VOLUME XVII APRIL 2017 ISSUE 4 CHARGE TO THE SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS To you, Sons of Confederate Veterans, we will commit the vindication of the cause for which we fought. To your strength will be given the defense of the Confederate soldier s good name, the guardianship of his history, the emulation of his virtues, the perpetuation of those principles which he loved and which you love also, and those ideals which made him glorious and which you also cherish. Lt. General Stephen Dill Lee Commanding General United Confederate Veterans New Orleans, Louisiana, April 25, 1906 IN THIS ISSUE From the Commander From the 1st Lt Commander From the 2nd Lt Commander From the Chaplain Notes from the ATM Commander Texas Division Reunion Military Order of the Stars and Bars Notes from the Brigade Commander Medal of Honor Parade Emma Sansom TSOCR Jefferson Davis Guards Medal Dixie Donors 1 2 2 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 8 FROM THE COMMANDER What a wonderful program we have for April 20th! Our guest speaker will be Walter "Donnie" Kennedy. Donnie is the author of "The South was Right" and numerous other books. Many of you have heard Donnie speak and realize what a treat we have in store. Donnie always turns out a crowd so if you want a seat arrive early! Mark your calendars for May 13th at 10 am at the Hines-Grier Cemetery in Chandler for a UDC/SCF for two Grave Markings. We will mark the grave of Private John A. Grier, Company C, 17th Regiment, Texas Cavalry CSA and the Dedication of Wife of a Confederate Soldier Marker for Martha "Mattie" E. Perkins Grier. If you have never attended a grave marking you will be amazed. Come and honor our Confederate Heroes in this special ceremony. There will be a Pot Luck Lunch on the grounds following the marking. Direction to the ceremony will be at our April meeting. Let us thank God for allowing us to live in America and for having the freedom to be members of such a wonderful heritage group as the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Let us all work to keep the memory of our Confederate Heroes alive Matthew Lee, Commander NEXT MEETING April 20, 2017 6:30 pm Sweet Sue s Restaurant Tyler, Texas April Page 1 2017
FROM THE 1st LIEUTENANT COMMANDER Confederate Cemetery Decoration Day The Confederate Cemetery Association in partnership with Sons of Confederate Veteran Camps #1325 and #153 and the Order of the Confederate Rose Chapter #4 will conduct the annual Confederate Decoration Day ceremony on Sunday, April 30, 2017, at 2 p.m. at the historic Confederate Cemetery located in the heart of San Antonio City Cemetery #4. The cemetery borders the north-side of East Commerce Street between South New Braunfels Avenue and Palmetto Street. The upcoming ceremony will include Civil War reenactors from the 6th Texas Volunteer Infantry who will participate as color guards, riflemen, and artillerymen. The keynote speaker will be the distinguished author and past Texas Division Commander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Mr. John C. Perry. Recognition will be given to Sergeant John Bowen, 7th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, USV, a key sponsor of the Confederate Cemetery. Also, special recognition will be given to Modesto Torres, Private, Company B, 33rd Texas Cavalry, CSA. His family were early settlers of San Antonio and among his many accomplishments include service as Deputy Sheriff of the Bexar County Jail and Chief of Police of the San Antonio Fair of 1890. Upon his death on April 1, 1924, Modesto Torres was recognized as being the last Bexar County Indian fighter, having participated in the Indian battle near Krempkau divide in 1872. The mission of the Confederate Cemetery Association is to restore and preserve the final resting place of the heroes and families of the San Antonio region and America who lie within the Confederate Cemetery. The cemetery property was purchased by the Albert Sidney Johnson Camp No. 1, United Confederate Veterans, from the City of San Antonio in 1884 on land originally granted by the King of Spain as a cemetery. It has been the final resting place of Confederate soldiers and their families since the first veteran was buried there in 1896. In addition to veterans of the Civil War, the cemetery is the final resting place of veterans of the American wars from the War of 1812 and up to and including the Global War on Terrorism. Many of the over 950 graves in the Confederate Cemetery also include the elders and the leaders of government, business, and industry from San Antonio and south Texas. The CCA is a non-political, nondenominational, association that is recognized as an I.R.S. 501(c)3 non-profit organization. FROM THE 2nd LIEUTENANT COMMANDER RECRUITING AND RETENTION: The national membership of the SCV is approximately 34,000 of the approximate 100,000 who hold certificates of membership. This indicates that only about one third of individuals who joined SCV have remained active, paid-up members. Furthermore, this means that only about one third continue to hold to elements of the membership oath taken by each of us upon induction into the SCV. Other than reason of death, our camp lost almost 10% of our membership at the end of 2016. Recruiting and retention efforts by our camp officers successfully kept that percentage from being greater. In honoring our ancestors and in keeping our induction oath, each of us must remain vigilant to potential members we may meet during our daily lives. One method is to ask, "By the way, do you know if you have an ancestor who served in the Confederate army or navy?" Usually, the fellow will not know, but if "yes" is the answer, let the descendant know of the SCV, and ask if they would like more information. If so, get a valid contact phone number(s) from him, and contact me or another Camp officer with this information. We will do our duty and follow-up, promptly. My contact information is found on the last page of this newsletter. Thank you for supporting the success of our Camp. Allen Brown 2nd Lt Commander NEW COMPATRIOT SWORN-IN 2nd Lt Commander Brown, 8th Brigade Commander Brand, Compatriot Richard Foster, new Camp member Caleb McLelland, ATM Commander Holley, Commander Lee and Chaplain Don Majors. April Page 2 2017
FROM THE CHAPLAIN Southern Greetings, Confederate Flag Day Camp Ford, Tyler, Texas Saturday, March 4, 2017 (continuation from last month) Our Southern ancestors were extraordinary people, and their Southern children and grandchildren were extraordinary people as well. They fought to keep established walls that their parents and grandparents established with their own blood. Those "walls" are defined in many ways. They are called "Southern Principles." Those principles are bathed in Christian dogma, morality, ethics, trust, truth, and a Southern bond. A gentleman's Southern handshake did not require ink, paper, and pen. As a twelve-year-old boy, I remember going into the bank with my father, Reverend Walter A. Majors, (WW2 Veteran), to make a loan. My very Southern East Texas Momma need surgery. The banker shook my father's hand and handed him the money. There was no question or doubt. The bank would be paid back. Southern ethics. In 446 B.C., the King of Persia, allowed Nehemiah (his cupbearer) to come home to Jerusalem, to do a perusal of the needs in Jerusalem. The king had already allowed Ezra to come in 457 B.C. The king would allow the Jews to come home and pick up the pieces of their ravaged lives. Thirteen years later, Nehemiah and some of the Jews from Persia are seeing the city for the first time. Nehemiah viewed the walls of Jerusalem. Heartfelt sadness gripped him. The walls were broken down, and the gates were burned with fire. It pierced his heart. He wept over the ruins. After the War of Northern Aggression, can you imagine how our Southern ancestors felt emotionally as they viewed the charred remains of beautiful Southern cities such as Atlanta? As our tired Southern boys walked and limped along in rags and bare feet, can you imagine the pain they must have felt? Nehemiah encouraged the people to work and rebuild the walls. Nehemiah stated that "The people had a mind to work." In Nehemiah 4:9, it tells us that Nehemiah met external opposition. The Scripture says, "Now when Sanballat (Syria) heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews and said, "What are these feeble Jews doing?" Nehemiah states, "They laughed at us, and they despised us, but we built the wall anyway." Nehemiah went on to say, "And they plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. But we prayed, and God protected us day and night." Message? There will always be "external opposition." When you are trying to do something worthwhile and morally good there will always be opposition. For the sake of time and space, just let me say that this "Sanballat" character from Syria was a "realpeace-of-work." I guess every generation has them. He was determined to fight the Jews every step of the way. Message? As descendants of Confederate Veterans, we must know that we are not going to be loved and liked by the "Sanballat's" of the world. Does that stop us? No! We keep building the walls of Southern truth. What was the key for Nehemiah? The Scriptures say in verse 6, "The people had a mind to work." That's the key! Southern brothers, we MUST have a mind to work. Another thought to consider was that Nehemiah was not intimidated by those opposing him. Nehemiah said, "The God of Heaven Himself will prosper us. We are His servants, and we will arise and build." Nehemiah took his stand against the external circumstances. As a result, God gave Nehemiah a "window-of-opportunity." As the descendants of these "Southern- Confederate Grandfathers," we have been given a "window-of-opportunity" to work and to labor for the Cause for which they fought. Time and opportunity is limited. We must work while it is day, for there comes a time when no man can work. I wish I could tell you that this is the end of the story, and everyone rides off into the sunset happy and contented. It never works that way. As long as we are on planet Earth will be will a battle. Read the Book of Nehemiah. Please know that our "Enemy" is not stupid. (continued on page 4) April Page 3 2017
In chapter five, there was internal opposition. Nehemiah said, "I became very angry when I heard their outcry and their words." He went on to say to his fellow Jews, "What you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the nations and our enemies?" Message? We can persevere and fight through external opposition until the cows come home, but internal opposition is a much more dangerous foe to fight. Internal opposition can truly destroy you. It destroys families. It destroys churches. It destroys friendships, and yes, it can even destroy a nation. We can build the wall, but we must follow the admonition of Nehemiah back in 444 B.C., when he said to his people, "Let us rise up and build." What was good for 444 B.C., appears to be good for April 2017. Blessings FROM THE CHAPLAIN (from page 3) Reverend M. Don Majors Texas Division Chaplain, SCV ATM Dept. Chaplain, SCV WAS YOUR CONFEDERATE ANCESTOR AN OFFICER? NOTES FROM THE ATM COMMANDER Compatriots, The last month has been a big one in the ATM. A new Camp in Hawaii was chartered and they are already looking to give out Hunley Medals at local schools. This is very exciting when you look at the local atmosphere they are working in. My hat is off to these gallant SCV members who fight almost alone so far from the South. The Reunion season starts now and I will be visiting in Arkansas, Kansas, and Arizona. I will also visit Oklahoma for a Heritage meeting. I am looking forward to meeting new Compatriots and seeing the problems they face in other states. Please try to attend the Texas Division Reunion in Ft. worth and be there to vote. We must continue to elect good men to guide our Division. We have a great group running which includes our own Dennis Brand. The Camp, Brigade and Division are lucky to have a man of Dennis' integrity and work ethic and he brings honor to the Douglas Camp. His great work on the National level on the awards committee is invaluable. Your 2018 Reunion Committee is working hard to plan a Reunion the Camp can be proud of. I know you will each step forward to help. God Bless the South, JOHNNIE HOLLEY Commander Army of Trans Mississippi If your ancestor was a military officer, an elected representative or an appointed civilian official of the Confederate States, then the Colonel Richard B. Hubbard chapter of the Military Order of the Stars and Bars invites you to join them. For more information, contact Commander Johnnie Holley. jlh63@flash.net 2017 TEXAS DIVISION REUNION The Governor Samuel W. T. Lanham Camp #586, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Weatherford, TX, is proud to welcome you to Fort Worth, Texas, for the 2017 Texas Division Reunion June 2, 2017 - June 4, 2017 FOR DETAILS GO TO www.txdivreunion.com April Page 4 2017
NOTES FROM THE BRIGADE COMMANDER Hello, Compatriots! We have a new cadre of officers in the Douglas Camp and this is a good opportunity to tell them what a good job they are doing. The following compatriots have agreed to assume committee chair responsibilities: Mike Johnson, Gene Martin, and Steve Lyles. Please give all these men your support and assistance when they call on you to do so. Also, we are updating our camp constitution and bylaws, which will enable our camp to operate more efficiently. 1 st Lt. Commander Plato is our Douglas Dispatch editor. He needs our help and support, as this is a big job to assume, in addition to his responsibilities as an officer. If he asks you to provide information for the Dispatch, please say yes. We had a wonderful experience in Gainesville this weekend. A large crowd was in attendance for the Medal of Honor Parade. The Douglas Camp and Clementine got the loudest cheers and applause from the crowd along the parade route. Everyone had a good time coming together and honoring our service men during this very special event. In June, at the Division Reunion in Ft. Worth, I will have completed my two years as Eighth Brigade Commander. Cooper Goodson and Rev. Dom Majors will have completed four years as Texas Division Officers. Commander Johnny Holley is Immediate Past Commander of the Texas Division and is now the Commander of the Army of Trans Mississippi. I am seeking the office of 2 nd Lit. of the Texas Division and I am asking for your support and your vote. I pray I can serve as well as the other members of the Captain James P. Douglas have in the past. Please keep me in your prayers. MEDAL OF HONOR PARADE GAINESVILLE, TEXAS Johnnie Holley, Norma Holley, Dennis Brand and I attended the Medal of Honor Parade in Gainesville, which was held Saturday, April 8. This is the fourth year Dennis and I have attended, but Norma and Johnnie have attended since the event s inception seven years ago. Thirteen veterans were honored. One US Army vet served in Korea; one Marine Corps vet served in WW II; two Marines, three Navy vets, and five Army vets served in Vietnam. Law enforcement from the North Texas area also were there to show support for the veterans. A total of 28 different agencies were represented. Norma, Dennis and I rode on the trailer with Clementine (the cannon). Clementine was the hit of day! Throughout the entire route of the parade, we constantly received applause and everyone wanted us to pose for pictures. Unfortunately, we did not get to see and visit with the recipients, as we have in years past. Apparently, a bomb threat was received and the recipients were under heavy guard throughout the parade. However, it was still a very rewarding day and exciting day. Reta Brand ARE YOU A MEMBER OF THE TSOCR? Long Live the South! Deo Vindice! Dennis Brand Eighth Brigade Commander The Emma Sansom, Chapter 31, Texas Society, Order of the Confederate Rose supports the activities of the Captain James P. Douglas Camp #124, SCV, and welcomes both women and men as members. JOIN TODAY! For more information please contact Mrs. Reta Brand rbrand.ocr@gmail.com April Page 5 2017
JEFFERSON DAVIS GUARDS MEDAL The only medal ever authorized and awarded by the Confederate States of America was the Jefferson Davis Guards Medal. The Davis Guards was a militia company originally formed in Houston, Texas by the residents of Sabine River, thus disallowing Union intrusion into the heartland of southeast Texas. Medals in silver were presented to each of the 45 men in the unit, though just seven examples are currently known to exist, only three of which are in private bands. Each medal was inscribed with the letters D.G., for Davis Guards, with a cross below known as "cross pattee". They were described as having been engraved on a planed Mexican 8 real coin. The fighters at Sabine Pass were all Texans, all of Irish descent, and their commander was Irish born; it is little wonder the regiment was called "The Fighting Irish. Their chaplain, a friar named Felix Zoppa de Connobio, was the main force behind the medal and raised the funds necessary to produce them. A specimen was presented to Jefferson Davis, the unit's namesake and honorary commander, and was prized by him until his capture in Virginia in 1865. A replacement medal was presented to Davis at the Texas State Fair in 1875. Seven years later, while speaking to an audience in New Orleans, Jefferson Davis spoke of his medal and the men who won them at Sabine Pass: "The State of Texas honored these men by striking off a medal, on the one side of which was the date and Sabine Pass, and on the other the letters D.G., and D.G. -- l think you won't take it as egotism on my part -- stood for "Davis Guards." The company had done me the honor to take my name, and I was the only honorary member of it, so I have a right to be proud of it." A Confederate generic bravery medal was authorized by the rebel congress on November 22, 1862. Awardees were to receive their medals and have their names inscribed on a "Roll of Honor." Nothing ever came of the measure, however, and there was never produced an officially authorized national Confederate medal for bravery or heroism, like the Union's Congressional Medal of Honor. There are some privately issued medals known that are called Confederate battle or bravery medals, like the famous 'Newmarket Cross of Honor'. It was issued by the Virginia Military Institute Alumni Association in honor of the V.M.I. Battalion of Cadets who fell in the hopeless battle at Newmarket, Virginia on May 15, 1864, just days after the trench battles of Spotsylvania, but none were officially authorized by the Confederate States of America. The Congress of the CSA enacted a special resolution of thanks for the Davis medal and some $3,000 was raised for the guardsmen at a special banquet given in their honor in Houston. The Davis Guards was a 47-man detachment of Company F, First Texas Heavy Artillery, Army of the Confederate States of America, with Lieutenant Richard Dowling commanding, using an eight inch Columbiad cannon. Their cannon was named Annie in honor of Elizabeth Ann Odlum, niece of Captain Frederick Odlum and wife of Lieutenant Dick Dowling. The Davis Guards were all Houstoner's in their early 20's, or younger. Their unit had been nicknamed both "The Houston Rough and Ready Company" and "The Fighting Irish." Their defense of the Sabine River Pass saved Houston, and all of Texas, from a Union invasion. Jefferson Davis himself wrote of the battle, "There is no parallel in ancient or modern warfare to the victory of Dowling and his men at Sabine Pass, considering the great odds against which they had to contend." The Davis Guards medal was commissioned by the grateful citizens of Houston, Texas, to honor the first anniversary of the defense of the approaches to their city. Each member of the Davis Guards received a medal, whether he was present at the battle or not, and as awarded, the medals were unnamed; personal names being added later. The entire Battle of Sabine Pass was over in just 45 minutes. The Davis Guards fired off 137 rounds without stopping to swab their guns, a measure of the intensity of the battle, as an unswabbed gun barrel could ignite the next powder charge loaded and kill a gun's crew in a blowback. (continued on page 7) April Page 6 2017
DAVIS GUARDS MEDAL (from page 6) The Guard did not lose a man, killed or wounded. Union losses were 19 killed, 9 wounded, 315 captured. CSA Lieutenant Dowling and most of his garrison escorted the Union prisoners off the battlefield. The handful of gunner's left to man the fort's defenses were ordered to march around inside making as much noise as they could, to mislead the Union pickets into thinking the garrison was stronger than it actually was. Union General Franklin withdrew his landing force under covering fire from U.S.S. Arizona's guns and the federal invasion of Texas was repulsed. Southern newspapers carried dispatches and copperplate engravings of the battle for several weeks. Northern newspapers criticized the Union campaign and pointed out that more than one third of all Union shipping losses in 1863 had occurred in the short action at Sabine, Texas! The following resolutions of the Confederate Congress were approved on February 8th, 1864: "Resolved, That the thanks of Congress are eminently due, and are hereby cordially given, to Captain Odlum, Lieutenant Richard Dowling, and the forty-one men composing the Davis Guards under their command, for their daring, gallant, and successful defense of Sabine Pass, Texas, against the attack made by the enemy on the eighth of September last, with a fleet of five gunboats and twentytwo steam transports, carrying a landing force of fifteen thousand men. Resolved, That this defense, resulting under the providence of God, in the defeat of the enemy, the capture of two gunboats, with more than three hundred prisoners, including the commander of the fleet, the crippling of a third gunboat, the dispersion of the transports, and preventing the invasion of Texas, constitutes, in the opinion of Congress, one of the most brilliant and heroic achievements in the history of this war, and entitles the Davis Guards to the gratitude and admiration of their country. Resolved, That the President be requested to communicate the foregoing resolutions to Captain Odlum, Lieutenant Dowling, and the men under their command. An original Davis Guards Medal was offered at auction by Stacks Rare Coins, January 16-18, 2007, and sold for $48,300.00. The Dowling Statue at Hermann Park in Houston, Texas, was the city s first public monument, erected even before the statue of Sam Houston. Dedicated on St. Patrick s Day, 1905, the monument is an eight foot marble statue of Dowling atop a twenty foot marble base. It was created by German sculptor Frank Teich. A reproduction of the original Davis Guards Medal April Page 7 2017
NEWSLETTER OT THE CAPTAIN JAMES P. DOUGLAS CAMP #124 SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS - TYLER, TEXAS RD Plato, Editor and Publisher P.O. Box 9602, Tyler, TX 75711 Phone (903) 484-6672 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED Opinions expressed by individual writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect official positions of the organization. Letters and articled may be submitted to: DouglasCamp124@gmail.com (Deadline for article submission is the 1st of each month) Douglas Camp Website: www.jamesdouglas.org Hubbard MOS&B Chapter Website: www.hubbardmosb.org DIXIE DONORS Stars and Bars Donor $5 - $24 Donation RD Plato Harry Bernard Clard III Max D Gillfillan Robert N McFarland Rayburn L Rash James C Stout David N White Sr Stainless Banner Donor $25 - $49 Donation Gene Armstrong 3rd National Donor $50 - $74 Donation Bennie Jack Beaden Michael E Johnson Marvin D Majors Battle Flag Donor $75 - $99 Donation Crossed Sabers Donor $100+ Donation Dennis Brand Johnnie Holley Michael Everheart Lawrence Oliver Steve Dement June Elliot Rob Jones Cliff Johnson We appreciate your support, all donations are tax deductible. A 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization 2017 CAPTAIN JAMES P. DOUGLAS CAMP OFFICERS Your camp officers may be contacted thru the following information: Commander 1st Lt Commander Matthew Lee (903) 530-8346 mslndixie3301@hotmail.com RD Plato (903) 484-6672 pl80.dr@gmail.com 2nd Lt Commander Allen Brown (505) 270-7077 abrownmajorret@yahoo.com Adjutant Cooper Goodson Jr (903) 312-0216 cgoodsonjr4846@yahoo.com Captain James P. Douglas Camp #124 meets at 6:30 pm on the 3rd Thursday of each month (except December) in the Sweet Sue s Family Restaurant Banquet Room 3350 SSW Loop 323, Tyler, Texas. THE PUBLIC IS INVITED! April Page 8 2017