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THE OLD WAR HORSE
THE VOICE OF GENERAL JAMES LONGSTREET CAMP #1247, SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS VOLUME 8, ISSUE 4, APRIL, 2006 |
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A quick jump to most of the articles in this issue:
Commander's Comments, Adjutant's Report, APRIL Program (next), March Program (last),
Camp Officers, Longstreet's First Corps, Calendar of Events, Humor, Winner, McClellan, Communication, Boots
COMMANDER'S COMMENTS
This May marks the 113th anniversary of the burial of Jefferson Davis in Hollywood cemetery. Davis died from complications resulting from bronchitis and malaria on December 6, 1889 in New Orleans, Louisiana. His remains were first buried at Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans. He was laid to rest in the tomb of the Louisiana Division of the Army of Northern Virginia. This was only a temporary burial, for his remains were soon brought to Richmond where they rest for eternity. Plans to bring Davis to Richmond for burial began as soon as the news of his death hit the former capital of the Confederacy. Resolutions were passed and Varina agreed to move him here. She was offered any spot in Hollywood Cemetery. Three years of planning resulted in one of the grandest funerals in the South. On May 27th 1893 Davis's body was taken out of the tomb in New Orleans, placed in a new oaken casket and taken to the Confederate Memorial Hall to lie in state. On May 28th after a grand memorial service with thousands in attendance, his remains were taken to the railroad station. Davis' casket was placed on a catafalque inside a converted observation car. The windows of the car were removed so people could view the casket, but due to the enormous number of flowers in the car, the casket was hidden. The crowd was so huge that the funeral procession had a difficult time getting to the train station. The train left at midnight. Along the train's 1,200 mile journey to Richmond "Uncle" Bob Brown, a former servant of the Davis family and a passenger on the train, was so moved by all the flowers left by children along the tracks that he wept uncontrollably. The first stop was at Davis' beloved Belvoir. Varina had considered burying Davis there but the plantation's proximity to the Gulf put any memorial at risk to erosion by floodwaters. After leaving Belvoir, the train traveled to Mobile, Alabama where it was greeted by thousands of mourners and a 21-gun salute by the Alabama Artillery. Church bells rang as the casket was carried to Alabama's capitol and through the portico. It was at this portico where he took the oath of office as President of the Confederacy in 1861. The casket was placed on the front bench of the Alabama Supreme Court. Banners with the words "Monterrey" and "Buena Vista" were hung above the exits to commemorate his service in the Mexican War. Davis was a hero at the battle of Monterrey and was wounded at Buena Vista. Shortly after 12 p.m. on May 30th the train resumed its journey stopping next in Georgia. After a brief stop at West Point to pick up Georgia's governor the train continued on to Atlanta. Twenty thousand people lined the streets as the funeral procession made its way to the Capitol where a memorial service was held. After Atlanta, the train traveled through South Carolina and North Carolina. It stopped again in Raleigh so that Davis' body could lie in state at the Capitol. That evening, the journey continued and the train made a brief stop in Danville, Virginia where crowds of people stormed the train singing "Nearer My God To Thee" as the city church bells tolled. Finally at 3:05 a.m. on May 31st, 1893, the train arrived in Richmond. The Lee and Pickett Camps of Confederate Veterans, the First Virginia Regiment and about 1,000 citizens were at the depot to meet the train. His casket was taken to the Rotunda of the Capitol to lie in state. It was then placed on a catafalque made of an artillery caisson draped with black velvet. Seventy-five thousand people attended the final salute making it one of the largest funeral processions in Richmond's history. The streets were lined with people all the way from the Capitol to Hollywood Cemetery. The city was in mourning. Public buildings along with many houses were draped with Confederate and American flags. Six state governors served as pallbearers and 25,000 people were at the cemetery. The services culminated with the firing of a 21-gun salute and the playing of "Taps" by William H. Cowardin of the Richmond Howitzers. The grave was not closed immediately. It remained open under guard until June 3rd when the remains of his three sons were buried next to him. Once the President was interred, work began on erecting a suitable monument. Years of designing and sculpting resulted in the statue of Davis standing over his grave that we see today. It was erected shortly before the close of the 19th century. This month is Confederate History and Heritage month. Ceremonies will be held honoring Confederate greats Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee, along with many other Confederate generals and southern statesmen. Let us not forget the sacrifices made by the thousands of privates and enlisted men who are not named in the history books but were just as heroic. These men left their families and livelihoods to fight against tyranny and protect and preserve the liberties enjoyed by all Americans. Taylor
ADJUTANT'S REPORT
A few hands are still needed to help with the road cleanup Saturday April 15. Meet at Enon Church, Studley Road (Route 606), Hanover County at 10 AM. If you need directions, please call Lewis Mills or Walter Tucker. The exercise is not too strenuous, the camaraderie is great, and you'll learn something about consumer preferences in food and drink. Estimated work time is about two hours. At the March meeting we were pleased to induct Robert W. Mahone. There are no membership applications from our Camp awaiting action at Headquarters. We extend belated congratulations to Richard Campbell, who was married February 18. Both houses of the Virginia General Assembly approved Senate Bill 401, which directs that the money formerly going to the Oakwood Confederate Cemetery Trust will now go to the Virginia Division of the SCV. The Virginia Division annual convention to be held in Suffolk later in the week of our next Camp meeting should be interesting, with two candidates announced for the office of Division Commander. Officers elected this year will serve a two-year term. One sometimes wonders what goes through the minds of movie makers. We recently saw The New World, about the founding and early days of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement. Much of this was filmed on and around the James River, which made the scenery fine. John Smith, the indispensable and phenomenally interesting hero of Jamestown, was portrayed in the movie as a self-absorbed hippy from the 1960's. History on the screen, even when well done, cannot match that in accurate, well written books. An excellent book about Jamestown by David A. Price, Love and Hate in Jamestown: John Smith, Pocahontas, and the Start of a New Nation, is available in soft cover. A few years ago, It was remarked that the Ken Burns Civil War series on public television did a lot to interest the general public in The War. A knowledgeable SCV member sagely commented, "Yeah, but what did it do for history?" By the time this goes to press we'll be well into Confederate History Month. April was so proclaimed by Virginia Division Commander Henry Kidd several years ago during his term of office. Each of us is responsible for doing something positive for our ancestors, particularly in this most significant month. Supporting the planned events commemorating The War will help. Wearing our lapel pins may prompt questions which perhaps can lead to new memberships. Flying a battle flag will let our neighbors know that we will never forget the sacrifices made by those brave men who fought and perhaps died for their beliefs and for their nation. Visiting battlefield sites and Confederate museums will keep their memory alive. The Museum of the Confederacy is an international treasure which is worthy of our support. There are several worthwhile battlefield preservation organizations which have done outstanding work in enabling us and our descendants to walk the battlefields and reflect on what our ancestors did on that historic soil. Nationally the Civil War Preservation Trust does magnificent work. Locally the Richmond Battlefields Association is to be commended in its efforts to keep alive the memory of The War right here at home. Educating local government authorities about the worldwide appeal of Civil War battlefields and sites may wake them up to the economic benefits of tourism. When I walk a battlefield, I look at license tags and listen to other walkers. Walking Cold Harbor several years ago, I was delighted to hear British accents from two gentlemen. They told me they worked for the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence. (Yes, that's the way our British allies spell it.) They had been to Crane, Indiana and then Washington DC on business. At the conclusion of their business in Washington, they rented a car and drove to Richmond to tour the battlefields. On another occasion, a lady had driven from Texas with her son and one of his friends to tour Virginia battlefields. Our local governments are sitting on a tourism gold mine and need to be reminded that Richmond will always be most famous for its role in The War Between The States. Our duty is to educate them. Walter
GENERAL JAMES LONGSTREET CAMP #1247
NEXT MEETING-TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2006
ROMA'S RESTAURANT
8330 STAPLES MILL RD.
LOCATED IN "THE SHOPS AT STAPLES MILL"
TURN LEFT AT FIRST STOPLIGHT NORTH OF
THE WISTAR SHOPPING CENTER
DINNER - SOCIAL 6:00 PM
APRIL PROGRAM
Our own Adjutant/Treasurer, Walter Dunn Tucker, will be our speaker for April. Walter's topic will be "The Heroes of Monument Avenuer."
MARCH PROGRAM
David P. Bridges Author and historian David P. Bridges spoke to the camp about his new book Fighting with JEB Stuart: Major James Breathed and the Confederate Horse Artillery. Major James Breathed, a great-great granduncle of Mr. Bridges, was one of those gallant heroes that showed incredible bravery in battle but has been forgotten over the ages. A prewar physician and surgeon, Breathed opted to join the Cavalry instead of the medical corps. Mr. Bridges' book tries to explain the forces behind Maj. Breathed's bravery and fearlessness on the battlefield. Like most southerners before the War of Northern Aggression, Breathed feared subjugation by the north. His worst fears included confiscation of southern property by the Federal Government and he considered the war to be the second revolution against a tyrannical government. Honor, Chivalry, and Reputation were paramount to Southern gentlemen and nothing could be more detrimental to those virtues than cowardice on the battlefield. Fear of humiliation back home led to some of the most unbelievable actions in the face of the enemy. Maj. Breathed was one of those men who showed incredible bravery on the battlefield. One of his greatest feats occurred at the Battle of the Wilderness. While firing on the advancing federals he and his men received orders to stop firing and pull back. Breathed refused to quit firing and continued until the federals were almost on top of him. Rather than abandon the gun he hooked up the cannon and mounted the lead horse right at the last minute. Before he could start moving, his horse was shot out from under him. He then mounted the second lead horse but that one was shot out from under him as well. He tried to remount the third horse but incredibly that one was shot out as well. Remarkably Maj. Breathed managed to mount the fourth horse and get away with the cannon while giving the Yankees the "nose salute." Two days before the surrender at Appomattox during the battle of High Bridge Maj. Breathed was almost captured but was able to escape by shooting two Federal captains and sergeants at extremely close range. Doused in blood Breathed remounted his horse and returned to fighting. After the war Breathed lived a quiet life and returned to the medical field opening his own practice. He did not seek fame and notoriety like many of the Union and Confederate notables we know today. Mr. Bridges' book sheds light on this forgotten hero and tries to earn Maj. James Breathed the recognition he deserves. Copies of his book are available at his website www.davidpbridges.com or you may call 703-486-4275. Taylor
ANOTHER NEW COMPATRIOT!
Robert W. Mahone Robert W. Mahone is shown above as he is inducted into Longstreet Camp by 1st Lt. Commander Will Shumadine. We are delighted to welcome him into the brotherhood of Longstreeters! Be sure to introduce yourself to our new member if you have not already done so.
2003-2004 CAMP OFFICERS LONGSTREET CAMP #1247
Commander: Taylor Cowardin 356-9625 1st. Lt. Cmdr.: William F. Shumadine, III 285-4044 2nd Lt. Cmdr.: Michael Kidd 270-9651 Adjutant/Treasurer: Walter Tucker 360-7247 Judge Advocate: Richard B. Campbell 278-6488 Quartermaster: R. Preston Nuttall 276-8977 Chaplain: Henry V. Langford 474-1978PUBLICATIONS
Webmaster: Gary F. Cowardin 262-0534 Website: longstreetscv.org War Horse: David P. George 353-8392
LONGSTREET'S FIRST CORPS
The following is a cumulative listing of contributors to the upkeep of “The Old War Horse” for the period July, 2005 through the current month. As you know, our cumulative listing starts in July of each year. Ben Baird Harry Boyd Lloyd Brooks Brian Cowardin Clint Cowardin Gary Cowradin Ron Cowardin Taylor Cowardin Raymond Crews* Jerold Evans Kitty Faglie* Richard Faglie David George Charles Howard Chris Jewett John Kane Frank Marks Lewis Mills Joe Moschetti John Moschetti Joey Seay Bill Setzer Austin Thomas David Thomas Walter Tucker* John Vial* David Ware Harold Whitmore* Hugh Williams In Memory of Chuck Walton-Anonymous In Memory of Chuck Walton-Ben Baird In Memory of Hef Ferguson-David George In Memory of Tom Lauterbach-Harold Whitmore Legend: * - Multiple contributions § - Visitor Donation + - in memory of Past Cmdr. Tom Lauterbach
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
THROUGH 2006 Confederate Navy Exhibit, featuring ships, commanders, naval technology, paintings and artifacts. Museum of the Confederacy, Richmond. For info: (804)649-1861 or www.moc.org APRIL 21-23 "Skirmish at Jeffersonville" at historic Crab Orchard Museum, Tazewell, VA. Living History camps, demonstrations, period ball and battle reenactments. Union and Confederate troops, mounted Cavalry. Sutlers welcome. First ten participating cannon registered receive $100 powder bounty with full weekend participation. Proceeds go to the Historic Crab Orchard Museum. For info: (276)988-6755 or www.carborchardmuseum.com APRIL 21-23 11th Biennial Jackson Symposium in Lexington. Speakers include: Keith Bohannon, Robert E. L. Crick, Robert K. Crick, William J. Miller, Frank O'Reilly, James I. Robertson, Jr. and Robert G. Tanner. Pre-refgistration required. Sponsored by the Stonewall Jackson Foundation. For info, registration: (540) 463-2552 or www.stonewalljackson.org APRIL22 Two hour Brandy Station Battlefield Tour of Kelly's Ford and Stevensburg from Graffiti House, Brandy Station, 10 a.m. Begins with discussion of Union river crossing at Kelly's Ford, follows route of Union Cavalry division to Stevensburg. No reservations required. $5 over age 12. Sponsored by Brandy Station Foundation. For info: (540) 547-4106 or www.brandystationfoundation.com APRIL 22 Museum of the Confederacy sponsored day tour in Norfolk/ Hampton Roads area leaving from Richmond led by USS Monitor historian Jeff Johnson. Sites include Fort Norfolk, Gosport Navy Yard, Trinity Episcopal Church, Portsmouth Navy Yard Museum, Mariner's Museum Monitor Center behind-the-scenes tour. $30 for Museum members. $40 non-members. Registration by April 12. For info: Sam Kraghead, (804) 649-1861, ext.44, or scraghead@moc.org May 5-7 142nd anniversary of the Battle of the Wilderness observance by Friends of Wilderness Battlefield with multiple events. Friday, annual live and silent auction and dinner with guest speaker. Saturday, bus tour of Wilderness Battlefield with historian Gordon Rhea, Ellwood House tours. Sunday, Ellwood House tours. Fees charged for auction/dinner and bus tour will benefit campaign for restoration of Ellwood. For info, www.fowb.org MAY 5-7 3rd Annual Spring Tour at Pamplin Historical Park, Petersburg. Tour of the Petersburg Campaign in 1864, Wartime Petersburg and City Point with Executive Director A. Wilson Greene. Optional May 5 tour. Reservations necessary. For Info: (804) 861-2408 or www.pamplinpark.org MAY 6 Two-hour Brandy Station Battlefield tour of Fleetwood Hill from Graffiti House, Brandy Station, 10 a.m. The focus is on the fight for Fleetwood Hill, the most intense and prolonged combat on June 8, 1863. No reservations required. Fee: $5 over age 12. Sponsored by Brandy Station Foundation. For info: (540) 547-4106, www.brandystationfoundation.com, bsfjune91863@aol.com MAY 6 "If this Valley is lost, Virginia is Lost" Symposium about Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign at the Stonewall Hotel, Staunton. Free. Sponsored by Shenandoah Battlefields National Historic District. For info: (888) 689-4545, www.shenandoahatwar.org MAY 7 "Robert E. Lee;Virginia Soldier, American Citizen" lecture by historian James I. Robertson, Jr. at the Commonwealth Room, The Homestead, Hot Springs, 2 p.m. Sponsored be the Virginia Hot Springs Preservation Trust, Bath County Art Association and The Homestead. Free. For information: (540) 839-1766 MAY 13 142nd Anniversary of the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House at Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park, Fredericksburg. Walking tours 10 a.m., "A Fuss Over Fence Rails: The Opening Engagement at Laurel Hill;" 1 p.m., "A New Way of Fighting : Upton's Attack;" 4 p.m., "Struggle for the Bloody Angle." For info: www.nps.gov/fsrp/vc.htm MAY 17-20 "Stonewall-From Second Manassas to Sharpsburg" 15th Annual Spring Tour of Shenandoah University's Mc Cormick Civil War Institute. Focus on Jackson's war experience beyond the Valley in fall 1862 to Manassas, Harper's Ferry, Sharpsburg. For info: (540) 535-3543; www.theknowledgepoint.org As you can see, we are at the height of War Between the States activity all over Virginia in April and May. Be sure to take advantage of some of these wonderful opportunities to increase your knowledge of our history.
A LITTLE HUMOR
Entering a crowded restaurant with a companion, Gregory Peck found no table available. "Tell them who you are," murmured the friend. "If you have to tell them who you are, you aren't anybody," said Peck. Pope John XXIII had expressed a wish to take a short walk around his garden each day. Vatican officials hastily made arrangements to erect a barrier around the path so that the daily constitutional would not be observed by neighbors or passersby. The Pope learned with some surprise of this proposal. "What's the matter?" he asked, "Don't I look respectable?" On April 6, 1984 Ronald Reagan ended a foreign policy address at Georgetown University by recalling his entrance to a recent state dinner for Fran‡ois Mitterand: "Mrs. Mitterand and I started through the tables, the butler leading us through the people, and suddenly, Mrs. Mitterand stopped. She calmly turned her head and said something to me in French, which, unfortunately, I did not understand. And the butler was motioning us to come on, and I motioned to her that we should go forward, that we were to go to the other side of the room. And again, very calmly, she made her statement to me." An interpreter finally explained to Mr. Reagan that Madame Mitterand was telling him he was standing on her gown. As a cub reporter, Mark Twain was told never to state as a fact anything that he could not personally verify. Following this instruction to the letter, he wrote the following account of a gala social event: " A woman giving the name of Mrs. James Jones, who is reported to be one of the society leaders of the city, is said to have given what purported to be a party yesterday for a number of alleged ladies. The hostess claims to be the wife of a reputed attorney."
THE WINNER OF THIS MONTH'S DRAWING!
Preston Nuttall was the happy winner of the drawing. The Old War Horse was delighted also as Preston treated him to a goodly portion of oats as a result! He gave an appreciative whinny of thanks to our resident author.
A COMMENT ABOUT "LITTLE MAC"
"September 3, 1862
McClellan is an intelligent engineer and officer, but not a
commander to lead a great army in the field. To attack or
advance with energy and power is not in him; to fight is not
his forte. I sometimes fear his heart is not earnest in the
cause; yet I do not entertain the thought that he is
unfaithful. The study of military operations interests and
amuses him. It flatters him to have on his staff French
princes and men of wealth and position; he likes show,
parade and power. Wishes to outgeneral the Rebels, but not
to kill and destroy them. In a conversation I had with him
in May last at Cumberland on the Pamunkey, he said he
desired of all things to capture Charleston; he would
demolish and annihilate the city. He detested, he said,
both South Carolina and Massachusetts. andshould rejoice to
see both States extinguished. Both were and always had been
ultra and mischievous, and he could not tell which he hated
most. These were the remarks of the General-in-Chief at the
head of our armies then in the field, and when as large a
proportion of this troops were from Massachusetts as from
any State in the Union..
I cannot relieve my mind from the belief that to him, in a
great degree, and to his example, influence, and conduct,
are to be attributed some portion of our late reverses, more
than any other person on either side. His reluctance to
move or to have others move, his inactivity, his detention
of Franklin, his omission to send forward supplies unless
Pope would send a cavalry escort from the battle-field, and
the tone of his conversation and dispatches, all show a
moody state of feeling. The slight upon him and the
generals associated with him, in the selection of Pope, was
injudicious, impolitic, wrong perhaps, but is no
justification for their withholding one tithe of strength in
a great emergency, where the lives of their countrymen and
the welfare of their country were in danger. The soldiers
whom McClellan has commanded are doubtless attached to him.
They have been trained to it, and has kindly cared for them
while under him. With partiality for him they have imbibed
his prejudices, and some of the officers have, I fear, a
spirit more fractious and personal than patriotic."
-Dairy of Gideon Wells
A COMMUNICATION FROM DIVISION COMMANDER
BRANDON DORSEY
April 8, 2006 Gentlemen, First let me say that I was sorry to have felt it necessary, along with the parade committee, to cancel the Confederate History and Heritage Month Parade, but as the weather seemed unsettled on Friday evening, I felt it better safe than sorry. Now on to something positive. As you know, the Division had a bill put in the General Assembly to create a specialty auto tag in honor of Robert E. Lee's 200th birthday. Below is a copy of the concept plate that we are developing. Shortly, information on how to reserve your own plate will be placed on this list and on the Division website. We must have 350 people sign up for a plate by July 31st or the plate will not be made. I don't want anyone dropping their SCV tags, but if you have other vehicles without the SCV plate then please purchase one. We also anticipate many others such as UDC members will want the plate. The plate will be available for everyone, not just SCV members.
"OH NO, HE'LL NOT NEED THEM AGAIN."
Major-General Patrick R. Cleburne Killed in the Battle of Franklin, Tenn. November 30, 1864 On the morning of the battle of Franklin, Tennessee, Major-General Patrick Cleburne, while riding along the lines encouraging his men, saw an old friend, a Captain of his command, bare-footed, his feet sore and bleeding-a pitiful sight to look upon, indeed. Dismounting, at once, he walked up to the Captain and said: "Captain, will you kindly pull off my boots?" The Captain looked up in some surprise, but, always ready to obey his commanding officer, responded at once to the request of the General, and pulled off his boots, holding them in his hands as if asking, "What next?' The General said to him, "Captain, will you try them on and see if they will fit you?" This the Captain did also. The General then turned and mounted his horse, saying, "Captain, I am tired of wearing those boots, and can do well without them." The Captain remonstrated, and so did others around him, but he would not listen to them. With a pleasant smile, he saluted the Captain, and saying, "Good-bye, Captain," he rode away. That day he was killed, and was taken from the field in the condition in which he had left the Captain. Oh, no ! he'll not need them again- No more will he wake to behold The splendor and fame of his men, The tale of his victories told ! No more will he wake from that sleep Which he sleeps in his glory and fame, While his comrades are left here to weep Over Cleburne, his grave and his name. Oh, no! he'll not need them again; No more will his banner be spread O'er the field of his gallantry's fame- The soldier's proud spirit is fled ! The soldier who rose 'mid applause, From the humblemost place in the van- I sing not in praise of the cause But rather in praise of the man. Oh, no ! he'll not need them again; He has fought his last battle without them, For barefoot he, too, must go in While barefoot stood comrades about him; nd barefoot they proudly marched in, With blood flowing fast from their feet; They thought of the past victories won, And the foes that they were now to meet. Oh, no ! he'll not need them again; He is leading his men to the charge, Unheeding the shells, or the slain, Or the showers of the bullets at large On the right, on the left, on the flanks, He dashingly pushes his way, While with cheers, double-quick and in ranks, His soldiers all followed that day. Oh, no ! he'll not need them again; He falls from his horse to the ground ! Oh, anguish ! oh, sorrow ! oh, pain ! In the brave hearts that gathered around. He breathes not of grief, nor a sigh On the breast where he pillowed his head, Ere he fix'd his last gaze upon high- "I'm killed, boys, but fight it out," said. Oh. no ! he'll not need them again; But treasure them up for his sake; And, oh ! should you sing a refrain Of the memories they still must awake, Sing it soft as the summer-eve breeze, Let it sound as refreshing and clear; Tho' grief-born, there's that which can please. In thoughts that are gemmed with a tear.
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©2006 James Longstreet Camp, #1247, SCV - Richmond, Virginia