McHenry Co. CW Round Table: Battle of Holly Springs

Of interest, the Spires-Boling House is located in Holly Springs,  Mississippi.  Famed Ida B. Wells was born there.

Robert Murphy, the colonel of the 8th Wisconsin was into Wisconsin politics and his family was well-connected to presidents.  He had, however, little military experience and didn't learn on the job either.  He was promoted to command of the 2nd Brigade  of Gen. Rosecran's Army of Mississippi.

George Driggs, a sergeant with the 8th Wisconsin kept a journal and said that Murphy was generally well-liked by his men.

At Iuka, Mississippi, Murphy was arrested for abandoning his post at the September 19, Battle of Iuka.  The Union Army retook Iuka, but the Confederates were able to get away. Grant blamed Rosecrans for it.  As a result, Grant and Rosecrans now disliked each other.

A court martial was held for Murphy and Murphy covered himself and was acquited.

--Old Secesh

Last Year It Was A Planned Confrontation At the Confederate Monument in Chicago

The Camp Douglas  Camp #516 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, with members throughout Chicagoland, has been holding a memorial service at the Confederate Mound in Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago for many years and, until last year, there has never been a problem, even though this cemetery is located deep within a black neighborhood.

It has been a peaceful commemoration with much solemnity.  That is, until last year.  At that time a group arrived on the scene, supposedly to have a service at the grave of Ida B. Wells, but in reality the reason they were there was to break up the Confederate service and provoke a confrontation.

They had never been there before and neither Ida B. Wells' birthday or death occurs in April.  They had loudspeakers and were chanting right in the middle of the Confederate proceedings.  Strange that it would happen in this time and age.

But, if you read my three previous posts before yesterday, you will see it is all part of the bigger movement to bury and disgrace all things Confederate.  It is so sad that some people can not allow  others to commemorate their heritage.

And, I also believe that Ida B. Wells deserves to be better known than she is.  She was one brave woman to go after the horrible lynchings that took place in the South during her time.  And the fact that she was a black person and a woman, made her going to the South a very dangerous trip.  I'd support a statue at the cemetery or on a public space.

It is too bad that it took the opportunity to cause a confrontation to get the other group fired up enough to go out and do something for a real hero, Ida B. Weells.

--Old Secesh