Confederate Colonel (and Alabama Governor) John Anthony Winston Grave Dedication

Sunday October 10th saw the dedication of a Confederate grave marker for Colonel John Anthony Winston in Emelle, AL.  The dedication program was hosted by the Winston County Grays SCV Camp 1788 and Mrs. McGough on whose property the grave is located, atop an Indian mound.  

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Commander Waldo presented greetings from the Alabama Division SCV Southwest Central Brigade with remarks including a brief recollection of Winston's biography.   "Winston lived thru an amazing period in our state’s history born in the Alabama territory, serving in the state legislature and as Governor in the antebellum period and serving in the Confederate States Army as a Colonel in the 8^th Alabama Infantry.   He was also a member of the 1865 Alabama Constitutional Convention which convened in Richmond of that year before the fall of the Confederacy.   Winston was a son of Alabama, the state’s first native born Governor, serving the state in the public domain in all these capacities.  He was a firm believer in the Confederate Cause of States' Rights and sovereignty - when he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1867, he was removed when he refused to take the oath of allegiance.  He was a staunch opponent to the Reconstruction indoctrination.   As governor he signed the bill in 1854 creating Alabama’s public school system.  He also had a strong record of limited government and against the redistribution of public funds to private corporations and institutions.  It was a wonderful opportunity to recognize and celebrate the honorable service of Governor Winston in the Confederate States Army in the defense of his state and his home and family as all our Confederate ancestors so nobly did as the SCV Charge reminds us."  

It was an outstanding program and service.  The 3rd Alabama Cavalry Company B posted colors as Confederate reenactors.  Ms Floyd, VP of the Order of Confederate Rose Alabama Society offered the pledges and salutes to the U.S., Alabama and Confederate flags.  Lt Green of the NW Platoon of the Mechanized Cavalry recited the Opening Prayer.  Welcomes were provided by Commander McClung of Camp 1788, Ms Green who is President of the OCR and Ms. Mott of the Winnie Davis Chapter 24 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.  In addition to Commander Waldo's remarks, SCV AL Division Commander McMurry gave additional insights on Winston's life before Ms McGough concluded the speakers portion reading from some of Winston's personal memoirs.  The ladies of the OCR then placed a wreath at Winston's grave and laid white and red carnations on his tombstone.  The Winston County Grays then provided consecutive musket and cannon volleys in salute.  After a closing prayer, everyone joined together in singing "Dixie".  Mrs. McGough then invited everyone back to her beautiful home to enjoy an amazing spread of refreshments including cakes, finger foods and punch.  She shared some of her personal research on Gov. Winston (her ancestor) including his tumultuous personal marital story.  It was a tremendous occasion to come together to honor the service of John Anthony Winston to his state of Alabama and to the Confederate States of America.  

Prattville Dragoons Commander's Column for October 2021 - Understand and Communicate the Relevance of the Cause Today

In the past few days I have requested that a few emails be forwarded to the camp distribution.  One was an outstanding article written and published twelve years ago by Dr. Livingston who founded the Abbeville Institute.  It was forwarded to me by one of our newest members and he provided it saying that he considers it his go-to source for the defense of the Cause.  It refutes the abolition crusade myth providing ample evidence of Lincoln’s imperialist economic rationale. There was another one recently penned on “Lincoln’s Total War” which provided an illustration as to why we will not forget the sacrifices and hardships our Confederate ancestors endured in light of the atrocities Lincoln’s troops perpetrated on them, soldiers and civilians alike.  I also asked that a link to a Washington Post story and my response on Twitter and to the editor of that rag calling out their bigotry be disseminated to Camp 1524 on email.  I get articles and emails from members and often ask Communications Officer Butler to send these out to our members and friends of the Dragoons.   I have encouraged those who maintain our social media accounts to post regularly of news of camp activities and especially those around community service and charity and our informative camp meetings.

It is important that we continue to educate ourselves as to the true history of the War for Southern Independence and the Cause for which our forefathers took up arms in defense of their homes and families.   That so that when the opportunity arises, we can defend their honor and to inform those ignorant of the true history of this conflict as the Charge implores us.  It is important too that we let our community leaders and Joe Public know of the outstanding community service activities in which our camp is engaged as a valuable civic organization.  While it is imperative that we are thoroughly educated around “the preservation of liberty and freedom (as) the motivating factor in the South’s decision to fight the Second American Revolution” (scv.org), I believe we need to seize the initiative to present our opinions and provide evidence of the truth of The Cause to those ignorant and uneducated of this period in American history and of Southern history specifically.  We need to not just sound off in our own echo chamber of camp meetings and SCV gatherings but confront PC bigotry and present a bold knowledgeable presence to the public such as at festivals like the upcoming Autauga County Fair where we will have a booth to provide SCV educational pamphlets and posters and greet fairgoers. 

My brother asked some years back why I was spending my precious time and effort on an historical organization like the SCV.  I told him then and it has become even more apparent that this important historic period parallels the federal government overreach and sectionalism today to the detriment of our Republic’s very foundations and future prospects.   Our Confederate ancestor’s fight was underscored by their “belief in the rights guaranteed by the Constitution. These attributes are the underpinning of our democratic society and represent the foundation on which this nation was built.”  (scv.org)  As our swearing-in ceremony also states, “Although defeated, they left us traditions of faith in God, honor, chivalry, and respect for womanhood; they left us a passionate belief in freedom for the individual. Our Confederate ancestors bequeathed to us a military tradition of valor, patriotism, devotion to duty, and a spirit of self-sacrifice. When our nation no longer admires and pays tribute to these traditions, we will no longer remain a free nation.”  The current federal government has grown ever more intrusive with executive mandates, uncontrolled social program spending and confiscatory taxation, globalization with uncontrolled immigration, and even weaponizing the FBI as the DOJ and AG seek to criminally investigate all opposition to the approved PC critical race theory narrative.  We are on the precipice.

Prattville Dragoons Chaplain’s Column for October 2021 - Remembrance and Words to Encourage

         "And God shall wipe all tears from their eyes... for the former things  are passed away."

Revelation 21:4

 

I would be remiss if I did not start by mentioning the recent passing of former Dragoons Chaplain, Tom Snowden.

Many of you knew Tom longer and far better than I did, and could share many stories in this column.

What I will remember of him is that he was a man of God. I will remember our conversations, prayers, and the impact he had on all of us.

I will also always recollect his laugh, his kindness to me and others, his Christmas singing, and his patience with the projector in the backroom of the Shoney's.

I also know that he is with the Lord in his glory and that makes his passing a little easier.

And I am ever reminded that between him and Will Dismukes, I walk in the shoes of giants in this role as chaplain.

 

"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness."

James 3:9

 

As I was driving to work the other morning I was listening to a sermon on the radio. The pastor was speaking from James 3, on the "power of the tongue."

James was speaking on the impact of your words. You have the power to lift someone up or destroy them by what you say.

More importantly, you will be judged by these words. Matthew 12 states that, "everyone will have to give a account on the day of judgement for every every empty word they have spoken" (v. 36,37).

Proverbs speaks that the "tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat it's fruit (v. 18:21).

 

I have to admit that I have used my tongue poorly many times. At work, when Auburn plays poorly, or somebody assails my heritage.

I have been convicted over the years to use my words to speak light in to people. The world already has enough harsh words in it. Just look at social media.

How are you  using your words? Would you speak so if you saw Jesus in the room?

Challenge yourself today to use your tongue to build others up in the light of Christ.

Remember those on our prayer list.

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

                           Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

Dragoons Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive – October thru November 13^th to benefit the Autauga Interfaith Care Center

Gov. Winston Confederate Grave Marker Dedication – Sunday, October 10th 2pm, 3553 AL Hwy 116, Emelle AL

Autauga County Fair – Tuesday Oct 12^th – Saturday Oct 16^th at the Autauga County Fairgrounds, Prattville (Dragoons' booth)

Beauvoir Fall Muster Reenactment Encampment – Saturday and Sunday, October 16-17^th, Biloxi MS

Dragoons’ Fall Muster – Saturday Oct 23^rd – 10am-2pm, Dismukes property on Peninsula Dr, Millbrook, BBQ lunch, clay shoot

Battles for the Armory Reenactment and Living History – Friday thru Sunday, Nov 12-14^th, Tallassee AL

Battle of Bibb Furnace Reenactment – Friday thru Sunday, December 3rd-5th, Brierfield Iron Works Park AL

Dragoons’ Christmas Social – Friday December 10^th at Buena Vista

Prattville Dragoons I-65 Battle Flag Site Workday

Members of the Prattville SCV Camp 1524 went to work Saturday morning 9/25/2021 at the I-65 Battle Flag site. Scaffolding was rented and brought to site by Commander Waldo and Flag Chairman David Smith.  After erecting all the scaffolding a large wasp nest with about 75 wasps blocked immediate work until they were sprayed to remove them. A top billboard support timber was installed between the telephone poles along with nine sheets of treated plywood.  This lumber was installed on the back side of the billboard to reinforce to keep high winds from damaging the sign. Compatriot Mike Thomas used his chain saw to fell a dead tree and cut it to shorter lengths.   Compatriot Rob Schwartz brought a friend Thomas Griffith to help with the work and together, along with Quartermaster Bill Myrick, the men made quick work of the job scope. They also greeted some cars stopped along the interstate taking pictures with smiles and waves. Long may Dixie's flag fly high.

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Continue Cemetery Grounds Maintenance

The first day of fall, Thursday morning September 23rd, saw two members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 mowing and trimming the grass at the Robinson Springs Cemetery in Millbrook AL.  Color Sgt John Dennis and compatriot Rob Schwartz finished the lawn care around the grave markers following behind compatriot Tyler Suttle who had earlier taken his riding mower there to cut the open areas.  Tyler and John also mowed the grass at Indian Hill Cemetery in Prattville.  The grass had been well watered with the recent rains from tropical storm Nicholas which provided precipitation for much of the prior week.  These two cemeteries are historical cemeteries which contain the remains of many of the areas early founders and Confederate veterans of the War for Southern Independence.  The Dragoons care for these cemeteries as part of the SCV Guardian Program to maintain the final resting place for Confederate veterans.  

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Meeting for September 2021

On Thursday evening September 9th, 26 members and friends of the Dragoons met at the Prattville Masonic Lodge for their monthly camp meeting.  Compatriot Rob Schwartz opened the meeting playing his guitar and singing "I Sang Dixie".  Chaplain Brantley then offered an Invocation and Color Sergeant Dennis led everyone in the pledge to the US flag and salutes to the Alabama state and Confederate Battle flags.  Commander Waldo recited the SCV Charge and then provided information for upcoming events for the camp including the Dixie butt fundraiser distribution, the camp's booth at the Autauga County Fair, the Fall Muster clay shoot and BBQ, the Thanksgiving canned food drive and, the camp's donation for the defense of Florence (AL) "Eternal Vigil" Confederate monument.  

Tyler Suttle was the guest speaker.  Tyler was a member of the camp before moving away but has recently returned and is rejoining camp 1524.  Tyler works for the Autauga Northern railroad as an engineer and shared his passion for rail history particularly around the War for Southern Independence.  A fabulous slide show was presented which began by showing a photograph of the Union Pacific big boy locomotive and Tyler explained the nomenclature describing the construction of the giant steam engine, a 4-8-8-4 being a locomotive with a four wheel leading truck for stability, two sets of eight driving wheels and a four wheel trailing truck to support the firebox. The 4-4-0 was the primary locomotive design during the WBTS. This type didn't have brakes (although the cars did) and so they would glide to a stop or use reverse to stop.  They burned wood for steam as coal came into use more in the 1880s.  The Memphis-Charleston was the main east-west railroad line in the Southern states during the War but the South had relatively few railroads compared to the North which was a function of the industrialization of the regions. The more railroad lines provided an advantage to the North being able to transport large numbers of troops and goods quickly long distances. The North also standardized the gage (width) of the tracks where there were different lines in the South which required offloading the cargo and transporting it to other cars on the different tracks, a logistical issue.  The Union army tried mounting cannons and mortars and guns to rail cars as new military weapons.  Richmond, Savannah, Chattanooga, Memphis, Charleston, New Orleans and Atlanta were the primary rail hubs in the South with large yards for moving cars across the rail system.  Atlanta was the second largest and hence was a target for Sherman in his campaign in 1864.  Munitions were transported thru these rail hubs and often stored temporarily in round houses in the center of the yard from which the rail lines dispersed  in different directions.  Following the WBTS, the transcontinental railroad was constructed from Council Bluffs, Iowa and San Francisco, California by the Central and Union Pacific Railroads, meeting in Promontory, Utah in 1869, opening up the west to expansion and settlement.  

Commander Waldo then closed the meeting and Chaplain Brantley sent everyone off with a Benediction.  It was another enjoyable meeting and a number of members and friends were in attendance who had been unable to make meetings due to the COVID and other issues.