTREET'S FIRST CORPS

The following is a cumulative listing of contributors to the
upkeep of “The Old War Horse” for the period September, 2007
through the current month.   As  you  know,  our  cumulative
listing starts in July of each year.                        

Ben Baird
Harry Boyd
Lloyd Brooks
Brian Cowardin*
Clint Cowardin*
Gary Cowardin
Ron Cowardin
Taylor Cowardin
Lee Crenshaw*
Raymond Crews*
Jerold Evans*
Kitty Faglie*
Richard Faglie*
Dave George
Louis Heindl
Pat Hoggard
Charles Howard
Chris Jewett
John Kane
Roger Kirby
Frank Marks
Mike Miller*
Lewis Mills
Conway Moncure
Joe Moschetti
John Moschetti
Preston Nuttall*
Ken Parsons
Waite Rawls
Peyton Roden
Rufus Sarvay
Will Schumadine
Joey Seay
Bill Setzer
John Shumadine
Harrison Taylor
Austin Thomas
David Thomas
Walter Tucker*
Tom Vance*
John Vial*
Will Wallace
David Ware
Harold Whitmore
Hugh Williams
Joe Wright

In Memory of Hef Ferguson-David George
In memory of Tom Lauterbach-Harold Whitmore
In Memory of Chuck Walton-Ben Baird
In Memory of Chuck Walton-Anonymous

Legend:                                    
* - Multiple contributions                 
§ - Visitor Donation                       
+ - in memory of Past Cmdr. Tom Lauterbach 

CALENDAR OF VIRGINIA EVENTS

THROUGH   2008   "Virginia   and   the   Confederacy   :   A
Quadricentennial  Perspective"  exhibit at The Museum of the
Confederacy   in   commemoration   of    Virginia's    400th
anniversary.    Featuring  artifacts  from  Lee,  O'Ferrall,
Stuart, Cook and others in  the  Museum's  collection.   For
information: www.moc.org

JULY  13  History  at  Sunset.  "Stonewall's Supreme Moment:
Voices from Jackson's Flank Attack" with Stacy Humphreys and
living  historians.   Meet  at the Jackson Flank Attack tour
stop, one mile west of Chancellorsville Visitor Center, 7:00
p.m.   For  information:  Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor
Center, (540) 373-6122; www.nps.gov/frsp

JULY 14 "Jefferson Davis' Richmond," Historic Walking  Tour,
Museum  of  the  Confederacy,  Richmond, 12:00 noon.  $7 for
members, $10 non-members.  Reservations required.  For
 information;   Dean   Knight,   (804)   649-1861,   Ext.37;
 dknight@moc.org

JULY  14,15  Artillery  Weekend at Hazel Grove and Fairview.
Artillery programs and firing  demonstrations  on  both  the
Union  and  Confederate experience at Chancellorsville.  For
information,  Fredericksburg  Battlefield  Visitor   Center,
(504) 373-6122; www.nps.gov/frsp

JULY  20  History  at  Sunset  "The  Forgotten Places on the
Bloody Plain: A Walk" with Frank O'Reilly and John Hennessy.
Meet  at  Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center.  7 p.m.
For information, (540) 373-6122; www.nps.gov/frsp

JULY  21  2nd  Annual   Kernstown   Reenactment,   Kernstown
Battlefield,   Winchester,   10-4.    Infantry,   artillery,
cavalry,  living  history  camps,  first  person   soldier's
narrative.   For  information,  Kernstown Battlefield Assn.,
(540) 662-1824; www.kernstown battle.org

JULY 27 History at Sunset.  "Caught in a Firestorm: May  3rd
and  the  Ordeal  of  the Chancellors," with Janice Frye and
Greg Mertz.  Park on Hooker Drive between Ely Fords Road  as
River  Road.   7:00  p.m.   For  information: Fredericksburg
Battlefield Visitor Center, (540) 373-6122; www.nps.gov/frsp

JULY 28, 29 143rd Anniversary of the Battle of the Crater at
Petersburg  National Battlefield.  Story of the "Horrid Pit"
presented  by  living  historians  and  park  rangers.   For
information,  Ann  Blumenschine,  (804) 732-3531, Ext.  203;
www.nps.gov/pete

AUGUST 3 History at Sunset.  "War on the Kenmore  Ridge:  An
Exploration  of Washington Avenue" with Eric Mink and Janice
Frye.  For information, Fredericksburg National  Battlefield
Visitor Center, (540) 373-6122; www.nps.gov/frsp

AUGUST  4,  5  Historic City Point living history program at
Petersburg National  Battlefield.   Living  historians  will
attempt  to  recreate  the  look and feel of a quiet village
transformed into one of the world's busiest ports during  10
months  as  Grant's Headquarters and main Union supply base.
For information: Ann Blumenschine (804)  732-3531,  ext.203;
www.nps.gov/pete

AUGUST  10  History at Sunset.  "Life of a House: Chatham by
Candlelight" with Mac Wyckoff and  the  Chatham  Volunteers.
7:30   and   8:00   p.m..    For  information:Fredericksburg
Battlefield Visitor Center, (540) 373-6122; www.nps.gov/frsp

AUGUST  11,  12  Artillery  Weekend  at  Maryre's   Heights.
Artillery  programs  and  firing  demonstrations  on Marye's
Heights,    overlooking    the     Sunken     Road.      For
information:Fredericksburg  Battlefield Visitor Center (540)
373-6122; ww.nps.gov/frsp

AUGUST 14  "Jefferson  Davis'  Richmond."  Historic  Walking
Tour,  Museum  of  the  Confederacy,  Richmond,  12 Noon, $7
members,  $10  non-members,  Reservations   required.    For
information,   Dean   Knight,   (804)  649-1861,  Ext.   37;
dknight@moc.org

OUR NEWEST COMPATRIOT!!

Will Akers  is  shown  above  being  sworn  in  by  1st  Lt.
Commander   Will   Shumadine,  III.   We  welcome  him  into
Longstreet and know that he will find that he is a member of
one  of  the  finest  groups  of  men that he will encounter
anywhere.   If  you  haven't  introduced  yourself  to   him
already, please do so at the July meeting.                  

OUR JUNE SPEAKER

FRED L. RAY

Our heartfelt thanks to our June speaker, Fred L.  Ray.   He
shared  with us his knowledge of a subject that has not been
covered well for at least a century!  Be  sure  to  take  an
opportunity  to  check  on  his  book  and to add it to your
collection.                                                 

ANOTHER FINE YOUNG HISTORY STUDENT!

TAYLOR COWARDIN WITH PHILIP

Philip Delano is the fifth recipient of our annual award  to
the most outstanding history student graduating from Douglas
Freeman High School.  This year, the award amounted to $500.
It  will  go  toward textbooks and supplies for Philip as he
continues with his higher education.                        

Philip, Longstreet Camp  wishes  you  well  in  your  future
endeavors!  Remember that the knowledge of history is one of
the most important virtues of a well-rounded citizen.       

OAKWOOD CEMETERY

The following pictures show the damage done  to  Confederate
graves in Oakwood Cemetery:                                 


Head of Lamb has been broken off



Tomb stone broken into two
sections and pushed over



Headstone broken off from base



Headstones pushed awry



Other stones also damaged


The City of Richmond does not seem to be  perturbed  in  any
way  about the condition of the Confederate grave sites, nor
are they concerned about the security of the cemetery. After
all, they are "Confederate" graves and no one really has any
interest in them except for a few strange people who live in
the past!                                                   

Talk about "Dissing,"  is this not disrespect??

A BIT OF SOUTHERN MUSICAL HISTORY

One of the most popular (and warlike!)  of  the  Confederate
war  songs  was  written by Mrs.  Catherine Warfield who had
lived in Mississippi and Kentucky.  It was first  published,
anonymously, about 1861.                                    

The Southrons' Chaunt of Defiance

You can never win them back
never! never!
Though they perish on the track
of your endeavor;

Though their corpses strew the earth
That smiled upon their birth,
And blood pollutes each hearth-
stone forever!

They have risen to a man
stern and fearless;
Of your curses and your ban
they are careless.
Every hand is on its knife;
Every gun is primed for strife;
Every palm contains a life,
high and peerless.

You have no such blood as theirs
for the shedding,
In the veins of Cavaliers
was its heading.
You have no such men 
In your abolition den,
To march through foe and fen
nothing dreading.

They may fall before the fire of
your legions,
paid in gold for murderous hire-
bought allegiance!
But for every drop you shed
You shall leave a mound of dead;
And the vultures shall be fed
in our regions.

But the battle to the strong
is not given,
While the Judge of right and wrong
sits in Heaven!
And the God of David still
Guides each pebble by his will;
There are giants yet to kill-
wrongs unshriven.

We must remember that war was still romantic  in  that  era.
Flowery   speeches,   poetry  and  song  and  thrilling  and
patriotic  sendoffs  for   the   troops   were   the   norm.
Invincibility  of  your  forces  was assured due to the fact
that God must surely be on your side.  (Hasn't every army in
every  war  has  been taught to believe this by almost every
religion??)                                                 

This lady, in  her  wildest  dreams,  had  no  idea  of  the
magnitude  of  the  death  and destruction that would result
from the War.  No one did.  No one ever does.               

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

Don't forget that we will install our new  officers  at  the
July meeting! Rob Millikin will be on hand to swear them in.

REMEMBER THAT WE DO NOT MEET IN AUGUST.
IT IS OUR VACATION MONTH!!

THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE
SEPTEMBER 18, 2007.

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!!