Prattville Dragoons Chaplain's Column for April 2013

Dragoons Chaplain Tom Snowden penned the following column for the April 2013 Camp Dispatch newsletter.

Chaplain’s Column - Scripture Reference: Romans 5:1-5

            The rapid changes in our Nation and even in the world can give us a sense of uneasiness and uncertainty. In looking at the suffering we see around us, the daily rise and fall of the financial markets, and the changing technology that evolves around us, we can be thrown off balance, making it hard for us to take it all in. Sometimes what seems worthwhile today has less value tomorrow. This can cause us to be discouraged and even lose heart. When we rely on basing all our hope on our ability to solve problems we get only temporary peace and this is not the answer. I believe the root problem in our culture is spiritual—namely, man has a sinful nature that is not in agreement with God. This sinful nature within us prompts us to look out for ourselves and pursue what we want. We must realize that neither our intellect nor talent can change our sinful state or bring us peace with God. However, those who trust Jesus as Savior receive a new nature and are reconciled to the Lord. As His adopted children, we become at peace with Him and we are given the power to live in harmony with one another.  As life changes around us we can have hope because we are anchored  to a firm foundation that will never be shaken (Isaiah 28:16).

            As believers, our hope rests in the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Our heavenly Father knows each of us by name (Isaiah 43:1). Our Savior keeps every divine promise (2 Corinthians 1:20). And the Holy Spirit assures us that we are secure in Christ, both in this life and in the one to come.

            Please keep the following names in your prayers. It is so good that many of the names have come off our list. This can only mean that God has answered those prayers.

1.  Past Alabama Division Commander Leonard Wilson, who passed from this life on Thursday 4 April 2013.

2.  James & Ann Spears

3.  Bobby Carter & Wife Merrill

4.  James Little's wife Nita

5.  David Brantley's wife Jennifer

6.  Allen Herrod

7.  Whitson Waldo (Stuart Waldo's father)

8.  Wayne Sutherland

9.  Past Division Commander David Allen

10.  John Durden's son (David Fail)

11.  Cecil Williamson

12.  JJ Oakley

13.  Billy Parker and Billy Parker's son-in-law (Stan Stuckey)

14.  Jeff Potts

15.  James Whittington

16.  Pray for Justice in Selma court cases and the judge will see this case for what it is. A peaceful resolution for the Confederate Parks in Memphis, Tennessee, that they will not have a name change. Let’s pray for the South and all the adversity we are facing.

Yours In Christ,

Tom Snowden, Chaplain

Confederate Memorial Day and Confederate Heritage Month Placing of Flags at Prattville Area Cemeteries

Prattville Dragoon Communication Officer Tyrone Crowley provided the following history of Confederate Memorial Day:

History of Confederate Memorial Day (per Alabama Confederate April 2007, pp. 1-2)

o   First observed in Columbus GA and Columbus MS in 1866.

o   US Memorial Day was patterned on these observations, beginning in 1868, US Gen John A Logan being impressed with Southern dedication and decoration ceremonies.

o   Observed

§  26 April in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi

§  10 May in North and South Carolina

§  30 May in Virginia

§  3 June, Jeff Davis Birthday, in Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee

Dragoon Larry Spears placed additional flags at Rocky Mount and Robinson Springs Cemeteries following the Dragoons March 30th Oak Hill Cemetery event. Larry said he gave Commander Bill Myrick some assistance as he was feeling under the weather and flagged graves at Rocky Mount Cemetery including that of Lisbon Fails Gober, father of Henry and Vince Gober, deceased member of the Dragoons. 

Historical Marker at Rocky Mount Cemetery

Grave Marker of Lisbon Failes Gober

Rocky Mount Cemetery

Larry also too Battle flags by Robinson Springs Cemetery in Millbrook AL.

Robinson Springs Cemetery

Grave at Robinson Springs Cemetery

Newnan Georgia, a Bastion of Confederate Heritage

Had an extended stay in Newnan GA over the past few weeks and was thrilled to see that Confederate heritage is very much still appreciated in this small Georgia town.  If you don't know where Newnan is located, it is southwest of Atlanta, just off I-85 exits 41 and 47, about 30 miles outside the Atlanta I-285 loop.  While work kept me busy during the days, I was able to take in a few of the historic highlights of the town.  The family spent a couple days over here and we enjoyed the Casa Bella bed and breakfast.  You can check Trip Advisor but last I saw they had all perfect 5 star ratings.  Casa Bella is a brick mansion in Greek Revival architecture with massive front porch columns dating from a century ago.  The couple who own Casa Bella had a number of photographs throughout the house including some special guests including Mickey and Minnie but also a couple who visited for a local reenactment and took the opportunity to be photographed at the house in their period Confederate uniform and hoop skirt attire.  The proprietor indicated that the large home next door served as a hospital during the War.  In researching this, apparently many of the buildings of the old Temple College were commandeered into this service during the War Between the States and this particular house was on the outskirts of this area and may have just served in that capacity.

Casa Bella in Newnan GA

General Joseph Wheeler also resided in Newnan GA and used the home as his headquarters during the Battle of Brown's Mill.  Just south of Newnan is the Brown's Mill historic site of one of Wheeler's great victories where he routed a Union force of 3600 men, capturing 2000 of them with his cavalry of 1400.

Wheeler House in Newnan

The historic downtown area is centered about a court square with a thriving shopping, dining and business district about the square.  In front of the courthouse on the west side are a number of memorial monuments but the most impressive is that for William Thomas Overby, the Confederate Medal of Honor recipient who fought under Mosby's Rangers and is buried in the Newnan Oak Hill Cemetery. 

Overby Monument on the Newnan Court Square

Also on the court square and surrounding streets are a number of fine restaurants including the upscale Cellar and 10 East Washington as well as cafes including Golden's on the Square and one of our personal favorites, the Redneck Gourmet which had such Southern delicacies on the menu as pimento cheese and fried pickles.  They also had the Battle flag in a display case and the highlight of our dining experience, a framed portrait of Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest flanked on either side by Gen. Patton and John Wayne.

Dragoon Stuart Forrest Waldo Pointing to Gen. N.B. Forrest Portrait

In a previous blog here the Newnan Oak Hill Cemetery was highlighted including the Confederate cemetery with historic marker noting the hundreds of dead Confederate veterans buried there including William Thomas Overby.  A huge marker set by the UDC as well as a flagpole flying the Battle flag highlight the old historic graveyard.  Also mentioned previously, Dragoon Stuart Waldo's great great grandfather, Confederate veteran Pvt. Elijah Hunt is buried there and spent his final days in one of the hospitals there in Newnan before passing away in 1864 after fighting in and surviving many of the War's preeminent battles.  Took the opportunity to show my daughter the final resting place of her great great great grandfather under the cedars in Oak Hill.

Visiting Great Granddad Hunt's Grave in Oak Hill

Dragoons Set Flags on Confederate Veterans Graves at Oak Hill Cemetery in Prattville March 30th

Saturday morning March 30th, the Dragoons again accomplished their annual setting of flags at the graves of Confederate soldiers buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Prattville.  The task of reverence is quickly finished and provided an opportunity to fellowship on a beautiful spring morning and Chaplain Snowden led the men in a prayer as part of the occasion.

            Adjutant Wayne Sutherland, the key man in this project, showed up with highlighted charts which make locating graves a simple task of getting oriented as to section of the cemetery, then counting graves and rows to locate the Confederate's grave.  Usually there's still a faded flag from last year, to mark the spot; these old flags are taken up and burned at Confederate Memorial Park).   To give us some good old-fashioned Southern energy, Wayne also provided a dozen warm glazed yeast donuts brought fresh from the baker; these were supplemented by donut holes from Chaplain Tom Snowden, coffee from 1Lt Cmdr Harold Grooms, and brownies from Comm Officer Tyrone Crowley.

            Dragoon Louis Turner gets special recognition for being the only Dragoon who is not a member of the Executive Committee (i.e. not obligated to be there) present at this important event which answers the SCV Charge to honor and perpetuate the good name of the Confederate Soldier.  Brigade Commander Bill Myrick sent regrets for being down with the flu, and Past Commander Larry Spears also lamented by email being obligatorily out of town (first time he has missed).

            Dragoons present took flags with them to mark graves at Old Kingston, Rocky Mount, Robinson Springs, Shelby County, and other cemeteries where they have ancestors buried, all in preparation for April, Confederate History and Heritage Month.

Dragoon Flag Setters at Oak Hill Cemetery

Battle Flags Set on Confederate Veteran Graves at Oak Hill

Upcoming Alabama Statewide Events of Interest for Confederate Heritage for April 2013

A perusal of the Alabama Tourism Department Sweet Home Alabama statewide Calendar of Events for January include some events of interest for Confederate heritage supporters.  

Civil War Trust Park Day 2013

Dauphin Island

Apr 6, Dauphin Island. Civil War Trust Park Day 2013. 251-861-6992. www.dauphinisland.org. Fee for attractions only. Historic Fort Gaines--Volunteers at least 18 years old needed to help with projects at the Fort. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Confederate Widows in the Postwar South

Gadsden

Lecture/presentation: Confederate Widows in the Postwar South

6th Annual Confederate Living History Day

Gulf Shores

Apr 13, Gulf Shores. Confederate Living History Day. 251-540-5257. www.fortmorgan.org. Admission charged. Fort Morgan State Historic Site-- During the day infantry and artillery will commemorate the forts 1863 garrison by presenting demonstrations including drill on the forts parade ground, small arms firing, and artillery firing from the water battery. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Life at the Fort

Dauphin Island

Apr 13, Dauphin Island. Life at the Fort. 251-861-6992. www.dauphinisland.org. Admission charged. Historic Fort Gaines--Living history program featuring cannon fire, rifle demonstrations, blacksmithing, candle making and open hearth cooking. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Battle of Selma

Selma

Apr 25-28, Selma. Battle of Selma. 334-872-0901. www.battleofselma.com. Admission charged. Battlefield Park, 5 Marina Dr.See the flags waving, the bands playing, the horses prancing, and the cannons dueling along the Alabama River. Tour the reconstructed breastworks defending Selma, shop with authentic camp sutlers, talk with an officer's wife about the latest fashions. Visit Old Live Oak Cemetery for the memorial service for the many Civil War soldiers buried there..

Confederate Park Civil War Military & Civilian Life Living History

Marbury

Apr 26, Marbury. Civil War Living History . 205-755-1990. www.exploresouthernhistory.com/confederatepark.html. Free. Confederate Memorial ParkA day of "up close and personal" living history of the War Between the States for schools and the public. Infantry, cavalry, artillery, commissary wagon, soldiers equipment, uniforms, music, flags, civilian life, medical, bivouac and infantry drill (student participation). The new state of the art museum (Fee charged) interprets Alabama's role in the war as well as Alabama's only home for Confederate veterans. FREE self-guided tours of the Soldiers' Home site. Call the park for school group reservations. 9 a.m.-noon and 12:30-3 p.m..

Battle of Selma Grand Military Ball

Selma

Apr 27, Selma. Battle of Selma Grand Military Ball. 334-872-5626. www.sturdivanthall.com. Admission charged. Sturdivant Museum--Experience a step back in time as the Battle of Selma reenactors and their ladies dress in their finest and enjoy a ball in the courtyard. Civilians (in period dress) are welcome. Dancing (waltz, Virginia Reel) and light refreshments. 7-11 p.m.

Confederate Memorial Day

Apr 27, Ashville. Confederate Memorial Day. 205-338-2412. www.stclaircamp308.org. Free. John W. Inzer Museum & Ashville Cemetery--Public invited. Service with guest speaker, honor guard, 21 musket salute and laying of wreath. Service begins at 11 a.m.; picnic lunch at noon and grave markings at 1 p.m. Sponsored by St. Clair Camp 308, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Ashville Chapter 1488, United Daughters of the Confederacy and The John W. Inzer Museum, Inc..

Dragoons Setting Flags on Confederate Veterans Graves at Oak Hill Cemetery in Prattville March 30th

As April is Confederate History Month there are many events planned for observance of this important Sesquicentennial period.  As the lead event, on March 30th at 8:30am, the Dragoons will again set flags on the Confederate veteran graves at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Prattville.  This is a great opportunity to get involved with an important part of our camp's annual efforts to further the Cause.  Undoubtedly someone or two will bring some doughnuts or other morning breakfast refreshments and the fellowship and camaraderie is wonderful as we honor these courageous Confederate veterans by placing Battle flags at their final resting place.  We have maps which provide the location of all the Confederate graves in Oak Hill and with typical participation, all the flags are set within an hour or so.  Flags are also available to distribute to anyone wishing to take some to place on other graves at other cemeteries, perhaps of your Confederate ancestors.  The officers of the Prattville Dragoons encourage everyone who is interested to join us for this flag setting event and the sodality with fellow compatriots.

Prattville Dragoons Camp News from the February Camp Dispatch Newsletter

Camp News

Ladies at February Meeting Get A Rose.  Since our February meeting fell on Valentine's Day, our most generous 2Lt Commander Stuart Waldo brought a handful of roses and gave one to each lady present and to the waitresses at Shoney's, all of whom were most pleased to receive this unexpected gift.  Shoney's offered extra items on the buffet that night, so all of us ate well too.  On behalf of the ladies, we thank Lt Commander Waldo for his generosity and forethought.

Skip Ward Receives Pictures Of Unknown Confederate Grave in Illinois.  Dragoon William "Skip" Ward has received pictures from a friend in Mattoon, Illinois, of the grave of a Confederate soldier who died there in 1863.  The details of the soldier's death are unknown, but the grave is very well kept, and marked with a sign showing a Confederate Battle Flag and the notation "Captain of the Confederate Army, died 1863 at 14th and Broadway, Mattoon, IL.  Rest In Peace, Very Far From Home".

Division's Last Son Is Gone.  Two months after the death of Dragoon and Real Son Henry Gober, Alabama's last surviving Real Son, Tyus Kirby Denney of Cullman, passed away on 7 March 2013 and was buried at Etha Baptist Church in Cullman.

Dragoon Publishes Book.  Dragoon E. Wayne Nelson has published a book, In Search of Glory, available at amazon.com. The book is a true story based on the South Alabama experiences of the author’s great-grandparents, William and Ellen Rice Spivey during the years 1861 through 1865. Follow William as he sets out in search of glory only to discover that war brings pain, suffering, hunger, pestilence, and death. Along the way he is wounded and meets a beautiful woman who nurses him back to health and wakes the passion that stirs within him even to the depth of his soul. Finally, as he nears the end of his trials, he realizes first-hand the value of truth and justice. He also acquires a new and strong reverence for life that helps him to survive all the hardships of war he must endure in order to return home to the things he values most:  family and his one true love, Ellen. Amazon offers the book for sale in paperback and it should be available on Kindle by the time you read this.  If you prefer hard cover, an autographed copy can be purchased from the author at 22478 Hwy 189, Elba, AL 36323 for $25.00, postage paid.