14th Annual Birthday Celebration of Lt.Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest

The 14th Annual Birthday Party at Fort Dixie on July 13th 2013 hosted by the Godwins celebrated the 192nd birthday of Nathan B. Forrest, one of the great Confederate cavalry officers of the War Between the States.  The rains skirted all around Fort Dixie but did not dampen the festivities for the couple hundred Confederates in attendance. Confederates from the area included Bill Anthony and members of the Tallassee Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1921, Mike Whorton from Wetumpka, Alan Parker from Montgomery, Dragoon past Commanders Wyatt Willis and Harold Grooms, Dragoon Communications Officer Tyrone Crowley and his wife Carol, Dragoon Color Sgt Brent Jenks and his father George, Dragoon Danny Smyth and Dragoons Commander Stuart Waldo and his family.  Cold watermelon under the shade trees and lemonade was available to everyone to cool off on the humid Alabama summer day.  The celebration began with a welcome from the hosts and an Invocation from Johnny Westerfield followed by the singing of Dixie and firing of the cannon by Todd Kiscaden.  The keynote address followed music from the fabulous Tallassee Armory Guards Camp 1921 String Band.  The keynote speaker was Gene Andrews of Nashville TN, the Executive Director of the Nathan Bedford Forrest Boyhood Home in Chapel Hill TN.  He gave an interesting detailed history of Forrest and his campaigns.  Everyone sat under a series of tents listening intently to the breadth of information shared by Gene and then enjoyed more music before the auction.  The auction of a flag, period dresses, books, a CSS Tennessee replica model and Forrest portraits benefitted the Friends of Forrest and their Confederate Circle renovation work at the Selma Live Oak Cemetery. Todd Kiscaden gave a report on the "recent unpleasantness" regarding the work on this beautification and security and accessibility enhancement project including recounting the initial obstruction by anarchist elements which endangered these irresponsible protesters and which has effectively delayed the project until scheduled federal court hearings which will provide the UDC the deed to the cemetery Confederate Circle property to finish this work to honor these brave Confederate heroes who defended Selma and the armory there near the end of the War for Southern Independence.  A blessing for the meal was extended and then everyone enjoyed a delicious supper of fried catfish and hush puppies, corn on the cob and potatoes, mac n cheese, sliced tomatoes, birthday cake and sweet iced tea.  Awards were presented to conclude the festivities as everyone dispersed to their homes following a wonderful afternoon celebrating the birthday of Confederate legend General Nathan Bedford Forrest.

U.S. and Confederate Flags at Fort Dixie

Crowd Listening to the Forrest Program

Children Enjoy the Confederate Cannon and Confederate Monuments

Tallassee Armory Guards Camp 1921 String Band

Bill Anthony Serves as Auctioneer

Todd Kiscaden Provides Update on Confederate Circle Enhancement Project

Gene Andrews Provides Keynote Address on Nathan Bedford Forrest