Incredible Sniper of the War for Southern Independence

One of history’s longest sniper kills happened during the Civil War

by David Nye - Oct 29, 2015 9:35:34 am

Fort Sumter, South Carolina was famous for having suffered the first shots of the Civil War in April 1861. Over three years later, the two sides were still fighting over it. Confederate troops held the badly damaged fort while Union soldiers fired on it with artillery from batteries on nearby islands.

On Dec. 5 an unidentified Confederate soldier in Fort Sumter saw a Union soldier moving in Battery Gregg, 1390 yards away. The Southerner was likely using a Whitworth Rifle when he lined up his sights on the Union soldier and fired, killing him.

Union troops at Battery Gregg during the Civil War.

That’s longer than any confirmed kill of World War I or II and only 400 yards shy of making a modern top 10 list. Wikipedia still ranks it as the 14th longest sniper kill in history.

Whitworth Rifles are sometimes called the first real sniper rifle. Capable of accurate fire at 800 yards, its hexagonal rounds could penetrate a sandbag to kill an enemy standing behind it.

The rifle made the shot easier but the skill and luck needed to kill an enemy at 1,390 yards was still great. When the rifle was mounted on a special stand and tested at 1,400 yards, 10 shots created a grouping over 9 feet wide.

Unfortunately, the record-setting shot on Dec. 5, 1864 was illegal. The Confederate soldiers didn’t know a ceasefire was in effect in the area and the shot violated that ceasefire. Other Confederate snipers at Fort Sumter took up the volley, forcing the Union troops to seek cover.

Fort Sumter in Sep. 1863 had already been subjected to two years of shelling by Confederate and then Union forces. After this photo was taken, it would suffer another year of shelling before the events of Dec. 5, 1864.

The Union soldiers endured the fire for an hour before they responded. They began firing cannons from the battery at Cummings Point, a group of cannons protected from retaliation by iron armor.

After an hour of shelling, the Confederates learned of the ceasefire and sent the Union general a very gracious letter of apology.

Both sides returned to the truce, but it didn’t last. Charleston was still under siege and Union batteries soon resumed shelling the city. In mid-February 1865, Confederate troops withdrew from Fort Sumter and Charleston as Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman arrived on his famous march to the sea.

A Thanksgiving Message From SCV CIC Kelly Barrow - Thanksgiving History

From 1861 to 1864 President Jefferson Davis issued four Proclamations asking the people of the Confederate States to give thanks to Almighty God for His many blessings. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Paul tells us to "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." In James 1:17, James writes " Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." - CiC Kelly Barrow

And from SCV Robert E. Lee Camp 1640:

THE REAL FIRST THANKSGIVING:

You may have heard that Abraham Lincoln was responsible for the original Thanksgiving holiday. That’s partially true, as 13 of 34 states at that time were not a part of the United States but as far as he was concerned they were. George Washington was actually the first president to proclaim a day of thanksgiving, issuing his request on October 3, 1789, exactly 74 years before Lincoln's. However, in true Confederate fashion, each state scheduled its own date. The first official proclamation to set aside a specific day of Thanksgiving by a sitting president on the North American continent was actually delivered by President Jefferson Davis of the Confederate States of America in October of 1861 as "a day of humiliation and prayer” in 1861 – a full two years before our 16th President announced the “first Thanksgiving Day”. Below is a copy of the text of the original Thanksgiving proclamation.

Proclamation of Thanksgiving, 1861

by President Jefferson Davis

WHEREAS, it hath pleased Almighty God, the Sovereign Disposer of events, to protect and defend us hitherto in our conflicts with our enemies as to be unto them a shield.

And whereas, with grateful thanks we recognize His hand and acknowledge that not unto us, but unto Him, belongeth the victory, and in humble dependence upon His almighty strength, and trusting in the justness of our purpose, we appeal to Him that He may set at naught the efforts of our enemies, and humble them to confusion and shame.

Now therefore, I, Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States, in view of impending conflict, do hereby set apart Friday, the 15th day of November, as a day of national humiliation and prayer, and do hereby invite the reverend clergy and the people of these Confederate States to repair on that day to their homes and usual places of public worship, and to implore blessing of Almighty God upon our people, that he may give us victory over our enemies, preserve our homes and altars from pollution, and secure to us the restoration of peace and prosperity. 

Given under hand and seal of the Confederate States at Richmond, this the 31st day of October, year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty one.

By the President,

JEFFERSON DAVIS

President Davis had had much good news in the months preceding, and having so far repelled an invasion by an army that was better equipped, better fed, better trained, and that outnumbered his significantly, he should have been elated. However, he also had the experience and foresight to know that the South’s struggle to exist as a nation was just beginning. Hence a day of Thanksgiving, humility, and prayer for continued good fortune in the South’s struggle for self-government, independence, and recognition among the nations of the world came into being. Much like Memorial Day, another Southern tradition that was copied and claimed by Northerners, a similar proclamation was issued by our 16th President. , one of many Southern practices and traditions that were later implemented and taken credit for by Northerners. We pray that all will take into account the original meaning of the day.

Thanksgiving Message from Prattville Dragoons Chaplain

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Many people have misread 1 Thessalonians 5:18. It doesn't say "For everything give thanks," it says "In everything give thanks." There are many challenging things that happen in life for which we don’t naturally, even supernaturally, feel thankful. But when we consider that God is our Father, that He knows the number of hairs on our head (Luke 12:7), and that the days of our life are planned by Him ahead of time (Psalm 139:16) -- it stands to reason that there are no accidents with God. We know that God is able to use even the difficult things in life for our good (Romans 8:28), to conform us to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).

If you have a hard time seeing a reason to thank Him for something that happens, do the next best thing: Ask Him to show you.

I pray that everyone will have a very blessed Thanksgiving.

Water during the War Between the States

An interesting short report on water during the War by Bob O'Conner, Civil War Examiner posted on November 8, 2015 on http://www.examiner.com/article/fresh-drinking-water-was-scarce-during-the-civil-war?CID=examiner_alerts_article.

Marching along in places they had never been before created a huge challenge to the troops on both sides in the Civil War – finding fresh, drinkable water.
“The Confederate Receipt Book” published in 1863 and which was supposed to say “Recipe Book” actually printed a way for soldiers to make do with the water they found. The book suggested “Dissolve half an ounce of alum in a pint of warm water. Stirring it about in a puncheon of water from the river, all impurities will soon settle to the bottom, and in a day or two it will become quite clear.” Only problem with that advice was that alum was equally scarce, and a thirsty Confederate soldier could hardly wait “a day or two” for the water to “become quite clear”.
There are tales of horrible experiences in seeking fresh water including on that came from the book “Snow’s Pond – The Forgotten Civil War Skirmish in Boone County, Kentucky’s Past” by Daniel D. Dixon, which was published in 1999. Dixon contends that the 104th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment was camped for three weeks at Snow’s Pond, located in Northern Kentucky in September 1862. The Ohio soldiers camped adjacent to a sinkhole they used as their drinking water source.
Snow’s Pond was covered with several inches of scum which they called “frog spittle”. Much to their surprise, when they had drained the water level several inches from the constant drinking of the soldiers and their animals, they discovered the dead bodies of thirteen mules the Confederates had dumped into the pond when they retreated.
Bad water supplies slowed many an army during the war. Polluted water was also a harbinger of disease. At Andersonville Prison in Georgia, a Confederate prison, a stream flowed through the mass of humanity confined there. But with no latrine facilities, the water was terribly polluted by fecal material. Many a prisoner was saved when a lightning bolt hit the ground outside the prison walls in August 1864, and fresh water gushed forth. The men dubbed the new water source as “Providence Spring” and called it a miracle.
Other soldiers, such as the Union Army led by General Robert Patterson who invaded Virginia in early July 1861, were fortunate to find a water fall at Falling Waters, Virginia where they filled their canteens with cold, fresh water.

Prattville Dragoons Camp Meeting for November 2015 - Part 2

The guest speaker for the Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 November camp meeting was Alabama SCV Division Surgeon Henry Howard from Montgomery.  Henry spoke to the camp about medical annd surgical procedures and practices during the War Between the States.  This historical period was the end of the dark ages of medicine when cauterizing wounds was replaced by stitches.  Intravenous medicine was administered by applying a paste over an intentional bled area on the patients arm.  Advances in medicine were outpaced by advances in weaponry. The newest ammunition in the War was the 58 caliber soft lead mini-ball which would shatter bone upon impact.  The mini-balls were rifled and would spin as they travelled down the rifle barrel which improved the accuracy and velocity of the ammunition over the previous round musket balls.   Toe tags were first used in the War, carried by each soldieer in their haversack and provided information pertaining to the soldiers next of kin.

Doctors knew little of reconstructive surgery so cranial and brain surgery was not very successful.  In reenactments, period field surgical units were like a MASH unit and both Union and Confederate flags were usually flown and wounded soldiers from both sides were cared for until they were well enough to send to a POW camp.  Amputations were gnarly.  Anesthesia was introduced but was crude consisting of liquor and chloroform or ether which would last approximately 15 minutes so any surgical procedure had to be completed in this short timeframe. Tourniquets were used to stem the blood flow to the extremity which was to be amputated.   For an amputation they would cut the flesh back on a diagonal and peal that back so a serrated saw could be used to cut the bone to complete the removal of the limb which was usually discarded onto a pile of bones.

But infection and diseases were still very common. Typhoid and diarrhea were the primary diseases resulting in a terrible death rate among injured and combat soldiers as communicable diseases were exacerbated by the proximity in which the soldiers lived.  400,000 of the 600,000+ deaths incurred in the War were due to disease and infection.Contamination is only today becoming more fully understood especially in food handling and preparation.  Cleanliness was unheard of and instruments were often reused between patients with no sterilization.   Cotton thread was initially used for stitches but was of inferior strength.  This was replaced by horse hair which was boiled to soften and make pliable (and fortunately also served to sterilize) for use to stitch the wounds closed.  Bandages were often used on multiple patients spreading germs until nurses were introduced in the field hospitals.  Nurses helped clean and did laundry including washing the soiled bandages.  Survival rates improved with the introduction of nurses and basic cleaning practices.

Henry Howard with His Patient Buford

Prattville Dragoons Camp Meeting for November 2015 - Part 1

The Prattville Dragoons held their monthly meeting at the Plantation House and Gardens in Millbook on Thursday November 12th.  Following an Invocation by Chaplain Snowden, 2nd Lt George Jenks led everyone in the pledges to the United States, Alabama and Confederate Battle flags.  Commander Waldo then recited the Charge to the Sons of Confederate Veterans.  Perhaps the highlight of the meeting was the swearing in of three new members to Camp 1524, Colby Carlock, Jeff Wise and Ryan King.  Following the swearing in administered by the Commander and Chaplain, Alabama Division SCV 1st Lt Jimmy Hill addressed the gathering providing information on upcoming Division events and made his first public announcement that he is running for Division Commander at next year's Division Reunion following Commander Gary Carlyle who is completing his term in office. Jimmy has been a state/Division officer for several years and solicited the Dragoons to support his candidacy to uphold the Charge.

Following 1st Lt, Hill, Camp Commander Waldo highlighted the upcoming events and camp news/announcements (posted on this blog site).  Following the guest speaker, the SCV closing was also recited and Chaplain Snowden closed the meeting with a Benediction.  The guest speaker for the camp meeting was Alabama Division SCV Surgeon Henry Howard who spoke on medical and surgical practices during the War Between the States and provided a demonstration on his mannequin Buford.  Henry had a magnificent display of medical instruments, medicine bottles, etc. that many Dragoons scrutinized before and after the meeting.  There will be no December meeting for the Dragoons as we will be celebrating the holiday season with our Christmas Social at Buena Vista on Friday December 11th.

Prattville Dragoons Fall Muster

Saturday, November 14, Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 held their Fall Muster in an expansive field on an estate in rural Autaugaville.  The weather was absolutely beautiful starting seasonably cool but turning warm, bright and sunny. Fourteen Dragoons and some of their ladies enjoyed a clay shoot, delicious picnic dinner and enjoyable fellowship with like minded compatriots.  The food was highlighted by some left over pulled Dixie butts with BBQ sauce, Quartermaster Myrick's world famous baked beans seasoned with bacon and Conecuh sausage and, potato salad along with sodas, sweet tea and chocolate chip cookies.  

Everyone parked along the pasture fenceline and the tables for the food and all the chairs were set up before an informal skeet range was marked off.  Five Dragoons shot clay pigeon targets launched by a spring thrower and a handheld thrower was also used to vary the trajectories.  Firearms included a Remington 870, Benelli semi-automatic, a Glock 9mm and even a muzzle loading black powder double barrelled shotgun.  Some Dragoons proved to be very good marksmen but all who shot and who spectated enjoyed the event.   

There was a good mixture of newer Dragoons and veteran members and the ladies of course added a special touch to the festivities.  The Auburn and Florida football games were even streamed and played on the radio so all could catch the early SEC football games.  This latest edition of the Dragoons fall muster was the first in many years but was such an enjoyable outing that this will certainly prove to be an annual event.  

Prattville Dragoons Camp News

From the November Dispatch neewsletter:

Camp News

Seibels Lanier Marshall Installed as Seventh Regent of the (First Confederate) White House Association of Alabama – Anne Tidmore stepped down after completing six years as Regent of the First White House in Montgomery and Mrs. Marshall was named as her successor in this role.  

New Venue for Dragoons’ Camp Meeting – The November camp meetings will be held at Plantation House and Gardens on Grandview Road in Millbrook.  This will be the second month of a trial to see if the accommodations are acceptable and provide more room for larger crowds like we have been blessed to enjoy recently.

New Members and Membership Renewals – Certificates have been received for new members Carlock, King, Popham, and Wise and these compatriots will be sworn in during the November camp meeting. Those who failed to renew their memberships are encouraged to do so, SCV National late fees have been waived. 

Volunteer Opportunities – With the addition of new members in our camp, the officers of Camp 1524 would like to encourage all who are interested to actively contribute to the success of the Dragoons by filling a leadership role to advance the Cause in our community.  Positions include: Color Sergeant, Communications Officer, Newsletter Editor, Education Coordinator, Fundraising/Donations Coordinator.  Please contact any officer if interested.  We need your support.

Dragoons Camp Shirts - Contact Dragoon Tyrone Crowley.   Golf shirts are available for $16 and dress shirts for $19.

Dragoons Donate to Production of “Capturing Montgomery History” – The EC authorized the donation of $200 to Bill Schaum Video Productions for their historical video project which includes interviews with Bob Bradley (Alabama Archives) and others pertaining to the War Between the States.

Confederate Memorial Park Flags– By agreement with the Alabama Archives & History Department, Confederate Park will begin a rotational flag loan for selected framed Confederate flags in the Archives' significant collection; three flags will be displayed for a year on a rotational basis.

Prattville Electronic Billboard Ad – The Dragoons are placing a Christmas holiday season ad on two electronic billboards in Prattville during the month of December 

Understanding the War Between the States - an 88-page reader edited by Howard Ray White and Clyde N. Wilson; Sixteen writers cover American history from Jamestown to Grover Cleveland, presenting a dense array of truths about the conflict of North and South through that period of history. The booklet may be read and/or downloaded for free on computers and tablets at www.southernhistorians.org, accessed on Kindle, or purchased in paperback at low cost (amazon.com). Hard copies are also available at the library at Confederate Memorial Park for $6. 

New Regent of the First White House of the Confederacy.

From Mrs. Anne Tidmore, past Regent of the First White House of the Confederacy, Montgomery AL:

Dear Friends of the First White House of the Confederacy,

The White House Association of Alabama is very pleased and proud to announce that last Wednesday, October 28, 2015,  Seibels Lanier Marshall (Mrs. Jim Marshall) was installed as the seventh Regent of the White House Association of Alabama. 

In the spring of 2009, I agreed to serve as Regent for six years, and those years have indeed flown by. I have enjoyed working with all of you so much and I am very excited about Seibels being our new Regent.  She has an excellent Board, as did I, and I know they are going to move the First White House forward in great ways.

I appreciate all the support and encouragement that each of you has given me. I know you will continue to support Seibels and the work that she has to do. I hope it will be as much fun for her as it was for me, and I am confident that it will be. 

Thank you all so much!

Most Sincerely,

Anne Tidmore

Pratttville Dragoons Commander's Column for November 2015

From the SCV Camp 1524 Dispatch newsletter:

Early in October I was listening to Rush Limbaugh on the radio and he provided a news alert that our tax payer funded National Public Radio (NPR), specifically Studio 360, an NPR program, “commissioned a Texas-based design firm to design a new flag to represent the modern South. With a diverse team of designers with ties to both sides of the Mason-Dixon line, 70kft embraced the challenge. In an online presentation, 70kft suggests “the Confederate battle flag is a divisive symbol. Some see family and honor. Some see bigotry and hatred.  If we can’t agree on the meaning, we can never be unified by it.”” (http://www.weaselzippers.us/235575-npr-commissions-new-southern-flag-to-replace-the-confederate-flag/)  If this wasn’t so insulting, it would be laughable.  Imagine a group of progressive NPR idiots gathered about brainstorming a way to bring the people of the South together, bring them into the 21^st century.  Insulted yet?  No understanding, no regard for history.  Certainly no appreciation of the true meaning of the Battle Flag, its origins, its place in history and the feelings of pride and heritage it elicits from Confederate compatriots as well as most Southerners of all races.  I enjoyed reading the respondents to the article on the same post.  “Those NPR people are easily offended idiots. I'm Canadian and the Confederate Flag and Stars and Bars aren't offensive in the slightest. It's always important to preserve history, and their stupid new design crap doesn't represent anything.” – Canadian.   “As a Northerner, NPR can keep its "invention" --- I'd much rather stand with my Southern brothers as they proudly wave their Stars & Bars.” – Northerner.  We can take solace in recognizing that there is some sanity remaining if not prevailing, friends of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, scholars and enlightened men who perhaps have never even heard the Charge but would no doubt embrace its message to defend “the Confederate soldier's good name, (guard) his history, (emulate) his virtues, (and perpetuate) those principles which he loved and which made him glorious, and which you also cherish.”

Also, the first of October saw torrential rainfall in South Carolina and catastrophic flooding. More than one Confederate compatriot wondered aloud if this was retribution for the governor of that state in her ill conceived, ill informed, ill educated, decision to force the removal of the Confederate Battle Flag from the state capitol grounds.  While this may be quite presumptuous speculating the will of God, I would certainly question if her time and resources wouldn’t have been better served just three months prior to ensuring her state government better performed its duties and responsibilities to inspect and maintain the roads, bridges and dams which subsequently failed in this weather event.  While it would have been impossible to foresee and prevent all this damage and loss, I would maintain the state government should serve the people and not alienate constituents and attempt to rewrite history and ignorantly condemn great historical statesmen and heroes thru a modern Indian-immigrant prism.  This SC governor was roundly embraced by many for her conservative political views when subsequently they no doubt regretted her bully pulpit and executive power they bestowed as citizens and voters which she used in an unwarranted reactionary benighted response to the unrelated tragic church killings in Charleston.  There are voices in the wilderness and we need to encourage and support these compatriots.  I received a heartwarming response to an email I sent to SC State Senator Tom Alexander, a hand written note, “Your email says so much that we agree upon.  I also have ancestors who served and I and very proud of our heritage.  As you point out, our flag has been hijacked.  We have a responsibility to educate on the true meaning of what you and I believe and know about our flag.  Having the flag in a place of honor with the respect it deserves was to me the most important issue and we will make sure that it has that honor and respect. You will be hearing more of the process to make sure this happens. Please know how much I appreciate your email.”

Beware of the influx and influence of foreigners and Northerners who immigrate to the South and then attempt to change our government, our schools and our culture.  These are modern-day abolitionists who condemn Southerners who cling to their Bibles and guns.  These carpetbaggers relocate to the South often in retirement or for economic opportunity and then seek to implement the very oppressive governmental regulations, taxes and overreaching programs they fled and which has turned the once mighty industrial North into an expanse of desolate urban blight. The South still maintains a tradition of an entrepreneurial and hard work ethic which has benefitted industrial growth in the last century across the Bible Belt.  But, the Mason-Dixon line has become a relic.  Our Southern culture is being diluted with each passing day and our defenses against heritage attacks are withering.  We see the companies for which we work, our elected officials in government, our courts, our military and even some of our churches embracing and promoting LGBT deviancy forcing Christians to cower and accept their abominable practices and lifestyles.  Our children are being educated with a twisted contorted politically correct history and subjected to a substandard curriculum in the spirit of inclusiveness and diversity.  Is our Southern heritage to be relegated to a cookbook, showcased only by our fried chicken, biscuits and gravy?  It is imperative as we reflect on the Sesquicentennial of the period of Reconstruction which followed the war for Southern Independence that we fight against this modern Reconstruction which seeks to systematically destroy our remaining Constitutional rights and impose a damning relative moralism on our families and communities.  

Prattville Dragoons Chaplain's Column for November 2015

From the Camp 1524 Dispatch newsletter:

Giving Jesus First Place

Philippians 2:9-11

     By giving Jesus first place we will experience many blessings in life. These blessings will include the following:

1. We will find rest for our souls. (Ps. 23:2). This will allow a quiet spirit to take over. The noise of worldly distractions will decrease and allow the assurance of our Father’s love and support. After this we will be able to better discern what God is saying to us without being distracted by all the noise of the world around us.
2. A stronger faith: Studying Scripture will enlarge our view of God and give us insight and direction. Reading how the Lord has helped others, we will gain confidence that He is at our side, enabling us to meet life’s demands. Our faith will grow as we follow His direction and watch how He works on our behalf.
3. When we read the Bible, it reflects back to us who we truly are resulting in a purified heart. This will allow us to see the areas of change needed in our lives. When we confess our sin, God promises to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
4. As humans we don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but God does. He wants to prepare us for the future—both the joyous times and the hard ones. Through the Holy Spirit’s ministry, we will be equipped for whatever life brings (2 Peter 1:3). This will result in us having a prepared mind.

     As in the Bible, Paul’s life demonstrates what it means to give Jesus first place. Because the apostle made Christ the Lord of his life (Gal. 2:20), he knew joy amid trials and received the strength to face turmoil and difficulty. These blessings will also be ours when we give highest priority to our relationship with Jesus.

     Please remember those on our prayer list.

Yours In Christ

              Tom Snowden, Chaplain

     Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. James 5:16

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

Upcoming Events

Flagging of the Confederate Monument at the Alabama State Capitol – ongoing afternoons

19^th Annual “Battle for the Armory” – November 6-8^th, Tallassee AL; School Day Nov. 6^th, battle reenactments

Dragoons Fall Muster –November 14^th 10am-2pm, clay shoot and picnic, Pearson’s estate in Autaugaville

Montgomery Gun Show – Saturday and Sunday, November 7-8^th, 9am-4pm at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl; look for the Dragoons table manned by Jeff Potts

Color Bearer – November 19^th, Southern Heritage and Confederate History defense letters to Governor Bently

Prattville Christmas Parade – Friday December 4^th  at 7pm, downtown Prattville AL

Dragoons Christmas Social – Friday December 11^th, 6-9pm, Buena Vista, Prattville AL

Alabama Division Education Conference - Saturday March 5, 10:00am - 4:00pm, Prattville Doster Center

Dragoon Charlie Graham's Recent Column "Consider Future Generations in Budget Decisions"

Charlie Graham 

COLUMNIST 

- Montgomery Advertiser, 30 Oct 2015, p. 8A

Presidents come and go. Who makes a mark and what kind? There are always the die-hard political party pleasers. Then we may be blessed with one that deviates.



The Democratic platform routinely comes with promises of more government bloat and overreach, inexorable debt and no intent to pay. Americans, other than those living off of the government, care about the precipitous unfunded liabilities, deficits and debts of government at all levels.



As per our Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, in order to form a more perfect union, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, we do ordain and establish this Constitution.



All government officials take an oath to uphold the Constitution. Notice that the Preamble states that all objectives and obligations apply equally to ourselves and our posterity. Our posterity means all future generations of people. Obviously the vast majority of our citizens and politicians feel that there is no relevance between the framers of the Constitution and the current more sophisticated society of today, and their asinine inference of extending our implied covenant with future generations, is fatuously ludicrous.



An interesting note revealed by columnist Steve Flowers recently is that our U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, in each of his 29 years of tenure, has introduced a bill that would mandate a balanced budget each year. Thanks to Democrats, including the president, Congress can only muster budget parcel approvals and raise the debt ceiling.



Constitutional repudiation has been the accepted practice since the beginning of the War Between the States. They had to call it a Civil War in order to give credence to Lincoln’s suspension of habeas corpus through which he incarcerated the majority of Maryland’s legislature, without stating charges, precluding a vote to secede. He did the same with numerous newspaper editors who printed anything anti-Lincoln. He went out of his way to refer to the South as states in rebellion, which he felt allowed him to scratch habeas corpus and orchestrate the war without Congress. The South did not rebel, it repelled.



After the War most of the South became Federal chattel. It was stripped and decimated by the War and placed under military rule for twelve years. Most prominent Southerners fought in the Confederate military and were therefore denied any voting rights or political activity. The federal government, carpetbaggers and scalawags exploited and speciously acquired property.



I don’t think that Northerners ever want to bother themselves by vetting the changes in their lives since that epoch in history. They lost their individual freedoms and states rights just as the Southerners did. All of the useless constitutional rhetoric about the people delegating powers to the government went up in smoke with each Union cannon blast.



Whether they make sense or not, the political platforms of the parties have emaciated our fiscal health.



It is clear the legislative branch of the government should make all laws. But currently our laws are made by Obama executive orders and the U.S. Supreme Court’s bizarre applications.



You can forget any wholesome consideration for future generations with an advertised burgeoning $18.3 trillion debt which Truth In Accounting says is actually $82 trillion. Our politicians don’t kick cans, they kick snowballs.



Every time that I read about another federal grant, I cringe with two thoughts. If this money is needed here, why didn’t it stay here, and in consideration of the national debt, how did it get appropriated?



One thing is sure about this presidential election, if Democrats gain control of one House or the White House, I doubt that divine intervention will be efficacious.

Charlie Graham writes from Prattville. His column usually appears on alternate Thursdays. Send email to grahamchalie@gmail.com.