Whew! It's been some more year. We've put up our flagpoles and benches at the "Battle of Trion Factory" monument site, we've put up a whole bunch of Confederate headstones, purchased 130 Confederate Cross of Honorgrave markers, took part in parades, dedications, cleaned cemeteries, and other things. We've come along way since we first started meeting in Trion three years ago, but we've still got a very long way to go and much work to do.
I recieved a call from Brigade Commander Charles Bramlett asking about what we've been up to since I last updated him. Below is my reply to him:
As per your request, here is a rundown of the ongoing activities of Chattooga Co. Camp 507.
- In September, some of our members along with members of the McConnell Camp of Ringgold set a number of headstones in Chattooga Co. cemeteries including the Macedonia cemetery, the Oak Hill cemetery, and the Garrett cemetery. A great time was had with these fine compatriots.
- In October, members of Camp 507 participated in a headstone dedication service as honor guard and speakers to assist the newly reorganized John Story Cleghorn chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
- In November members of Camp 507 set out new Confederate headstones in the old Trion cemetery (the site of the Battle of Trion Factory), and also installed 24 Southern Cross of Honorgrave markers in that cemetery. The grave markers were purchased with grant funds from the Tillotson-Menlo Charitable Foundation.
- In December, Camp 507 plans to participate in the Summerville "Christmas in the Park" on Sat., Dec 4th., march in the Summerville Christmas Parade on Monday, Dec. 6th, Take part in the "Victorian Window Display" sponsored by the Chattooga Co. Better Hometown Committee on Dec. 12th, and address the Summerville City Council as to the feasability of erecting a Confederate monument at Cleghorn Springs park on Monday, Dec. 13th.
As to those of us attending the Christmas party in Lafayette on the 10th, so far I have 6 that say they're going plus my wife and myself. I should know more by the end of the week.
I need a final tally on who is going by the end of this week (Thanksgiving) to turn in to Commander Bramlett. If you are going, please call me at (706) 331-1255 or e-mail at [email protected] before Friday so I'll be able to give a definite answer. Remember it's $11 per person and if I tell him you'e coming and you don't show we still have to pay for you.
I need as many as can show up at the Christmas parade, and Christmas in the Park to let me know if you can do so ASAP.
I hope you're all doing well and have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving with your families. I hope to see you all soon.
Dale
Christmas letter from a Confederate Soldier
From the diary of Robert Watson of Key West, Florida.
December 25, 1863 at Dalton, Georgia after action at Chickamauga
"Christmas day and a very dull one but I find a tolerable good dinner. I had one drink of whiskey in the morning. There was some serenading last night but I took no part in it for I did not feel merry as my thoughts were of home..."
From the Civil War diary of General Josiah Gorgas - 1864:
"December 26th A despondent Christmas has just passed, yet people contrived to eat hearty and good Christmas dinners. The soldier unfortunately have not even meat, and have had none for several days. The Commissary General has singlely failed in his duties; while there is plenty of food in Georgia there is none here. There is no sufficient excuse for this. The food must be brought here, and the means to so provided and organized.."
Johnny Green, of the 4th Kentucky's Orphan Brigade, expressed this sentiment:
"Peace on Earth, Good will to men should prevail. We certainly would preserve the peace if they would go home and let us alone..."
Camp Tunnel Hill Georgia December 7, 1863
Dear Father,
I do not know whether you have written me or not but I have never received but 2 letters from home. Mr Parsons brought me a letter from you last Spring and Bird Smith came from there last week with letters for a lot of the boys but none for me.
We are having a hard time. The 19 and 24 Reg. have been consolidated. The 8 Arkansas and all have been placed in Ledills Brigade. The Georgia and Tennessee men have been whipped at Lookout Mt. but our western men drove the Yanks off 3 times. We waded the Chickamauga River by wading water and mud all night to reach Ringold where we built a fire to dry our clothing.
The Yanks were on us again and we fought for 5 hours. I received a bullet in my hip. It looks bloody and black but does not pain me. If everyone fought as the Arkansas and Texas men we would soon whip the Yanks. Most of our men are going barefooted on the frozen ground. My shoes are in threads. It is strange to see the wealthiest men of Arkansas without enough clothes to cover their nakedness, but thats what I see every day. We are hungry, cold and starved but I do not intend to give up as long as I am able to stand
Augustus Cabot Abernathy to his father Buckner Abernathy in Parclifta Arkansas
The Sesquicentennial (150th Anniversary) of the Cause for Southern Independence is upon us!
The Sons of Confederate Veterans has established a unique way you can show support for our efforts and build a legacy for the future. It is the SCV Sesquicentennial Society! By joining this prestigious group you will help in supporting two projects very important to the future.
First- the General Executive Council made the commitment in October of 2008 to start the process to erect a new building on our property at Historic Elm Springs. One of the uses of this new building is to give us office space and return Elm Springs to its original grandeur. However the main function is to house The Confederate Museum. We are planning a museum that will tell the truth about what motivated the Southern people to struggle for many years to form a new nation. It will give an accurate portrayal of the Confederate soldier, something that is lacking in most museum and in the media.
75 % of the money received through this effort goes to that building fund.
Second-we need to leave a legacy for our Compatriots who will be the members and leaders of the SCV when the Bicentennial of the Cause for Southern Independence arrives 50 years from now.
One can only guess at the obstacles they will have to face in putting forth an accurate commemoration.
25% of the money will go into a fund to be used by the SCV at that point in time.
Here is how you can take part. To join it is a minimum payment of $200.( You can give more if you wish!) You will receive a handsome SCV Sesquicentennial Society Medal and Certificate. This program will end at at the close of the Sesquicentennial. You may pay all at once or you can make
non-refundable installments of $50 ( you will receive the medal and certificate when paid in full).
Send a check to:
Sons of Confederate Veterans
c/o Sesquicentennial Society
P.O. Box 59
Columbia, TN 38402
Or you can call 1-800-MY-DIXIE to pay by credit card.
You may also use the on-line donation page by clicking HERE
At this time the on-line page does not have a $200 option. You can select $250 (donating an extra $50) or you can donate $100 twice. If you choose to pay by installment there is $50 option.
Be sure to put Sesquicentennial Society in the box marked purpose of payment.
We hope that all Compatriots will take advantage of this opportunity to make a stand for the future.
You can proudly wear your medal and display your certificate as a symbols of your commitment to teaching the true history of the South to future generations.
Dear Compatriots
Let me take this opportunity to wish all you all a very Merry Christmas and a bountiful New Year.