Why Do We Commemorate Memorial Day?-- Part 2: The Role of the GAR

One of the first Decoration Days was held in Columbus, Mississippi,  on April 25, 1866, by women who decorated graves of Confederate soldiers who perished at the Battle of Shiloh who perished at the Battle of Shiloh, with flowers.

On May 5, 1868, three years after the end of the Civil War,  the tradition of placing flowers on veterans' graves was continued by the  establishment of Decoration Day by an organization of former Union veterans, the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR).

General Ulysses S. Grant presided over the first large observance of the day,  when a crows of  about 5,000  people gathered at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on May 30, 1873.  The orphaned children of soldiers and sailors killed during the war placed flowers and small American flags atop both Union and Confederate graves throughout the whole cemetery.

This tradition continues to this day.

Until World War I,  Civil War soldiers were the only ones so honored on this day.  Now, all American military who died are honored.

--Old Secesh

The Hainesville Civil War Encampment and Battle-- Part 1

This took place on Saturday and Sunday, October 16 and 17, in Hainesville, Illinois.

I have been to this several times before.  Of course, it was not held last year because of you-know-what.  So, it was good to have it again.  I actually did not know it was going to be held until just a few weeks before it.

I always find it nice to get together with like-minded folks nd those just there to find out more about the war.

I went on Saturday and it was a blustery day, but not too bad as long as you stayed in the sun.  Shade was not a friend today at all.  I figured the re-enactors weren't too bad off in those wool uniforms on a day like this.

It cost $10 to park, but no other admission charge and was hosted by the Northbrook Sports Club at 200 S. Hainesville Road.

Let's just say I parked in the high grass and walked along a crushed asphalt walkway to where the action was.

As usual, the Confederate camp was pretty far away from the main activity area.  The Union camp was right by as I walked.

--Old Secesh

Confederate Defenders of Charleston Monument-- Part 1

In the last post, I mentioned this monument as being one that Alicia Rhett helped dedicate in 1932.

Hopefully, it will be allowed to remain in place with all that is going on with Confederate monuments these days.

From HMdb.

Inscription:  "To the Confederate Defenders of Charleston   Fort Sumter 1861-1865."

Around the bottom of the base:  "Count Them Happy Who For Their Faith And Their Courage Endured A Great Fight."

Erected 1932 by the Fort Sumter Memorial Commission.

It is in Charleston, S.C., in White Point Garden.

The monument was erected  with the major portion of a $100,000 bequest of Andrew Buist Murray.  The artist was Hermon A. MacNeil, 1866-1947, sculptor.  Dawson Engineering Co. set the base.

--Old Secesh

Who Wrote This Letter? Did She Really Say That?

From the Civil War Times February 2018  "'I Do Not Think of Peace."

From Selma, Alabama, July 23, 1861:

"I see from today's paper Mrs. Lincoln is indignant at my Bro. David's being in Confederate service and declares 'that by nor word or act of hers should he escape punishment for his treason against her husband's government should he fall into their hands.'

"I do not believe she ever said it and if she did and meant it she is no longer a sister of mine nor deserves to be called a woman of nobleness and truth and God grant my noble and brave-hearted brother will never fall into their hands and have to suffer death twice over, and he could do nothing which could make me prouder of him than he is doing now, fighting for his country.

"What would she do to me, do you suppose?  I have as much to answer for.

"Elodie Todd"

--Old Secesh

Confederate Legacy-- Part 1

From the February 28, 2013, Goldsboro (NC) News Argus.

In these times of constant attack on any and everything even remotely Confederate because of slavery, it is a breath of fresh air to see the men who wore the gray become a little more multi-dimensional as opposed to just fighting to keep blacks oppressed in slavery.  I've seen it written that 75% of the people of the South did not even own a slave and that most who did only had one or two.  The huge plantations represented, at best, maybe 5%.

I will just quote the first part of the article.

"History will remember them as men who died for a losing cause, but to their kin, Wayne County's Civil War dead will be treasured... always.

They appear to us now as ghosts-- pale figures in faded photos, stiff and solemn.

But they were real men-- with real courage and extraordinary determination.  Men with one common goal-- to fight hard enough to send the United States Army back to the North from which it came and to create a new country where men of like resolve could live without interference.

Their struggle ended on the wrong side of history.

But that misplaced alliance does not tarnish the bravery shown by the men from Wayne County who served under the Confederate flag.  They fought for home as much as any soldiers anywhere ever have."

A Nice Summation of Their Effort.  --Old Secesh

Museum of the Confederacy to Break Ground on Appomattox Branch Part 1

From the September 9, 2010, Washington (DC) Post.

Lee's pen, sword and the uniform he wore that day on 1865 will be put on display on completion of this annex museum where the Civil War essentially ended. Hundreds of other items will be transferred from Richmond, Virginia to a new $7.5 million facility to be located about a mile away from where the surrender took place.

The Confederate Memorial Literary Society, better known as the Museum of the Confederacy held a ground breaking ceremony September 23rd with a target opening date of 2012.

This is the latest step being taken to broaden the geography and demographics serviced by the institution.

Current attendance is down to 45,000 a year from a high of 91,000 in 1991 when they had an exhibit on slavery.

At the moment, only 10% of the total collection is on display. Twenty thousand items out of 100,000. This includes 550 Confederate flags, 300 swords and a ten-foot long copy of the Confederate Constitution.

Other branches are also planned for Fredericksburg and Fortress Monroe

Sounds Like an Idea to Me. --Old B-Runner

Virginia's Governor Not Afraid to Be Politically Incorrect

Some really great news yesterday concerning Virginia's Governor Bob McDonnell who was not afraid to take a stand against those who stain the good name of Confederate soldiers and civilians who took a stand for what they believe in when he officially declared April Confederate History Month.

McDonnell is a Republican and his two Democratic predecessors refused to do recognize it so, for the last eight years, there was none. This story appeared in a lot of sources. The Washington Post ran an opinion poll and, last night the vote, out of 34,929 cast, was 32% agreeing with his decision and 68% against it.

I don't know anything else about the man, but you have to admire him standing up for his convictions despite the unpopularity of it these days. This is something I hope all southern governors seriously consider.

Hey, living here in Illinois and with our record of recent governorship, I'd sure be likely to vote for him should he move here.

Finally, a Man of Conviction. --Old B-Runner

Ole Miss Admiral Ackbars?

Is this Star Wars character to be the new mascot of the University of Mississippi? The old one, Col. Reb was kicked out in 2003 as being, well, too Confederate. You know, pol in. So students are deciding what they want the new one to be. Admiral Ackbar is a character from Star Wars and evidently has the backing of some folks.


OLE MISS BLUTOS

My choice would be the Ole Miss Blutos, after that wonderful character in "Animal House." Hey, he always was going around in a sweatshirt with the word "college" on the front. And, you would have a built-in dance to do at athletic events, "Do the Bluto."

Just Seems to Me If You're Going to Get Stewpid, Go All the Way. --Old B-Runner

Last Civil War Survivor Dies 50 Years Ago.

The December 26th Fairbanks (Alaska) Daily News-Miner had an article about the last Civil War veteran, Walt Williams dying December 19, 1959. He was a Confederate and the last of 4 million Blue and Gray veterans, dying at age 117.

This is especially interesting as we are now down to the last two World War I survivors and there are still possibly some Confederate widows out there.

He was cited by the President, Army and Congress cited the old gentleman who had become the last survivor when "General" John Salling died March 16, 1959 at age 112.

Toward the end, Williams was blind and deaf and unconscious of what was happening around him. He approached his end with dignity. He had once commented on the death of another Civil War survivor, "That's one road we're all going to have to travel."

He was born November b14, 1842 in Mississippi, but had moved to Texas after the war.

The Last of the Gray. --Old B-Runner

Congratulations Georgia Senate

In these days of increasing Confederate-bashing (it's a slave thing, you know), it is refreshing to see southern politicians rising above it.

The Georgia Senate has ok'd April as being Confederate Heritage and History month, AND, by a 48-2 vote.

Georgia governments, schools, businesses, and citizens are encouraged to participate in programs.

Finally!! --Old B-R