 | Lt. Gen. Stephen Dill Lee statue, Vicksburg National Park |
The camp will be open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. each day and there will be cannon and musket firing demonstrations. If enough reenactors participate, there may also be a skirmish.
Reenactors from Semmes Battery and the 28th Louisiana Infantry, and any other group interested in participating, can set up camp Friday evening if they like.
Non-reenacting SCV members will be needed also to help man the SCV information table.
The City of Jennings and the local Boy Scouts are enthusiastically supporting this event, and we need to do our part by having full participation.
Call Terry Lee for more information or to volunteer. He may be reached at 433-8054.
However, all is not rosy.
The property lines are in dispute between us (read UDC) and two of the adjoining land owners.- If their claims are correct, we do NOT own any, or at most just a very small sliver, of the original earthworks still in existence.
We (the Louisiana Division of the SCV) own two separate plots of land at Burr's Ferry.- The land owner to our immediate north and northeast has run his "own" survey, fenced off what he believes to be his land, and has harvested the timber off of it.- In the process, the earthworks have been destroyed by the heavy equipment that was driven over them.
One of the UDC ladies (Mrs. Bridge or Briggs, I'm terrible with names - had her husband there.- He is a retired Engineer Officer).- Colonel Briggs ran a pseudo survey based on the plats we have from the Vernon Parish Courthouse, and a supposition that roads and fence lines run down existing property lines.- All of that may or may not be true.- We searched the property for about an hour trying to find an established survey benchmark, with no success.- His pseudo survey does appear to support the opinion of the adjacent property owners -- we don't own much if any of the actual earthworks at Burr's Ferry.
The Major Jesse M. Cooper Camp #1665 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, assisted by the Emma Sansom Chapter of the Order of the Confederate Rose and the -- Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy are prepared to become the caretakers of Burr's Ferry.- We have unofficially filled this role for at least the past six years.- However, we need help.
This site needs to be surveyed, and it needs to be surveyed NOW.- We have located a local survey firm who will do the job for $85.00 per hour.- We estimate, since we couldn't find a known benchmark anywhere on or near the property, that this survey will cost somewhere between $500 and $1,000.
We don't have that kind of money.- Furthermore, all of the corners need to be permanently marked with either concrete markers or 8' long metal rods, driven about 6' into the ground, so that we don't have to go through this again.
We believe that Burr's Ferry can be turned into a first class memorial to our Louisiana and Texas ancestors, and, because it is literally on a state highway, one of the best examples and displays of War Between the States earthworks anywhere in North America.- But only if we own them.
But if we (Louisiana Division) don't act now, the opportunity may be lost forever.
Rob & Gail Belflower
I would like to announce my candidacy for 2nd Lieutenant Commander of the Louisiana Division. Although the election will not take place until next year's state convention, I felt it was important to announce my intentions early so that each of you would have a real chance to get to know me and voice any concerns you would like for me to address.- I have already talked to many of you and you have helped me to make the very important decision to enter this race.
Many of you know me, but for those of you who do not, I would like to give you some information about myself.- I have been an active member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans for thirteen (13) years.- I began as a member of the 3rd Arkansas SCV Camp in El Dorado, where I was residing at the time.- There, I served as Quartermaster.- After relocating to Louisiana, I transferred my membership to the Colonel Samuel D. Russell Camp of Natchitoches.- Finally, I helped to form and am a charter member of the Lieutenant Colonel William Walker Camp in Winnfield.- Here, I have served as Adjutant, Treasurer, and 1st Lieutenant Commander.Currently, I am Commander of the Winnfield Camp.
I take defending my Southern heritage very seriously. When someone speaks negatively about our Southern heritage, I take it personally -- as though my family is being degraded.- As SCV members, I feel it is our responsibility to stand up for our heritage.- We should also continually strive to educate the public about the truth surrounding the War of Northern Aggression.- I have worked hard for the last several years to promote the cause of the SCV by providing materials to the newspapers, radio stations, and television stations in my area.- I have also spoken at numerous civic group meetings and performed demonstrations throughout my community and the state. Several schools have invited me to teach a Civil War unit to students of various ages, and I have enjoyed making a difference in their perception of the Confederacy.
Many of you have shared your concerns with me about how the SCV in our state has gotten away from the goals of our organization.- I am concerned about this as well.- There is too much fighting within the state organization, and this will be the downfall of the Louisiana Division if we let it continue.- We are losing members daily due to the dissension.- The tension between camps and the Louisiana Division is like a cancer eating away from within.- At the same time, we have outside forces who are eating away at our heritage.- We MUST get "Back on Track!"- We must return to following the Charge given to us by Stephen Dill Lee.
| Lt. Gen. Stephen Dill Lee statue, Vicksburg National Park |
In my bid for the office of 2nd Lieutenant Commander of the Louisiana Division, I will not stoop to "mud-slinging" or inappropriate behavior.- I will conduct a respectful campaign and expect the same from any other candidate.
If I am elected, I pledge to fairly represent the members of the SCV and be a voice for each of you.- I will not degrade the office by allowing "dirty politics" to control me.- I will work to fulfill the goals of the SCV and to follow the SCV Charge.
I plan to be in contact with SCV camps throughout the state before next year's convention.- I will try to attend as many meetings as possible.- I want your input.- Let me know what you want for the SCV and what you think will help turn our organization around.- We all must work together to get the Louisiana SCV Division "Back on Track."
I appreciate your time in reading this, and would sincerely appreciate your consideration for the office of 2nd Lt. Commander of the Louisiana Division.
Yours very truly,
William A. "Bill" Thompson
Commander
Lt. Col. William Walker Camp 1738
Winnfield, Louisiana
According to Jim Coward, historical society president, the group's aim is to preserve the Confederate heritage and history through education, living history and entertainment.
"Since the Semmes Battery Civil War re-enactment group now calls Niblett's Bluff Park home, we are hosting living history encampments on a regular basis," he said.
"This is just one way we can get the word out about who we are and what our aim is.''
In other business, committees were formed to help get the word out about the historical aspects of the group. The committees will also decide how to educate the public and how to raise funds to promote the groups efforts.
"There's so much more to learn about the historical aspects of the Civil War and how it was played out in our area," Coward said.
He pointed out that Wright Road near the park was originally named Military Road.
"I'd like to see it named that again. Maybe this is something we can research and talk to our police jurors about," he said.
Coward reminded society members present that the official Semmes Battery sign has been hung at the park and placed near one of the group's old cannons.
Today, an infantry size Confederate battle flag was displayed at Point Lookout Confederate Cemetery in accordance with a federal court order. This display marks the first time a Confederate battle flag has legally flown on Veterans Administration property other than on days stipulated in government directives.
We have succeeded in accomplishing exactly what the Veterans Administration and the Department of Justice have tried to thwart for many months in spite of our federal court victory - fly the soldiers' flag over their graves to honor their memory and respect their sacrifices.
A large Rebel Yell was heard at precisely 12:47 p.m. on this date as a Confederate battle flag reached the top of a twenty foot telescoping flag pole provided by the government under court order. The flag will be flown daily on this pole from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. until the Veterans Administration appeal is heard and decided. Subsequent to the government losing the appeal we will immediately begin the process to install a permanent thirty-seven foot flag pole to accommodate our flag, our heritage, and our soldiers honor. They deserve no less.
... Patrick J. Griffin, III
PLPOW members Rick Palmer, Jim Dunbar, Gary Sutphin and Michael Virts were present for this flag raising. Also attending were Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Couch and Mrs. Sutphin. At present, different people from the local area with different Confederate Battle flags are assisting with this endeavor until we get the court's ruling for a 24 hr., 7 day a week flag flying.
The Civil War memorial needs the head re-attached and its broken legs fixed. A March 1, 1997, tornado devastated Arkadelphia and broke the statue into pieces. The monument was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 3, 1996.
The United Daughters of the Confederacy has established a monument restoration, repair and maintenance fund for the Confederate Sculptures in Arkansas.
Jean Crouch of Batesville, chair of the fund-raising committee, said the Arkansas chapter hopes to raise $60,000. So far, the committee has banked more than $10,000.
"The monument of the Confederate soldier is our first priority," said group member Susan Railsback. "I personally want to see the monument back so that the people of Arkadelphia can enjoy it.
"We want to encourage patriotism," she said. "We are the keepers of our history."
The estimated cost to restore and erect the Clark County monument includes restoration to the pedestal.
The Harris Flanagin Chapter No. 1184 of the Arkansas Chapter Division, United Daughters of the Confederacy unveiled the statue May 27, 1911: "To the memory of the soldiers of the Southern Confederacy."
When the 1997 tornado struck, the soldier's head could not be found and officials concluded that someone had taken it home. The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program appealed for its return, and a Pine Bluff man brought it back.
The U-21 entered the history books when her captain, Otto Hersing, torpedoed and sank the British light cruiser HMS Pathfinder on September 5th 1914, the first submarine casualty of World War I and it was the second time in maritime history a vessel had been sunk by a submarine. The first was the confederate submarine Hunley, off the South Carolina coastline, and was also found by Cussler. The U-21 went on to be the first submarine to enter the Mediterranean and played a crucial role in the Battle of the Gallipolli when she sank the Triumph; Australian troops on the beaches of Gallipolli were robbed of covering fire and hundreds were killed.
The U-21 survived the war and was enroute to surrender to the British fleet on April 3rd, 1919 when she foundered and sank. The research and survey team intend to further document the boat and establish if the U-21 did founder or was purposefully scuttled, like the Bismarck, to avoid capture.
The expedition utilized the company's research and recovery vessel the SV Explorer. Using her sophisticated onboard sonar survey equipment she searched for a number of days before locating the U-21 and expedition leader John Davis said: SOURCE: RMS Titanic, Inc.
He also has some very nice quality 3 inch by 3 inch Confederate battle flags for $1.25 each. These are excellent decoration for an almost unlimited variety of uses.
For more information or to purchase an item, contact M.L. Weaver at 2802 Smith Ferry Road, Westlake, La. 70669, or call (337) 436-1853,
 | President Jefferson Davis statue, Vicksburg National Military Park |
 | The Admiral Raphael Semmes Monument is located in Mobile, Alabama. Semmes was born in 1809 in Maryland and became a midshipman in the U.S. Navy on 1 April 1826. He had a distinguished career in the old Navy and also read law and passed the bar exam in 1833. He joined the Confederate Navy with the outbreak of the War for Southern Independence and commanded the CSS Sumter and CSS Alabama. Semmes wreaked havoc on the U.S. merchant fleet around the world and sank the U.S. Navy sidewheel ironclad, USS Hatteras off Galveston, Texas. After the war he lived in Mobile and wrote one of the outstanding memoirs, "Memoirs of Service Afloat During the War Between the States." He died in Mobile in 1877. |