The Last Time 'Insurgents' Carrying Rebel Flags Got That Close to U.S. Capitol-- Part 1

From the Jan. 7, 2021, CNN "Before Wednesday, insurgents waving Confederate flags hadn't been within six miles of the US Capitol" by Eliott C. McClaughlin.

During the Civil War, no Confederate flag ever came to the U.S. capitol building, but then, Wednesday was another thing altogether.  Not only did one come close to the structure, one was brought inside it, and not in a friendly manner either.

Versions of the Confederate flag had appeared in the building as parts of  legitimate exhibits before, but until January 6, 2021, the closest any rebel carrying that flag had come to the Capitol was about six miles, during the Battle of Fort Stevens on July 11 and 12, 1864.

The Battle of Fort Stephens was the closest  the Confederacy ever came to conquering Washington, D.C., and pulling off what the British had done in 1814.  By 1864, the South was battered, but still had enough so that on July 11, Confederate Lt. General Jubal  Early, could sit on his horse by Fort Stephens and view the dome of the Capitol some six miles away.

He determined the defense of D.C. as being "feebly manned."  And, he wasn't completely wrong in the assessment.

--Old Secesh

So, What Really Is the Confederate Flag?

From the November 27, 2016, Yeshiva University Commentator "The Confederate Flag You Never Knew" by Uri Seligman.

What most people call the Confederate Flag (the rectangular one most often seen) is actually the Second Confederate Naval Jack (1863-1865).  This would have been officially flown on Confederate ships.  The square version is actually the battle flag of Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.

It consists of a blue St. Andrew's Cross on a red field.

--Old secesh

The U.S. Military Looks at the Confederate Flag-- Part4

Chuck Porter, a Marine veteran, said troops tend to have intense pride in their home states.  He is heavily tattooed and is considering about adding another, one depicting South Carolina, to commemorate his home state,  Indeed, most all of the Confederate high-ranking officers had served in the pre-Civil War U.S. Army and all had to make the decision of joining the Confederacy or joining with the Union forces.

But, still he says that if soldiers decide to stamp themselves with the Stars and Bars, it could come back to haunt them..

"The lens through which people are looking at that flag is the same lens that people are using to look at the swastika."  He believes the Department of Defense will address the matter once the hype has died down

I am so proud of the military for not masking instant decisions in his matter and instead waiting until it dies down.  Too bad others are unable to do this.

--Old Secesh.

The U.S. Military Looks at the Confederate Flag-- Part 3

Craig Warren continued: "For many...it still symbolizes [southern] pride.  For others, it represents a particular interpretation of southern history.  For still others, it represents rural life.  And for many others, the flag represents rebellion against authority, whether motivated by politics or simple mischief."

He added that to ban it in the military would be controversial.

Very importantly, Warren said: "It would need to be acknowledged that not everyone who displays the flag does so with racist intent."

--Old Secesh

The U.S. Military Looks At the Confederate Flag-- Part 2

One official said that it was not something the Department was reviewing.  Its regulations are clear when it comes to tattoos and office material deemed overtly racist, sexist, extremist or derogatory.  They are not permitted--  period!!

General Daniel Allyn, the Army's vice chief, understands the flag's historical significance within the military.  the Civil war and the decades leading up to it were a difficult time.

"When you are a student of military history, let's face it: One of our greatest military generals in the history of our nation was Robert E. Lee," Allyn said.

It's a complex issue for the military said Professor Craig Warren.  While the flag's origin is a "military symbol of a slave-holding republic determined to preserve and prolong institutionalized racism" it has taken on other meanings over time.

--Old Secesh

The U.S. Military Looks At the Confederate Flag-- Part 1

From the July 6, 2015, NavyTimes "Should the military ban the Rebel flag?" by Oriana Pawlyk and Andrew deGrandpre.

"The Confederate cause is deeply ingrained in our military history, making the country's current debate over whether to retire the "'rebel flag' all the more pertinent to troops who view it as important to their heritage -- important enough to display in their work-places or even as tattoos.

"After the recent racially motivated slayings of nine African Americans in a South Carolina  church, the flag has become a target for those who consider it a symbol of hatred, a strident reminder of slavery and divisiveness.

"Major U.S. retailers have said they will no longer sell Confederate flag merchandise.  And officials at South Carolina's historic military academy, the Citadel, voted to remove the Confederate Naval Jack from its campus chapel.

"The Defense Department, which enforces strict policies prohibiting hate speech, inappropriate tattoos and the display of offensive materials, is making no such gesture."

And much more power to them for not jumping on the rolling bandwagon sweeping the country.

--Old Secesh

The Confederate Flag at the S.C. Statehouse Grounds is Coming Down

I understand that with the S.C. House of Representatives voting to take down the flag last night (and the Senate already voting to do so) the bill just needs to be signed by the governor and taken down tomorrow.

It is too bad that this wasn't done immediately after the murders.  It has been a huge bone of contention with the blacks for years and the murders in that church sparked a huge outcry against the flag.  At least the decision was made to take the flag down.  Imagine what would have happened across the country had the decision been to leave it up.

I am glad it is coming down.  Like I said, it should have happened the next day.

Now, hopefully Jesse Jackson might go back to Chicago to do something about the daily (and especially on the weekends) murders taking place in his city.  Maybe even talk with his son and daughter-in-law about ethics.

More blacks are being killed (by other blacks) there in a month than in Charleston.  The problems in the black inner city neighborhoods are out of control.

They need to do something about that.

But I imagine now, the assault will shift on all Confederate flags and symbols everywhere.

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 1

The Confederate flag flying on the South Carolina Statehouse grounds is just the tip of the iceberg.  It won't be long before certain groups will be demanding that any and all Confederate symbols, names, etc. be removed from everything.

I am changing these posts to Confederacy Under Attack.

Al Sharpton's group demands that the military remove all Confederate references from military bases.

But, at least for now, the Army is standing up against all Confederate detractors and staying with their bases named after Confederate generals.

The famous General lee Charger from the "Dukes of Hazzard" is losing its famous Confederate flag on its top.  Warner Brothers will cease leasing its image.

A North Charleston, S.C., was fired for posing in Confederate flag underwear on his FaceBook page.  That was taking it way too far, especially considering North Charleston is located right by Charleston where the murders took place.  An extremely poor choice and taste on his part.

--Old Secesh

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The Confederate Flag Under Attack-- Part 7

Confederate re-enactors of the 18th N.C., Company A, were asked not to display Confederate flags as it marched in a parade in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, S.C.,  pulled its Confederate flag merchandise at their gift shop.

But Fort Macon in North Carolina is keeping theirs.

The Jefferson Davis portrait is to remain at the Pentagon as per his position as former Secretary of War for the United States.

I have to salute the U.S. military for not jumping on this current Confederate Hate Campaign.

Also, Confederate battle flags and other momentos are being removed from U.S. government offices and store shelves at the National Parks.

It Just Keeps Going On and On.  --Old Secesh

The Confederate Flag Under Attack-- Part 6

Apple has removed a number of games in their App store for having references to the Confederate battle flag, but later reinstated some of them.

I imagine there will be another effort to have the band Lynyrd Skynyrd stop having concerts with the flag behind them.  It was attempted before and the band removed it, but had to put it back due to fan unrest.

It was pointed out that more than half of the counties in North Carolina to fallen Confederate soldiers and there is one at the N.C. Capitol ever since 1895.  Most of them were erected between 1890-1930.  Guess what somebody wants done with them?

The Valley Forge Flag Company joined Wal-Mart, Amazon and e-Bay in banning the Confederate flag and will no longer make them.  They are one of the biggest flag makers in the United States.

--Old Secesh

The Confederate Flag Under Attack-- Part 5

Georgia Democrats calling for end of state support of Confederate holidays.  State Senator Vincent Fort, black, calls for the Georgia Department of Revenue demanding the elimination of SCV Confederate Flag plates.

NAACP calls for large Confederate flag north of Fredericksburg, Virginia, be removed.

--Old Secesh

The Confederate Flag Under Attack-- Part 4: "The United States of the Offended"

Woman climbs the flag pole at the S.C. statehouse and takes the Confederate flag down... She climbed the 30-foot pole and took it down and was arrested when she reached bottom as it is illegal to do so.

A North Carolina man has 150 Confederate flags on his property in Rocky Mount.  Edward West, 71, lives in a predominately black part of town and had them up before the murders and will not take them down.  At least Rocky Mount officials say it is still legal to fly them.

Confederate flag supporters rallied for it in Gastonia, North Carolina, with signs such as "Don't Erase Our History" and "United States of the Offended."

One of the next battles to be fought in the Confederate controversy will take place in Brooklyn where Borough President Eric Adams, black, demands that the General Lee Avenue and Stonewall Jackson Drive be removed from Fort Hamilton.  Lee was an engineering officer there from 1841-1847.  Jackson was an acting company commander there as well.

The Confederate Flag Under Attack-- Part 2: Ten Army Bases Named for Confederate Officers

From the June 23, 2015, Time "U.S. Waves Over 10 Army Bases Named for Confederate Officers."

Of course, this is also a point of contention for the anti-Confederate folks these days.  Their names must be changed.

Nine of the bases are named after Confederate generals and one for a colonel.  The bases received their names long after the war, some into the 20th Century as the world wars were building.

The Pentagon announced they were not considering renaming the bases.  All of the Confederate officers served in the U.S. Army before the war.

The Army bases, where located, Confederate officer, years lived and West Point Class

CAMP BEAUREGARD--  Louisiana,  P.G.T. Beauregard, 1818-1893, West Point 1838.

FORT BENNING--  Georgia, Brig. Gen. Henry Benning, 1814-1875, established 1918.

FORT BRAGG--  North Carolina, Braxton Bragg, 1817-1876, West Point 1837.

--Old Secesh

The Confederate Flag Under Attack-- Part 1

Wal-Mart and Sears have stopped selling Confederate-themed merchandise.

"Black Loves Matter" has been spray painted on a Confederate monument in Charleston, S.C..

There is a street in New York City named for a Confederate general.  The central street of Fort Hamilton is named General Lee Avenue.  Robert E. Lee served as the base engineer there before the Civil War.  There is a movement to rename it.

Also, it is pointed out that at least ten military bases around the country are named after Confederates.

Georgia's NAACP says Confederate flags should be removed at all state courthouses and other public properties.

Blacks have been trying to have the Confederate flag at the South Carolina statehouse removed since the 1970s.

EBay and Amazon are removing Confederate flag items from their sites.

NASCAR is backing the removal of the Confederate flag at the S.C. statehouse.

Changing My Focus For Awhile: We're Under Attack

When I started this Civil War Blog, which grew out of my Down Da Road I Go and Cooter's History Thing blogs,  it was with the idea to write about things that interest me about the Civil War.

Back then, there were attacks on my Confederate heritage and especially the Confederate Battle Flag which was ongoing and intense, but nothing like it has gotten in the last several weeks after that sorry excuse killed those people in the church.  I would have to think the last time the Confederacy was under this much attack was back in 1861-1865.

It seems that many are crawling out of the woodwork to cast their disparages against any and all things Confederate.  Doing that old PC thing.

And Especially The Flag.

I hate the fact that the white racist/bigots have adopted the flag as their own.  These Jerry Springer Southerners certainly don't represent me.  I would never wave the flag in front of blacks to taunt them.  To me, the flag is a symbol of pride.  Unfortunately, that is a pride that was tainted with slavery, but back then, that was just the way it was.  Slavery had always existed and the slave owners of the South felt that the way of life was tied to the institution (even though some 75% of Southerners didn't own slaves).

And, besides being an ineffective labor system, it also enabled the rich plantation owners to exert way too much control over the lower class whites and state governments.  You know, the old government by and for the rich thing.

A lot of it had to do with keeping the slave states and free state numbers in the U.S. Senate equal.  The North already controlled the House of Representatives and was big on passing tariffs and other laws that were good for their section and not so for the South.

As this trend continued, the admittance of slave states in the same numbers as free became extremely important.  Even though any states west of Texas would not be likely a good place for slavery because of a lack of agriculture.

Plus, there was the continued need for slave labor on the plantations.  The North was receiving huge numbers of immigrants every month to provide needed labor for their factories.  The South wasn't getting the people.

Even though Abraham Lincoln did not propose to do away with slavery where it already existed, he would not ever allow any new slave states to enter the Union.  The South saw no other alternative but to secede from the Union.

And then, there was the John Brown thing.  Abolitionists were loud and numerous in their praise of him as a hero.  So much in fact that most Southerners came to believe that most Northerners felt the same way.  How could they belong to a country that praised a man who wanted the earth to run red with Southern blood?

Very Few Other Choices.

Charleston Murderer's Ramifications

As expected, the Charleston killer has set off a national swell against the Confederate Battle Flag (even though it technically never was the Confederate Battle Flag).  I can certainly understand why it has.  For decades, blacks and some whites have clamored to have all Confederate flags removed from not only public places, but every where as it offends them.  I can also understand why they are offended.  I imagine I too would not like the flag if I were black because of the slavery thing.

Sadly, the Confederate Battle Flag has been appropriated by white supremacists and others who hate blacks and constantly throw it in their faces while preaching their hatred.  They also usually have the U.S. flag with them as well, but it is the Confederate flag that blacks see.

Now, that long-contested Confederate flag will have to be removed from the South Carolina statehouse grounds.  This is something I can live with.  I will not even refer to it as a Heritage Attack.  It is something that should be and has to be done.

It should have been at least lowered after the murders, as all Confederate flags flying along interstates.  These murders are a terrible thing that all Americans should be shocked by and come together to work on a solution.

But, flag opponents are not just going to stop there.  They want the flag removed everywhere.  Even if you fly it on private property, that is not acceptable.

Taking the flag away unfortunately will not stop the supremacists  from their hate.

Flying Tall and Proud

This past Wednesday, we were driving through Alabama after our week at Panama City Beach, Florida.  We met with some friends from Illinois and got through Thunder on the Beach, the annual spring motorcycle rally.

We had just gotten on I-65, north of Montgomery, Alabama's capital, and cruising along at 70 mph, when we saw it.

There, on the west side of the road, flying high and proud was a huge Confederate flag and under it a sign saying this was there because of the Alabama Division Sons of Confederate Veterans.  It did my heart good to see it flying there.  I am getting so tired of the incessant attacks on it.  This was a huge in-your-face.

Sadly, if it wasn't for all the attacks on it, it wouldn't have become necessary to do this.

--Old Secesh

Heritage Attacks

Attacks on the Heritage.

Back on Jan. 2, 2014, the LA Times reported that the Bar Association of Orange County was seeking the removal of the State of Mississppi banner from the Santa Ana Civic Center which displays the flags of all 50 states as it symbolizes hatred and racism.  It is the last flag remaining with a Confederate flag on it.  (I don't know, the State of Georgia flag sure is a Confederate flag but they wouldn't know that.)

In 1997, Laguna Hills removed the flags of Georgia and Mississippi.  In 2001 there was an attempt to remove the flag in Mississippi, but it failed.

--Old Secesh

How to Get Away With That Banned Flag

It would appear that the State of Georgia has found a way to keep the Confederate flag in their state flag.  They had come under big fire from those who must not be offended and similar ilks for having part of their flag contain the Confederate battle flag, actually the Confederate Naval Jack.

They chose a new state flag design which is largely the First National Flag of the Confederacy, only with the arch and stars in a circle in the union.

And, it looks pretty good.

How to Fly It and Not Get in Trouble.  --Old Secesh

Confederate Flag Dispute Goes to Supreme Court

From the March 23, 2015, Yahoo! News, AP  "Justices hear free speech dispute over license plates" by Mark Sherman.

The U.S. Supreme Court is weighing a free speech challenge concerning the state of Texas' refusal to issue license plates to the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) because of the Confederate battle flag which is part of the organization's emblem.

Specialty plates in Texas is big business and drivers there spend $17.6 million to choose from more than 350 license plate offerings.  The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles says 877,000 vehicles out of the 19 million cars, trucks and motorcycles   have them.

But, the state turned down a request by the Texas Division of the SCV.  Eight other former Confederate states, including Maryland, already have SCV plates.

Justices are hearing the arguments today which revolve around the First Amendment.  Texas claims the plates offend some.

The case is called Walker v, Sons of Confederate Veterans 14-144 and a late June decision is expected.

This is a very big case, but hopefully will once and for all settle the flag problems that have been plaguing both sides.

--Old Secesh