Confederate History Discovered During a Visit to the Mississippi Delta

My family just returned from a vacation which included travel thru the Mississippi Delta and a stay in Greenville MS out west on Hwy 82.  Leland Mississippi just east of Greenville is the birthplace of Kermit the Frog and the kids enjoyed seeing that little museum.  Greenwood Mississippi is just east of Leland on Hwy 82 which meanders all the way back to Prattville AL, home of the Dragoons.  Greenwood is home of the Confederate Memorial Building, one of only two such designated buildings in the United States.  Greenville on the western edge of the state itself sits on the Mississippi River and the town was destroyed during the War when Confederates in Greenville fired upon Union gunboats in the river which were making their way downstream for the siege of Vicksburg.  The Confederate action was only successful in provoking the Yankees to stop long enough to raze the small town.  But the town today, known for it's numerous small roadside tamale shacks has some nice Confederate heritage monuments and sites.  The Washington County Courthouse and Arboretum has a beautiful monument with a Confederate soldier atop and quotes from President Jefferson Davis and General Robert E. Lee inscribed on sides of the base.  The monument was erected by the local UDC chapter, "To commemorate the valor and patriotism of the Confederate soldiers of Washington County" as inscribed on the south face of the monument.   The East face contains this quote from Charles B. Galloway which parallels the SCV Charge, "It is due the truth of history that the fundamental principles which our fathers contended should be often reiterated in order that the purpose which inspired them may be correctly estimated and the purity of their motives be abundantly vindicated."  The North face contains the quote from Lee, "The sublimest word in the English language is duty."  On the west face, President Davis is quoted, "For those who encountered the perils of war in defense of the sacred cause of states rights and constitutional government."  The Greenville Cemetery is a beautiful old wooded cemetery near downtown and the courthouse and it has many Confederate veteran's graves and one section where many are buried which also contains an obelisk monument again erected by the local Taylor Rucks Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and on sides of the monuments are listed all those Confederate Veterans interred there from Mississippi and from other states.  The Greenville History Museum was not visited while we were there but it supposedly houses some artifacts from and provides information regarding this period of the Confederacy and the War Between the States.

Washington County Courthouse and the Confederate Monument in Greenville MS

Courthouse Monument Inscriptions NE Corner

Courthouse Monument Inscriptions SW Corner

Greenville Confederate Cemetery with Obelisk Monument

Greenville Cemetery Monument Inscriptions

New Book by Texas SCV Member Chronicles the Life of Captain John D. Kirkpatrick

Thomas Stevens is a member of the Jerome B.  Robertson Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp in Brenham, Texas, and the author of a new book, Tennessee Preacher, Tennessee Soldier, the Civil War Career of Captain John D. Kirkpatrick, CSA, One of Morgans' Men.   It may be purchased at either Amazon or Barnes & Noble.  Here is a summary of the book: 

 In early 1861, young Cumberland Presbyterian minister John D. Kirkpatrick, following in his grandfather and great-grandfather's footsteps, was preaching at his first church near Nashville, Tennessee.  At that time, war fever was raging in the South, and even before Tennessee seceded, John heeded the call to arms and joined the First Tennessee Volunteers.   It was no surprise that John would enlist in the Confederate Army; like many in the South, his family had a long tradition of military service to their country.  A year later, he became a Captain in the Ninth Tennessee Cavalry, which soon was attached to Confederate General John Hunt Morgan's Cavalry Brigade.  He was with Morgan at the Battle of Hartsville and on the Christmas Raid into Kentucky. Captured in Gallatin, Tennessee, he was able to escape.  At the battle of Vaught's Hill, near Milton, Tennessee, he commanded his regiment. On Morgan’s famous Indiana-Ohio raid, John was with the first troops that crossed the Ohio River at Brandenburg, Kentucky. When the Union forces finally defeated Morgan on the banks of the Ohio River at Buffington Island, John narrowly avoided capture because he had been sent across the river just before the battle to secure the east bank.  He then led 110 men to safety through the mountains of West Virginia, arriving in Confederate territory in time to fight under Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest at Chickamauga. He commanded a battalion of Morgan’s men on General Joseph Wheeler’s raid through Middle Tennessee, and, as Wheeler retreated into Alabama, commanded the rear guard at a bloody fight at Sugar Creek.  John fought at Missionary Ridge, Ringgold Gap, and again under Wheeler at Charleston, Tennessee. He rejoined Morgan after his escape from prison, and commanded a battalion at the Battle of Cove Gap, and on Morgan’s Last Kentucky Raid.  Although severely wounded at Cynthiana, Kentucky on that raid, he miraculously escaped capture and, with his right arm disabled, made his way back to Wytheville, Virginia, a two hundred mile trip through the mountains of eastern Kentucky. Undaunted, he spent the last few months of the war trying to get authorization from Richmond to raise a regiment of cavalry to fight under Forrest.  After Lee's surrender at Appomattox, he appears to have been a part of General Basil Duke’s force that escorted Confederate President Jefferson Davis into Georgia.  When Duke dismissed his troops near Washington, Georgia, John headed west.  He surrendered at Marion, Alabama, five weeks after Appomattox, and then headed home.  After the war, he successfully led several churches in Nashville, taught theology at Cumberland University in Lebanon, and published a newspaper.  When General Morgan’s daughter, Johnnie Hunt Morgan Campbell, died, he helped officiate at her funeral at the Lebanon Cumberland Presbyterian Church.  On his death, Cumberland University named their new home Kirkpatrick Memorial Hall. This book is his story.

In the event that you are interested in finding out more about this book, go to http://tennesseepreachertennesseesoldier.com/.  You can even listen to some outstanding authentic Confederate cavalry music there that will make you wish you had been born a hundred years earlier.

Prattville Dragoons Camp Meeting Program for June 2013

The Prattville Dragoons will again hold their monthly camp meeting at the Shoney's restaurant on Cobb's Ford Road in Prattville on Thursday, June 13th at 7pm.  Come early as everyone gathers at 6pm to partake of the delicious Shoney's food including their buffet.  The program for June was to include a presentation by Mr. Will Dismukes.  He is a student at Faulkner University and just returned from Idaho where he played in the Small College World Series.  His family owns land in the Millbrook area which served as a campground for Confederate soldiers during the War Between the States.  Will has excavated a number of items which he will show and tell about but, unfortunately he had a late conflict and will be unable to make this camp meeting.  We look forward to his presentation soon and hope he will continue his involvement with Confederate history and heritage and consider joining the Dragoons in this pursuit.  Alternatively, those members of the Dragoons who attended last weekend's Alabama Division Reunion in Foley AL will provide comment on the events there.  Dragoons who attended included Commander Stuart Waldo, Adjutant Wayne Sutherland, Brigade Commander Bill Myrick, Flag Chairman Larry Spears, Communications Officer Tyrone Crowley, Quartermaster David Brantley and Benny Harris.  Bill will give his Brigade Report and Larry can provide his reflections on the Reunion and the Banquet.  Tyrone will talk about a letter he addressed to the DEC regarding the library at the Confederate Memorial Park.  Check back here for additional columns which will provide details and images from the convention.   Join us on Thursday for the Dragoons camp meeting and help us to keep the Confederate memory alive and the Charge answered by each generation.

Prattville Dragoons Camp News

From the recent JUne issue of the Dragoons Camp Dispatch:

Camp News

Barry Wyatt As Camp Genealogist More Than Just A Label.  Our Camp Genealogist Barry Wyatt is most adept in that capacity, and proved it recently.  A young man who had left his name on our list at CityFest gave us some basic info on his family tree which we passed on to Barry.  Within hours Barry had used the US census and online Confederate records to identify the young man’s Confederate ancestor.  Great work, Barry!

Bill Branch Recovering From Back Surgery. Past Quartermaster and Chaplain Bill Branch is recovering well, after back surgery on 23 May.  He's already out walking his dog Tippi and expects to be driving again by the time you read this.  Good work on the recovery, Bill!

QM David Brantley Creates Facebook Page For Dragoons.  Newly-appointed Quartermaster David Brantley has stepped up and offered additional service to the Dragoons:  providing a Facebook page for our Camp.  Look for “Prattville Dragoons” on Facebook and let David know what you think.  He’s at wareagle1972@gmail.com

Prattville Dragoons Chaplain's Column for June 2013

From the Dragoons Camp Dispatch newsletter, Chaplain Tom Snowden's column for June 2013:

Chaplain’s Column:  America Has Changed

            I believe there are those who are in leadership in America who have set as their goal to destroy America. It seems they have achieved every goal they set out to win, short of disarming the American people. The primary objective is to change America.

            God was banned from the public arena. The Founding Fathers warned us that only an informed and moral people could sustain a constitutional republic. Only a moral people can know the difference between right and wrong.  As we look at our present culture, wrong has become right and right has become wrong.

            We lost the public school system. Once God left the schools, the liberals took over the education of our young. They have captured our present and future generations. They are churning out students that are low-information voters. And since God was kicked out of our schools, it was easy for liberal teachers to sell many of our children a menu of selfish immorality. You see, without God we have no compass. We lost the media. We once could depend on them for fair and unbiased reporting.

            We have always relied on informed voters with integrity and moral fiber. We no longer have enough voters capable of making prudent, wise decisions. It seems that over half our electorate is now composed of people who vote for their own selfish interests.  

            So where does that leave us? Is there any hope at all for America? Some believe that Thomas Jefferson was correct when he said, “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.” I sure hope our Almighty God will answer our prayers soon and show us how to bring this country back before it is too late.

            Let’s pray for our country that we will wake up from our evil ways and gain back the Old USA that had some moral fiber, politicians that made sense, told the truth, and placed God first.

            I would like to ask our membership to keep praying for those on our Dragoon prayer list.

           

1.  Jeff Potts

            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 dad)

            8.  Wayne Sutherland

            9.  Past Division Commander David Allen

            10. John Durden’s son David Fail

            11. Cecil Williamson

            12. J. J. Oakley

            13. Billy Parker and Stan Stuckey

            14. James Whittington

            15. Bill Branch - recovering from surgery

            16. David Brantley's mother Mary

            17. Harold Grooms’s mother Sue

Yours In Christ,

Tom Snowden, Chaplain

Upcoming Events Including Alabama Division SCV Reunion in Foley AL June 7-9

From the Dragoons Camp Dispatch newsletter, we have a number of upcoming events of interest including:

Alabama Division Annual Reunion - Foley, Alabama - 7-9 June 2013.  All business sessions are free to Alabama Division members. The Reunion includes a Commander's Reception on Friday night at the Gift Horse Restaurant - recall they have a crawfish bisque which is to die for.  On Saturday the Opening Ceremony starts at 8:30am with the Business Meeting following; the Reunion will be held at the Foley Civic Center.  Lunch is at noon and a Memorial Service will be held at 3pm at the Confederate Rest Cemetery in Point Clear.  An Awards Banquet will be held at the Civic Center at 6pm and the following morning at 10am a private tour of the Blakely Battlefield will be offered.  Foley has great outlet shopping as well as fishing and beach activities nearby.   More details at http://www.aladivscv.com/reunion.htm. 

SCV National Reunion 17-20 July 2013, Murfreesboro, Tennessee.  See details at http://2013scvreunion.homestead.com/

General Forrest Birthday Party - 13 July 2013, 3:00 pm til ya wanna go home - at Fort Dixie (home of Butch & Pat Godwin).  Menu:  the best Southern-fried catfish this side of the Big Muddy, all the fixins, and ice-cold watermelon served all day long, plus the best Christian Confederate fellowship.  No charge; donation only.  RSVP by Saturday 6 July to Pat Godwin at 334-875-1690 and to get directions to Ft. Dixie.  Y'all come on down to Ole Bedford's 192^nd birthday party!

Dixie Butt Distribution, 10 August 2013 - Dixie Butts will be exchanged for ticket stubs from 7-9 a.m. at Fatman's BBQ, Main Street and Memorial Drive in Prattville.  Tickets will be distributed beginning with our July meeting, and each member of the Dragoons will be asked to “Buy One and Sell One”.  This is our only fund-raiser of the year, and the proceeds allow us to continue successfully to answer the SCV Charge.  See page 5 for a list of how we used funds in the past year.

Prattville Dragoons Commander Column for June 2013

Recently I was listening to Kevin Elkin and Barbara Mays on Mr.Elkin’s First Call morning radio program out of Montgomery.  His talk show can be enlightening as his listener-ship and his callers are primarily from the Montgomery black community.  Elkin is a refreshingly conservative black voice who is a military veteran and business owner in Montgomery.  This particular show he had Barbara Mays in the studio co-hosting and the topic turned to the problems with the black community and Barbara stated that many in the black community believe integration is detrimental to blacks and whites although she sees the benefits of understanding one another if we are to live in the same community.  Kevin further asserted that there are cultural differences between blacks and whites and used the analogy of apples and oranges.  They both agreed that the solution to the crisis in the black community with crime and unemployment is that blacks must embrace their heritage and demonstrate pride and love for themselves and each other. 

It struck me the admission of these black community leaders that the integration experiment has failed the very people that the conjurers had sought to benefit.  Kevin and Barbara recalled there were formerly black and white communities that got along and respected each other better than the disharmony and racial tensions that permeate society today.  It also struck me the remarkable recognition that there are differences between the black and white (as well as Asian and Latino) races.  Why then the blind eye cast toward interracial unions and the continued impropriety of affirmative action (racial quota) initiatives and indoctrination attempts at diversity?  Whereas these and most black leaders embrace black culture and seek to create black commercial and business prosperity zones where blacks endorse and patronize black businesses, such practices by whites are condemned. 

We as Sons of Confederate Veterans are attacked and slandered as racists for embracing our Southern heritage and culture.  The Charge implores us to perpetuate the true Southern historical record and Confederate heritage and defend the ideals and beliefs of our veteran forefathers. These beliefs form the foundation of our shared Southern heritage and culture.   But today in these current politically correct times, our Southern Anglo-Saxon peoples and culture are being diluted and revisionists incessantly attempt to erase and dismiss our Southern heritage as in Memphis and Selma and in the very history books which indoctrinate our children in the schools our tax dollars support as Confederate General Patrick Cleburne warned.  We should celebrate shared mutual interests and common beliefs with everyone throughout our nation and including all the races in this great mixing pot but we must preserve and be proud of our Southern heritage.  We should honor those black Confederates who served alongside our great grandfathers and appreciate responsible black conservatives today who espouse and promote the same virtues of our forefathers, limited government, personal liberties, self-responsibility and self-reliance. While socialism and government dependency and Islamist ideals are permeating mainstream society, we need to treasure and cling to our cultural Christian foundations and support our compatriots.  The Alabama Division is holding our annual reunion in Foley this month – join us in this Sesquicentennial as we continue to honor our Confederate ancestors in deed and action, to preserve their beliefs and principles and the virtue of our Southern culture and heritage.