NO REAR.

“War, with all its terrors and bloodshed ,” said Mr. Wm. Toler, of Alexandria, “still had its humorous side, or, I might say, its given humorous side.”

“When Jackson’s corps, of which I was a member, was getting to the flank of the Union men at Chancellorsville, the troops in advance became engaged with the enemy. Just as my company reached a little piece of wood, we met a wounded soldier, who was slowly dragging himself along toward the point from which we were marching. He was going to the rear as rapidly as his wounds would allow. The poor fellow had hardly gotten out of sight before rapid firing in the direction in which he had gone indicated that the Yankees had closed in behind us.”

“Pretty soon he came jumping back, and when near the point at which I had first noticed him, another wounded man approached from the opposite direction, when this colloquy took place:

“Hello, Tom; hurt?
“Little—not much, let’s go to the rear.”
“Too much for me, Tom. This is the darndest fight I’ve bin in yit. ‘Tain’t got no r’ar.” ~ A recollection from a UCV at the Richmond reunion, 1896

Zak
A group of very knowledgeable folk. Well worth joining! PoP Aaron
Dixie's Living Historians

Image by:
Pvt A C Redwood
55th Va. Inf Regt

They Prayed

They were men of Prayer. President Jeff Davis, Generals Robert E. Lee, Thomas J. Jackson, Nathan B. Forest, and many others. From the greatest generals to the newest recruits, the men in gray believed in the presence and providence of Almighty God. In Confederate camps there was Bible study and worship services led by Godly chaplains, and sweeping revivals where the lost were saved and the saved grew closer and stronger in their relationship with God. And, they prayed.

They prayed for their homes and families. They prayed for their brothers in arms. They prayed for their leaders. They prayed for the preservation of their country: The Confederate States of America. They prayed faithfully and fervently for God to help them defend the just Cause for which they fought, and preserve the ideals of our founding fathers. And, they prayed for vindication.

On the Great Seal of the Confederacy are the words, "Deo Vindice." These words are often used by the Sons of Confederate Veterans also, and mean, "God will vindicate." The question is, do we really believe it? Do we believe that God will vindicate the Confederate Cause and our brave and honorable forefathers who fought in it's defense? Do we believe that God answers the prayers of righteous men?

 

Do you believe that when Davis, Lee, Jackson, and other Godly men of the Confederacy prayed for vindication, God said no, I have a better idea? Do you think that this country, which is becoming more and more ungodly and moving further and further from the precepts of our founding fathers and the nation's Constitution, is God's "better idea?" If so, then it makes no sense to say Deo Vindice, God will vindicate, when you believe He has already said, "No."

The alternative, of course, is that God said, "Yes, but later." Do you believe that, in due time, God will yet vindicate our Southern Cause? If so, then we, like our Confederate forefathers, must be men of prayer. The leadership of our Confederation, like Davis, Lee, and Jackson, must be men of prayer. We must trust and rely on Him. We must seek and follow His guidance and direction. We must put our Cause in His hands. We must be men of prayer, because, God answers prayer.

Bro. Len Patterson, Th.D
Chaplain, Army of Trans-Mississippi
Sons of Confederate Veterans

Provided by:
Bro. Lynn Hammond

Prayer for Our Confederacy by Eve Davenport Holder

Prayer for Our Confederacy

(From The Soldier’s Prayer Book by Thomas Smyth published in Charleston: The South Carolina Tract Society, 1863)
O GOD, Thou hast so ordained human government as to make it necessary and wise that there shall be rulers and subjects…
Establish us, therefore, O God, as a Confederacy of states, and build us up on that rock of eternal truth against which the gates of hell shall not prevail. Unite us a people in the indissoluble bonds of liberty, equality, and fraternity. Harmonize the sovereignty of our states with confederated constitutional authority. May the spirit of Washington animate them all, and lead them ever to seek not merely their own interests, but also the common good of all, and to beware of sectional jealousies and party dissensions.
May the issue of this war signally prove that this battle is the Lord’s, and that Thou hast made Thy Word victorious. May atheistic blasphemy and blind fanaticism be openly rebuked, and the truth, purity, and power of Thy Word, and the wisdom, equity, and mercy of Thy providential dealings toward this people be gloriously established in the sight of our enemies, and before all nations throughout all generations, and may glory rest on our land until it shall be made a praise in the whole earth. Hear, O Lord, in heaven, they dwelling place, these our humble petitions, with which we would plead and wrestle with Thee. Answer them in mercy, for Christ’s sake, and abundantly bless us. Grant us the desires of our hearts in accordance with Thy Word; and then we will ever bless and magnify Thy great and glorious name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen and Amen.

 By: Eve Davenport Holder

 

 

CALL TO FLAGGING

On March 23rd we'll have another Flagging at Green Hill Cemetery, from 12pm - 4pm. Parking will be behind the Krystal Burger as before. Bro. Bill Hicks will be in charge. Come on folks and let's see how many people we can get out there with their flags flying & handing out material.

I believe each time we're out there we are reaching & teaching people. We all see what’s happening to our Southron Heritage everywhere & we need to take a stand united in the cause. We also need to let Watauga Historical Assn. We are not going away & we are not forgetting our ancestors that are buried there and being neglected by them. It's a disgrace that Pvt. Leseur is buried outside the perimeter of their fencing. Let’s show everyone that we are a proud people with love for God, Family & Heritage.

Tennessee Flagging Coordinator
Colonel Mike Shaffer (Doc)
Bristol, Tenn.
http://www.facebook.com/bigmikeshff
bigmikeshff@yahoo.com

SOME OVERWHELMING NUMBERS

1. The State of New York with 448,850 and Pennsylvania with 337,936 Union soldiers aggregated 768,635 soldiers and outnumbered the entire Confederate army.
2. Illinois with 259,092, Ohio with 313,180 and Indiana with 196,363 soldiers aggregated 768,635 soldiers and outnumbered the Confederate army.
3. New England with 363,162 and the 316,424 Union soldiers of the slave States aggregated 679,586 soldiers and outnumbered the Confederate army.
4. The States west of the Mississippi River, exclusive of Missouri and the other Southern States, enlisted 319,563, Delaware, NewJersey, and the District of Columbia 105,632, and the negro troops enlisted in the Southern States and not before counted were 99,337 an aggregate of 514,532 soldiers.
These facts, taken from the war records, show that there were four Union armies in the field, each of which was as large as the Confederate army.
From the book: History of the Fourth Tennessee Cavalry by Adjutant George B. Guild.

Remember to honor our Confederate Soldiers

Good Morning!

Today as we begin our day, we should all remember to honor our Confederate Soldiers for their record of virtue, valor, and sacrifice. Our ancestors have left us a strong and great inheritance. They were rich in what really counts in life; things such as character, integrity, honesty, honor, courage, and a great love for God, family, and country. Their memory is cherished and a blessing to each of us and we thank them for the history and heritage they left behind. We all must teach our children and those who follow, to draw inspiration from their lives, and keep the sacred memory of our Southern ancestors who faithfully fought for a just cause. As we stand on the shoulders of our ancestors who have gone before us, we must catch the torch that they have passed on to us. The adversities they faced were far more daunting than any we face today. They persevered in the face of all those adversities, so we must maintain their resolve in our cause to protect and honor our Monuments, our Statues, our Flags, and our Markers. Their blood is our blood. Let each of us proclaim that we are proud to honor their accomplishments and to claim them as the noblest heritage. ~ Eileen Parker Zoellner

Deo Vindice!

Do we weep for the heroes who died for us

C.S.A. ~ Abram Joseph Ryan ~

Do we weep for the heroes who died for us,
Who living were true and tried for us,
And dying sleep side by side for us;
The Martyr-band
That hallowed our land
With the blood they shed in a tide for us?

Ah! fearless on many a day for us
They stood in front of the fray for us,
And held the foeman at bay for us;
And tears should fall
Fore'er o'er all
Who fell while wearing the gray for us.

How many a glorious name for us,
How many a story of fame for us
They left: Would it not be a blame for us
If their memories part
From our land and heart,
And a wrong to them, and shame for us?

No, no, no, they were brave for us,
And bright were the lives they gave for us;
The land they struggled to save for us
Will not forget
Its warriors yet
Who sleep in so many a grave for us.

On many and many a plain for us
Their blood poured down all in vain for us,
Red, rich, and pure, like a rain for us;
They bleed -- we weep,
We live -- they sleep,
"All lost," the only refrain for us.

But their memories e'er shall remain for us,
And their names, bright names, without stain for us:
The glory they won shall not wane for us,
In legend and lay
Our heroes in Gray
Shall forever live over again for us.

Thanks to:
Eileen Parker Zoellner

REVIVAL IN THE CAMP

General Bragg began his retrograde movement toward Chattanooga in June (I think), very wisely concluding to draw the Federals farther from his base before risking another general engagement. General Wheeler covered his rear, which the enemys cavalry assailed very vigorously, using their batteries freely.This continued until we passed over Cumberland Mountain, both armies losing quite a number in killed and wounded, some prisoners being taken. After passing the mountain a lull in the operations of both armies ensued. The Confederate infantry had passed on to Chattanooga. Wheelers cavalry, reaching the Tennessee River, passed over the bridge at Bridgeport on the plank flooring that had been laid upon the girders. After reaching Shellmound, on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, General Wheeler was ordered to go to Rome, Ga., with a view to recuperating his much-jaded cavalry horses. Here we remained for two months or more and had the only real rest that we got during our service in the army. Rome was then a pleasant little city of about five thousand inhabitants, surrounded by a rich and fertile country. Wheelers Cavalry Corps numbered about five thousand, rank and file. The quartermasters of the respective regiments would buy a field ofcorn, move to it, and remain until it was exhausted,and then move on to another purchase. The horses would be fed on the corn,stalks and all, using a plentiful supply of salt, besides grazing them on grass for an hour or two each day. It was wonderful how they improved, and by the time we left there they looked as if they had been prepared for a State Fair. The soldiers, too, were supplied with an abundance of substantial and wholesome rations. The strictest discipline prevailed. Drills were the order of the day,with both officers and privates,at least two hours each morning and evening. Prayer meetings and services by the respective chaplains were held regularly, were well attended,and many conversions took place. Drs. Bunting and Hendricks,our brigade and regimental chaplains,were kept busy and active in their duties, and we know that many lasting and substantial conversions were made through their efforts.

From "The 4th Tennessee Cavalry Regiment" by Major George B. Guild.

Thanks to:

Bill Hicks
Tennessee Confederate Flagger
S.C.V. Camp #2083