The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Monday, November 30, 2015

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 130: Is It OK to Play a Confederate Soldier?

From the Nov. 23, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

**Is it OK to Play a Confederate Soldier  in a Civil War FBS?  (Motherboard)  (Loss)  Shouldn't even be a question.)

**Robert Fisher: Students over-reacted to flag flap.  (La Crosse Tribune)  (Win)

From the November 26, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

**Historic Virginia Church to Remove Confederate Flag Imagery.  (Christian Post)  Richmond, Virginia)  (Loss)  St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

**Austin school board changes policy on Confederate names.  (Texas)  (Not sure)  It didn't say whether they could or couldn't change Confederate names.

**Talbot Boys statue to remain in Easton.  (Cecil Whig, Maryland?)  (Win)  Will remain on county courthouse grounds.

--Old Secesh

Saturday, November 28, 2015

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 129: That Horrible Confederate Flag on the Laptop

From the November 21, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

**Confederate Flag draws protests at Dobson High School in Mesa.  (Arizona) (Loss)

**Woodrow Wilson is not the Confederate Flag: Scrubbing his name from Princeton is a bad idea.  (Princeton University)  (Loss if they do it, but at least one person is sane there.)

From Nov. 22, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

**Jim Parker: Confederate Flag is reprehensible symbol.   (La Crosse Tribune)  (Loss)

From Nov. 23, 2015, Google Alerts.

**OC Civic Center replaces 50 state flags, and a Confederate symbol, with local banners.  (Orange County, California)  (Loss, but at least they took all of them down.)

**Confederate Flag on laptop reported as 'bias incident' alert at Farmingham State.  (Farmingham State in Massachusetts)  (Loss)  A student reported it.  There was a "contentious campus forum held Tuesday" over racism on campus.  Like at Missouri.

And On and On It Goes.  --Old Secesh


Friday, November 27, 2015

PTSD in the Civil War? You Betcha-- Part 1: "Acute Mania"

From the January 2015, Smithsonian Magazine "PTSD: The Cuvil War's Hidden Legacy" by Tony Horwitz.

IN THE SUMMER OF 1862, JOHN HILDT LOST A LIMB.  THEN HE LOST HIS MIND.

John Hildt was a 25-year-old corporal from Michigan who saw the elephant (action) for the first time at the seven Days battles in Virginia where he was shot in the right arm.  It had to be amputated close to the shoulder which caused a severe hemorrhage.

He survived, but was transferred to the Government Hospital for the Insane in Washington, D.C., suffering from what was termed "acute mania."

Before the war, he had been a laborer with no prior history of mental illness.  In the Army, he had risen quickly through the ranks as an able soldier.  His family wrote to the hospital expressing surprise that "his mind could not be restored to its original state.

Hildt remained in the hospital for years without improvement.  He was described as withdrawn, apathetic and at times so "excited and disturbed" that he hit other patients at the asylum.  He finally died there in 1911.

--Old Secesh

Monday, November 23, 2015

Union Soldier Statue Goes Up in Ashton, Illinois, in 1915

From the Nov. 17, 2015, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

S.F. Mills and N.A. Petrie, philanthropic citizens of Ashton, have contracted for the erection at their own expense of a soldiers' monument in the Ashton Cemetery.

The monument will be of Barre, Vermont, granite and the bass will be six feet and four inches square.  The monument will be surmounted by a full-size figure of a soldier dressed in the style of uniform used during the Civil War, the soldier standing at parade rest.

The height of the monument will be twenty feet and it will weigh 17 tons.

I wasn't able to find any more information about it, but did find photos of the Ashton Cemetery where it stands at the entrance to it.  It is located on Midway Road, north of the Lincoln Highway.

--Old Secesh


The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 128: Confederate Flag at Dennison University

From the Nov. 20, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

**Rockville postpones tonight's Confederate Statue hearing  (Virginia)  (temporary Win before Loss)  This is Montgomery County where the town of Christiansburg is located and we know how THEY feel about their heritage.

**Georgia student poses for photo in Ku Klux Klan hood, Confederate Flag.  (East Correta High School)  (Loss)  Just what we need, dumb high school student makes it look like we support the Klan.

**Electric Forest Bans American Indian Headdresses After Last Year's Confederate Flag Incident.  (Music Times) (Rothbury, Michigan)  (Loss)  Evidently some sore of a basshead/electronic music festival.  One attendee wore a Confederate Flag totem and upset somebody.

**Campus Safety responds to truck sporting Confederate Flag.  (Dennison University, Ohio)  (Win and Loss)  A student saw it and got upset.  At first campus safety told them it was an issue of free speech and wouldn't do anything.  Later, went looking for the truck.

--Old Secesh

Sunday, November 22, 2015

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 127: The Assault Over a Flag Decal

From the Nov. 20, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

**Police release enhanced images of alleged Confederate Flag assault.  (Salt Lake City)  (Loss)  This is where six blacks assaulted two whites over a Confederate Flag decal on a truck.  Right now it is being treated as assault but could be upgraded to a hate crime.  I might add it sure looks racist to me.  The white men should not have been attacked because of the decal.

**Santa Ana replaces flags to remove Confederate symbols.  (California) (Loss)  That would be the Mississippi state flag.

And, speaking of the Mississippi state flag, I have not heard about how the state government is dealing with the University of Mississippi removing the flag from campus.

**La Crosse truck sparks Confederate Flag debate anew.  (Wisconsin)  (Loss)  At the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.  A student saw a Confederate Flag on the grill of a truck at a construction site on campus and got upset.  The owner was told to remove it and did.

I Am Offended.  --Old Secesh

Saturday, November 21, 2015

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 126: What Teddy Roosevelt Had to Say About Confederate Soldiers

I came across this while researching Irvine Bulloch in my Civil War Navy blog.  Irvine Bulloch served on the Confederate raiders Alabama and Shenandoah and was the brother of "Mittie" Bulloch, the mother of Theodore Roosevelt and paternal grandmother of Eleanor Roosevelt.

Irvine and "Mittie" were raised on a plantation in Roswell, Georgia and in 1905, Theodore Roosevelt visited the town and spoke.

"Men and women, don'y you think I have the ancestral right to claim a proud kinship with those who showed their devotion to duty as they saw the duty, whether they wore grey or whether they wore blue?

"All Americans who are worthy of the name feel an equal pride in the valor of those who fought on one side or the other, provided only that each did with all their strength and soul and mind his duty as it was given to him to see his duty."

Considering the current movement to completely dishonor all those who fought for and supported the Confederacy, these words from the past should be examined more closely.

--Old Secesh


Top Ten Civil War Innovations-- Part 4: Railroads, McCormick's Reaper and Paper Money

8.   RAILROADS--  had a huge impact.  Moved troops and supplies with rapidity as opposed to land roads.

9.  McCORMICK'S REAPER--  A labor-saving device.  Using the new reaper, three farm hands could do the work of 10-12 in wheat production.  This enabled these men to go to war.  The reaper was patented in 1834 by Virginian Cyrus McCormick.

10.  PAPER MONEY--  The war transformed U.S. banking system.  Paper money became legal tender for the first time.

"Greenbacks," named for their anti-counterfeit ink used on the back of them were issued by the federal government.  This replaced the paper notes issued by local banks around the country.

With the increasingly worthless Confederate paper money, some Southern soldiers demanded to be paid in Union "Greenbacks."

So, There You have It.  --Old Secesh

Friday, November 20, 2015

Top Ten Civil War Innovations-- Part 3: Telegraph and Iron Gunships

6.  TELEGRAPH--  50,000 miles of telegraph wire had been strung by 1860.  Another 15,000 miles were added during the war.  Lincoln used it for real-time information.  By October 1861, the coast-to-coast telegraph had eliminated the Pony Express.  During the war, several patents improved distance and power of the original Morse telegraph.

7.  IRON GUNSHIPS--  The Confederate Navy couldn't match the U.S. Navy in numbers so needed a super weapon which they got with the ironclad CSS Virginia.  The USS Monitor was built in 90-days and had 40 patentable inventions by John Ericsson.

--Old Secesh

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 125: Goodbye Kirby

From the Nov. 18, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

School board OKs dress code ban on Confederate symbols.  (Christiansburg, Virginia, Montgomery County)  (Loss)  But no surprise here.  But, you know some people are offended by Christians.  Perhaps a new town name is in order.

Florida lawmakers move to replace Confederate statue.  (Not really a loss)  Statue of Confederate General Kirby Smith at U.S. Capitol.  As I said before, he spent only his childhood in the state and shouldn't represent the state at the Capitol.  Should have been done a long time ago.  Unfortunate that it had to take place in the current Confederate backlash.

Ken Calvert: Congressman recounts Confederate Flag controversy.  He introduced a late hour amendment on the spending bill that would have allowed the Confederate Flag to be placed at Confederate veterans gravestones at federal cemeteries in states which have Confederate memorial holidays.  Needless to say, this drew a lot of controversy.

Confederate Flags in Tallahassee Veterans Day Parade Causes Backlash.  (Loss)

David Allan Coe Fans Ready Confederate Do-Rags.  (Win)  Wait a minute guys and gals, don't you know some people are offended by them?  Oh, yes.  I forgot.  You don't care (but am sure you'd have other words to say about it).

--Old Secesh

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Top Ten Civil War Innovations-- Part 2: Sewing Machines, Standard Sizes and Weaponry

3.  SEWING MACHINES--  These were used for tents, uniforms and blankets.  This also led to coated fabrics like canvas tents and rubberized tarpaulins.

4.  STANDARD SIZES--  Before the war, if you needed shoes or something to wear, either it was made at home or, ion the case of shoes, a cobbler.  Things were made to the individual.  But with huge armies to uniform and provide shoes, it became necessary to start having standard sizes which would be then issued.

5.  WEAPONRY--  Both sides used newly-developed  bored rifles that gave bullets a spinning motion.  This caused effective range to be extended from 100 yards to 500 yards.  Minie balls were fired from them, which flattened on impact, shattering bones and tissues.  The old musket  balls generally passed right through the body, causing much less damage.

--Old Secesh

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Top Ten Civil War Innovations-- Part 1: Canned Food and Pocket Watches

From the December 12, 2012, Discovery News.  Slide Show.

I had never known about the first four.

1.  CANNED FOOD--  Gail Borden patented condensed milk in 1854.  Sold Navy condensed coffee and cider.  By 1862, soldiers were eating his tinned goods: meat biscuits, condensed coffee and milk.

Entrepreneurs like Van Camps, Armour and Swift began producing single-serving cans of meat.


2.  POCKET WATCH--  Before the war, portable time pieces were a luxury for the ultra rich.  Waltham Watch Company in Massachusetts figured out how to make interchangeable pieces for their pocket watches, making them affordable for everyone.

This breakthrough coincided with the beginning of the war and soldiers took watches with them.  These watches often had inscriptions.

Pass the Coffee, Please.  --Old Secesh

M-231 Bike in Michigan Trail Named for Civil War Hero

From Oct. 17, 2015, M-Live "M-231 bike trail named for Civil War hero, Medal of Honor recipient."

Sgt. Henry E. Plant (Oct. 11, 1841-April 15, 1923) was born in New York and moved with his family to a farm in Ottawa County, Michigan.  Enlisted in the 14th Michigan Infantry in 1861.  Wounded during the Siege of Corinth, Mississippi, 1862.

On March 19, 1865, at the Battle of Bentonville, N.C., the company's color bearer was mortally wounded and Plant took the flag and waved it, inspiring his company to resist the Confederate onslaught.  For this he was promoted to sergeant and made regimental color bearer.

He was awarded the Medal of Honor on April 27, 1891, for rescuing the regimental colors, the first for anyone ever from Ottawa County and the 14th Michigan.

The M-231 is a road in Michigan.

--Old Secesh

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 124: Vigil At "Disrespectful" Art Show

From the Nov. 15 and 16, 2015 Google Alerts for Confederate.

Group Holds Confederate Flag Rally.  (Abilene, Texas)  (Win)

Confederate Flag should not be flown in any community.  (Post-Bulletin)  (Loss)  A letter to the editor.

Confederate Supporters Protest MLK Monument On Stone Mountain.  (Georgia)  (Win)

Memorial to Civil War soldiers on both sides will replace Confederate Flag at Wichita park.  (Wichita, Kansas)  (Draw)

Veterans Group Holds Candlelight Vigil at "Disrespectful" Art Show.  (Richmond, Va.)  At the Confederate Chapel.  (Win)

--Old Secesh

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 123: Even to TV?

From the Nov. 14, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

A History Lesson on Confederate Flag.  (An anti flag article)  (Loss)

Editorial: Fair should not abide sale of Confederate Flags.  (Glenn Galls, NY)  (Loss)

Updated: Hollyoaks fans complain about Confederate Flag seen in an episode.  (TV show) (Loss)  has it come to this.

museums can tell the full story of Confederate symbols.  (Draw)

Citadel alumni campaign to remove Confederate Naval Jack from Summerall Chapel.  (Loss)

--Old Secesh




Monday, November 16, 2015

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 122: New Battle in Natchitoches

From the Nov. 13, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

Matthews woman's stand on the Confederate Flag goes viral.  (Matthews, N.C. near Charlotte.  (Loss)  She stole a Confederate Flag sticker off a neighbor's truck and replaced it with a racist note.  She is quite proud of what she did though to me that falls under destruction of private property.  Perhaps a nice big fine might convince her of the error of her ways.

Battle over Confederate Flag in Natchitoches.  (Louisana)  (Draw for now)  The mayor wants the flag out of the Christmas parade.  A decision has not been reached, but I'm sure it will be banned.

In Md. some stand against Confederate plate recall.  (Win)  Maryland license plates for SCV.

Review board recommends moving Confederate statues out of Lexington historic courthouse.  (Kentucky) (Loss)   These would be the statues of Confederates John Hunt Morgan and John C. Breckinridge.

Stone Mountain: A Confederate memorial in a black neighborhood.  (Georgia)

--Old Secesh


The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 121: What About Ole Miss?

From the Nov. 12, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

A Bit of Housekeeping Removes a Confederate Flag in a U.S. Capital Building.  (New York Times)  (Loss)  Rayburn House Office building.  Removal of Mississippi state flag.

Two residents ask fair to ban Confederate Flags.  (Loss)  (Washington County Fair in Easton, NY, I think.)  They want any item featuring it banned.  The sad thing often is that is that if just one or two people don't like it, hey get their way.

I have not yet read about anything the State of Mississippi has done to punish Ole Miss for removing the state flags.  I am thinking loss of funding is in order.

What they need to do about the Confederate Flag emblem in the state flag is have a vote of all citizens like they had before.  If the majority vote to remove it, do so.

--Old Secesh

Saturday, November 14, 2015

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 120: Trippy Dippy Light Show

From the Nov. 11, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

VA Flaggers to protest InLight exhibit at Confederate chapel outside VMFA.  (Richmond, Va.)  (Win) There is to be an art exhibit on the grounds of the Virginia  Museum of Fine Arts and plans are to turn the chapel into a "Funhouse" called "Trippy Dippy Light Show.  (Loss)  The show will go on.  In 2011, the VMFA forced the removal of Confederate battle flags from the Chapel.

Confederate Flag ban on clothing finds favor on Montgomery County School Board.  (Christiansburg, Va., of course)  (Loss) but no big surprise.

A.C. House 63 candidate wants confederate flag back (WBTW)  (Win).  But, I wonder why the article kept spelling Confederate with a small "c"?  Candidate Will Breazeale says it is not a racist symbol.

Sons of Confederate Veterans commemorate 100th anniversary of P.G.T. Beauregard statue.  (New Orleans) (Win)  This is one of the ones causing a removal debate.

Lake Village Votes to Change Confederate Street Name.  (Lake City, Arkansas)  (Loss) The City Council voted to change the name Confederate Avenue to Sgt. Thomas Armour, Jr. Street, a Lake Village resident who lost both legs in Vietnam.  I see on a map accompanying the article that they also have a Lee Street and we know what Confederate general had that name.  They also have a Chicago Boulevard and we know about all the blacks killed there every week.  Maybe some other street names need to be changed.

--Old Secesh

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 119: Confederate Flag Bad, Muslim Activists Good in Tulsa

From the Nov. 10, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

Confederate Flag Out, CAIR In for Tulsa Veterans Day Parade.  (Double Loss)    The Confederate Flag was not allowed, but this group was.  OK, I had to find out who CAIR was.  It stands for Council on American-Islamic relations.  This is a Muslim activist group who right now is suing the Pentagon over a ban on facial hair.  Confederate Flag= BAD.  Muslim Activist Group= Good.  What gives here?

Braxton County High School Student Suspended After Confederate Flag Protest.  (West Virginia)  (Loss).  Fifteen vehicles were flying the Confederate and U.S. flags at school.

--Old Secesh

Friday, November 13, 2015

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 118: Banning the Flag from a Parade Originated by Confederate Veterans in N.C.

Kind of hard to keep up with these.  I'll be glad if and when it ever blows over so I can get back to just writing about the war.

From the Nov. 10, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

Confederate battle flag back up for discussion.  KSN-TV (Wichita, Kansas)  (Win)  At least it is being talked about here instead of banned.  It is/was one of 13 flags flying at Veterans Memorial Park.

Confederate Flag supporters hope to keep it in Newton parade.  (North Carolina)  (Win) This is the Soldiers Reunion Parade started by Confederate veterans and held in August.  Largest parade in Newton.

Confederate Flag to fly no longer in Wichita park.  (Wichita, Kansas)  (Loss)  If anything can be found offensive about any of the other flags, they should come down as well.  I saw some of the flags which, of the ones I saw, were historic U.S. flags and we all know that our country has never done anything shameful.  However, any flags before 1865 should be taken down because they flew over slavery as well.

--Old Secesh


The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 117: "Confederate Veteran Lives Matter"

From the Nov. 9, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

'Confederate Veterans Lives Matter' group files 'discrimination' complaint after city rejects parade float.  Tulsa, Oklahoma)  (Win).  It will, of course, be overturned, but, at least it's an effort.

Bexar's Confederate markers to get new home.  (Texas)  (Win)  But shouldn't have been necessary.  Markers at Vance House and Jefferson Davis Memorial Highway.  They are being moved the the Institute of Texas Cultures.  They shouldn't have been removed in the first place.

Group voicing support to reinstate Confederate Flag at veteran Memorial Park.  (Wichita, Kansas)  (Win)

Minister who blasted Landrieu on Confederate monuments has also called for their removal.  (New Orleans)  (Loss)  Landrieau is the mayor.

--Old Secsh

Thursday, November 12, 2015

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 116: Uncle Bill Lundy Moved

From the Nov. 8, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

The Eichmann of the Confederate South.  (Daily Beast by Gil Troy)  (Loss)  A fairly balanced account of the pros and cons of Henry Wirz, who commanded Andersonville prison.  Wants the UDC statue of Wirz in Andersonville removed.

Fans at Speedway ignore TMS, NASCAR requests not to fly Confederate Flags.  (Texas Motor Way)  (Win)  However, only a handful of flags were flown, but more power to them.

Uncle Bill Lundy Memorial Rededication: Symbol of hate or heritage.  (Crestville, Florida)  (Win)  But te fact it was forced to be moved was a loss.  Bill Lundy was one of the last Confederate veterans to die in 1957.  A memorial to him was established in a local park not long afterwards and a Confederate Flag flew over it.  In September, Crestville requested its removal and the memorial.   It has now been moved to private property and rededicated.

Column:  Political correctness never engages real history.

--Old Secesh

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 115: "Confederate Lives Matter"

From the Nov. 7, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

'Confederate Lives Matter' Claims Tulsa Parade 'Unfair.'  (Loss)  refused to be allowed to carry flag.

Confederate Flag seen flying high above old Concord railroad building.  (Concord, New Hampshire) (Win)

Men Arrested for Trying to Vandalize Confederate Flag, Police.  (Ocala, Florida)  (Win)  At least they weren't given awards and honors for doing this.  But, my question is why, in this day and age, a Confederate Flag would be flown outside any government complex?  Two white men were trying to vandalize a Confederate Flag at a government complex.  I later found out, the display also had the flags of Britain, France, Spain and the U.S..

Controversy erupts over Confederate Flag at Austin veterans Day parade.  (Loss)

Anti-Confederate statue vandalized with racist graffiti inside Copy Cat Building.  (Baltimore) (Win)  Get used to having your statues vandalized.  We sure have ours vandalized.

Addidas offers to help change offensive high school mascots.  (Loss)  This would be those with Confederate and Indian background.  And what will they replace them with that will make them money.

--Old Secesh


Wednesday, November 11, 2015

In Honor of Veterans Day-- Gettysburg National Military Park-- Part 2

Within walking distance of the Visitors Center is the Soldiers' National Cemetery where Union dead from the battle are buried and today is the final resting place of veterans  from all wars and their families.  It is also the place where Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863.

The Museum and Visitors center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Nov. 1 to March 31, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. the rest of the year.

There is no fee for entrance to the park, National Cemetery, or park buildings.  There is a fee to enter the Museum and Visitor Center exhibit galleries, film and Cyclorama.

--Old Secesh

In Honor of Veterans Day: Gettysburg National Military Park-- Part 1

From the Nov. 6, 2015, Chicago Tribune, "Primetime salutes veterans: Visiting war memorials, here and abroad, bears witness to freedom's cost."

GETTYSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK, PENNSYLVANIA

This is honor of Veterans Day today.

This site consists of most of the Gettysburg Battlefield, the Gettysburg National Cemetery and the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center.  Many of the park's 43,000 Civil War artifacts are displayed in the museum.

A turning point of the war and a major Union victory that ended Robert E. lee's second and most ambitious invasion of the North, it was also the Civil War's bloodiest battle and was the inspiration for President Abraham Lincoln's immortal "Gettysburg Address."

The National Park service Museum and Visitor Center is the place to begin your visit with information on park tours, the film "A New Birth of Freedom", and the gettysburg Cyclorama, an 1884 depiction of "Pickett's Charge."

--Old Secesh

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 114: Prejudiced Texas Judge

From Nov. 5, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

Texas judge scolds Confederate heritage group, "The symbol of slavery is not something to honor."  (Loss)  And do you think we will get a fair shake in her courtroom.  I think not.  She said this to the SCV.  This was Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt, a person who should not be re-elected to her position.

From the Nov. 6, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

Group not allowed to fly Confederate Flag at local veterans' parade (Florissant, Missouri)  (Loss)  If the flag is carried by re-enactors dressed in Confederate uniforms this should not be an issue.

Confederate Flag inappropriate. (Rutland Herald, Vermont?)  (Loss) Saw one in a parade and upset about it.)

'Hate Crime'?  Garth Brooks Fans Taught Violent Lesson In 'Intolerance' Over Confederate Flag Decal.  (Salt Lake City)  (Loss)  Six blacks attacked two whites.  This has a video of the attack.  Definitely a case of hate/racism on the part of the blacks who should be prosecuted but I doubt it will get far considering our present justice system which has been crippled by black threats.

Confederate Flag Thief Seen in Viral Video Gets Off With a Slap On the Wrist.  (The Smoking Gun) (Bradenton, Florida)  (Loss)  a black man took the flag off a house and was ordered to pay the owner $55.  This took place in July.  Normally I would call this fair for such a minor thing, but not under present circumstances.  I would go so far as to call this a hate crime since the other side is so prone to do this.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

McHenry County Civil War Round Table Tonight


The meeting and presentation of this organization will take place tonight, Nov. 10, 2015, at Woodstock Public Library in Woodstock, Illinois, at 7 p.m..  I plan to be there since the Cubs aren't playing anymore (the reason I missed the last meeting).

Tonight's topic is "Building the Lincoln Funeral Train" and will be given by Bill Werst.

The McHenry County Civil War Round Table has now been active for 17 years.

--Old Secesh

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 113: The GOP a Neo-Confederate Party?

From the Nov. 3, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate Fort.

Battle flag comes down Saturday.  (Crestview, Florida)  (Loss and Win)  The Confederate Flag has flown for over 50 years over a memorial at a public park, but was ordered removed by town government.  It and the memorial were removed to a nearby private park.

From the Nov. 4, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

Confederate statue bill clears first House Committee.  (Florida)  (Loss, sort of)  Statue of Confederate general Kirby Smith to be removed from U.S. Capitol.  I happen to agree with this since the only spent the first years of his childhood in the state.

Confederate Flag reported stolen.  (Danville, Virginia)  (Loss and Win)  One was stolen, but there are now five large Confederate Flags flying around the city which is a bastion of anti-Confederate hatred.

Pol who battled Confederate Flag visiting Kankakee.  (Illinois)  (Draw)  This was S.C. Re[resentative Jenny Horne.

GOP is a neo-Confederate party now.  (Not sure about this one)  But the term neo-Confederate kind of rings of neo-Nazi, doesn't it?

--Old Secesh

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 112: Rutherford Institute Challenges Virginia's Licence Plate Recall

From the Nov. 4, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate Navy.

Confederate battle flag to remain in Austin Veterans Day Parade.  (Austin, Texas) (An unexpected win)  Travis County Commissioners Court debated pulling sponsorship after the parade committee voted to allow the flag in the parade, however.  Spoilsports!!

From Nov. 3, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

Heritage & Hate: A Struggle Within the Confederate Legacy Movement.  (Draw)

Confederate Flag convoy in Arkansas, USA.  A short video was made of about 12 vehicles going down the road and flying the flag.  (Win)  Sure wish it had been a whole lot more vehicles flying the flag.  several thousand would really have been great.

The Rutherford Institute weighs in on the Confederate Flag license plates.  (Win)  Challenging Virginia's right to recall the plates.

--Old Secesh

Monday, November 9, 2015

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 111: How About Those Other Flags on the Florida State Senate Seal?

The Florida State Senate Seal now just includes four flags: The United States, Spain, England and France.  The Confederate Flag has been removed as it stands for slavery and racism.

That is a horrible thing so it was removed.

Let's see, though, have those other flags ever flown over something that could bring shame to their countries?  Surely, those other countries have never done anything that anyone could find offensive, definitely not anything in the same league as that Confederate Flag and all that slavery and racism.

Well, I am now going to think of anything those other countries might have done that someone found  offensive.  Because if I do, I will ask the Florida State Senate to remove those flags.

Then, they will have to remove those flags as well.  We must be fair about offensive.

No One Must Be Offended.  No Way, No How.  --Old Secesh

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Frank Crawford Talks About His Book-- Part 4: Short People and a Woman Soldier

Continued from October 16, 2015.

Mr. Crawford has also written the book "Proud to Say I Am a Union Soldier: The Last Letters Home from federal Soldiers Written During the War."

Again, I like this guy as he goes after the lesser war which I find more interesting.  Instead of the grand campaigns, battles and better-known Civil War persons, he researches the others who make up the war.

SHORT PEOPLE

JAMES POWELL

Major.  Started the Battle of Shiloh.  Took a recon party out and encountered Confederates pickets.  Fired the first shot of the battle at Fraley Field and was later killed in it.

ALBERT D.J. CASHIER

Real name Jennie Hodgers of the 95th Illinois.  Woman.

Cashier was listed as not 5 feet tall, but muster roll lists her at 5'3".

Major James E. Powell was 5'3".

Even shorter was Alexander Wilkin, colonel of a Minnesota regiment noted for hanging of Indians and killed at The Battle of Tupelo who stood 4'10".

--Old Secesh


The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 110: Man Bombs Mississippi Wal-Mart

Man bombed Wal-Mart because it stopped selling Confederate Flags, police say.  (Washington Post) (Loss)  The Wal-Mart was in Tupelo, Mississippi and was bombed by a complete idiot.  And, anything where this conflict results in people getting hurt or killed is definitely not warranted.  As I said before, we have "idgits" on both sides.  This is VERY serious.

Fight over Confederate decal could be investigated as a hate crime.  (Salt Lake City)  (Draw)  Fight between a white and black man who exchanged racial slurs and led to punching.  The use of slurs might raise this case to racist.

Local Confederate heritage groups deny ties to KKK.  (Richmond, Va.)  (Loss)  The Virginia Flaggers and SCV have been accused of this by hackers posting information on a web site.  I am a member of the SCV and am embarrassed greatly by the KKK and don't support them at all.  For the other side to say this is like us saying that the NAACP is like the vicious black Chicago street gangs who are killing so many blacks.

Confederate-named Austin schools prompt heated talk among trustees.  (Austin, Texas)  (Loss)  The schools in question:

Robert E. Lee Elementary School
Eastside Memorial High School at Johnston Campus  (named for Confederate General Albert S. Johnston)
Sidney Lanier High School -- named after Southern poet who fought for the Confederacy
John H. Reagan High School--  postmaster general of the Confederacy
William B. Travis High School--  rebel mascot.

--Old Secesh

Friday, November 6, 2015

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 109: It Will Be Tense in San Antonio Today

From the November 3, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

Confederate Flag rally organizer:  Bring rifles, extra magazines just in case" to San Antonio.  (MySanAntonio)  (Hopefully there will be no violence.)  This is frightening and could lead to violence or worse.  The group intends to fly Confederate Flags and is also part of the Open Carry (firearms) group.  I imagine there will be a lot of law enforcement there.  Hopefully the anti-Confederate groups will stay away.

--Old Secesh

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 108: "Furl the Banner"

There were no new items on the Oct. 31st Google Alerts.  Perhaps this thing is blowing over some was my thought.  Sadly, it wasn't.

From the November 1, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

Mississippi's stand on the Confederate battle flag has ebbed and flowed with times.  (Sun Herald)  (Draw)  The current flag was designed and accepted in 1894, preceding the Civil Rights Movement.

City Clears Art From Confederate Monument.  (Baltimore)  (Win)  A grotesque, anti-Confederate, statue was placed at the Confederate monument illegally and removed by city workers.

From the November 2, 2015 Google Alerts for Confederate.

Black minsters' position on Confederate monuments.  (New Orleans)  (Win)  They consider the mayor too aggressive on their removal, some calling it unnecessary and racially divisive.  This sure surprised me.  I would expect them to be completely behind removal.

Furl that banner.  (Baltimore Sun)  (Draw/Loss)  Kind of hard to pick this one.  The column refers to the"Poet Priest of the Confederacy," Father Ryan, whose poem written shortly after the war,, "The Conquered Banner" urged Confederate veterans to "furl the banner" and get on with their lives.

--Old Secesh

Thursday, November 5, 2015

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 107: General Beauregard's Closes

Judge dismisses Confederate Flag lawsuit against the City of Danville.  (Virginia) (Loss)  No big surprise here.

Confederate-themed bar in Georgia closed after alleged racist drink incident.  (Athens, Georgia) (Win) General Beauregard's was temporarily closed two days later.  Owner says he is not sure if they will reopen.  They had a "N...garita" shot.  The bar had also openly flown all versions of the Confederate Flag until after Charleston.  There is no room for openly racist things like this these days.  Even if it is in fun.

Commission continues talks of removing city's Confederate monuments.  (Baltimore) (Loss)

Lake Village Considers Changing Confederate Street Name.  (Arkansas)  (Loss)  The road in question is Confederate Street.

--Old Secesh

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 106: Time for Kirby Smith to Go?

From the Oct. 30, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

Virginia recall of Confederate battle flag plates challenged.  (Loss)  I'm calling it a loss in advance, although the challenge is a (Win).  We know that we can't win in the justice system.

Young: Controversy of Confederate Flag is overblown.    (Win)  Civil Rights leader and former mayor of Atlanta Andrew Young says the whole controversy is overblown because of those who oppose it.  He says, "To hell with where we fly it."  When he sees it, he sees the Cross of St. Andrew Christian symbol even though he understands that some who see it regard it as a symbol of racism.  During the heyday of the Civil rights Movement he never heard mention of the Confederacy or the flag.

Is it time for Confederate general to go?  (Palm Beach (Fla.) Post)  (I agree with the removal in this case.)  This is referring to the statue of Confederate Gen. Kirby Smith at the U.S. Capitol, one of two statues representing the state of Florida.    Smith was born in St. Augustine and spent childhood there, but other than that spent no time in the state.  The other statue is that of John Gorrie, a doctor and early air conditioner pioneer.  I'm sure Florida can find someone more deserving of the honor.

--Old Secesh

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 105: And Even the Whiskey

Today, I went browsing around Binny's, a huge liquor store here in the Chicagoland area.  They have most any liquor you might want and is one of the few places I know that you can find Rebel Yell Whiskey which  has always featured a mounted Confederate cavalryman holding a sword.

He is no longer on the label.  Now all you see are the intertwined letters "R" and "Y." and the words "Rebel Yell."

So, It Strikes Here As Well.  --Old Secesh

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 104: Confederate Symbols Causing Tension at UGA

From the Oct. 29, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

Confederate clothing causes controversy.  (Illinois)  (Loss)  Urbana Middle School boy told he couldn't wear a Confederate hoodie featuring the Confederate Flag and the word "Redneck."    If they are going to ban this, any tee shirt with rap groups should also be banned because of what they rap about.

Officials aiming to have Confederate Flag display ready by Jan. 1st.  (South Carolina)  (Win)  This is in regard to the Confederate Flag removed from the South Carolina State House earlier this year.  It will be displayed in the South Carolina Confederate Room and Military Museum.

 I did not have a problem with this one coming down as it was flown in defiance of the Civil Rights Movement.  However, any flags flown at a Confederate memorial should be allowed to remain.

Confederate symbols create tension for UGA campus community  (Red and Black, student newspaper at University of Georgia)  (Loss)  A very anti-Confederate article  There is a Confederate monument off campus, but students are forced to walk by it.  About 100 UGA students and alumni died fighting for the Confederacy.  Joseph Le Conte fought for the Confederacy and Le Conte Hall named for him.

The article then listed what other colleges have done against the Confederacy.  Until last March, traditional Southern fraternities KA and SAE held a Mahnolia Ball and Old South Week honoring the old South  They often dressed in Confederate uniforms.  These uniforms were banned in 2010

The Confederate Flag is a symbol of a racist country.  (Loss)  As is the United States flag.

Confederate Flag lawsuit against Danville dismissed.  (Virginia) (Loss)  Again, we will not get a favorable ruling from the justice system.

AND, MEANWHILE, in Chicago this last weekend, thirty people were shot, mostly blacks.  Again, the Confederate Flag does not go around shooting blacks.

--Old Secesh

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Mort Kunstler November Civil War Calendar

This month's featured Mort Kunstler print is "Battle Above the Clouds."  The print shows a line of Confederate troops firing downward as Union troops approach.

"LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, TENNESSEE, November 23, 1863.

Overlooking Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain was the anchor of Braxton Bragg's left flank.  On the morning of November 23, 1863, troops led by Joseph Hooker bridged Lookout Creek and swept the face of the mountain.

"Among the rocks and tangled growth, Bragg's Confederates fought desperately, while fascinated observers in Chattanooga strained to see through the smoke which covered the fighting.

"Aptly named 'Battle Above the Clouds' opened the door to Confederate defenses on Missionary Ridge."

Impressive Print.  --Old Secesh

Ten Confederate Memorials That Still Stand-- Part 103

6.  Orange, Texas--  Confederate Memorial of the Wind.

7.  Brooklyn, New York--  General Lee Avenue and Stonewall Jackson Drive at Fort Hamilton.

8.  Augusta, Georgia--  Fort Gordon (named after Confederate general).

9.  Georgetown, Delaware--  Confederate Soldier monument.

10.  Washington, D.C.  Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson in the stained glass windows at the Washington National Cathedral.

--Old Secesh


Ten Confederate Memorials That Still Stand-- Part 102

By Kathy Holloway.

An interesting list written by someone who wants them all gone, literally dripping with sarcasm.  Slavery you know.

Nearly 200 K-12 public schools in the U.S. are named after Confederates.  Also, ten U.S. Army bases are as well and there are even some statues to "faithful slaves."

1.  Frankfort, Kentucky.  Jefferson Davis statue at the state Capitol.

2.  Nashville, Tennessee--  Nathan Bedford Forrest statue.

3.  San Diego, California--  Robert E. Lee Elementary School.

4.  Near Apache Junction, Arizona--  Road called the Jefferson Davis Highway.

5.  Stone Mountain, Georgia--  The giant carving.

Five More.  --Old Secesh

Monday, November 2, 2015

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 101: Mystifying Support for Confederate Flag in Ohio

From the October 28, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

The Mystifying Support for the Confederate Flag in the Northeast Corner of a Union State.  (Cleveland Scene Weekly, Ohio)  (Win)

Owner of Confederate Themed Bar in Georgia Says "N...ita"  Special Is a Fake. (Georgia)  (Loss) General Beauregard's bar in Athens, Georgia,   However, it does have it listed as a shooter with 2 Tequila.  1 Watermelon and Splash Sour.

Mattheson Museum turns down Confederate statue.  (Loss)  The statue is at the Alachua County Administration Building in Gainesville, Florida.

Martineau: Confederate and treasonous.  (Herald Tribune, Florida)  (Loss)

In Hillsborough, an election wrapped in a Confederate Flag.  (Draw)  (Loss)

KCHE hosts history professor's lecture on Confederate Flag.   (Blountsville, Tennessee)  (Draw)

--Old Secesh



The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 100: Good Ole PCiss

From the October 27, 2015, Google Alerts for Confederate.

University of Mississippi removes state flag with Confederate emblem.  (huge loss)

I foolishly wore a Confederate Flag on an Ole Miss shirt as a youth.  I still regret it.  (loss)

Confederate symbol debate unresolved.  (Augusta, Georgia Chronicle)  (Draw)

Ole Miss Finally Removes State Flag With Racist Confederate Battle Emblem.  (loss)

Again, Et Tu Brutus?  Good Ole PCiss  --Old Secesh