Confederate General Patrick Cleburne

Franklin, Bloody Franklin...

At 4PM on November 30th 1864, twenty thousand Confederates under the command of General John Bell Hood charged two miles of open field against heavily entrenched federals in Franklin Tennessee. In five hours of fighting the south lost six Confederate Generals. Patrick Cleburne, John Carter, John Adams, Hiram Granbury, States Rights Gist, and Otho Strahl were all killed leading their men in the assault on the Union breastworks at Franklin.
Adams was found upright in his saddle, riddled with bullets, with his horse’s legs on either side of the works. Cleburne vanished in a cloud of gun smoke and was found with a bullet in his heart. In comparison, five Confederate generals were killed at Gettysburg, three were killed at Sharpsburg, three at Chickamauga, and two at Spotsylvania. No other engagement of the war saw as much devastation in the Confederate general officer corps as did the Battle of Franklin. 
As a side note, General Cleburne was found in his socks, and some conclude that his boots were stolen. However, there is a story among Southerners told from one who witnessed it, that he gave his boots to one of his troops who needed them before the battle. Regardless, his loss was devastating to the South. We end with a fitting quote of the General's which is still as valid as when he uttered it:

"I am with the South in life or death, in victory or defeat. I believe the North is about to wage a brutal and unholy war on a people who have done them no wrong, in violation of the Constitution and the fundamental principles of government. They no longer acknowledge that all government derives its validity from the consent of the governed. They are about to invade our peaceful homes, destroy our property, and murder our men and dishonor our women. We propose no invasion of the North, no attack on them, and only ask to be left alone."

DEO VINDICE! 

Southern Historical Society

Autauga County Cemetery Tour of November 19, 2016 - Part 2

Prattville Dragoons compatriots Tyrone Crowley, Larry Spears, Bill Myrick and Bill Gill attended a tour of Autauga County cemeteries on November 19, 2016. The following are photographs from the Pine Flat Cemetery:

Autauga County Cemetery Tour of November 19, 2016 - Part 1

Prattville Dragoons compatriots Larry Spears, Tyrone Crowley, Bill Myrick and Bill Gill attended a cemetery tour on Saturday November 19th hosted and led by Larry Caver who shared his knowledge of Autauga county history and genealogy.   Tyrone hosted the Dragoons at his home for lunch and Bill Gill drove the group around and provided Little Debbie snacks.  First stop was Pine Hill Cemetery.

Prattville Dragoons November Camp Meeting

SCV Camp 1524 held their November meeting on Thursday the night of the 10th and it was very special and enthusiastic. About 40 members, guests and potential members attended to see two new members and a reinstated member sworn in and hear our speaker, Jean Bradley, President of the Cradle of the Confederacy Chapter, UDC. The new members who were sworn in were Dale Boyles and Tate Swanner. The reinstated member was Greg Swanner, who is Tate’s father. Tate’s Mother and sisters were in attendance to witness this memorable occasion. After the Benediction by Chaplain Snowden, pledges and salutes to the flags led by Color Sergeant Morgan, and the reading of the SCV Charge by Commander Waldo, the Commander began the swearing in ceremony and the Chaplain administered the oath. Announcements were then made regarding upcoming events including the Tallassee Armory Guards Reenactment, Prattville Christmas parade and Dragoons Christmas Social.  The canned food drive was wrapped up and announcement of the camp's Salvation Army Kettle Ringing project and the fundraising effort for the SCV National Headquarters Museum were made.  Quartermaster Myrick then made a special presentation for Veterans Day and the birthday of the U.S. Marines Corps.  The camp enjoyed a superb guest speaker, Jean Bradley who is President of the Cradle of Confederacy Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.  

President Bradley explained the community involvement of the Cradle of Confederacy Chapter and expressed a willingness to mutually cooperate with us in our efforts to promote the Confederacy. The UDC was established in 1896 and the Cradle Chapter was the founding chapter of the Alabama Division of the UDC. The chapter currently has 68 members.  One of the initiatives of the Cradle of the Confederacy Chapter is the annual award of a scholarship to a graduating senior of Confederate descent. Monthly chapter meetings are held at the Montgomery Country Club.  Recent projects include the donation of books to the Tuskegee VA hospital and delivery of baked goods to local area police and fire departments.  

Mrs. Bradey also detailed the service of two of her Confederate ancestors Thomas Hill Watts and Daniel Shipman Troy.  Troy served in the 60th Alabama Regiment and was wounded in Hatchet Run in Virginia.  He was shot while holding the flag of the 59th for which he was voted command by his fellow soldiers.  He fell on the field of battle and was rolled over by soldiers looking to steal belongings on his person and this perhaps saved his life.  A red scarf he had and was taken was returned to his family many years later by the surgeon who had worked the POW hospital.  The Union private who had shot him was actually awarded the Medal of Honor but Troy's family eventually was able to tell him that he was not killed in battle.  He was taken to Washington DC after he recuperated from his wounds and saw the work of the Sisters of Charity as he convalesced and he subsequently converted his family to Catholicism after seeing the Sisters great charitable work.  

Mrs. Bradley discussed the interviews for the "Capturing Montgomery History" video for which Camp 1524 and the Alabama Division SCV made donations for the production.  This documentary will air on PBS and parts will be made available to area schools for education programs.  Mrs. Bradley invited the ladies in attendance to attend a UDC meeting.  This fall the Cradle of Confederacy Chapter will help sponsor the Children of the Confederacy National Convention.  Further, Mrs. Bradley expressed the desire of the UDC to work together on projects including the Camp 1524 Dixie Butt Sale, parades and contacting our representatives for the Memorial Bill.  

New Members

Mrs. Bradley

The First Thanksgiving in America, President George Washington and Jefferson Davis' Thanksgiving Proclamations

This month we celebrate a national Thanksgiving Day. Few today actually know what that means I’m sad to say. Many think of football, turkey and dressing, and overeating. We in the South have been greatly blessed and should, like our forefathers, be first in thankfulness to God. Over four hundred years ago in Jamestown there were devout prayers of thanksgiving for safe deliverance in a tedious ocean crossing on May 13, 1607.

There were many firsts in the history of Thanksgiving in this land and among its inhabitants. Please consider some of them with me!

America’s first official Thanksgiving was at Berkeley Plantation on the James River in Virginia. When the colonists reached Berkeley Hundred on December 4, 1619, in what is now Charles City County, they held a religious service on shore to thank the Almighty God for safety and good health. The service was simple in form and was held under the pine trees. The captain of the Margaret was charged by the London Company with the injunction,

We ordaine the day of our ship’s arrival at the place assigned for plantacon in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God.

The first presidential proclamation was by a Southerner, a Virginian, the father of our country, on January 1, 1795,

I, George Washington, President of the United States do recommend to all religious societies and denominations, and to all persons whomsoever, within the United States, to set apart and observe Thursday, the 19th day of February next, as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, and on that day to meet together and render sincere and hearty thanks to the great Ruler of nations for the manifold and signal mercies which distinguish our lot as a nation … and at the same time humbly and fervently beseech the [same] kind Author of these blessings graciously to prolong them to us; to imprint on our hearts a deep and solemn sense of our obligations to him….

President Jefferson Davis of the Confederate States of America gave A Thanksgiving Proclamation in 1861,

WHEREAS, it hath pleased Almighty God, the Sovereign Disposer of events, to protect and defend us hitherto in our conflicts with our enemies as to be unto them a shield.

And whereas, with grateful thanks we recognize His hand and acknowledge that not unto us, but unto Him, belongeth the victory, and in humble dependence upon His almighty strength, and trusting in the justness of our purpose, we appeal to Him that He may set at naught the efforts of our enemies, and humble them to confusion and shame.

Given under hand and seal of the Confederate States at Richmond, this the 31st day of October, year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty one.

By the President, JEFFERSON DAVIS

Southern history is replete with public and private expressions of thanksgiving to the Triune God of the Bible. The Apostle Paul reminds us, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thess. 5:18). How do we describe or define thanksgiving? Thomas Brooks, a minister in the 1600’s, wrote a definitive statement,

Thanksgiving is a self-denying grace; it is an uncrowning ourselves and the creatures, to set the crown upon the head of our Creator; it is the making ourselves a footstool, that God may be lifted up upon His throne, and ride in holy triumph over all; it is a grace that gives God the supremacy in all our hearts, thoughts, desires, words, and works. Self-love, flesh and blood, and many low and carnal considerations may carry men to pray, and hear, and talk, etc. The whip may work a shame to beg, but thankfulness is the free will offering of a child. There is nothing that so clearly and so fully speaks out your sincerity and spiritual ingenuity, as thankfulness does. Therefore, weak saints, if you would have a substantial evidence of your sincerity and spiritual ingenuity, be thankful for a little grace. The little birds do not sip one drop of water, but they look up, as if they meant to give thanks, to shew us what we should do for every drop of grace, etc.”

“Stonewall” Jackson made it a practice in his Christian life to always give a prayer of thanks to the Lord when he lifted a drink of water to his lips. Paul said, “in every thing give thanks.” Do we have the attitude of thanks that we might show the Lord proper gratitude? We should be very thankful and give thanks especially for our Redeemer and King the Lord Jesus Christ. “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” (2 Cor. 9:15).

(from SCV Alabama Division Commander Jimmy Hill and former Commander Gary Carlyle)

Happy Thanksgiving from the Prattville Dragoons

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 coordinated a canned food drive as part of our seasonal community service initiative.  Members of the camp brought canned and dry goods to camp functions over the past couple months.  Compatriots Karl Wade, Stuart Waldo and Louis Turner brought bags of food but most every member attending the camp meetings leading up to and including the November event brought many cans of vegetables and dry rice, beans and pasta.  A total of 362 pounds of food were donated and gathered by the Dragoons and Adjutant Sutherland acted as the primary contact and stored the food til the day it was delivered.  The food was taken to the Autauga Interfaith Care Center in downtown Prattville.  AICC provides a food pantry and as well as a thrift store for needy families in the Prattville/Autauga County area and partners with dozens of local churches to extend these goods to those in need while delivering a message of Christ's grace.  The canned food drive was timed to coincide with the Thanksgiving holiday season and will be an annual event for the Dragoons.

Adjutant Sutherland and Commander Waldo with Stored Food in the Adjutants Garage

AICC Volunteer Helps to Unload Food at the Food Pantry in Prattville

Autauga County Heritage Association Photo ID Day at Hancock Bank, Prattville AL

The ACHA is overseeing the preservation of the Daniel Pratt/Continental Gin Company archives.  On Tuesday, December 6 the Heritage  Assn. is having an event at Hancock Bank to encourage long-time local citizens and former gin company employees to come and assist in identifying local people in the hundreds of photos we have collected from the gin company. 

We feel we have a narrow window of opportunity to do this as many of the former employees are no longer with us.  In addition to identifying the photos, we are digitizing, cataloging and preserving the photos.

As Prattville no longer has a viable local newspaper to get the word out,  the attached flyer is meant to share the announcement of this event with friends and neighbors, businesses and local organizations!  One of your friends may have a father or mother that worked at the gin company and the intent is to get as many to this event as are interested in this preservation work and can help in identifying the subjects of these photos.  Please help us spread the word!

Thank you for your assistance,

Ann Boutwell