It is a New Year and with it comes new opportunities to further our cause. Our next meeting will feature no guest speaker. I would like to have a rather informal meeting to discuss exactly what our cause is and what our purpose is. Our numbers must be increased. There are 120,000 residents in our parish. We should be at least 250 strong. We can do this and I know how.
Please attend our meeting as we choose the direction we take for the future. If you are reading this and you call yourself a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Bryan Camp 1390 then I expect to see you there and I need each of you there. The South and our heritage need you there. Your obedient servant, Commander Lee
The War Between The States reenactment A Battle for Hickory Creek is held in DeRidder, Louisiana annually. It is always held on the last full weekend of February. This year it is to be held 22-24 February 2002.
There will be a School of The Student on Friday. They have had as many as 750 students attend in the past. Reenacts are encouraged to participate. We need your help! Please contact Johanna Pate at 337-463-7692 or [email protected] if you would like more information. All schools are welcome, but must preregister. Schools please contact Johanna Pate at [email protected] or 337-463-8555 for information on the "school of the student" program.
Reenactors are asked to preregister, so we can acquire the right amount of the normal amenities such as hay, firewood, and powder. There will be a fried catfish dinner for all pre-registered reenactors. We require the pre registration for the dinner because of the high cost of the dinner.
Please contact Mackie Poe at 337-463-9909 or [email protected] if you need information on modern camping or if you are interested in a vendor's slot.
Please contact the overall commander, Jimmy Moore, at [email protected] for more information on the command structure of the reenactment.
Here is the historic scenario:
In the fall of 1863 Union forces under the command of Major General Nathaniel Prentice Banks launched a massive overland invasion of Western Louisiana aimed at gaining control of Texas. Attempts at entering Texas via Galveston and Sabine Pass had been futile.
No one knew what route Banks would choose into Texas. He boldly stated in mid August that he would plant the flag in Texas inside of a week. He greatly underestimated the Confederate forces and the will of the people of Louisiana and Texas. The location of this reenactment was part of the Confederate Supply Route during this expedition and throughout the war. Nibblet's Bluff and Burr's Ferry are only a short distance 0from DeRidder by today's standards. Confederate General Richard Taylor was stockpiling depots in West Louisiana with supplies for the Confederate Troops. Spies and Jayhawkers had informed General Banks of these depots and he sent pickets ahead to capture or destroy these depots. Although the Battle for Hickory Creek is not an authentic battle, it is designed to recreate the skirmishes between Union and Confederate Forces during the Texas Overland Expedition. We have 120 acres to reenact, camp, and park on.
Schedule of Events:
Saturday
9:00 Camps open to the public. Spectators can walk through both Confederate and Union campsites and see firsthand how the soldier lived from 1861-1865. Witness the day to day routine of the soldiers.
9:30 Company and Battery drill
10:30 Calvary Demonstrations
11:30 Artillery Demonstrations
2:00 The Battle for Hickory creek
5:00 Camps close to the public
Sunday
9:00 Camps open to the public Cooking Demonstrations
9:30 1860�s ladies Fashion Demonstration
10:30 Church services open to the public
1:30 The Battle for Hickory Creek
3:30 Camps close
Feb 23, Mansfield State Historic Site, Mansfield - Weapon's of War, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. This presentation will highlight the important role small arms weaponry played during the Civil War. Sample weapons to be presented include a Civil War musket, pistol, sword and bayonet. The function and use of each weapon will be discussed and demonstrated. Call 1-888-677-6267 toll free or 318-872-1474 locally.
March 3, Port Hudson State Historic Site, Zachary - Firepower, 1 - 3 p.m. From cannon blast to small arms fire, visitors will see demonstrations of weapons used during the Civil War. Call 1-888-677-3400 toll free or 225-654-3775 locally.
March, 9, Mansfield State Historic Site, Mansfield - Guided Battlefield Tours, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Two ranger-led tours will cover major points of the Mansfield battlefield. Stops will include Honeycutt Hill, where Nims' battery and the 67th Indian regiment were posted, and the area held by the 77th Illinois. Call 1-888-677-6267 toll free or 318-872-1474 locally.
March 23, Mansfield State Historic Site, Mansfield - Researching Civil War Units and Battles, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Site staff will present information, including source listings and guidelines, for researching information on Civil War units and battles. Call 1-888-677-6267 toll free or 318-872-1474 locally.
March 23 - 24, Port Hudson State Historic Site, Zachary - The Battle of Port Hudson Reenactment, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Visitors are invited to the annual reenactment and living history program that recreates the Civil War engagement for which the site is named. Meet and mingle with costumed reenactors. Call 1-888-677-3400 toll free or 225-654-3775 locally.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)-- South Carolina Attorney General Charlie Condon promised Monday to sue the NAACP if the civil rights group stages protests along South Carolina�s interstates and highways next month.
"Today I am drawing the line in the sand," Condon said. "If the NAACP uses South Carolina�s rest stops and welcome centers to urge visitors not to buy in South Carolina or to stage demonstrations or protests, I will take legal action. "This is not a threat, it is a promise."
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People plans the "border patrol" protests to encourage travelers not to spend money in South Carolina. It's part of the group�s ongoing economic boycott of the state over its display of the Confederate flag on the Statehouse grounds.
The flag formerly flew atop the Capitol dome and in House and Senate chambers. It now flies at the Confederate Soldier Monument. Condon said the rest stop protests would be illegal based on a state Supreme Court ruling that determined such activity is illegal when the object is to damage the business of another.
He also said protests at welcome centers would be illegal based on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the First Amendment does not extend to all government property.
Condon said the court has determined nothing in the Constitution requires government to grant access freely without regard to the nature of the property or to the disruption that might be caused by the speakers' activities.
He said a welcome center is a nonpublic forum reserved for the purpose of greeting visitors and it would be unlawful to use it to discourage tourism. State NAACP executive director Dwight James said the group's legal advisers believe members are well within their constitutional rights to protest at the welcome centers. He also said the border patrols will not be a disruption to motorists or business.
"They are being proposed as a means to ensure the public is aware that the Confederate flag still flies at the Capitol in South Carolina and to tell motorists that the economic sanctions placed on South Carolina that started in January 2000 are still in effect," he said. Eldon Wedlock, a constitutional law professor at the University of South Carolina, said while the government can impose restrictions on protests at public buildings with a purpose, such as schools and state offices, it would be up to a judge to determine what type of public buildings welcome centers are.
Despite the restrictions a government may place on a protest so that it would not disrupt business, Wedlock says the government cannot discriminate the content of the message. For example, Condon cannot place limits on a rally to support the war on terrorism at welcome centers. "You got to treat all people in the same way," he said. Condon said law enforcement would not be used to prevent the protests, rather his office would seek a civil remedy rather than criminal charges.
"I hope they won't harass Americans for coming to South Carolina," he said.
Condon postponed a meeting with NAACP leaders Thursday to attend the funeral of a slain Charleston police officer. The next day, the organization decided not to meet with the attorney general, who is running for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, because they thought he was looking for publicity, and the meeting would not resolve the NAACP's concerns.
The excavation on the Hunley at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center has shifted its focus to the human remains of the crewmembers. As they continue to study the world's first successful submarine, the scientists are concentrating on the human remains so the crew can be identified, and later laid to rest. All time and attention will go to artifacts that contain human remains such as shoes and textiles. Currently the eight pairs of leather shoes are being documented and excavated, as all shoes contain bones. Conducting x-rays, photographing, and sketching the artifacts have assessed the positioning of the bones as well as the state of preservation of each shoe. One of the most difficult procedures in last year's excavation of the Hunley was removing the shoes, as most were concreted to the sub's hull. Although some were well preserved, many were not in that good of condition.
"The ultimate goal of the archaeological work is to record as much information as possible before the scientists remove the bones permanently from the shoes. Even sampling sediment inside the shoes could give us insight that will be used by geologists or palynologists (people who study pollen) to figure out the burial conditions of the sub soon after the sinking," said Paul Mardikian, Senior Conservator.
The scientists decided to begin the work on the shoes with the less complicated ones, and so far three shoes have been CAT scanned at the Medical University of South Carolina. Mardikian says the CAT scans are an incredible step in looking at the shoes and give a three-dimensional look, something that is lacking in a simple x-ray. Five more shoes will be scanned at MUSC today.
Textiles that are believed to be fibers from a knitted wool sock were found in the first two shoes that were excavated, and it is likely that more textiles will be found as the work progresses.
"Osteological data is critical, therefore the positioning of the bones (sometimes still impressively articulated) will be a premium source of information for the forensic team. In addition there is the likelihood that we could find soft tissue, as some samples have already been collected and will be analyzed," said Mardikian. The forensic team including Dr. Doug Owsley, Head Physical Anthropologist and Dr. Bob Mann, a hand and foot bone specialist both from the Smithsonian Institution will arrive next month to study information collected so far and to pursue the forensic work on the crew of the Hunley.
"The physical laying out of the human remains of the Hunley crew should start around the week of February 4th. X-rays indicate the presence of a pocket watch and binoculars on Lt. Dixon," said Senator Glenn McConnell, Chairman of the Hunley Commission. "Further, we should be getting closer to ascertaining whether or not the apparent clasp we see in the x-ray is part of a diary or logbook. If so, the Hunley may speak from the past in words instead of through clues," said Sen. McConnell. "This part of the project is exciting as it will require new scientific techniques," said Dr. Robert Neyland, Project Director.
Warren Lasch, Chairman of the Friends of the Hunley, expressed excitement over the direction of the scientific mission. "We will now put dimension into the remains as we discover the height, size and age of the crew members," he said. "We will put more than a face on the crew," he added. Sen. McConnell said that preliminary studies indicate this crew is probably older and more diverse in age than earlier thought. The youngest is approximately between the ages of 17-20, and the oldest is in his 40's. The two men behind Lt. Dixon appear to be seaman or dressed in Navy clothing. Archaeologists are unclear at this time about the dress of the fourth crewmember. The fifth man appears to be Confederate artillery, perhaps Carlson. One of the next two crewmen appears to be a seaman, and the other is questionable. The eighth man with the 7th Connecticut medal appears to be in civilian clothes. While this paints a clearer picture of whom these crewman might be, it raises greater questions.
The Warren Lasch Conservation Center will remain open for visitation on the weekends along with the gift shop so that the public can get a glimpse of the H. L. Hunley. There are exhibits of the latest findings on the H. L. Hunley submarine. All proceeds from tours and merchandise sales go directly to support the Hunley conservation project. To purchase tickets call toll free 1-866-866-9938 or log onto the Internet at www.etix.com.
March 14, 1863
All of the fury, all of the drama of one of the most significant actions on the Mississippi River during the South's quest for independence is captured in this magnificent artwork.
This release from the late Artist Joe Umble, of Virginia, is a colorful historic work depicting the highly accurate fire of Port Hudson's Confederate River Batteries upon a portion of the Union fleet of Admiral David G. Farragut. The grounded and burning USS Mississippi lies helpless as the bonfires on the western bank backlight her and provide a perfect silhouetted target for the gray gunners to continue her destruction by the blasting of deadly accurate hot shot. Her fate is sealed. The attempted passage lasted three hours and would cost the Union Navy 110 casualties and the loss of the USS Mississippi. It was this single Confederate victory that incited the Union forces to lay siege in order to silence the guns of this "Bastion on the Mississippi". "Contemporaries and historians have labeled the passage a tactical failure and not because of Confederate gunfire. Yet they also generally described it as an important strategic victory. The failure of five out of seven vessels to pass the batteries confirms the first conclusion, but the Confederate gunners deserve the credit." Lawrence Lee Hewitt, "Port Hudson, Confederate Bastion on the Mississippi" LSU Press
This beautiful piece of historic artwork is available as an artist signed limited edition print ($135 including shipping) through the Captain James W. Bryan Camp 1390 Sons of Confederate Veterans Lake Charles, LA All proceeds go to further the cause of our Confederate Heritage. Contact the camp commander for purchasing the print.
Note: This article was given to Keith Coleman by Doug Castille, a fellow pharmacist at St. Patrick Hospital. Doug has been researching his ancestry for quite some time, and found this very interesting story about one of his ancestors:
Valsin Castille had one of the most interesting and toughest careers in the 8th Louisiana Regiment of any researched. He was born March 25th, 1841 to Joseph Castille and C�l�ste LeBlanc. Valsin was recruited to enlist in the 8th Louisiana Regiment on March 15th, 1862 in St. Martinville. At the time, he was a single farmer in St. Martin Parish. Valsin was captured at 2nd Fredericksburg on May 3rd, 1863 and exchanged about 3 weeks later. He was then captured at Rappahannock Station, VA on Nov. 7th, 1863 and sent to Point Lookout, MD. Castille was exchanged March 9th, 1864 and rejoined his command. On July 9th, 1864, at Monocacy, MD, Valsin was shot twice, once in the shoulder and once in the jaw, the latter taking away most of his jaw. He was left on the field and captured, then sent to the U.S. Hospital in Frederick, MD. He escaped from the Hospital, made his way back to Confederate lines and rejoined his Regiment. Shortly thereafter, he was captured at Cedar Creek, VA on Oct. 19th, 1864 and not exchanged until Feb. 14th, 1865. Probably neglecting a due furlough, he rejoined his command and was present at the surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9th, 1865. His lower jaw had been shot away and he was disfigured for life. Valsin returned home and married Th�r�se Emma Melan�on Oct. 17th, 1865. They had several children. Valsin Castille died on March 20th, 1910 and is buried in St. Bernard Cemetery in Breaux Bridge, LA
Castille, Valsin, Private, Company C 8th Louisiana Infantry. Enlisted March 15th, 1862, St. Martinville, La. Present on Rolls to February, 1863. Roll for February 28th to May 14th, 1863, Absent. Taken prisoner on May 3rd. Appears on Roll of Prisoners of War, Captured at Fredericksburg, May 3rd, 1863, and forwarded from Old Capitol Prison, Washington, DC, to Fort Delaware, DE, May 7th, 1863. Paroled at Fort Delaware. Indorsement shows, received at City Point, Virginia, May 23rd, 1863, and exchanged. Rolls from May 14th to August 31st, 1863, Present. Rolls from August 31st, 1863 to December 31st, 1863, Absent. Missing since engagement of November 7th, 1863. Federal Rolls of Prisoners of War show him captured at Rappahannock, November 7th, 1863. Sent from Washington, DC to Point Lookout, MD, November 11th, 1863. Paroled until exchanged at Point Lookout, MD, March 9th, 1864. Received at City Point, VA, March 15th, 1864, and exchanged. Roll for April 30th to August 31st, 1864, Absent. Wounded and prisoner since Battle of Monocacy, MD, __, 1864. Appears on Register, Admitted to USA General Hospital, Frederick, MD, July 10th, 1864. Sent to Hospital from field. Transferred to General Hospital, Baltimore, MD, July 25th, 1864. Received at Baltimore Hospital, November 23rd, 1864 and transferred to Hammond USA Hospital, January 28th, 1865. Arrived at Point Lookout, MD, from hospital, February 6th, 1865. Paroled at Point Lookout, MD, and transferred for exchange. Received at Coxe�s Landing, James River, VA, February 14th and 15th, 1865, and exchanged. Appears on Roll of Prisoners of War, Paroled at Appomattox Court House, VA, April 9th, 1865. Complexion dark, hair black, age 22, eyes black, height 5 ft. 6 in., resident of St. Martin Parish, LA. Record copied from Memorial Hall, New Orleans, LA, by the War Department, Washington, DC, June 1903, born Louisiana, occupation farmer, single.
Scene from "Gods and Generals" - a sweeping epic charting the early years of the War for Southern Independence and how the campaigns unfolded from Manassas I to the Battle of Fredericksburg, this prequel to the film "Gettysburg" explores the motivations of the combatants and examines the lives of those who waited at home. Capt. Bryan Camp's own Tommy Curtis took part in the filming. Among the stars are Robert Duvall, Stephen Lang and Jeff Daniels.