"Becoming
Alabama" is a statewide partnership for planning and promotion of
commemorative activities to observe the anniversaries of three major periods in
Alabama History: The Bicentennial of the Creek War and War of 1812, the
Sesquicentennial of the Civil War, and the Civil Rights movement. The Prattville Dragoons' own Tyrone and Carol Crowley portrayed
President-Elect Jefferson Davis and First Lady Varina Davis as the central part
of a ceremony held Sunday 2 February at the Shelby County Historical Society
meeting in Columbiana. Southwest Central Brigade Commander Bill
Myrick, dressed in a very handsome Confederate officer's uniform, took the
part of Colonel George Jones, President Davis's bodyguard and aide. The meeting room was packed to capacity as
President Davis, Colonel Jones, other Confederate dignitaries, plus a number of
reenactors from the 31st Alabama
Infantry who served as the Presidential Escort, entered and proceeded to
the front, where the President gave his Inaugural Address. Several surplus reenactors were in
attendance, along with members of the United
Daughters of the Confederacy.
Note
from Brigade Commander Myrick:
Tyrone Crowley's presentation of President Davis's inaugural speech has
become more polished with time. He
delivered the speech with all the dignity and poise of a seasoned politician,
the main difference being this one was speaking the truth. It was my honor to act as Colonel George
Jones, the President's bodyguard. The
President and First Lady were swamped with the usual requests to pose for
pictures with those in attendance, including some young Mormon missionaries
from Utah, Oregon, and Washington state.
The event was covered by the Shelby
County Reporter, and photos can be found on the Shelby County Historical
Society's Facebook page and on the Facebook page of 31st Alabama Reenactor Pete Smith.
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| President Davis' Entourage at Columbiana |
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