Gen. Forrest's 191st Birthday Party at Fort Dixie

This past Saturday, July 28th, Butch and Pat Godwin's annual celebration of General Nathan Bedford Forrest's birthday was held at their home, affectionately named Fort Dixie near Selma.  Prattville Dragoons 2nd Lt Stuart Waldo, Comm. Officer Tyrone Crowley and wife Carol and, former Commander Wyatt Willis were in attendance as well as new Alabama Division Commander Gary Carlyle and hundreds of other Confederates. Dixie was sung with the Tallasee Armory Guards Camp 1921 playing to kick off the party.  A cannon salute followed which sent an impressive concussion wave back towards the crowd.  Then happy birthday was sung for Gen. Forrest and again, a cannon salute followed.  The Tallasee camp band played some great Southern and Confederate music.  An auction and raffle drawings were held and generated funds for the Nathan Bedford Forrest Monument Fund to replace the Forrest bust and redesign the memorial and Confederate Circle in the Selma Live Oak Cemetery.  Todd Kiscaden provided a discussion of the differences between Federalists and the Jeffersonian Democracy espousing state's rights and individual liberty.  He set up his Wall of Education which provided many historical quotes and facts regarding the Confederacy, secession, contrasting political systems including socialism and, the Federal Reserve.  Lt. Col. Tom McKinney as the keynote speaker gave a synopsis of his newest best seller, Jack Hinson's One Man War and autographed purchased copies. A watering hole provided tea, lemonade and, of course, water.  A watermelon stand provided delicious sliced ice cold watermelon.  And of course, after the keynote address and grace, a wonderful supper of fried catfish, hush puppies, potatoes, corn on the cob, mac-n-cheese, tomatoes and desserts was enjoyed by all.  A fitting celebration and tribute for this great Confederate cavalry officer.

           Butch and Pat enjoying the Tallasee Camp band.

          The new NBF Bust for the Confederate Circle in Selma.

  Pat showing off the birthday cake with the Tallasee Band singing Happy Birthday!

     The cannon salute following the singing of Dixie and Happy Birthday!

Col. McKinney gives his keynote speech for his book, "Tom Hinson's One Man War".

OL' BEDFORD'S 191ST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!

Sharing Butch and Pat Godwins Forrest Birthday Announcement and Invitation:

OL' BEDFORD'S 191ST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!

SATURDAY, 28 JULY 2012

3:00 PM TIL YA WANNA GO HOME!

FORT DIXIE

HOME OF BUTCH & PAT GODWIN

SELMA, ALABAMA

NATHAN BEDFORD FORREST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION will be held on SATURDAY, JULY 28, 2012 THIS YEAR...due to the National SCV Reunion being held in Murfreesboro TN during the week of our usual celebration...the second Saturday in July. Please mark your calendar and be here for the 13th Annual Birthday Celebration of Ole Bedford! 

We have a very exciting party planned for you this year...with a GREAT ChristianSouthern American menu of wonderful LIVE Southern Music...featuring the Tallassee Armory Guards Camp 1921 Band...our keynote speaker is Lt. Col. Tom McKinney author of Jack Hinson's One Man War. 

Bobby "Marse Robert" Holloway will be back with us as Master Chef cooking his delicious Southern Fried Catfish & all the fixin's...Bobby is a walkin' miracle with his battle against cancer & we give God the Glory in answering our prayers....we will also be serving ice cold watermelon all day long at the "Pickaninny Freeze Watermelon Stand"....we will be having door prizes and also will have a few nice Southern things in the auction....

Todd Kiscaden will be back with his beautiful cannon firing salutes to the General all day long...and also you will be educated by his "Wall of Education" which is more history than you would receive in four years of the college classroom these days!  

We will be drawing for the solid bronze NBF mini bust - an exact replica of the life-size bronze bust THAT USED TO BE ON THE GRANITE MONUMENT IN LIVE OAK CEMETERY UNTIL HE WAS KIDNAPPED SOMETIME BETWEEN DUSK 10 MARCH & DAWN 12 MARCH 2012.  If you would like tickets to get in the drawing reply back to me & I will send them electronically & you can print as many off as you would like...they are $2 each...make checks payable to NBF Monument Fund and mail to me at the address below.  Now  we are raising funds to replace the General and to secure him at Confederate Circle at Live Oak Cemetery. This year's celebration will have an even more intense meaning in our commitment to our life of Liberty and Freedom...perpetuating the cause of NATHAN BEDFORD FORREST &  ALL our Confederate ancestors to get our Constitution back and to maintain it!  

Bring ya lawn chairs, pop up tents, umbrellas, insect repellant, sunscreen....we will have water stations set up throughout the grounds....wear something comfortable and cool....we GUARANTEE HOT WEATHER IN JULY!

Soooo, y'all come to for the greatest day AT FORT DIXIE IN THE HEART OF DIXIE ....FOR DIXIE!

SCV 117th National Reunion Murfreesboro TN - Riding with Forrest Pt 7

The Friday afternoon tour at the Murfreesboro SCV Reunion included the Rutherford County Courthouse, Confederate Circle at Evergreen Cemetery and the Oaklands Historic House and Museum. The Rutherford County Courthouse is one of only seven antebellum courthouses remaining in the country. A 1st National Flag hung from the courthouse balcony upon our arrival. A memorial service was held in the second floor courtroom, the Final Roll Call for those SCV members who passed away during the last year. The service concluded with a reading of scriptures of John and 1 Corinthians, "Death where is thy sting? Oh grave, where is thy victory?"  Thanks be to God who gave us our victory! The victory is certain!

A memorial service was held at the Confederate Circle in Evergreen Cemetery in Murfreesboro.  The historical marker there tells the story of the 2000 unidentified soldiers buried there having been moved from the battlefield where they perished 150 years ago.  Bagpipes were played and reenactment soldiers fired their guns in salute.  The cemetery now encompasses 100 acres with over 20000 graves and was originally part of the Oaklands plantation.

Oaklands Plantation was the final stop of our tour. Oaklands was settled by Col. Hardy Murfree, A Revolutionary War veteran who owned 50000 acres in the area.  He died in 1809  and is oldest daughter Sally, after marrying Dr. Manny, inherited the portion near a spring and there they built a two room brick cabin.  There were a series of additions and renovations including a second story and the Federal and subsequent Italianate front of the home.  After her death in 1857, the home passed to her oldest son who married Rachel Adelaine, daughter of the governor of TN. The home was finished by 1860 with bricks made on the grounds and grew to 1500 acres.  The plantation had slave houses, an ice house and tobacco and cotton were the primary crops with cattle also raised. During the War, Murfreesboro was occupied by Union troops who used Oaklands as a HQ and the Rutherford County courthouse as a prisoner stockade.  General Nathan B. Forrest's daring raid on his very birthday, July 13th, 1862 captured the Union troops occupying the town and the surrender papers were actually signed at a desk in the Oaklands home by Col. Duffield who continued to recuperate there after his surrender, having been injured in the battle.  President Jefferson Davis later stayed at Oaklands but later that same year, the Union army moving from Nashville towards Chattanooga defeated the Confederate garrison in Murfreesboro, killing 1800 at the Battle of Stone's River.

SCV 117th National Reunion Murfreesboro TN - Riding with Forrest Pt 6

The Friday morning session at the Murfressboro SCV Reunion began with Past Commander in Chief Chuck McMichael promoting Sesquicentennial events. The last event was in Richmond in February to commemorate the establishment of the Jefferson Davis and Confederate government there 150 years ago. CiC Givens was in attendance, a plane carrying an SCV banner flew overhead and the SCV event elicited a couple of protesters but, there was not enough participation especially considering its special Sesquicentennial timing.  Next year, on March 16th 2013 at Beauvoir, the National Confederate Heritage Rally will be held to dedicate the new Jefferson Davis Library - check confederate150.com for information.

Allen Palmer was next up and provided information regarding next year's 2013 SCV Reunion in Vicksburg.  The host hotels, Hampton Inn and the adjacent Quality Inn are now accepting reservations.  A tentative schedule has been established including a special presentation on Thursday night of a theatre drama. These hotels are seven minutes to the convention center and shuttles will be provided. Interestingly, the new first term black mayor of Vicksburg wrote a nice letter to the SCV GEC welcoming the SCV to Vicksburg for the 2013 convention selection and the manager of the host hotel who was also black, told the Vicksburg committee to convey to everyone in Murfreesboro to "bring their flags" next year to Vicksburg. Other events will include guided tours of the battlefield.

Brad Bowling spoke about the Stephen D. Lee Institute (http://www.stephendillleeinstitute.com/) and the outstanding lecture series. Next year in February 2013 at the Renaissance World Golf Center in St. Augustine FL, a lecture on Slavery and Emancipation entitled "Emancipation Hell" will be provided. Cost will be $125/pp and includes all events including Friday reception, six speakers, breakfast lunch and dinner.  Scholarships are available for students and teachers.

JM next spoke about the Sam Davis Youth Camps, telling everyone that CiC Givens enjoyed sharing a cabin with the 16 year old campers. He introduced Doug Stephens from Fayetteville NC who may have been the highlight speaker of the convention, receiving multiple standing ovations.  Doug recently "graduated" from the Camp having attended every year since he was 12 years old. He stated we are in a war of ideas and culture.  The generations that will come after us have been denied their heritage by the Internet, television and by their fathers. Political correctness in mainstream and social media is denying our youth truth in history and their identity.  He said, "The South is not a place, it is a people - it will not mean a thing how clean we keep our cemeteries" if we lose the foundation of our heritage. Gen. Clayburne's nightmare has become the reality where teachers are spreading false or ignorant history. "Only those who fight for the Cause will be vindicated." Today's kids are taught or indoctrinated that the Battle Flag is a symbol of hate when it is appropriately a symbol of resistance to tyranny. J returned to conclude saying that the campers enjoy swimming and boating and archery and sip line activities in the afternoons but enjoy speakers and lectures in the mornings to provide them valuable historical truths and information. They learn the words to Dixie. Each evening concludes with a dance, the only time boys are permitted to touch girls and these events are used to teach traditional Southern manners and to treat ladies as such. Each camp should set as a goal to sponsor a child to attend a camp each year.

The 2014 Convention will be held in Charleston with the host hotel, the Embassy Suites with an attached convention center. scv2014.org is the website. A Palmetto package is available for the first 200 registrants.

Chief of Heritage Defense Dr. Tom Hiter started his speech with Shakespeare, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" as applicable to the short existence of the Confederate States of America and the War for Southern Independence. For every man who dies in combat, 6 or more died from disease. Everyday war and death surrounded them but they could walk outside and exclaim, "Thank God I am free!"  Not true today. The SCV Kentucky Division Commander was arrested for flying a Battle Flag in his hotel room window - he was cleared of the charges but passed away while awaiting trial on his suit against the hotel.  His passing represented a lost opportunity to set case law precedence for the 1st Amendment right to free speech and expression and private property rights.  But highlights included a new Battle Flag erected along I-24 to greet all the southbound Yankees. SCV interest and membership has increased due to the publicity surrounding this flag. At the University of Nebraska, a student attempted to honor Confederate veterans by carrying a Confederate Battle Flag in a campus parade and was allegedly disciplined by the university and his fraternity; the University responded to an SCV letter of inquiry saying they had not done any such thing - more national publicity nonetheless. His last column in the Confederate Veteran magazine requested submittals of stories of 1000 words or less telling of the sacrifices our Confederate ancestors made; these will be compiled into a book for publication. Dr. Hiter will be leaving his position after his two year term but left the group with the reminder, "Our heritage is the most important thing we have and our heritage includes the Confederate soldier and we must ensure it carries on."

Army Reports were then provided.  Danny Palmer of the Trans-Mississippi conveyed that his family heritage was passed on by his mother and grandmother and reflected in the names of their children which included Robert E. Lee Pitts, Albert Sidney Johnston Pitts etc. The Army of Trans-Mississippi represents 29% of the Confederation.  Nine of the sixteen Divisions submitting reports were from the ATM.  Danny found three cousins since and while attending the SCV conventions as evidence, "We are not a Band of Brothers, we are a Bond of Brothers. We have common ancestors.  It is in the blood. My Grandchildren know about my Confederate ancestors - I've done my duty.  We all have a cross to bear in life; my cross is a Southern cross and I will bear it proudly."

Army of Tennessee Commander Tom Strain next provided his report followed by Army of Northern Virginia Commander Frank Burgess. Virginia was the primary theatre of the War for Southern Independence with most of the battles fought there and continues to be today - the graves of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson are in Lexington VA but the local citizenry is unaware of their heritage. He reminded everyone that the Pennsylvania SUV Culp Camp is holding a monument dedication in Gettysburg in 2013 about the same time as the 2013 SCV Vicksburg Reunion.  The world will be watching and we need to ensure they watch Vicksburg as well as Gettysburg.

Dr. Hiter addressed the convention again indicating the Camp Handbook would be updated as it is in need with an original publication date of 1906. Each Division needs to report how they plan to attain the goals of Vision 2016 including naming a Vision 2016 coordinator.  Dr. Hiter went on, "We must become the experts." When local media need information about the War, they should seek out the SCV camp and members but most don't know the SCV exists. Dr. Hiter was contacted about the girl in Tennessee who wanted to wear a Confederate Battle Flag to her school prom.  But, he proclaimed, he was on nationwide television but it was in Canada.  Despite nationwide coverage of that issue, the SCV HQ was not contacted for comment. The SCV needs a list of experts, speakers for various areas of expertise.  Contact AL Div Commander Gary Carlyle or Tom Hiter for nominations.

Lt. Commander Kelly Barrow gave thanks that in addition to church, there is another organization he wants his family involved with, the SCV. He said, "The hope of the United States is the South and the hope of the South if the SCV. Our hope is the young people.  We have hope in Jesus Christ. We also have hope that the SCV carries on proclaiming truth and carrying the cross of St. Andrew.  Everyone here will make sure we won't go away."  Successful initiatives include the Outdoor Action Pack, Celebrate History included with magazine subscription renewal notices for 3/4 million people. This thrust resulted in SCV HQ being swamped with requests for information. The 1-800-MYSOUTH (and SCV.org) websites have resulted in a doubling of applications for the SCV thru this year. Ancestry.com extends an SCV discount and the SCV gets a percentage of proceeds from these memberships, $3000 so far received. Leadership training is accelerating with leadership workshops around the country and the on-line Leadership Institute for commanders and adjutants.  Lt. Barrow traveled 19000 highway miles in the past year to events and workshops around the country. 318 former SCV members were reinstated directly attributed to the letter sent to them from SCV HQ.  Membership has increased 1.7% with 485 new members. We must combat the anti-Confederate voices by telling the truth but also by recruiting new members and meeting the Vision 2016 goals. "I have sacrificed much for the Confederacy," said Jefferson Davis.  "What have you sacrificed for the Cause?  May God Save the South!"

CiC Michael Givens lamented that we had no Real Sons in attendance and we're losing them quickly with only 19 remaining.  Givens expressed thanks to the Real Sons, Real Grandsons and everyone in all the SCV camps.  He elicited a standing ovation for Ben Sewell recognizing that Ben and his staff of five run an organization of 30000 people. He thanked all those on the GEC saying they were a fine group of men.  He cited the incident in Reidsville NC as a travesty that an existing monument to the Confederate soldiers was relocated when an accident caused it to be toppled and provided an excuse to remove it for repairs. The Florida and Texas Divisions continue to battle to get their SCV license plates because the legislatures in those states perceive the Battle Flag to be evil and divisive. A march to VMI from Stonewall Jackson's grave was attended by only five VMI cadets.  "What is going on??  The evil men do lasts while the good men do often is interred with their bones."

SCV 117th National Reunion Murfreesboro TN - Riding with Forrest Pt 5

Friday morning at the SCV Reunion in Murfreesboro began with the annual Forrest Cavalry breakfast.  Very appropriate as this was the 13th of July, Forrest's birthday.  Commander Wyatt Willis welcomed the large crowd gathered, more than 70 in attendance. Adjutant Jim Barr encouraged everyone to check the website and to purchase a button as the Cavalry's fundraiser. He indicated the Cavalry had just over $2000 in funds prior to this conventions breakfast meeting.

Commander Willis introduced the guest speaker Shane Kastler, pastor at Heritage Baptist Church in Lake Charles LA and author of Nathan Bedford Forrest's Redemption. He authors the Narrow Road blog and is an NRA and SCV member. Shane was accompanied by his wife and three children.

Pastor Kastler opened by wishing Gen. Forrest a happy birthday but expressed greater happiness that Forrest was born again. Despite his nickname as That Devil Forrest, he was an honorable God fearing man. He got that nickname from Union General Sherman who communicated to his chain of command, "We must kill that devil Forrest even if it costs 10000 men and bankrupts the federal treasury."

Forrest was raised my a Christian mother and taught the Bible from an early age.  His father passed away when Forrest was 16 and he became the head of the household, raising his siblings and tending the family farm.  When Forrest's mother remarried, he left his childhood home.

Mary Anne Montgomery would become his wife. They met when her carriage became stuck and Forrest happened upon her and her mother. He carried them to dry land and requested permission to court Mary Anne.  He soon asked for her hand in marriage. Mary Anne's father was a Presbyterian minister and was initially opposed to the nuptials as Forrest, although respected as a businessman, was known to be profane and was not a Christian. Nonetheless, over time the marriage was blessed.

Mary Anne would attend church every Sunday alone but she would encourage Bedford and was a good witness for him. Forrest was hard working, faithful and never drank liquor. He was courteous to women and forbid coarse language in the presence of women in his camps and was similarly respectful towards religion.

Forrest was the only soldier in the WBTS to go from Private to Lt. General.  He enlisted soon after the War started and religion became a big part of his camps. His Chaplain David Kelly was encouraged to preach in camp and Forrest would attend.

Forrest captured a Union Chaplain once and had him brought to his quarters for dinner and requested he say the blessing. Afterward, Forrest released him saying, "I would keep you to preach to the men if you weren't so needed on the other side to preach to those sinners."

Another example of the Christian influence on Forrest was his meeting with 90 year old James Largans during the War. He and his troops spent a night on Mr. Largans farm and the next morning he asked Forrest to walk with him and asked if he could pray for him.  After his prayer for Forrest and the Cause, he visibly cried.  Nonetheless, his Chaplain Kelley described Forrest as respectful of religion but not a partaker.

After the War, Forrest wrote a letter to his son William beseeching him to pursue work with chaplains, to follow the example of his mother as a Christian gentleman and avoid vices.

After the War, Forrest was broke and although he was a successful businessman before the WBTS and funded the raising and outfitting of his cavalry, he was physically worn out, humbled by the War and his business ventures including the railroad and banking failed.

In November of 1875 after a sermon of Matthew 7:24-27 at his church, Forrest approached his preacher, Reverend George Stainback with tears, leaning against the wall, likening himself to the fool who built his house upon the sand, confessing to be a sinner.  Imagine Mary Anne's excitement when Forrest had changed and accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, regenerated and born again as Jesus taught.

Rev. Stainback was concerned that this could just be an emotional feeling and display and a reaction to the sermon so he sent him home with instructions to read Psalm 51 and promised he would visit him in a week.  This is the story of Bathsheba saying, "Cleanse me. Blot out my iniquities. Create in me a new heart." A week later, Forrest was just as zealous when Stainback came to visit - a true conversion.

From that point on, Forrest exhibited Christian fruits.  His old soldiers who visited him marveled at his changed countenance, his meek spirit.  The fierceness was gone.  Forrest said he was not the same man. He was born again and was baptized.

Jefferson Davis visited Forrest in his last days.  Rev. Stainback visited him near death.  Forrest said, "I have an indescribable peace. Not a cloud intervenes between me and my Saviour."  On October 29, 1877, at death, Forrest said, "Call my wife" and That Devil Forrest entered heaven. 

                              Commander Willis and Pastor Kastler

SCV 117th National Reunion Murfreesboro TN - Riding with Forrest Pt 4

The final event of Thursday afternoon's tour at the Murfreesboro SCV Reunion was the unveiling of a new monument, perhaps the first of it's kind, dedicated specifically to the Confederate States of America.  A stirring ceremony was held at the Eagleville City Hall highlighted by the unveling of the granite monument.  Dixie was sung by the flag waving crowd.  A reenactment unit provided a salute.  Mayor Sam Toone addressed the crowd wearing a shirt emblazoned with the Confederate Battle Flag. A great conclusion to a wonderful tour at the 117th SCV Reunion. 

SCV 117th National Reunion Murfreesboro TN - Riding with Forrest Pt 3

Thursday at the 117th SCV Reunion in Murfreesboro included a couple interesting tours, one of the SCV National Headquarters at Elm Springs and one of Gen. N.B. Forrest's boyhood home. 

Col. Abrams Looney's family donated Elm Springs to the SCV.  Looney was a Colonel in the 27th TN Infantry and was a lawyer and State Senator.  he was born in 1820 and dies in 1904. One soldier is actually buried on the Elm Springs property.  The home was originally built in 1832 in a Greek Revival style and has what at the time was the biggest parlor in the county. A blight killed 50 elm trees for which the property was named.  From the entry foyer, stairs specifically for adults led to the bedrooms upstairs; children and servants had a separate flight of stairs. The piano in the front parlor was at one time in the Governors mansion. That same room has a spiral candlestick holder which allowed for the movement of the candle so that the parents could change and gage the length of time suitors came for their visits with the young ladies of the house. The back left parlor has windows to the floor which allowed for the movement of caskets into the room for those somber visitation occasions. The house contains all period furnishings with shallow fireplaces which helped move the heat into the rooms. The brick used in the house was made on site and the floors were made of wide poplar. One of the bedrooms upstairs is allegedly haunted - it is said the ghost of a woman can be seen gazing out the front window and also that another of a child who was smothered by a Yankee soldier in the child's bed still in the room.  The same bedroom has a large four post bed moved here from a nearby home and supposedly at the end of the War, the woman of that house was granted permission to take one piece of furniture from her home before it was burned and razed. The posts of the bed are hollow and she placed all her valuables including silverware and jewelry in these posts and lived off this fortune after the War.  The dining room has portraits of Confederate Generals and a period dining room table on loan from the Murray County Historical Society. The board room of the SCV is downstairs in another separate section of the house and includes models of the CSS Alabama and CSA Tennessee.  Separate display cases include swords, guns and a pike hung atop the largest of the displays as well as programs and buttons and medals from prior UCV, UDC and SCV Reunions, Confederate money, a CSA Signal Corps frock coat and a crystal set from Gen. Frank Crawford Armstrong.

Forrest's boyhood home was similarly built in the 1830s.  The SCV purchased the property when it had fell into ruins after the State of TN allowed it to deteriorate after politically correct legislatures failed to allocate money for the maintenance. 49 acres were originally included with the home and an additional adjacent 7 acres have subsequently been purchased. At the time the house was purchased, the house and barn has literally almost fallen in and the sheds on either side of the barn had completely. The blacksmith shop around the back of the house was actually a structure moved from a nearby farm. A grave can be found in the backyard but it is unknown who or what is buried there.  Other families lived in the home until the 1960s despite it not have electricity or running water. A well was located some distance from the house. Dragoons 1st Lt. Waldo was sure to purchase a piece of wood from the original home/barn which were being sold to help raise money for continued restoration and preservation efforts.

                          Elm Springs - SCV Headquarters

         Front parlor at Elm Springs with Piano and Spiral Candlestick Holder

                  The front "haunted" bedroom at Elm Springs

              Display Case in Boardroom of SCV HQ at Elm Springs.

                                     Parlor at Elm Springs

              General Nathan Bedford Forrest's boyhood home

            Barn and sheds at Gen. Forrest's Boyhood Home.