Chaplain's Column form Prattville Dragoons Camp Dispatch for September 2013

Chaplain’s Column:  I Am Thankful

            I am so glad to be in and be a part of an organization that is filled with God-fearing and believing members. By looking at the prayer list you could easily conclude that most of the members believe in the power of prayer. Remember, we all have storms in our life. Many of these storms contain whirlwinds of disease, disaster, and death. Then we have storms to appear in the form of interruptions, irritations, and ill-treatment.

            Well, life is filled with God-appointed storms. A sheet of paper ten times this size would be insufficient to list the whirlwinds of our lives. But two things should comfort us in the midst of daily lightning and thunder. First, we all experience them. Second, we all need them. God has no method more effective. The massive blows and shattering blasts (not to mention the small, constant irritations) smooth us and humble us and force us to submit to the role He has chosen for us. But through all of this, God is good and his love is never failing. Remember these familiar words: "God moves in a mysterious way / His wonders to perform; He plants His footsteps in the sea, / and rides upon the storm." Before the dust settles, why not ask God to have His way in today’s whirlwind and storm?

             Perhaps you are in the eye of a storm right now. It may even  look like your boat is sinking. Maybe it’s so dark you can’t see your hand before your face. I want you to know there is nothing that comes to you that He does not cause or allow. Remember, the storm did not take the wave walker, the Lord Jesus, by surprise. As a matter of fact, the Bible says He’s the one that commandeth and raiseth stormy seas.  Whether we can see it or not, whether we can understand it or not, it is a fact that God has not relinquished His rule upon His universe. Read Matthew 8:23-27. We should not doubt the fact that Jesus see’s the storms in our life. Bow before the One, the only One, who can calm your storm. Trust His ways. He is in control.

Many of those that have been placed on our prayer list have received the healing hand of God in one form or the other. I would like to take this time to thank each one of you for first listing those prayer needs and helping me keep it updated. 

Yours In Christ,

Tom Snowden, Chaplain

Letter to the Editor of the Confederate Veteran Magazine Regarding Nathan Bedford Forrest

The July/August issue of the SCV Confederate Veteran magazine included an outstanding article on General Nathan Bedford Forrest which provided the argument that the commonly held belief that Forrest was at one time the head of the Ku Klux Klan is not supported by documented historical evidence.  This blog author took exception to a couple of point and wrote a letter to the editor as follows:

Dr. Michael Bradley’s article “Nathan Bedford Forrest and the Ku Klux Klan” in the July/August edition of the Confederate Veteran I think missed on a couple points. I don’t believe he included one historical bit of evidence which helps contribute to the belief that Forrest was the leader of the Klan. “Major James Crowe of Sheffield Alabama one of the original six of the Pulaski Den, in a letter written in 1908 (to the UDC), but not published until 1914, after his death, stated the case, ‘After the order grew to large numbers we found it necessary to have someone of large experience to command.  We chose General N.B. Forrest.’” (Nathan Bedford Forrest: First with the Most by Robert Selph Henry).  That would be someone with firsthand knowledge of the actual historical event.  But the point was made and should have been the emphasis of the article that the Klan of that period formed to resist the lawlessness and atrocities of the Reconstruction against the Southern populace.  An honorable and justifiable aim surely.  But Bradley’s article further stated in defending Forrest’s antebellum slave trading as a product of his time, “Obviously what we call moral is a changeable concept. Obviously there is no single social standard which can be applied to past, present and future.” I would argue God’s Word, the Bible provides an unchanging moral foundation to which we should refer and adhere throughout all generations and eternity.  And coincidentally, it speaks to the issue of slavery. 

Prattville Dragoons Commander's Column for August - Martin Luther King's Dream Speech

The last week of August was the fiftieth anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.  I’m sure you heard about the observances locally and in Washington DC as the main stream media was consumed by the story.   It was said that King’s speech paralleled (or plagiarized) Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.  I was listening to my favorite local black radio personality the other day and this anniversary observance was a primary topic.  His studio guest came in to discuss race relations and he agreed with Kevin Elkins that the current atmosphere in Montgomery is very bad and he blamed it on the black community living in the past and harping on the victim mentality.  Elkin claimed that the black community was responding to the white community continuously commemorating the Confederacy.  If only that were true I thought.  If there was a greater knowledge of our Southern history and heritage and the constitutional principles our forefathers followed in creating the Confederate States of America paralleling the founders and framers of our United States of America 100 years prior.  

Whereas H.K.Edgerton espouses that blacks should embrace their antebellum history and heritage which helped build the prosperous Southern economy and culture and instilled in their people a Christian foundation, King’s speech while seeking to be visionary, dredged up the same old victimization excuses that we continue to hear fifty years later despite inordinate progressive social programs and laws meant to prop up the black community often at the expense of the greater general societal welfare.  King’s speech dreams of a day when men are not judged by the color of their skin but, the alleged “post-racial” leadership in Washington promotes racial disharmony selectively interfering or ignoring “hate crimes” and gang violence.   The federal government continues to demand biased affirmative action and civil rights measures and socialistic redistribution dictates meant to enslave everyone, confiscating wealth from the producers and doling out to dependents.  

King claimed that the “negroes” of 1963 were still exiles, languishing, victims of injustice, “crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination”.  Fifty years later after a concerted immeasurably expensive war on poverty and despite all the “work” of the NAACP, the National Negro College Fund, the Congressional Black Caucus ad nauseam and after two Constitutional Amendments and four Civil Rights Acts and myriad other laws and executive orders, there is supposedly no progress.  It’s not enough.  Admission and hiring quotas are not enough.  Blacks are still inordinately poor and so a pure socialistic redistribution agenda is underway throughout our nation.  The prisons have an inordinate proportion of black men so we must prohibit profiling in criminal investigations and seek the underlying root cause of the apprehension and detention of these "victims of the biased system".  

While segregation in public housing, transportation, schools, and organizations were banished, the black “distrust of all white people” which King decried remains.  Voting privileges were bestowed and despite unprecedented unemployment (even worse in the black community), lackadaisical economic growth, and a deteriorating position of the United States as the preeminent superpower in the world community, 96% of blacks voted for the incumbent in the 2012 Presidential elections.  Was that because “they… judged (the candidates not) by the color of (their) skin but by the content of (their) character” or record?   Is this the result of King’s dream?  Chicago and Detroit crumble into desolate ghettos.  Black-on –black crime soars.  50% of the murders in the country are committed by a 3% population demographic.   Lincoln stated, “There is a physical difference between the white and black races which I believe will forever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality.”  Was Lincoln right? 

All men are created equal according to our Declaration of Independence cited or plagiarized in King’s speech.  But creation is not achievement, ability, or desire.  Opportunity is available but initiative and ambition is not inherent.  Lack of success is blamed on unfairness.  On another of Elkin’s recent radio shows they were endorsing health care reform such that any and everyone should get the same medical treatment as Warren Buffett.  Is that true? Akin also rebuffed critics of Montgomery public schools, that only those with children enrolled in failing schools have the right to complain, not those fleeing these dangerous schools that have turned their backs on God and discipline, competition, testing and elementary education for our children.  Those who foot the bill thru their tax dollars for these schools who fail our children and our society have no basis to object.  

King went on, “I have a dream that one day down in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.”  “A 2008 study by Jenifer L. Bratter and Rosalind B. King conducted on behalf of the Education Resources Information Center found that interracial marriages are twice as likely to divorce.  73% of black children are born out of wedlock.  Black fathers are absent.  Is this the brotherhood and sisterhood King envisioned?  Our great-grandfathers left their children but to defend their families and their homes in the War of Northern Aggression.  

Is the freedom King shouted about embodied in racially biased socialistic government bureaucracy and control and regulation and entitlements?  Free healthcare?  Free food stamps?  Free housing?  Free phones?  Are they really free?  Have we lost sight of limited government and constitutional principles, responsibility and self-reliance and the liberty for which our Confederate ancestors fought and sacrificed?   “Let freedom ring.”

Prattville Dragoons Dixie Butt Fundraiser Another Great Success

The Dragoons Dixie Butt fundraiser concluded with the distribution of the smoked butts on Saturday morning August 10th.  Fatman's BBQ prepares the delicious smoked butts and the Dragoons bag these and handed them out to patrons that morning at Fatman's at the intersection of Main Street and Hwy 31 in Prattville.   The crew for this mornings distribution of Dixie Butts included Dragoons Communications Officer Tyrone Crowley, Adjutant Wayne Sutherland, past Commander and I-65 Flag Chairman Larry Spears, Commander Stuart Waldo, 2nd Lt Chris Booth, standout member Louis Turner (who always participates in camp work and events), Treasurer Billy Leverette, Quartermaster David Brantley, and Brigade Commander Bill Myrick. Many others came by to help like new member George Jenks or to chat for a bit when they picked up their smoked butt - we all enjoy the social time with one another and the interaction with ticket holders as they show up to claim their Dixie Butts.   It was humid from the beginning when we set up our tent and camp banner before 7am and it got hot by 9am as one would suspect on an Alabama August summer day but by then we were finished and packing up to leave.

This was the first year in the past three years that we didn't set a record after topping out last year at 195 butts.  This year we sold 183 so we got close and we received a number of donations in addition to the butt sales.  We netted almost $1900 for the Dragoon treasury, so can take satisfaction in being near the record and raising funds to answer the Charge and further the Cause.  These monies allow the Dragoons to place Confederate heritage advertisements, contribute to artifact and flag preservation at the Alabama Archives and First White House of the Confederacy, purchase of flags for setting at and renovations of Confederate graves, newsletter expenses, and community parade and festival expenses. New initiatives are planned to extend the outreach of the Dragoons into the community and schools for heritage education. Thanks to all who took part in any way in the Dragoons Dixie Butt fundraiser. 
 

Dragoons at the 2013 Dixie Butt Sale

Prattville Dragoons August Camp Meeting - Part 2

Bill Rambo, Director of Confederate Memorial Park was the guest speaker for the Dragoons August camp meeting.  Bill thanked the Dragoons for stepping up to volunteer as first responders for the Park in the event of a natural disaster to secure the area.  Jefferson Manley Faulkner of the 8th Alabama Cavalry and his law partner Thomas Goode Jones created the Old Soldier's Home.  Faulkner owned 102 acres in Mountain Rest and donated this to build a Confederate veterans home in Alabama. They formed a United Confederate Veterans camp with the specific mission to provide a home for indigent Confederate veterans. There were nine cottages including one for the camp Commandant, the first of whom was a Confederate veteran and the final three were doctors.  Each cottage held eight veterans and even had plumbing which was a rarity for home of that era in rural Alabama and the men decorated the grounds around the cottages with shrubs and flowering plants. There was also a dairy barn and a fish pond and the entire Home was a 22 building installation which included an Auditorium (which burned down in 1924).  Meals were served to the veterans by four servants initially but a Mess Hall was later built where they enjoyed their meals.  A wagon would take the veterans to Mountain Rest daily where a post office and train depot were located. 

The Auditorium was built of logs about the foundation which had commemorative bronze plaques mounted on them in the memory of or to honor veterans.  One of these plaques is on display in the museum which was found in the ruins of the burnt building and is the only one known to be in existence. The bottom floor of the Auditorium had a  library with artifacts from the War and busts of Confederate generals, a sitting room and a UDC meeting room.  An obelisk with a bronze plaque is still there in the Park and it originally acted as a support for the Auditorium porch. There was a 25 bed hospital with a wrap around porch where the men would often sleep to take advantage of the cool breeze as of course there was no air conditioning to combat the stifling hot Alabama summer days. The hospital was often full of old veterans.

The last soldier died in 1934 and by 1939 there were just five widows residing there and they were transferred to Montgomery and the Home was closed.  Wives were permitted to live at the Home if the soldier proved to be indigent and in 1918 widows without their husbands were permitted to reside there.  After it's closing the State Soil and Conservation Department held it and it fell into disrepair.  In 1964 Governor George Wallace created Confederate Memorial Park as part of the Centennial observances but essentially just the cemeteries were cleaned up.  In 1974 the camp was assigned to the Alabama Historical Commission.  Some of the original fence next to the church is a woven wire erected in 1904 and is some of the only original building material left at the site.  The church dates from 1885 and was moved to the Park in 1983 from a site a mile away.  The Mess Hall which was erected in 1904 stood til the 1960s when it fell down after being occupied by squatters for many  years; the foundation still exists.  Most of the buildings were torn down in the 1930s and 1940s.

The Park has nature trails maintained by a grounds crew.  The 2nd largest poplar in the state is found in Confederate Memorial Park which was a sapling in 1789 and there are hardwood and pine forests throughout.  There are two pavilions including one with restrooms and lighting.  There are 298 soldiers and 13 wives/widows buried in the cemeteries in the Park.  Cemetery #1 had the first burial in 1902 and the last in 1915 and Cemetery #2 had the first burial there in 1911 (a veteran accused of being a deserter and so he and others so accused were not permitted in the first cemetery.  In 1912 the UDC replaced the original wooden crosses with upright stone markers and the Veterans Administration provided in-ground plaques.  Some of the veterans who resides there included John Tucker for whom the museum has photos dating from 1861 and 1916.  Major John Carter was a Cherokee who served with Forrest and lived and died at the Soldiers Home.

The library was the original museum and dates from 1979.  The new state-of-the-art museum was built in 2007.  In front of the museum fly Battle flags known to have been used by Alabama regiments.  Artifacts in the museum include an old steamer trunk belonging to a Soldiers Home resident.  Numerous old bottles found on the grounds are in the museum as well as flag displays.  A UDC quilt dating from 1928 is on display in the museum.  There is an Alabama Soldier's Gallery of Honor and a Heritage of Honor display showing generations of Alabamians who have served their country from the Confederacy and the War for Southern Independence to the United States Vietnam War.  Other artifacts include old shells and bugles and other War period pieces. There are civilian artifacts too including an old spinning wheel and an 1850s day dress. 

Bill explained that in 1891 there was a property tax assessment used as a Confederate Soldiers Fund from which monies were used to support the Soldiers Home.  Over the years less and less money has been allocated from this millage as funds were reappropriated after the Old Soldiers Home closed.  Bill and members of the SCV have fought to maintain the small remaining amount which provides funds to maintain this wonderful historic Alabama state treasure despite almost continuous assaults from those who would ignore or erase our Southern and Confederate Heritage. If you have never visited Confederate Memorial Park, you need to and write your Congressmen to defend and preserve our state history and heritage.

Confederate Memorial Park Director Bill Rambo Addresses the Prattville Dragoons

Prattville Dragoons August Camp Meeting - Part 1

The Dragoons held their monthly camp meeting on Thursday August 8th at 7pm at the Shoney's on Cobbs Ford Road in Prattville. The program was enjoyed by all and there was a great crowd of 30 folks in attendance.  Too much good information and too many superb presenters and too much on the agenda so the meeting went til almost 9 o'clock but it was an outstanding.  Chaplain Snowden was out with a sore foot so past Chaplain Bill Branch provided the invocation on short notice and we appreciated his ably filling in for these duties.  Color Sargent Brent Jenks was recognized in the Announcements as having recently assumed that position for the camp but he too was absent due to conflicting work commitments.  So, I-65 Flag Chairman and past Dragoon Commander Larry Spears led everyone in the pledges to the U.S. flag, the Alabama state flag and the Confederate Battle Flag.  The Charge to the Sons of Confederate Veterans was then recited by Commander Stuart Waldo.

The Announcements portion of the agenda included recognition of the special guests in attendance who included prospective new members David Gatch and Robert Baylis. Also, from the Semple Camp 2002, Mike Williams (Alabama Division Quartermaster and Webmaster) and Henry Howard (reenactor and volunteer guide at the First White House) made the trip up from Montgomery.  Jeff Potts was recognized for again helping the Dragoons recruitment efforts by manning a table at the recent gun show at the Alcazar Shrine Temple in Montgomery. Upcoming events highlighted included the recently completed Sam Davis Youth Camp in Clifton TX, our own camp fundraising Dixie Butt distribution scheduled for Saturday August 10th, the 13th Annual Battle of Newton Reenactment October 19th and 20th and the Sam Davis 150th Anniversary Memorial Event in Smyrna TN November 22-24th.

Mike Williams then had the honor of making a special presentation of the certificate for an Alabama Division Lifetime Membership to Tyrone Crowley.  This signifies an obvious lifelong commitment to the Cause by Tyrone and a cause for applause. Tyrone subsequently provided a report on the Dixie Butt fundraising indicating we were close to another record and that the distribution was scheduled for Saturday morning bright and early from 7-9am.  The Dragoons sold 183 butts and received more in donations to net almost $1900 for our ongoing camp activities.

Tyrone Crowley with his Lifetime Membership Certificate

A report from the Sons of Confederate Veterans Annual Reunion was provided by the three Dragoons who attended the event in Vicksburg MS in mid-July.  Commander Stuart Waldo communicated his take on the central themes which he heard the first two Business sessions, an emphasis on Vision 2016, growing the membership thru sharing best practices and ideas and news thru enhanced communications and making the SCV the preeminent authority for Confederate history and Southern heritage and changing the emphasis for the SCV form Heritage Defense to a proactive educational Heritage Operations. The historical program on the Vicksburg National Military Park (VNMP) monuments and statues as art including the beautiful book authored by the presenter and Vicksburg SCV member Parker Hills was highlighted.  The Confederate Memorial Program including the Roll of Honor which was conducted at historical Christ Episcopal Church was also presented as the last event attended by Stuart at the Reunion.

Larry Spears talked to everybody about the VNMP tour he attended. Larry said the visitors center where the tour started had some good exhibits including a map and chronological accounting of the battles and siege of Vicksburg and some displays showing some of the encampments and caves used by the soldiers and civilians but that the Union bias was notable.  The guide their group had was Confederate friendly though but the amount of time allotted during the tour for the Confederate memorials and statues was much more limited than those for the Northern states and soldiers.  The only stop of their tour was the U.S.S. Cairo which was raised from the Yazoo River in 1963 and was an amazing display of artifacts in the museum but even the original cannon and steam engine on the ship itself.   Larry also discussed the Forrest Cavalry Breakfast he attended on Thursday morning which is hosted by our own past Commander Wyatt Willis.  This event was very well attended and the speaker was very good and discussed the truths of Forrest and his taking of Fort Pillow. 

Larry Spears Provides his SCV National Reunion Account

Quartermaster David Brantley reiterated his understanding of the themes from the convention and said the keynote addresses by Lt. Kelly Barrow and Commander in Chief Michael Givens on Saturday were inspiring.  Givens invited the wives of the men to attend his speech during the Saturday business session, a first by David's recollection.  David also mentioned the historical presentation on Thursday night which provided an accounting of the horrific challenges and deprivation the civilians of Vicksburg faced during the Siege but that fewer than two dozen died as a result of the bombardment by the Union artillery and gunboats, a testament to their improvised fortifications like the caves in which they sought shelter as well as their perseverance in the face of starvation.  David also attended the Mississippi Shiloh monument benefit fish fry on Friday evening.  An interesting side excursion David took was to visit the Confederate cemetery there in Vicksburg where he ran into some other SCV members who were toasting the deceased celebrity, Old Douglas, the mascot camel of the 43rd Mississippi Infantry who is buried there. 

David Brantley Shares his Impressions from the SCV National Reunion