A Passing of Note

Compatriots and friends,

It is my duty to report that last night around 8pm Eastern Daylight Time, Past Commander-in-Chief Chris Sullivan's father passed away.  He is now with our ancestors and is in a position to intercede on our behalf.  Please pray for Chris and his family for their peace and understanding during these difficult times.   

Deo Vindice!

Charles Kelly Barrow
Commander-in-Chief
Sons of Confederate Veterans

A More Perfect Union Formed in 1861 – www.Circa1865.com The Great American Political Divide

"The congress of delegates from the seceding States convened at Montgomery, Alabama, according to appointment, on February 4, 1861. Their first work was to prepare a provisional constitution for the new confederacy, to be formed of the States which had withdrawn from the Union, for which the style "Confederate States of America" was adopted.

The constitution was adopted on February 8, to continue if force for one year, unless superseded at an earlier date by a permanent organization. On the next day [February 9] an election was held for the chief executive offices, resulting, as I afterward learned, in my election to the Presidency, with the Hon. Alexander H. Stephens of Georgia as Vice President.

President Jefferson Davis's Inaugural Address [excerpt]:

"Our present political position has been achieved in a manner unprecedented in the history of nations. It illustrates the American idea that governments rest on the consent of the governed, and that it is the right of the people to alter or abolish them at will whenever they become destructive of the ends for which they were established. The right solemnly proclaimed at the birth of the United States, and which has been solemnly affirmed and reaffirmed in the Bill of Rights of the States subsequently admitted into the Union of 1789, undeniably recognizes in the people the power to resume the authority delegated for the purposes of government.

Thus the sovereign States here represented have proceeded to form this Confederacy; and it is by abuse of language that their act has been denominated a revolution. They formed a new alliance, but within each State its government has remained; so that the rights of person and property have not been disturbed. The agent through which they communicated with foreign nations is changed, but this does not necessarily interrupt their international relations.

We have changed the constituent parts, but not the system of government. The Constitution framed by our fathers is that of these Confederate States. In their exposition of it, and in the judicial construction it has received, we have a light which reveals its true meaning. Reverently let us invoke the God of our Fathers to guide and protect us in our efforts to perpetuate the principles which by his blessing they were able to vindicate, establish, and transmit to their posterity."

(The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government, Jefferson Davis, DaCapo, 1990, pp. 197-203)

WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE?

What Kind of people are these? They protect and cherish their own heritage while obliterating that of another. Honored emblems of valor no longer have their place in the wind. Monuments that have stood for more than a century are in peril and now they've gone to digging up dead bodies and moving them around. Are these the people, owners of the same voices that have long called so loudly for civil rights, equality and tolerance?  Indeed, they are the same liberal vermin that have slithered from beneath rocks of socialism for years.

Apparently the watchmen who have kept these vile designs at bay for generations have been replaced by legions of complacent Southerners who are not worthy of that title, nor a precious heritage - who will go along with most anything.

That may be - for now. If there is a certainly in this world, things change and they change back again. You will never eradicate the birthright from my heart without removing the heart itself. Rejoice while you can you smug vandals of America and the equally misguided world. The same "noble" creatures who now seek to deny an entire people the rights they, themselves,  so champion will not stop with removing the Cross of St. Andrew from public view. They seek to "cleanse" your museums and historical sites. Mark my words, these same people will one day be back to banish your pastors, burn your Bibles close your churches, and yes - dare we say it - haul down "Old Glory." Will you then think it is no big deal and just a Southern thing?

John Wayne Dobson
Macon, GA
waynedobson51@yahoo.com

Foreign Mercenaries Invade the South

From: bernhard1848@gmail.com

Author Ella Lonn writes that "The [German] Forty-Eighters, who came to control the powerful German-American press, were mostly stanch crusaders who would not yield an inch on what they regarded as a matter of principle." Many of them were radical reformers, political idealists, social revolutionaries and religious skeptics determined to remake the world, and European correspondent Edward Dicey reported on their influence in America in his 1863 "Spectator of America." They knew little or nothing of America's founding principles and were   continuing their socialist revolution on these shores.

Bernhard Thuersam, www.Circa1865.com  The Great American Political Divide

Foreign Mercenaries Invade the South

"[As] soon as we left Maryland for [western] Virginia, the scene changed. Here, for the first time in the States, I saw the symptoms of squalid, Old World poverty. Miserable wooden shanty hovels, broken windows stuffed with rags, and dirty children playing together with the pigs on the dung heaps before the doors, gave an Irish air of decay to the few scattered villages through which the railroad passed.

Our train, owing to the necessity of proceeding with extreme caution during the night, through fear of the obstructions which Secessionist sympathizers might have laid across the line . . . our progress to the end was a dismal and dreary one.

Still, Wheeling is a go-ahead place, in its way, for a Southern city, and has proved loyal to the Union. It will be the capital of the new State of Western Virginia, if it ever succeeds in establishing its independence; and it is the headquarters of the emancipation party in the State, probably because its German population is considerable.

General John Fremont had his headquarters here, when in command of the mountain district, and the town was, therefore, filled with foreign officers. A crowd of new arrivals [included] my old acquaintance, Major, Colonel, General, or whatever his rank may now be, Von Traubenfass. My friend is a mystery to me, as to everyone else. He has served, of course, in the Spanish legion – in the wars of the Rio Grande – in the Schleswig-Holstein campaign. He has been in the service of half a dozen Indian princes, and has a perfect galaxy of orders from deposed potentates.

When I met him last, twelve months before, he was a general unattached in the Garibaldian army, and received a very handsome salary for his unknown services. Now, he was an instructor of cavalry. What nation he belongs to, who he has been, where he comes from, or what his age is, are all questions I have asked in vain.

Of Cincinnati . . . what struck me most was the German air of the place and people. It was hard, strolling through the streets, to realize that you were not in some city of the old German Vaterland. [One noticed] the number of German names – Hartmans, Meyers, Schmidt, and so on – written above the shop-doors. A sluggish canal runs through the town [and] called "Ueber dem Rhein." Here, across the "Rhine," the Germans have brought their fatherland with them.

With many, too, of the younger generation, who had probably been born in the New World, the placid expression of the German face was already changed for the sharp anxious look so universal to the native-born American. The notion is, that the heavy taxation which must follow this war for years will stop the German emigration.

(Spectator of America, A Classic Document About Lincoln and Civil War America by a Foreign Correspondent (1863), Edward Dicey, Herbert Mitgang, editor, UGA Press, 1989, excerpts, pp. 164, 169-171)

The Equestrian Statue of Nathan Bedford Forrest

From: bernhard1848@gmail.com

Nathan Bedford Forrest was a great American military leader who fought to win and made every effort to attain victory even when vastly outnumbered. He was admired by all, and those who attended his funeral noted the number of black people "among the thousands of mourners who viewed his corpse and followed it to the cemetery."

Bernhard Thuersam, www.Circa1865.com  The Great American Political Divide


The Equestrian Statue of Nathan Bedford Forrest

"The height of the entire monument is 22 feet. The height of the bronze figure is 9', and it weighs ninety-five hundred pounds. The cost of the structure approximates thirty-three thousand dollars.

In Forrest Park, Memphis, Tennessee, surrounded by fifteen thousand spectators, at 2:30PM on May 16 [1905] little Miss Kathleen Bradley pulled the cord that released the veil from the magnificent equestrian statue of her illustrious great- grandfather, Lieutenant-General Nathan Bedford Forrest.

There was momentary silence as the imposing grandeur of this colossal bronze figure of the great "Wizard of the Saddle" and his steed met the gaze of the expectant crowd, then a wild cheer broke from hundreds of his old surviving followers clustered around the base and was enthusiastically taken up by the vast multitude.

The idea of erecting a monument to General Forrest was first projected in 1886, but it was not until 1891 that it took definite shape and a monument association was organized for this purpose. On November 18, 1900, the design was accepted and the order was given to the sculptor, Charles H. Niehaus. The designer of the base was Mr. B.C. Alsup, and it is built of Tennessee marble. The statue, which was made in Europe, arrived in Memphis on April 16, and was placed on its base a day or two later.

The unveiling of the monument was attended with elaborate ceremonies. In the big parade were most of the surviving staff officers of General Forrest, his general officers, and many of his old veterans who rode with him from 1861 to 1865.

Judge J.P. Young, who was one of Forrest's old troopers, was master of ceremonies. In the opening proceedings he said in part:

"No one who did not ride with Forrest can have so keen an appreciation of the personal qualities of the man as those who were actually under his direct command, and who, from daily, hourly observation, witnessed his fertility of resource, his vehemence in battle, and his soulful tenderness toward the stricken soldier, whether friend or foe.

But it was no holiday parade. It cost something to ride with Forrest. It meant days and nights of sleepless toil and motion. It meant countless miles under a burning sun in the choking dust. It meant limitless leagues across icy wastes, with a blanket of snow at night for a covering. It meant to run down and destroy miles of freighted supply trains, to burn depots of stores, to scale the parapets of redoubts, and to plunge, mounted, into the seeming vortex of hell, lighted with the fires of a myriad rifles and scores of belching guns.

It meant to meet death face to face like a drillmaster, to look into his dread eyes, to toy with the horrid trappings of his trade, to scorn the daily chill of his breath, and to turn away unscathed or sink into the oblivion of his eternal embrace."

Of the many eloquent tributes paid to the great soldier that day, one of the most significant was that spoken by Colonel C.A. Stanton, of the Third Iowa Cavalry, 1861-1865, who for two years was directly opposed to General Forrest. He realized Forrest's methods of war at Brice's Cross Roads, Ripley. Harrisburg, Old Town Creek, Tallahatchie, and Hurricane Creek.

The spectacle of an officer who had fought in the Federal army delivering an address at the unveiling of a Confederate monument was an interesting one, and when Colonel Stanton was introduced the applause was most generous. Colonel Stanton said in part:

"General Forrest possessed the characteristic traits of the successful soldier; his personal bravery was without limit; his resources seemed to be endless; and his decisions, like Napoleon's, were instantaneous; he was aggressive, masterful, resolute, and self-reliant in the most perilous emergency; he was comprehensive in his grasp of every situation, supremely confident in himself and his men, and inspired by his presence and example his soldiers fought as desperately as did Hannibal's fierce cavalry at Canne or the trained veterans of Caesar's Tenth Legion at Pharsalia.

I think the battle at Brice's Cross Roads in June, 1864, was one of the best illustrations of General Forrest's daring courage, his ability in a critical moment to decide swiftly, his relentless vigor of action, and his intuitive perception of the time and place to strike fierce, stunning blows which fell like thunderbolts upon his enemy and won for him in this battle an overwhelming victory over an opposing force which greatly outnumbered his command.

Impartial history has given General Forrest high rank as one of the greatest cavalry leaders of modern times. No American, North or South, now seeks to lessen the measure of his fame, and no one can speak of him without remembrance of the men who served with him and whose soldierly qualities made it possible for him to win his wonderful victories.

This monument is history in bronze; it illustrates an eventful era in our national history; it commemorates General Forrest's fame and it represents all the gallant soldiers of his command; it attests the splendid courage which won triumphant victories and did not fail when reverses came; it stands for heroic deeds which are now the proud heritage of all American citizens.

It is eminently fitting that this figure should stand here within the borders of the Volunteer States, whose soldiers have marched and fought "from valley's depth to mountain height and from inland rivers to the sea," in every war in the history of our republic, with a valor which has helped to make the name and fame of the American soldier immortal."

(Historic Southern Monuments: Representative Memorials of the Heroic Dead of the Southern Confederacy, B. A.C. Emerson, The Neale Publishing Company, 1911, pp. 313-318)

Missouri State Guard Flag coming down at Lexington

Gentleman,

I just spoke with Commander Maples and am sending this out on his behalf. Commander Maples has spoke with Rep. Warren Love, who is an SCV Member and Mo. State Rep, about the Missouri State Guard Flag coming down at Lexington. The order to remove the flag came down to the Lexington site from the head of the Missouri State Parks-Bill Bryan. He takes his orders from the Department of Natural Resources, who takes their orders from Gov. Nixon. 

Here's what our starting response will be, please hammer your State Reps and Senators, and the Governor's office complaining about the removal of the flag. I would suggest to tell them that you will not be disenfranchised as a voter and it's not acceptable to not have representation.  Also, that  while there is a State statute that says only the US, Missouri, and POW flags can fly at State owned facilities, there is also something called the status quo, in this case the Missouri State Guard has flown at Lexington for years with no complaints. And since it has been flying all along, that is the status quo. The Governor has changed the status quo with no debate, public comment period etc. Be blunt, tell them to put the flag back up, and that you will not allow further attacks on our families, history, heritage, and that you won't allow our history to be erased or lied about. You could also urge them to pass legislation that protects all monuments, flags, historical sites to be protected. We've urged this for 15 years now, and they've sat on their duffs and never brought it to the floor for a vote, and now everything is under attack due to their lack of action. 

Here is a link to find your State Rep and Senator: http://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/default.aspx/leg_lookup.aspx

Here's a link to email Nixon: https://governor.mo.gov/get-involved/contact-the-governors-office

Call him or mail letters to: Office of Governor Jay Nixon

P.O. Box 720
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: (573) 751-3222

Last, Commander Maples says he will call for an emergency executive cancel pretty quick. If Camp Commanders could be prepared to be there that will be great, so look for a message from the Commander soon on that. 

Feel free to send this to friends and supporters of history, heritage, Veterans and freedom of speech. If there are those that read this that don't care about the rights of Confederate Descendants, stand with us, because sooner or later the tyrants will come after something you do care about! To defend Confederate Veterans, who are American Veterans by Federal Law, is to defend all Veterans. 

For Commander Maples, Missouri Division SCV Commander

Larry Yeatman, Commander, Missouri Society MOS&B

After 54 years, Confederate flag removed from Statehouse

Click here: After 54 years, Confederate flag removed from Statehouse - AOL.com
http://www.aol.com/article/2015/07/10/after-54-years-confederate-flag-removed-from-statehouse/21207836/?icid=maing-grid7%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D-396550045

To all concerned:

The lowering of the Saint Andrews Cross Battle flag alongside the Confederate Soldier's Monument in Columbia, SC today should serve as a reminder to all Southern Americans to wake up to reality, and understand how the revisionists, spineless politicians in our own Southland, the liberal media, liberal white supporters, big business, the NAACP and the public outcry both in South Carolina and around the nation, subsequent to the recent shooting of nine black church members in Charleston, has resulted in a frenzy to remove the flag that honors the brave and heroic soldiers from South Carolina and throughout the Southland, who fought to protect their homes, property, way of life, religious faith, defense of limited constitutional government, excessive and burdensome taxation, etc.; against a tyrannical form of government and the invasion of its homeland by hostile union forces during the War Between the States.

It should also serve as a warning to all of us including the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the United Daughters of the Confederacy, that this cultural genocide of everything remindful of the old South and the heroic struggle for southern independence is underway to eradicate confederate monuments on courthouse property, the allowance of individual states to choose whether or not they wish to display the flag on SCV license plates along with an attempt to remove all flags and any symbols of the Confederacy.

We have a duty to these brave and noble soldiers to keep their memory alive and the struggle for which they gave their full measure of devotion and duty. They were honorable American soldiers and deserve the full respect for their tenacity, bravery and honor for which they fought time and time again against the armies of the north who possessed overwhelming numbers and resources.

From 1641, when Massachusetts first legalized slavery, until 1865, when the Confederate struggle for southern independence ended, slavery was a legal institution in America that lasted over 224 years, but the U.S. flag and its colonial predecessors flew over legalized slavery for all of those 224 years. It was the U.S. flag that the slave saw first, and it was the U.S. flag that flew on the mast of those New England slave ships that brought their human cargo from Africa to the U.S.

Northern slave ownership is not widely known in the U.S. and New Englanders not only sold Negroes to southern planters but kept slaves for themselves as well as enslaving the local Indian population. It is very clear that those who cry racism, bigotry, division of the masses, etc.; have never been properly educated in the real truth of the American slave trade, as well as the conception and purpose for the battle flag which was used to signify the southern soldiers in battle.

I made decision one year ago to remove the US flag from my flagpole at home due to the fact that the country that my father gave blood, sweat, and tears for during two tours of combat in Vietnam, is the same country that today has a President who dishonors it's military, pulls US troops out of Iraq when the war had been won, lies to the American public repeatedly, is lawless in abusing his power and position, supports and has been an advocate for homosexual marriage, does not nor cares to enforce our nation's southern border where thousands of illegal Hispanics, including those who are criminals enter our country daily and commit personal as well as property crimes against our citizens, only to be released again into our cities to commit further crimes.

The flag of the U.S. represents my country that stands by idly watching thousands of ISIS terrorists behead American journalists and untold thousands of professing Christians being beheaded by these demons from hell. God will severely judge this nation and its leaders for allowing such horrific slaughter to take place when we have the means to stop it. The flag of the U.S. flies over the souls of 60 million unborn babies who have been aborted and murdered since the 1973 Roe versus Wade decision depriving these human beings of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The flag of the U.S. flies over as country with irresponsible leadership that has amassed an 18 trillion dollar debt along with over 90 trillion dollars in unfunded liabilities. The flag of the U.S. represents a country that sends millions of its manufacturing jobs to China, Mexico, etc; and are being screwed by these other countries.

The flag of the U.S. represents my country that under the current administration has been hostile to the land of Israel and God's chosen people the Jews. The flag of this country represents a nation that is conducting an arms treaty deal with Iran which is the world's leading sponsor of terrorism around the world, and will do so at all costs to protect the legacy of the current administration. I could go on and on.

This does not make me an unpatriotic American, however, until this nation honors God and his commandments that were employed by our founding Fathers, respects and honors our brave law enforcement officers throughout the nation who have been maliciously attacked and ridiculed for no just cause, enforces the laws that are on the books and honors, respects and enforces the Constitution as written, enforces limited government and allows the nation to be governed by the consent of the people according to the Constitution, I will choose to fly the Battle flag that represents true freedom, true honor, respect for individual rights, property, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Had the citizens of South Carolina been allowed to voice their opinion as a whole in a vote on whether to retain the flag by the soldiers' monument or remove it for placement in a museum, everyone knows the answer. The people of that noble and patriotic state would have voted overwhelmingly to keep it where it belongs. The government of my home (Georgia) is home. It is not to be ruled by some President in Washington. Georgia and each state within the United States of America should be ruled by its individual state governments.

It's time to wake up and understand that our freedom of religion, our past traditions, history and other freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution is being attacked and hijacked by a secular progressive, liberal mindset that wants to take religion out of the public square, and create a country that is dominated and dictated to by an all-powerful centralized government.

May God help us. If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways and seek my face, I will hear from Heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14.

In closing, I would like to personally thank Governor Haley of South Carolina along with the S.C. Highway Patrol Division in retiring the Battle Flag on the Capitol grounds in Columbia, S.C. with dignity and honor.

Sincerely:

Ronald L. Coats
Georgia Division Sons of Confederate Veterans
RCoats6706@aol.com