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THE OLD WAR HORSE
THE VOICE OF GENERAL JAMES LONGSTREET CAMP #1247, SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS VOLUME 9, ISSUE 7, JULY, 2007 |
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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
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
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
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.
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 474-1978PUBLICATIONS
Webmaster: Gary F. Cowardin 262-0534 Website: longstreetscv.org War Horse: David P. George 200-1311
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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??
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.
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!!