"12 April" - Book Promotion

Gary Cole of Bullard TX and a member of the General Joseph L. Hogg SCV Camp 972 in Rusk, Texas was promoting his recently published historical novel, 12 April. The attached summary provides a brief introduction to the book which is based on the life of Richard Wesley Cole, a private in the Confederate Army who rode with General Nathan Bedford Forrest during the war. Alabama Division and compatriots of The Prattville Dragoons Camp 1524 will enjoy the many references to General Forrest and Fayette County, Alabama. The book includes the Confederate military service of two Alabama soldiers and the dedication of the Confederate Monuments in Jasper and Fayette, Alabama. 12 April will be a welcome addition to each Compatriot's personal library.

Richard's story begins in Tuscaloosa County on the Alabama frontier during the early 1800's. The first chapter of the book references the War of 1812, the Creek Indian War, and the issues of States' Rights and the strict interpretation of the Constitution that emerged intact from the second war with Great Britain and ultimately divided the Nation. It discusses the division of the Mississippi Territory into the Alabama Territory and the State of Mississippi and Alabama's entry into the Union as the 22nd State. It tracks the growth of Alabama's population from 9,046 in 1810 and follows Richard's experiences common to growing up on the Alabama frontier, including a 100-plus mile trip to the U.S. General Land Office in Huntsville to Patent his forty acres of land. Chapter Two discusses Richard's weeks-long move from Fayette County in 1840 to the Mississippi frontier.

When the War Between the States came, Richard lived in Black Hawk, Mississippi. All of the issues of the era, including States' Rights, slavery, secession, and the brutality of the war and Reconstruction were experienced by Richard and his family and were common to the experiences of families in Alabama and the rest of the South.

"12 April" Front and Back Book Covers

Confederate Summer Travels

Prattville Dragoons Camp Commander Stuart Waldo was sure to bring his Confederate Battle Flag on his summer travels to proudly promote the Cause.His recent column in the Camp Dispatch implored camp members to similarly take their Battle Flags on their trips and share their photos - more to come.

Daytona International Speedway - FL

Flatbed Ford in Winslow AZ

Standin' on a Corner in Winslow AZ

Prattville Dragoons Newest Friend of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Member

SWC Brigade Commander David Brantley recently visited his father and surprised him with a Friend of SCV membership.  This entitles him to an Associate Membership to the SCV and Prattville Dragoons camp! This is a wonderful way to honor those friends and family who are compatriots sharing with us an understanding and appreciation of the Cause. 

Commander Brantley Presents his Father with his Friends of the SCV Certificate

Dragoons Attack Indian Hills Cemetery

A lot was accomplished at Indian Hills on Saturday June 7th, under the leadership of Dragoon Benny Harris and with lots of sweaty work by Dragoons.  1Lt Cmdr Harold Grooms set the example with his energetic, non-stop piling of wood on the burn pile, inspired by the memory of his uncle, who "showed him how" to work when Harold was a boy.  Our thanks go to Lt Cmdr Grooms, 2Lt Cmdr Chris Booth, Larry Spears, Wayne Sutherland, Tyrone Crowley and his brother Tom, and Allen Herrod for their part in the day's labors.

As mentioned before, this cemetery contains the graves of some Confederate soldiers, among them Lt A Y Smith who received the first Dragoon flag from Abigail Holt at the location of the Dragoons monuments back in April 1861.  Still a lot of work to do, but a terrific start to the restoration of the historic Indian Hills Cemetery.

From the Montgomery Advertiser of June 13, 2014 story written by Prattville Dragoons 1st Lt Harold Grooms -

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/local/progress/2014/06/13/dragoons-attack-indian-hills/10503795/

Dragoons attack Indian Hills

This time it wasn't with muskets and bayonets, but with chain saws, weed eaters, axes, etc.

The Prattville Dragoons Camp 1524, Sons of Confederate Veterans "attacked" Indian Hills Cemetery Saturday, June 7 in an effort to reclaim it from the carpetbagging and scalawagging kudzu and other "enemy" forces infesting the area.

Indian Hills serves as the final resting place of numerous Confederate veterans many of whom served in the ranks of the original Prattville Dragoons, the unit organized and equipped by Daniel Pratt. Lt.

A.Y. Smith who received the unit colors from Miss Abby Holt as the unit marched off to war is one of the many interred there.

While the battle is far from over, the first skirmish clearly belonged to us!

1st Lt Grooms Helping Light Brush Fire

Adjutant Wayne Sutherland Cleans Grave Site

2nd Lt Chris Booth Cleans Brush and Undergrowth

Comm Ofc Tyrone Crowley and Neighbor James Buckley Gather Debris

Allen Herrod with his Equipment at the Cemetery Cleanup

Project Leader Benny Harris with other Dragoons

A Pictorial History of Our Confederate Veteran Ancestors - Why We Remember and Honor the Cause

Former Camp Chaplain and Quartermaster Bill Branch

This is a picture of my confederate ancestor Dr. David Mitchell Sanders. He was a new doctor and enlisted as a private in the CSA in 1861 along with his brother Norval and their 65 year old father Charles Grandison Saunders in Madison County, Mississippi. David in Company I, 10th Mississippi Infantry Regiment. David became a Hospital Steward, therefore the formal uniform. Hospital stewards were often medical students and new doctors; they were paid the same as a sergeant major and were considered non-commissioned officers. Norval was wounded in the War. Charles was made a Lt. in the State Guard. All three survived the war. Dr. Sanders practiced medicine in Shelby County, Tennessee until his death. 

David Mitchell Sanders, Company I, 10^th MS Infantry Regiment

Dr. Sanders with his Grandson David Sanders Branch, Bill Branch’s Father in about 1900

Chaplain Tom Snowden

This is a picture that I have of my Confederate Great, Great Grand Dad. His name is William Rogers. This is the only picture I have of him, a family picture of all the Rogers family. He is positioned at the bottom left of the picture. Note the artificial leg he has on his right. His leg had to be removed during the War as a result of enemy fire.

The Rogers Family with William Rogers

Commander Stuart Waldo

This is a copy of a daguerreotype of Elijah Hunt , great-great-great grandfather of mine on my maternal grandmother’s side.  Elijah Hunt was a Private in Co. B of the 15th Georgia Infantry which fought under Benning’s Brigade.  The 15^th GA Infantry is mentioned prominently in histories of Benning’s Brigade.  Elijah enlisted early on, July 14th, 1861 and mustered out in November 1863 (when he died) and so he would have been a part of the campaigns at Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and Chickamauga.  He died at a hospital in Newnan GA and is buried at the Confederate Cemetery in historic Oak Hill Cemetery there. 

Elijah Hunt

Colonel Paul Whaley, 33^rd Alabama

Major David Moreland Whaley, Company C (“Leon Hunters”) 5^th TX Regiment, Hood’s Brigade.  When hostilities broke out in Charleston in April, David Whaley  supported the Stars and Bars wholeheartedly, by raising a company of men in Centerville. The "Leon Hunters" were organized in July with Whaley as captain, mustered into state service on the 19th, and were on their way to Houston by the 23rd. August 2^nd, they were sworn into Confederate service for three years of the war. A few days later they were ordered to Richmond, and arrived in September. The unit became Company "C" of the Texas 5th Division. Later they were attached to Hood’s Texas Brigade. Of the 800 men who marched off to war from Leon County TX, only Whaley’s penetrated farther than the Mississippi.  By July, 1862, the Federals under General John Pope were threatening Gordonsville, a key railroad junction between Richmond and the Shenandoah Valley. Jackson was sent to protect the town. About the same time, Lee learned McClellan was reinforcing the Federal forces at Fredericksburg, the highest navigable point on the Rappahannock River. On the 9^th, Jackson engaged the lead of Pope’s army at the Battle of Cedar Mountain (Cedar Run) and defeated them. The same day, Hood was sent to assist Jackson. Lee left for Gordonsville on the 15^th to assume personal command of the operations in middle Virginia. When Lee arrived, Pope had halted between the Rapidan and Rappahannock Rivers, with his force increased by the arrival of fresh troops from Fredericksburg. Lee tried to attack at once, but was delayed by heavy rain until August 20^th. Meanwhile, the enemy retreated across the Rappahannock.  On August 22nd, the day of David Whaley’s death, Jackson crossed the Hazel River at Welford’s Mill, and proceeded up the Rappahannock in pursuit of Pope. Trimble’s brigade was left near Freeman’s Ford to protect Jackson’s train. In the afternoon, Longstreet sent Hood and Whiting’s brigade to relieve Trimble. Hood had just arrived when they were attacked by Federals that had recrossed at Freeman’s Ford. Accounts of the skirmish vary, but all agree a fierce battle was fought. The Federals were forced back across the river with heavy loss. The Fifth might have escaped any loss, had it not carried the Lone Star Flag on an unusually long staff. Floating high above the corn, this flag caught the eye of an expert Federal artillerist, and the shell he fired at it exploding just in front of it, Major Whaley and another man were killed outright, and four men were wounded. As is the ancient custom of warriors, Major Whaley was buried near the place where he fell.  He was buried on the field, near a stone fence, near where the field hospital stood. The same shell that killed Major Whaley wounded his orderly, John H. Hailey, and incapacitated him for service during the remainder of the war.  Whaley’s company, poor tired Company "C" fought on to Appomattox. They suffered by far the heaviest of any that left Leon County for the war. Twenty men and one officer returned to Texas. 

Private E. Clarence Whaley of the “Rebel Troop”, 3rd S.C Cavalry

Past Commander Wyatt Willis

Great, Great Grandfather Private John Lewis Carter 6th Alabama Inf. "Autauga Rifles.

Great Grand-Uncle Captain Richard Hopkins Pratt Company D 20th Alabama Inf. from Bibb County Alabama. Captured at Port Gipson Mississippi and Placed at Johnson's Island POW Camp

Great Grandfather Private John Lewis John Lewis Rawlinson, Prattville Dragoons 3rd. Alabama Cavalry Regt

Great Grandfather Pvt. William Willis, Private Company K/F 7th Alabama Cav. "Ruckers Brigade”, Forrest Cavalry

Colby Carlock

Francis Marion Golson is Colby's Great Great Great Grandfather. Francis served in the AUTAUGA RIFLES. PVT 6th Alabama Infantry. Surrendered at Appomattox.

The Sixth Infantry organized at Montgomery, May 6, 1861, with twelve companies, and about 1400 men. It was first ordered to Corinth, and from there went to Virginia. Reaching Manassas Junction, it was brigaded under Gen. Ewell. It was on the field, but not actively engaged in the first Manassas, and passed the fall and winter in that vicinity. General Rodes succeeded Ewell in command of the brigade. In the spring it moved to Yorktown with the army, and there re-organized, and re-enlisted for the war. It was on the field at Williamsburg, but not under fire. At Seven Pines the regiment took a prominent part, suffering terribly, losing 102 killed, and 282 wounded out of about 650 engaged; while the brigade lost 1296 out of about 2500. Its mutilated columns again took a conspicuous part at Mechanicsville, Cold Harbor and Malvern Hill, and suffered very severely. It was in the advance in the movement across the Potomac, and lost slightly at Boonsboro; but at Sharpsburg was severely cut up, the loss being 52 killed and 104 wounded. The regiment was present, but did not take part at Fredericksburg. With its brigade companions - the Third, Fifth, Twelfth , and Twenty-sixth - Col. O'Neal commanding them, the regiment was in the victorious wave of battle at Chancellorsville, and again its ranks were thinned by its losses. It shared the perils of the Pennsylvania campaign, when Gen. Battle led the brigade, and in the fierce shock on the rocky slopes of Gettysburg it suffered frightfully. Having wintered near Orange Courthouse, the regiment was at the Wilderness, where it lost considerably; and was badly mutilated at Spottsylvania. It took part in the Valley campaign of Gen. Early, and suffered severely at Winchester; and lost a number captured at Cedar Creek. Moving back to Petersburg, it was placed in Fort Mahone, and was almost continuously under fire till its colors were folded at Appomatox; its number present being about 80 men under Lieut. Col. Culver. Of 2109 names on its rolls, nearly 400 perished in battle, 243 died of disease in the service, and 675 were discharged or transferred.

Great Great Great Grandfather Francis Marion Golson, Private, Autauga Rifles,  6th Alabama Infantry

Great Great Great Great Grandfather Tollison H. Norman CO. C Georgia 40th Infantry. Died at the battle of Vicksburg, MS.

The 40th Georgia Infantry Regiment, Army of Tennessee was formed in early Spring, 1862 with companies raised in Bartow, Calhoun, Gordon, Whitfield, Paulding, and Haralson counties of Georgia.  Company C was formed in Floyd County GA.  Major Raleigh S. Camp was appointed by Governor Joe Brown of Georgia to command the regiment.  They assembled at Camp McDonald near Big Shanty (Kennesaw), GA. They were brigaded with the 41st, 42nd, 43rd, and 52nd Georgia regiments.  The 40th was first sent to Tennessee, then Mississippi, and was placed in Barton's Brigade, Department of Mississippi, and East Louisiana.  The 40th participated in the conflicts at Chickasaw Bayou and Champion's Hill and were part of the garrison surrendered at Vicksburg on July 4, 1863. Col. Johnson was wounded in this conflict. 

Great Great Great Great Grandfather Tollison H. Norman, Co. C Georgia 40th Infantry

Former Camp Communication Officer Tyrone Crowley 

James Madison Wright, whose grave is at Johnson Cemetery, Shelby County, Alabama.

CONFEDERATE: Pension applications 9 Apr 1887 and 10 Mar 1905, by self, at Shelby co. Alabama; Civil War, Private in Co A, 28th Ala Vol Regiment.

Microfilm in Ala State Archives, Montgomery, Alabama. Enlisted 1862 at Talladega; discharged 1 May 1865. “Shot in right leg” at Battle of Resaca, Ga, 9 May 1864.

Personal statement to Shelby co. Tax Assessor 1907: Wright, James Madison; Co. C (sic) 25th (sic) Ala Regt; Private; enlisted Oct 1862 Talladega, Alabama; continued to June 1863, discharged for disability.

Ala Confederate Census 1907, Record No. 111: Born Putnam co. Georgia; Co. C (sic) 25th (sic) Ala Regt; “discharged June 1863 on account of disability.”

History of the 28th Alabama Regiment: http://americancivilwar.50megs.com/28thAlabama01.html

Larry Miller 

Great Great Grandfather Hilary C. Miller; Captain, 8th Georgia Calvary; Floyd County Georgia. Wife is Jane Dempsey Miller.  

The 8th Cavalry Regiment was organized in July, 1864, by consolidating seven companies of the 62nd Regiment and three of the 20th Battalion Georgia Partisan Rangers. It served in J. Dearing's Brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia and was active in the Petersburg siege north and south of the James River and around Appomattox. The unit cut through the Federal lines at Appomattox Court House and disbanded April 11, 1865. Company G was attached to the Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia, saw action in the Battle of Bentonville, and surrendered with the Army of Tennessee. Its commanders were Colonel Joel R. Griffin, Lieutenant Colonel John M. Millen, and Major William G. Thomson.

Hilary Miller and wife Jane Dempsey Miller

Compatriot Dale Boyles

The grave of compatriot Dale Boyles' Great, Great Granduncle Jesse Ransome Boyles is located in a cemetery across the street from Mt. Zion Methodist Church in Marion AL.