COMMANDER'S COMMENTS

November is always a special time for all  Americans  as  we
spend  this  month  honoring,  celebrating and re-dedicating
ourselves to the ideals  that  have  helped  to  shape  this
country  -  including  honoring all veterans of all American
wars (President Eisenhower's words).  As members of the Sons
of  Confederate Veterans organization, it is the duty of all
of us to  see  that  the  past  is  not  forgotten,  but  is
preserved for present and future generations.  It is our job
to see that history and  this  country  do  not  forget  the
Confederate  Soldier  and  all of the sacrifices that he and
his families made during those terrible four  years.   As  I
recently  reminded some people at the State Fair, history is
something that we all can learn from - it isn't  politically
correct,  and it can't be rewritten to suit everyone.  It is
what it is, and we all should  learn  from  it,  or  we  are
assuredly  doomed  to  repeat  it.   Let's  do our part this
November by remembering all the veterans in our  communities
- those that are still with us; those who are returning home
from combat; and those who  have  gone  on.   They  are  the
fabric of this nation, and they are who we are.             

I  recently  had  the  opportunity to accompany my son's 5th
grade class from Springfield Park Elementary on a field-trip
to Pamplin Historical Park in Dinwiddie County just south of
Petersburg.  For those of you who have either not gone in  a
while  or  have never gone - I strongly encourage you to go.
The Park continues to amaze me -  and  so  many  things  are
constantly  being  added.  I hadn't been in about four years
myself, and was really amazed at the added attractions  that
the  Park  now  offers  -  not  to mention all the different
programs they have for young people including camp-outs.  If
you  haven't  gone  before or haven't gone in a while, I can
tell you that it definitely worth your time to go.          

I recently had the honor to witness something that  now  has
happened  twice  in  my  lifetime  - I got to see my beloved
Boston Red Sox win the World Series.  As I sat  and  watched
those last few outs being made in Colorado - I couldn't help
but smile because I just knew  that  our  former  Longstreet
Camp Commander, Chuck Walton, was above smiling and enjoying
every minute - and I also thought that knowing Chuck he  was
probably  sitting  with Ted Williams discussing the fine art
of hitting a baseball, and in my opinion there was  never  a
greater  hitter  than  Ted  Williams  -  ever!  Sometimes we
forget  that  people  like  Ted  Williams  fought  in   this
country's armed forces - both in Europe in World War II, and
also in Korea during the Korean conflict.  And still he  had
some  of  the  best  numbers  ever  achieved in the sport of
baseball - and is still the last man to  ever  hit  .400  or
better for an entire season (he did that in 1941 when he hit
.406).                                                      

As a reminder to all the members of the Longstreet  Camp,  a
proposed  book  to  be developed with the help of members of
the Virginia Division-SCV is in the planning  stages.   This
book  will  contain photographs of our ancestors that we are
able to reproduce, accompanied by a small, but vital  amount
of  historical  information.  This book arrangement is being
coordinated by Rosemarie Kidd (no relation), a member of the
UDC Chapter in Hampton, VA - and will be produced by Arcadia
Books.  Next time you are in your favorite bookstore, go  to
their  Regional  Books  Section, and you may find some books
similar to what she is proposing also done by Arcadia.      

You may have seen some emails floating around your  computer
in-boxes  recently about this project.  I strongly encourage
all members of the Longstreet Camp to  participate  in  this
venture.   Likewise  if you know of any members of other SCV
Camps within the Virginia Division let them know about  this
so  they  may  get  their camp members to participate.  This
book is for us and our ancestors and their families  -  this
is our chance to get their stories out for everyone to read.

The  Longstreet  Camp  Christmas Banquet is set for Tuesday,
December 11th at the Westwood Club - I hope to see  everyone
there.   It  promises  to be an excellent program as always.
Please make sure to get your reservation form in as  quickly
as is possible.                                             

Remember  -  "Longstreet  is the camp boys-Longstreet is the
camp!"

I look forward to seeing everyone at our next camp meeting!

Deo Vindice!                                                
					Mike

ADJUTANT'S REPORT

What a pleasure it was to induct  two  new  members,  Rodney
Gleason and Tom Hicks at our October meeting and to have two
of Tom's family members with us for the occasion.           

We welcome back to our Camp Ed Thornton, a long time  friend
of  our  late Commander Chuck Walton.  Ed's ancestors served
in the 26th Virginia Infantry.                              

Our  Camp  members  were  busy  on  worthwhile  projects  in
September  and  October.  2nd Brigade Commander Rob Millikin
commended Commander Mike Kidd, associate member Ken Parsons,
and  Jerry  Wells  for  their  help  in manning the Virginia
Division  booth  at  the  State  Fair.   He  praised   Jerry
particularly for opening the booth every morning, closing it
many nights, and helping man the booth when needed.         

Saturday morning, October 13, was our day to  clean  up  our
one mile section of Route 606, Studley Road, Hanover County.
Thanks go to Ray Crews, Clint  Cowardin,  Gene  Golden,  Tom
Hicks,  Andy Keller, and Lewis Mills, who made the road look
better in a  relatively  short  time.   A  prior  commitment
prevented  Lee  Crenshaw  from being with us, but he donated
two more pickup tools  which  helped  our  backs  immensely.
Lewis  always  does  a fine job in managing this effort.  He
supplies us with blaze orange vests and  refreshes  us  with
soft  drinks  after  completion.   Adding  to  our  store of
useless knowledge were empty cans of a couple of high energy
drinks  which  we  had  not  seen  before.   The  trash from
companies whose ads we  see  too  frequently  on  television
continues to dominate.                                      

Thanks  to  all who have sent in renewal dues.  Any renewals
now will be considered as reinstatements and will be $55.00,
which includes $10.00 in reinstatement fees.                

The  Museum  of the Confederacy is a significant contributor
of artifacts and information to the current  Lee  and  Grant
exhibition   at   the  Virginia  Historical  Society.   This
exhibition is well  worth  a  visit.   Soon  to  retire  VHS
President,  Dr.   Charles  Bryan,  has  done  a great job in
leading the growth of the  Society  and  in  broadening  its
membership.  Outstanding programs, exhibitions, and speakers
have attracted many people to the Society.                  

The University of Richmond's new president  Dr.   Edward  L.
Ayers is a historian whose concentration is on the South. He
is teaching  a  class  of  freshmen.   Five  of  his  books,
including  What  Caused  the  Civil  War, are in the Henrico
County public library.  Dr.  Ayers hails from western  North
Carolina  and  east Tennessee and thinks that people in this
area speak with an accent.  He is working to strengthen ties
between  the  school  and  the community.  The University is
fortunate to have a president who understands that  Richmond
is in Virginia and that Virginia is in the South.           

Make  plans  to  attend our December 11 Christmas banquet at
the Westwood Club, which always provides us  with  excellent
food  and  service.  This year's speaker, John Quarstein, is
dynamic and will hold our  attention  as  he  enlightens  us
about  the  colorful Confederate Major General John Bankhead
"Prince John" Magruder.                                     

					Walter

GENERAL JAMES LONGSTREET CAMP #1247

NEXT MEETING - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2007

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
MEETING STARTS AT 7:00 PM

NOVEMBER PROGRAM

Our November speaker will be Marc Leepson.  Mr.  Leepson  is
a   journalist,  historian  and  the  author  of  six  books
including Flag: An American Biography , the history  of  the
Stars  and  Stripes  from the beginnings until today; Saving
Monticello: The Levy Family's Epic Quest to Rescue the House
that   Jefferson   Built   and,   most  recently,  Desperate
Engagement, the story of the Civil War  Battle  of  Monocacy
and  Confederate  General  Jubal Early's subsequent march on
Washington.                                                 

A  former  staff  writer  for  Congressional  Quarterly   in
Washington,  D.C., Mr.  Leepson has been a free-lance writer
since  1986.   He  has  written  for  many  newspapers   and
magazines,  including  Preservation,  Smithsonian,  Military
History, Vietnam magazines, the Washington  Post,  New  York
Times,  New  York  Times Book Review, Baltimore Sun, and the
Chicago Tribune.  He has  been  interviewed  many  times  on
radio  and  television,  including  "The  Today  Show," CNN,
MSNBC, "Fox News," and "All Things Considered."             

 Mr.  Leepson is going to speak to us about his latest book,
 Desperate  Engagement,  and  will have copies available for
 purchase.                                                  

SOUTHERN HUMOR

"Southerners can't stand to eat alone.  If we're going to
cook a mess of greens, we want to eat them with a mess of
people."
				         Julia Reed

OCTOBER PROGRAM

Jon Hock

Jon  Hock,  Senior  Historical   Interpreter,   at   Shirley
Plantation,  began  his  talk  by  telling  us  that today's
property originated as part  of  a  4,000  acre  land  grant
issued in 1613 to Thomas West by King James I of England. It
was called "West and Sherley Hundred." Thomas West  died  in
1618.   His  widow, Shirley, had never come to Virginia, had
no interest in the property, and sold it to  Colonel  Edward
Hill.                                                       

In 1723 Elizabeth Hill, daughter of Edward Hill III, married
John Carter, a son of  Robert  "King"  Carter.   John  began
building the great house.                                   

Ann  Hill Carter married Light Horse Harry Lee at Shirley in
1793.  They became the parents of Robert E.  Lee.           

The plantation prospered under the ownership of Hill Carter,
seventh  generation,  beginning  in  1816.   The War changed
things.   Five  Carter  sons  entered  Confederate  service.
Twelve  slaves were sent to Williamsburg on July 25, 1861 to
assist with Confederate defenses.                           

Plantation operations were reasonably normal until the Seven
Days  Campaign,  when  the Yankee army arrived at Shirley on
June 30, 1862.   Those  vandals  stole  animals  and  ruined
crops.  Hill Carter and a son were placed under arrest.     

The  Yankees  left  some  wounded soldiers at Shirley, where
their wounds were attended  to.   Hill  Carter  submitted  a
claim for damages.  General McClellan sent Alfred Pleasanton
to investigate and paid the claim.  McClellan wrote a  thank
you  letter  to  Hill  Carter  for looking after the wounded
soldiers.  McClellan wrote that he did not  intend  to  make
war  on  civilians.   Hill  Carter also received a letter of
safeguard from McClellan and Benjamin Butler reinstated  the
safeguard order when his Army came to the area in 1864.     

In  1861  there  were  between  130  and  150  slaves on the
plantation.  Some left on July 14, 1862.   More  escaped  to
Yankee  gunboats  which  came  up the James River in July of
1863.   Bernard  Hill   "Hilly"   Carter   was   killed   at
Chancellorsville  on  May  2,  1863.   One  of  his brothers
accompanied the body to Shirley.  Hilly's mother died on May
2, 1864.                                                    

Robert   Randolph   Carter  commanded  the  blockade  runner
Coquette and remained in England after the war.              

The present CEO of Shirley is Charles Hill Carter, III,  age
45.  His goal is to preserve, to protect, and to pass on the
plantation.  An easement of 200 acres has  been  granted  to
the  Virginia  Outdoors Foundation.  Shirley's primary crops
today are corn and soybeans.   Additional  evidence  of  the
stewardship  of  the  Carter  family  is  the reclamation of
wetlands.                                                    

We in this area are fortunate to have this jewel so near  to
us.  Shirley welcomes visitors.                             

Further information about Shirley, with a detailed timeline,
is       available       on       the        web        site
http://www.shirleyplantation.com

					Walter

2005-2007 CAMP OFFICERS
LONGSTREET CAMP #1247
Commander: Michael Kidd	                     270-9651
1st. Lt. Cmdr.: Taylor Cowardin              359-9277
2nd Lt. Cmdr.: Thomas G. Vance	             282-6278
Adjutant/Treasurer: Walter Tucker            360-7247
Judge Advocate: Harry Boyd                   741-2060
Quartermaster: R. Preston Nuttall            276-8977
Chaplain: Henry V. Langford                  474-1978

PUBLICATIONS
Webmaster: Gary F. Cowardin                  262-0534
Website: longstreetscv.org                           
War Horse:  David P. George                  200-1311

LONGSTREET'S FIRST CORPS

The following is a listing of contributors to the upkeep  of
"The  Old  War  Horse" from July, 2007.  through the current
month.  As you know, our cumulative listing starts  in  July
of each year and we do not meet in August.                  

Lloyd Brooks*
Brian Cowardin
Taylor Cowardin
Jerold Evans
Kitty Faglie
Richard Faglie
Michael Hendrick
Michael Kidd
Peter Knowles,II
Robert Moore
Joe Moschetti
John Moschetti
Peyton Roden
Bill Setzer
Austin Thomas
Jerry Wells
Hugh Williams 

In memory of Robert Mahone-Raymond Crews
In memory of Hef Ferguson and Chuck Walton-Walter Tucker

Legend:                                    
* - Multiple contributions                 
§ - Visitor Donation                       
+ - in memory of Past Cmdr. Tom Lauterbach 

A REVIEW OF THE ELIZABETH ROLLER
BOTTIMORE 12TH ANNUAL LECTURE

NOVEMBER 7, 2007
          
                             By Walter Dunn Tucker, Adjutant

Brian Holden Reid, Professor  of  American  History  in  the
Department  of  War  Studies at King's College, London, gave
this year's talk, sponsored by the Museum of the Confederacy
and  the  University of Richmond, at the University's Keller
Hall.                                                       

His topic was "The British View of General Robert E.   Lee."
He stated that the British esteem for Lee was partly because
he was considered  such  a  gentleman-British  style.   Many
British  citizens, despite their opposition to slavery, held
a favorable regrard for the Confederacy  because  of  shared
values.                                                     

Initially,  the  British  were enamored of Stonewall Jackson
because of his brilliant Shenandoah  Valley  campaign.   Lee
was  so  less  well  known  than Jackson that Prime Minister
Palmerston thought that the latter  commanded  the  Army  of
Northern  Virginia.  Lee's subsequent victories at the Seven
Days, Second Manassas, and Chancellorsville, with  Jackson's
death, put things in proper perspective.                    

Lieutenant  Colonel Arthur James Lyon Fremantle (1835-1901),
on leave from the Coldstream Guards, introduced  himself  to
General  Longstreet  June 27, 1863 on the way to Gettysburg.
Fremantle met Lee June 30 and encountered him again July  3.
Fremantle  later  wrote Three Months in the Southern States.
He thought highly of Lee, but faulted him for his  excessive
amiability  with subordinates and his delegation of too much
authority to them.                                          

Another English officer on leave, Lieutenant Colonel  Garnet
Joseph Wolseley (1833-1913), met Lee in Winchester after the
September  1862  battle  of   Sharpsburg   (aka   Antietam).
Wolseley, one of the two most prominent generals of the late
19th century British army, described Lee as the greatest man
he  ever met.  Wolseley compared him favorably with the Duke
of Marlborough.  Pro-Confederate writer of the London  Times
Francis  Lawley  wrote  that  Lee  was overconfident and was
better on defense than on attack.  Lawley ranked  Lee  as  a
commander right after Marlborough and Wellington.           

John  Frederick  Maurice  (1841-1912),  later  professor  of
military history at the British  Army  Staff  College  wrote
that  Lee  was far greater than Wellington.  Maurice praised
Lee for his energy, promptness, and  decisiveness.   Maurice
agreed  with  Lee  that Virginia was the decisive theater of
the war, but he felt that  Lee  was  too  amiable  with  his
subordinates.                                               

George  Francis  Robert  Henderson (1854-1903), also a Staff
College professor, is most famous for his military biography
of   Stonewall   Jackson.    Henderson   visited  Civil  War
battlefields in 1883.  He  described  Lee  as  the  greatest
English-speaking general.                                   

Wolseley  and  Henderson  had British Army issues in mind in
their writings.  Wolseley advocated a large  standing  army.
Henderson pushed for more flexibility of command.           

Robert E.  Lee's reputation reached its summit in England in
the 1920's.                                                 

Two prominent 20th century British military historians, both
of  whom  served  in  World War One and were appalled at its
horrors, turned the tide against  Lee  with  their  prolific
pens  during  a  time  of  discussion  of  British  military
strategy beginning about 1926.   Basil  Henry  Liddell  Hart
(1895-1970),  gassed  in  The  Great  War,  maintained  that
Henderson had taught British staff  officers  to  count  the
blades  of grass in the Shenandoah Valley.  Liddell Hart was
offered an opportunity to write a biography of Lee, which he
declined.   Liddell  Hart  was  an  advocate of the indirect
approach in warfare.                                        

John Frederick Charles Fuller (1878-1966), had four
criticisms of Lee:                                 
	1. His strategy was fitful.                
	2. He failed to focus on the overall war.  
	3. He relied too much on subordinates.     
	4. He was bereft of political insight.     


Liddell Hart and Fuller felt that  Grant  and  Sherman  were
modern generals and that Lee was too old-fashioned. Military
historian John Keegan (born 1934) felt that  Grant  was  the
greatest Civil War general.                                 

Winston  Churchill  (1874-1965)  had an unbounded admiration
for Lee in his segment on the  American  Civil  War  in  his
History  of  the  English-Speaking  Peoples.  This was later
published as a separate book.                               

Despite  the  writings  of  Liddell  Hart  and  Fuller   and
ineffectual assaults by modern Americans Thomas Connelly and
Alan Nolan, Lee's reputation remains  bright  and  is  aptly
described by the subtitle of Professor Reid's book "Icon for
a Nation."                                                  

Writer's note: Seven members of the Longstreet Camp attended
this   interesting   lecture.    Professor  Reid's  book  is
available at the Museum of the Confederacy.  sad to  say  it
is, as yet, not in the Library of Virginia or in the Henrico
County Library.                                             

CALENDAR OF VIRGINIA EVENTS

DECEMBER 1-31 Christmas at Endview Plantation, Newport News.
Greenery and period decorations for 1861 holidays.  Included
with regular admission.  For  information:  (757)  887-1862;
www.endview.org.

DECEMBER  1  Christmas  Remembered  at  Stonewall  Jackson's
House, Lexington.  Free tours by  costumed  docents,  music,
refreshments,  children's  crafts.   For  information: (540)
463-2552; www.stonewalljackson.org

DECEMBER 8,9 Living History to commemorate 145th Anniversary
of  the  Battle  of  Fredericksburg.  Infantry and artillery
located at the sunken road  and  Marye's  Heights.   Special
tours, Firing demonstrations.  Innis House will be open.  For
information:  Fredericksburg  Battlefield  Visitor   Center,
(540) 373-6122; www.nps.gov/frsp

DECEMBER  8,9 145th Anniversary Reenactment of the Battle of
Fredericksburg,   Saturday   8-4,   Sunday   12-3.     First
Reenactment:  The  attack of the Irish Brigade on the actual
ground of Marye's Heights.   Federals  will  represent  five
regiments in Meagher's Brigade.                             

Saturday,   Urban   combat  demonstrations,  living  history
scenarios, 3 pm street battle scenario, 3:30 pm,"The  Battle
of Marye's Heights."                                        

Sunday,  12  noon, National Park Service "March of the Irish
Brigade" from City Dock to the stone wall; 2pm commemorative
ceremony at Kirkland Memorial                               

Registration   $10:   after  December  1st,  $15,  including
walk-ons.                                                   

All proceeds donated to  the  CWPT  for  the  Slaughter  Pen
Project.    For   information:   Confederate  and  civilian,
epow47@aol.com; Federals; captain@28thmasscob.org           

DECEMBER  13,  14  Saint  Nicholas  at  Endview  Plantation,
Newport   News,  5-7  pm.   Toys  for  Tots  program.   1861
Christmas, keepsake photo, refreshments.   Adults  to  bring
two  presents,  one  wrapped  for  their  child,  the  other
unwrapped for the Marine Corps Toys for  Tots  program.   $3
per  child.  Reservations suggested.  For information, (757)
887-1862; www.endview.org

ONLINE EXHIBITION

The Museum of the  Confederacy  online  exhibition  features
letters,  photographs  and  artifacts  of Robert E.  Lee and
Stonewall Jackson.  "The Lee and Jackson Resources"  section
features 30 gallery pages with 450 images.                  

The Letters and Documents galleries offer images of official
and personal correspondence and The Photograph and Portraits
Galleries  include copies of the few images taken of the two
men from life.  A brief narrative introduces visitors to the
galleries'  themes  and highlights.  Visit them virtually at
www.moc.org

WEB SITES OF CIVIL WAR INTEREST.

NEW CIVIL WAR BOOKS

2007 has been a bonus year for new Civil War releases! Below
are some excellent choices:                                

Cry  Havoc:  The  Crooked Road to Civil War, 1861, Nelson D.
Lankford, 308pp.,  2007,  Viking  Press,  $27.95.   Our  own
Richmond  author  has  written  a great book.  Really a good
read!!                                                      

Beleaguered Winchester: A Virginia Community At War, Richard
R.  Duncan.  380pp., 2007, Louisiana State University Press,
P.O.Box 25053, Baton Rouge, LA 70893.  $40 plus shipping.   

Shiloh and the  Western  Campaign  of  1862  by  O.   Edward
Cunningham, edited by Gary D.  Joiner and Timothy B.  Smith.
476 pp, 2007.  Savas Beatie, LLC, P.O.  Box 4527, El  Dorado
Hills, Ca 95762.  $34.95 plus shipping.                     

Swords  of the American Civil War by Richard H.  Bezdek, 316
pp.  softbound, Paladin  Press,  Paladin  Enterprises,  Inc,
Gunbarrel  Tech  Center,  7077 Winchester Circle, Boulder CO
80301.  $50 plus shipping.                                  

and again...

You're wearing a suit. I thought you'd be chewing a blade of grass!

         A woman in Manhattan, on meeting Roy  Blount, Jr.