Jeff Davis Legion

The Official Publication of the Division Sons of Confederate Veterans

Summer Issue 2012

In This Issue:

Monument to Women of the Confederacy 46th Miss. Flag 1, 5

Beauvoir Board 2 Inscription. (South face) (West face) Meeting Notice Our Mothers Our Wives To the women of the Confeder- They loved their land be- acy “Whose pious ministrations to cause it was their own, and Division Camp News 2, 3 our wounded soldiers soothed the scorned to seek another rea- last hours of those who died far son why, calamity was their Last Roll Call 4 from the objects of their tenderest touchstone; and in the ordeal love, whose domestic labors con- of fire their fragility was tem- Roll Call From 4 tributed much to supply the wants pered to the strength of steel. of our defenders in the field, Angels of comfort, their cour- The Past whose zealous faith in our cause age and tenderness soothed all shone a guiding star undimmed by wounds of body and of spirit Israeli SCV member 4 the darkest clouds of war, whose more than medicines. They fortitude sustained them under all girded their gentle hearts with 2012 Heritage Poster 6 the privations to which they were fortitude, and suffering all subjected, whose floral tribute an- things, hoping all things fed nually expresses their enduring the failing fires of patriotism to From the Commander 6 love and reverence for our sacred the end. The memory and dead; and whose patriotism will example of their devotion Monument to Women of the teach their children to emulate shall endure. Fayard Announces 6 Confederacy Marker South the deeds of our revolutionary Erected 1917 by United Face, "Our Mothers" Meet Bertram 7 sires.” Confederate Veterans. United Confederate Veterans Hayes-Davis Honor the Memory of the Confederate Women Location. Located at The Mississippi State of Mississippi. Capitol Building in Jackson MS 39201, United Cummins Announces 7 States of America. (East face) Regarding Monument to Women of the 2012 Annual Meeting 8 Our Daughters Confederacy. The central figure is a female Devoted daughters of the heroic women representing Fame, whose robes flow behind Registration Form and noble men, they keep the mounds of her giving the illusion of wings. On her proper loved ones sweet with flowers and perpetu- left is a wounded Confederate soldier, who Upcoming Events 9 ated in marble and bronze the granite charac- lies with his back against a broken cannon ters of a soldiery that won the admiration of and grasps a flagpole in his proper left hand. the world and a womanhood whose ministra- He is supported and comforted by Fame. On Copyright Notice tions were as tender as an angels benediction. Fame's proper right is a young Confederate In accordance with Title woman who wears long robes and holds a 17 U.S.C. Section 107, (North face) palm frond in her proper right hand. Fame any copyrighted material Our Sisters places a laurel wreath on the Confederate published herein is dis- Their smiles inspired hope; their tender woman's head, a gesture that symbolizes vic- tributed under fair use hands soothed the pangs of pain; their tory and the strength of Confederate women without profit or payment prayers encouraged faith in god; and when during crisis. to those who are inter- the dragon of war closed its fangs of poison Also see . . . Smithsonian American Art ested in receiving the and death, they like guardian angels, en- Museum. Monument to the Women of the provided information for twined their hands in their brothers arms, en- Confederacy, (sculpture): Inspired by the non-profit research and couraged them to overcome the losses of war 1907 United Confederate Veterans' project to educational purpose only. and to conquer the evils in its wake, adopting erect a monument in each southern state to Reference: as their motto: the women of the Confederacy, the Missis- Http:www.law.cornell.edu “Lest We Forget”. sippi uscode/17/107.shtml Legislature of 1910 passed "An act to erect a

Contact Information: Allen Terrell IMPORTANT FROM THE COMMANDER Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Phone: 601-597-3402 Gentlemen, Address: 102 Linwood Ct., Natchez, MS 39120-4533

All Mississippi Division members who will be attending the Submission Deadlines for Items to publish; National Reunion in Murfreesboro please send me your name if you are willing to help us man our registration table during the Fall Issue 2012 - September 17, 2012 convention. We could use all the help we can get and if enough people are willing to help out we can just assign each one a few hours during the week. If any of you have ladies going with you who would be willing to help we would appreci- ate that as well, especially while the men are in the business secession's . Please help us out at our table, it will be quite simple just ac- Mississippi Division SCV cepting pre-registration's and passing out some give-a- Sesquicentennial for the Cause of Southern Independence web- way's. We could really use your help site Thanks http://mscivilwar150.homestead.com/Home.html Alan Ray Palmer Commander Ms Div SCV Check it out and visit it often for updates 58 Lombardy Road Drew, Ms 38737 Ph: 662-719-9312 [email protected] http://mscivilwar150.homestead.com/Home.html

JONES COUNTY ROSIN HEELS CAMP #227

Combined Boards of Beauvoir Meetings

Rick Forte, Chairman of the Combined Boards of Beauvoir has announced that the next meeting of the Boards will be on Au- gust 11th, 2012 at 10 AM at Beauvoir. The meetings are open to members of the Division but seating capacity is limited.

DIVISION CAMP NEWS

THREE CAMPS REPRESENTED

The Jones County Rosin Heels Camp #225 recently held a

ceremony in Ellisville rededicating the Confederate Monument on the courthouse grounds. The monument is 100 years old. The event was held on June 2, 2012 and was a well attended event. It was estimated that 100 people where in attendance. The photo above is of the 27th Mis- sissippi/5th Brigade Honor Guard

In the picture to the left is (L to R) Mississippi Divi- sion 2Lt. Commander Louis Foley and 1Lt. Com- mander Allen Terrell. Both enjoyed the dedication The above photo is from the Trail of Honor held in Jackson on service and 1Lt. Com- May 19, 2012. Representing a reenacting group were (L-R) Don mander Terrell gave Green (Camp #227), J. J. Dafferner (Camp #712), Stacy greetings on behalf of the Smith (Camp #1490), and Darrin Smith (Camp #1490). The Division. event was a huge success and was a great opportunity to edu- cate the people about the Confederate soldier.

2 TIPPAH TIGERS COL. WILLIAM P. ROGERS CAMP #868 CAMP# 321

Tippah Tigers SCV Camp Commander Marty Hubbard (C) pre- The Col. William P. Rogers Camp #321 hosted the 20th Annual sented membership credentials to new members James David Confederate Memorial Day Service in Corinth. Pictured above Moore (L) and Mac Lowrey at the camp meeting May 3. are (L-R) Margie Potts and Rosa Spencer from the Corinth UDC Chapter #333, SCV Lt. Commander-in-Chief Kelly Barrow who Below is a photo of members of the Tippah Tigers Camp that gave the Keynote address and Larry Mangus. The photo is participated in a museum tour recently. Pictured are (L to R) taken at the grave of Col. William P. Rogers of the 2nd Infantry who was killed on Oct 4, 1862 in the Battle for Corinth, Camp Historian Mark Evans, Danny Clevinger, Cadet Ryan which is at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center. Caviness, Lamar Criswell, and Tommy Rainey. The occasion was a summer tutoring program for the South Tippah School District. About 80 students filed by the Civil War room at the museum. The camp participants report that they were the hit of the tour. The members let the students know the South had the right to secede. They discussed the loss of lives and that war is not the way to settle disputes.

Mississippi Division 2nd Lt. Commander Louis P. Foley presents Dianne Carlin the J.D. Pettus Heritage Award and standing be- side is 4th Brigade Commander Boo White who is co-brigade commander of the year. The Pettus award is given to a Missis- sippi public official at municipal, county, or state level who has demonstrated the greatest support of the Confederate History during past 12 months. Ms. Carlin is in charge of the Battle for Texas Hospital held in Quitman, Mississippi.

“The great principle embodied by Jefferson in the Declara- tion is that governments derive their just power from the * CORRECTION FOR THE SPRING EDITION * consent of the governed" so if the Southern states wanted to secede "they have a clear right to do so." If a tyrannical gov- In the Spring Issue of the JDL on page 3, I mistakenly said ernment justified the Revolution of 1776, "we do not see why that Donald Wright was unable to attend the banquet to receive it would not justify the secession of five millions of Southrons his plaque. Donald has told me he was at the banquet but that from the Federal Union in 1861. --Horace Greeley, the plaque was not ready. That was the reason he picked it up Tribune editor, Feb 18, 1861 later. I apologize for the error. From: http://rebelman.00home.com/custom3.html

3

The Last Roll Call Marker Dedicated to Pioneering Pastor updated since the last newsletter By CALEB BEDILLION, DAILY LEADER Staff Writer The Daily Past Commander Gaines B. Smith Leader February 24, 2012 Captain C.B. Vance Camp #1669 Soldier, store-

keeper and news- Stan Hughes June 4, 2012 paper editor. Col. W. P. Rogers Camp #321 Josiah Boone proved a versatile Dr Tom Rhea Phillips Jr. man during his June 26, 2012 lifetime, but one Lt. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest Camp #1353 vocation proved

constant. Lest we forget! Minister. Local residents gathered at Rosehill Cemetery Saturday morning to erect a new headstone commemorating Boone and his service as a minister in the area. Notably, Boone founded Pearlhaven Baptist Church Roll Calls from the Past and served as its first pastor for two years. "He was an incredible character, a man of faith and a man of purpose," said the Rev. Anthony Yarborough, current pastor ELIJAH STEELE DRAKE of Pearlhaven Baptist Church.

Boone was born in Pike County and enlisted in the Confed- Elijah Steel Drake was born in Jefferson County, Mississippi., erate Army. He was present at the siege of Vicksburg and was October 14, 1841; and died at his home in Port Gibson, Miss., captured when the city fell. After the war, he enlisted into a on the 4th of January, 1914. He was educated at Centenary different kind of service. College, in Jackson, La., receiving his diploma in April, 1861, "He surrendered to be a soldier of the cross," Yarborough and joined the Confederate said, describing Boone's ministry. army in May. He was a member Beyond his time at Pearlhaven, Boone of Darden’s Battery and served pastored at churches throughout Lincoln, in the Army of Tennessee Lawrence and Pike counties. He was also throughout the four years of the deeply involved in the Fair River Baptist war as “a man at the gun,” his Association and with an association in battery being often commended Bogue Chitto. for gallant conduct. His com- Wilson Farnhham, of Lawrence County, manding generals were Albert has been researching Boone since at least Sidney Johnston, Braxton Bragg, 2006. The site of Boone's burial was lost, Joseph E. Johnston, and John B. but the U.S. government will pay for a Hood. He was in the great bat- new marker for veterans if the proper tles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, and documentation is provided. Chickamauga, besides numerous Farnham was unable to locate the exact site of Boone's engagements. Being wounded at remains, but could prove they were somewhere in Rosehill, Decatur, ., the latter which was sufficient to receive the marker. part of October, 1864, he was Farnham has done the research for 25 veterans' markers in ordered home, so took no part the area, but Boone stood out. in the battles of Franklin and Nashville. The last months of the "Being a minister, he was someone special," Farnham said. war he was at Demopolis and Selma, Ala., and received his There was also a personal connection for Farnham. He at- parole at Meridian, Miss., on the 9th of May, 1865. tends Shiloh Baptist Church in Lawrence County, one of many A brave soldier throughout the war, he took up the battle of area churches where Boone served as pastor. life at its close with as brave a heart; and though almost pen- Through his research, Farnham discovered the many ways niless, he set at once to work to begin life anew under circum- Boone supported himself during his ministry. At one time, he stances so trying that only brave hearts could rise above ran a bookstore in Brookhaven where he sold schoolbooks and them. stationery. He's known for giving away Bibles to any that could After teaching school for two years, he began the practice of not afford one. law in Port Gibson, Miss. In 1869 he married Miss Ellen Davis He also ran a newspaper out of Silver Creek for a while, the Turpin, who, with two sons and four daughters, survives him. Silver Creek Star. He served as representative of his county in the legislature of At his final residence in Wanilla in Lawrence County, Boone his State in 1876 and 1877, using his great strength in helping operated a store and a post office. to uplift his State from the condition into which she had fallen, Farnham's been researching genealogy since 2000, with and he stood at the head of his profession in his home town. emphasis on lost gravesites of area veterans. Pure and upright, he was honored of all classes and a leader in "I try to remember them as fellow Mississippians and hon- civic righteousness. He was for years a steward of the Method- orable men," said Farnham. ist Church and trustee of the female college and for forty years His research has also taught him another lesson. served as superintendent of the Sunday school. Owning a "History is everywhere," Farnham said. summer home at Monteagle, Tenn., he was made a trustee of that assembly and was for some years its legal advisor. http://www.dailyleader.com/news/article_21cd2ee8-ad37- From: Confederate Veteran; June, 1914; Vol. XXII, No. 6; 11e1-9f82-001a4bcf887a.html?mode=image&photo=0 page 280.

4 Continued on page 5 Eyewitness Mrs. Churchill Candee of Washington, DC, who monument to the Women of the Confederacy," which created a survived the sinking, was quoted four days later in the Wash- commission charged with the selection and erection of the ington Herald: monument on the Capitol grounds. The cornerstone was laid “They formed a group. Most of the passengers were on the by the Grand Lodge F. & A. M. of Mississippi on June 3, 1912, stern of the , for the leak was forward and it was known and the bronze sculpture was cast in 1917. The sculpture cost that if she sank it would be bow first. An officer of the Titanic $20,000. IAS files contain the full text of base inscriptions, re- ordered Mrs. Straus into a boat. lated news clippings and a copy of the dedication booklet. She said: ’I will not leave my husband. We've been together (Submitted on March 4, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, all these years and I'll not leave him now.’ It brought tears to .) our eyes to witness her great devotion for her husband ... As we put away I observed Mrs. Straus waving her handkerchief Artist:Belle Kinney, 1890 - 1959, sculptor. at us.” Tiffany and Company, founder. , 67, co-owned the R. H. Macy & Company with Title: Monument to the Women of the Confederacy, his brother Nathan. Jewish natives of Bavaria, he and his fam- (sculpture). ily had immigrated to America in 1854 where he helped his fa- Other Titles: Women of the Confederacy, (sculpture). ther, Lazarus Straus establish a dry-goods business called L. Dates: Cast 1917. Straus & Company. Hard times kept his family on the move, Medium: Sculpture: bronze; Base: Italian marble. and it was only years later when Isidor and his brother ap- Dimensions: Sculpture: approx. 9 x 12 x 10 ft.; Base: approx proached R. H. Macy with an offer to sell porcelains and china 8 x 12 x 10 ft. in Macy’s flourishing department store that the Inscription: (On sculpture proper left lower corner:) BELLE Straus family fortunes began to turn around. This prosperity KINNEY Sc/1917 (On sculpture proper right lower corner:) enabled the brothers to purchase Macy’s in 1895, the same year Isidor was elected to Congress. Isidor, the Jewish immigrant had come a long way from those first years growing up in the small town of Talbottom, . The 1860 census would show Isidor as a clerk in his father’s store while he attended school, yet his friends knew his real goal was to secure an appointment to the Military Academy at West Point. Secession ended that dream, but, reported the New York Times, …with the war fever in the air, he volunteered for the Confederate Army. He assisted in the organization of a com- pany of which his comrades had chosen him Lieutenant. When he offered himself, however, he was informed that the Confed- eracy did not have the guns sufficient to arm its men and wanted no boys… And Isidor had no choice but to return and clerk in his fa- ther’s store. But when he turned 18 in 1863, his entrepreneu- rial spirit, mixed with his fervent desire to serve the Confeder- acy, led him and a fellow Georgian to make for Europe where they hoped to purchase a blockade-running steam boat. This CAST BY/TIFFANY STUDIOS, NEW YORK effort failed and Isidor spent the next two years in Europe working in Liverpool, learning how to run a business and do bookkeeping, honing skills that would later facilitate his acqui- sition of R. H. Macy & Company. Yet despite his business successes in New York City, Con- http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=16720 gressman-elect Isidor Straus never forgot his Southern roots. The Jewish Confederate who went down on On the 19th of January, 1895, he was one of 175 guests who the Titanic attended an annual dinner of New York’s Confederate Veteran Camp at the Scottish Rite Hall to honor the memory of Robert Gregg Clemmer E. Lee on the general’s birthday. As reported at the time, “the DC Civil War Heritage Examiner, April 13, 2012 most interesting feature of the evening was the presence of Mrs. Jefferson Davis…She was greeted with cheers, again and again, as (leaning heavily on a cane) she walked slowly to her seat, while the orchestra played Dixie.” In the aftermath of the Titanic tragedy, Isidor’s body was re- trieved by the Mackay-Bennet and buried in Woodlawn Ceme- tery in . But the remains of his loyal and loving wife, Ida, were never found. Today, a century later, Isidor Straus’ memory is honored beside the memorable, heroic loyalty of his Ida in the artful elegance of in .

http://www.examiner.com/civil-war-heritage-in-washington- dc/the-jewish-confederate-who-went-down-on-the-titanic? CID=examiner_alerts_article

Most New Yorkers have seen the memorial of the reclining lady at the intersection of , West End Avenue, and Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston was the Confederacy’s only full 106th Street in Morningside Heights. If they take the time to general (four stars, that is) to die in battle. The Texans appar- stop at Straus Park and read the inscription, they will learn of ently thought well of him, since his grave in the Texas State the remarkable story of Isidor and , who lost their Cemetery in Austin is one of the most elaborate tombs of any lives aboard the HMS Titanic. Confederate. 5 Confederate Soldier’s Experience Col. John P. Hickman’s Talk to His Comrades

Frank Cheatham Bivouac, Comrades and Friends: You ask for my experience as a prisoner of war, but my confinement was of such long duration that I will have to limit my experi- ence to the most salient points after a brief account of my previous service. Immediately after the battle of Chickamauga General Wheeler was sent on a raid through Tennessee in the rear of General Rosecrans’ army, primarily to cut off his communica- tions and if possible to capture a wagon train then on its way to provision and clothe the Army of the Cumberland. We crossed the Tennessee River and captured the wagon train referred to in the Sequatchie Valley. This train was a long one, and was bountifully loaded with clothing and provisions and guarded by 1,200 Yankees. We took what we could carry on a rapid run and burned the balance. We started on with our prisoners, and on arriving at McMinnville we found that General Dibrell had captured the town, with some four hundred prisoners. The whole 1,600 prisoners were lined up in a road, made to hold up their right hands, and swear they would not reenter the army until ex- changed. We then went on and captured Shelbyville, and on down to Farmington in Marshall County. At Farmington the officer who was in command of the rear of General Wheeler’s corps, engaged General Wilder’s cavalry. In this fight I think we had eleven killed, and I, with one hun- dred and four other soldiers, was captured. This was on Octo- ber 6, 1863. Le me remark here that we fought at Farmington Jefferson Davis Highway Marker Dedicated some of the very soldiers we had paroled but a few days be- fore at McMinnville. After this fight Gen. W. Y. C. Humes suc- On Saturday June, 16, 2012, the Mississippi Division United ceeded the officer mentioned. Daughters of the Confederacy dedicated a Jefferson Davis Me- We prisoners were marched to Shelbyville and then morial Highway Marker just south of the Highway 51 and High- brought to Nashville and incarcerated in the penitentiary. The way 8 intersection in Grenada, MS. Highway 51 is designated second day after our arrival in Nashville we were marched to by the State of Mississippi from the Tennessee border to and lined up in front of the Capitol. Gov. Andrew Johnson the border as the Jefferson Davis Highway. The ex- came out and made us a speech. In this speech he said we ception to this is Gulfport on Highway 49 and Highway 90 in were badly whipped, would freeze and suffer in a Northern front of Beauvoir to Mobile, Alabama. prison, and advised us to quit. He said he would let us take The newest marker is made from two pieces of the original the oath and go home, and requested all who wanted to take Mississippi Division UDC Arch that was destroyed by a casino the oath to two steps to the front. I am sorry to say fourteen barge during Hurricane Katrina. Engraved on the front is marched out. I never saw them afterwards. "Jefferson Davis Memorial Highway" and on the back "Planter, I being the youngest and smallest prisoner in the line, Gov- Soldier, U. S. Secretary of War, U. S. Representative, U. S. ernor Johnson had me taken to his office. When he learned my Senator, President of C. S. A." plus the information about the name and who I was, he became very insistent on my taking history of the granite and that the damage showing is from the oath. He said he knew my father, who had always been Katrina. one of his supporters, and offered all kinds of inducements for MS Division President Frances Woodruff was assisted by me to take the oath. This I, of course, refused to do, and was Pam Mauldin MS Division Jefferson Davis Highway Marker taken back to the penitentiary. In a few days we were sent to Chairman and DeeLois Lawrence of Pine Bluff, , the Louisville, and from thence to Camp Morton, at Indianapolis, UDC General Jefferson Davis Highway Marker Chairmen. Ap- Ind., where I remained until June, 1864. proximately 50 Division members and guests attend the unveil- The barracks at Camp Morton were built with upright plank ing of the marker. and very poorly stripped. We suffered greatly from cold, but were allowed two blankets and an overcoat, if we had one. The feeding was by mess, and our rations were very limited, but were sometimes changed, and therefore we had but few cases of scurvy. We were then in paradise to what afterwards fol- lowed. In June, 1864, 1,500 of us were taken out and started, as we understood, for exchange. To say that we were happy is putting it mildly, and we guyed the people at every station. When we arrived at Philadelphia, we were loaded upon a boat and started down the Delaware River, and to our great disap- pointment pulled in at Fort Delaware. Fort Delaware is on an island in the head of Delaware Bay, and the island would be quite covered by water on the incom- ing of the evening tide if it were not for a strong and high levee all around the island. On this levee there was a guard house at every fifty yards, and in each a sentinel was always on duty. Besides this, there was a ditch inside of the levee about ten feet wide kept constantly filled with water, and it was almost impossible to get to the levee if we could have 6 passed the guards after getting there. It was one and three- some dirt thrown on them. Some who lost loved ones there quarter miles to the New Jersey shore, the nearest point of have gone there since the war looking for their dead, but could land, even if we could have gotten into the bay. not find them. They were told of burial in this or that ditch, but So there we were, cut off from the outside world, with none they could not tell where. Therefore the commission appointed to hear our wails except our guards, and they turned a deaf under an act of Congress cannot put up headstones at Fort ear. After our arrival, there were on the island in round num- Delaware. bers 10,000 prisoners, and all were in command of General Our death rate was very large, and but few soldiers could Schoef. He had been appointed a lieutenant in the regular army be induced to go to the hospital, preferring to die in the bar- by President Polk. My stepgrandfather, the Hon. Cave Johnson, racks among their friends. The prevalent diseases were small- who was in Mr. Polk’s cabinet, wrote General Schoef, asking pox and scurvy. We always had a number of cases in each that I might be treated with some consideration. Therefore I barrack, and dead men were constantly being taken out. The was frequently carried out to headquarters and beseeched to smallpox was caused by filth. Some soldiers had no change of take the oath, offered transportation home, good clothes, etc. clothing and never bathed. Then, being without change of diet The prisoners were not allowed to take the oath unless they and drinking salt water, many died of scurvy. had some good friends outside who would go bond for the ob- In the summer and fall of 1864 there was a great cry servance of the oath. However, some 1,600 did apply to take raised in the North on account of the deaths at Andersonville the oath, and they were then taken out of our barracks and put and other Southern prisons. This howl became so insistent over in what was called “galvanized barracks.” They were given that the War Department agreed to swap several thousand more and better rations than we had and had better quarters prisoners every month until all of the prisons were cleaned with more liberties. We hated these galvanized soldiers worse out. They were not exchanged, but paroled by their respective than we did the Yankees. governments, and then furloughed pending exchange. By se- For about a month after our arrival at Fort Delaware we lecting the men in this way they took from our prison the most were treated moderately well, but not so well as at Camp Mor- infirm, who could be of little service if exchanged. ton. In July, 1864, we were set aside in retaliation for the Con- In February, 1865,some 1,800 were sent around from Fort federate prison at Andersonville, Ga., and from then until we Delaware, but I was not on the list. I had a friend, George were released we caught what General Early said give the Yan- Edmonson, of Smyrna, in Rutherford County, who belonged to kees. Our barracks were built with upright planks, with only the 20th Tennessee Infantry and who had consumption, who occasionally strips over the cracks. Our bunks were three tiers was on the list. He preferred to stay in the barracks, and slept high, one above another, and 320 men to each barracks. We next to me and was my charge. When I awoke on the morning were allowed two bushels of coal a day to each barracks, the prisoners were to leave, I found my friend Edmonson though the thermometer ranged from ten to thirty degrees be- dead. I threw my blanket over him, got his coat and hat, and, low zero. leaning heavily on his walking stick, I fell in line and answered When the coal was received, some imprudent fellows would to his name. fill the stoves, and had the barracks comfortable for a few I passed the guards and was going down to the hold of the hours, and then we all had to freeze the remaining part of the vessel, when I was recognized by Captain Ahl, who was an twenty-four hours. Each man was allowed one blanket; but if he adjutant general of the post. I was immediately arrested and had an overcoat, he had to give up the overcoat or the blanket. carried to headquarters. There I was tried for trying to get One day in every week we were taken out on the northern point away and sentenced to twelve days in the dungeon, to which I of the island, called “Hell’s half acre,” and as we came back we was sent immediately. The dungeon was under the fort, and were searched. We were not permitted to have any money was a horrible place, very damp. It contained a single iron cot. (only two dollars in sutler’s checks; with these checks we could The only light I had came from a small, heavily barred window only buy pen, ink, paper, and tobacco - nothing to eat) or a several feet above my head, but I had nothing with which to pocket knife, but were allowed one blanket or an overcoat, and reach it. The window was about one foot high and two feet only one change of underwear. wide. It might have been larger, but occupied all the space Our water supply was brought over in tugs from Brandywine above ground. My rations were more meager than when in the River during the summer and part of the spring and fall barracks. Water was substituted for the thin coffee. What I months; but when ice was moving, our water was pumped into received was passed to me through a small hole. our tanks from the bay when the tide was up. Of course this Several times during my confinement in the dungeon I was water was very brackish. Our rations were as follows: For offered freedom if I would take the oath, and each time I re- breakfast, from eight to ten o'clock two crackers, with about an fused. After twelve days, which seemed a year, I was taken inch square of pickled beef or pork and a cup of very weak cof- out of the dungeon and put back with the other prisoners. fee; for dinner, from one to three o’clock, two crackers, with a On May 8, 1865, the War Department ordered that all pris- cup of bean soup that scarcely had the flavor of beans. This diet oners should be released on taking the oath. They were re- was continuous, except occasionally a quarter of a small loaf of leased several hundred at a time, and on May 28, 1865, my lightbread was substituted for the crackers at dinner. The time came. The war being over and our flag being furled for- crackers we had had been condemned for army use, and were ever, I took the oath and was released. I have given the most literally filled with worms. We did not eliminate the worms, as interesting facts only without detailing the wanton firing into they helped to sustain life. the barracks and cold-blooded murders committed and for Between the mess hall and the kitchen was a sally port, which there was not even an arrest, but commendation for the about twelve feet wide, through which the wind from the bay continuous insults, etc. blew constantly. In this prisoners were tied up by their thumbs, We are taught to forget and forgive, but I can never forget their toes just touching the pavement, and in many instances and my power of forgiveness on my prison experience is very they were left there until their thumbs burst. One poor fellow limited. In the judgment when I shall have answered to the when taken down died. This punishment was inflicted for the last roll call, if found guilty, I am confident my punishment will least infraction of the rules, and some prisoners were tied up be no more severe than I suffered during my eleven months in almost daily. Our hospital services were execrable, and but few Fort Delaware, especially while in the dungeon. men who were carried to the hospital ever returned to the bar- racks. They had at the hospital a lot of young doctors who in learning to practice medicine killed Confederate soldiers. From: Confederate Veteran, March 1912, Vol. XX, No. 3; Fort Delaware is the only prison in the North where the dead pages113-114 did not have separate graves. A long ditch was dug, and the dead, after being entirely denuded, were dumped therein and 7 AWARDS FROM THE 117TH ANNUAL REUNION

Glen L Swetman Lifetime Achievement Award - Wallace Mason

Walter R Bivins Compatriot of the Year Award - Tim Cupit

Jefferson Davis Camp of the Year Award (tie) - Colonel W. P. Rogers Camp #321 and Tippah Tigers Camp #869

Brigade Commander of the Year Award (tie) - 2nd Brig. Com- mander William “Buddy” Ellis and 4th Brigade Commander “Boo” White

J Z George Preservation Award – Gen. William Barksdale Camp #1220

A.J. Frantz Media Award (tie) - Poplarville Democrat, editor Butch Weir and The Review of Jones County, editor Mark Thornton This image of President Davis appears on the exterior walls. It Jefferson Davis Presidential Library Award - Gainesville Volun- is a tiled inset and will appear on the front and back of the teers Camp #373 building. Rick Forte stated that it looks like the building may be completed by the end of August. General William D McCain Publication Award – The Battle of Okolona: Defending the Mississippi Prairie, by Dr. Brandon Beck

Dale S Fleming Newsletter Award FRIENDS OF BEAUVOIR 50 members or more – Southern Comfort Annual membership in the Friends of Beauvoir is more im- Less than 50 members – Barksdales’ Mississippians portant now than ever before. At this time, we can offer to your membership such benefits as free year-round admission, Dunbar Roland Scrapbook Award 10% discount for Gift Shop purchases, the occasional newslet- 50 members or more – Brig/Gen. Benjamin G. Hum- ter, and the tremendous pride of knowing that you helped phreys Camp #1625 Beauvoir to recover and continue its mission. Clip or copy the Less than 50 members – Jones County Rosin Heels Camp below information and send it to the address below. Share this #227 with as many friends and family as you can.

Father Abram Joseph Ryan Graves Award – W. A. Burton Membership categories (please check one)

John J. Pettus Award – goes out to a State, County, or munici- _____ Individual $25.00 pal official that has contributed the most to further our Con- _____ Family $50.00 federate Heritage the past year. This year’s winner was Di- _____ Patron $100.00 - $249.00 anne Carlin. She is in charge of the Battle for Texas Hospital _____ Sustaining $250.00 - $499.00 Reenactment in Quitman, Mississippi. _____ Benefactor $500.00 - $999.00 _____ Sponsor $1,000.00 - $4,999.00 _____ President’s Cabinet $5,000.00 + _____ Corporate $500.00 and above ______Amount HAPPENINGS AT BEAUVOIR General and Contributing Membership

Name: ______

Names of Children (if applicable): ______

Address (Street): ______

City/State/Zip: ______

Telephone (Home): ______

(Alternate): ______

For additional information, please call or write: (228) 388-4400 Beauvoir This is a photo of the completed replica kitchen and walkway 2224 Beach Boulevard to the house. This will serve as public restrooms. Biloxi, MS 39531

8 The Jeff Davis Legion PO Box 2841 Columbus, MS 39704-2841

Upcoming Events 07/11-14/12 -- SCV National Reunion; Murfreesboro, TN.; 11/17-18/2012 -- Reenactment at Camp Moore on http://tennessee-scv.org/2012reunion/ Highway 51 south of Tangipahoa, LA. The grounds will open at 9 AM until 4 PM. For more information visit 08/10-11/2012 -- Southern Heritage Conference, Laurel, MS. http://www.campmoorela.com/reenactment.html See page 9 for details.

08/31 - 09/2/2012 -- Battle of Iuka 150th Anniversary held at Mineral Springs Park in Iuka. For more information go to www. battleofiuka.com

09/13-16/2012 -- Battles of Farmington and Corinth Reenactments. For more information visit battleoffarmington.com

10/13-14/2012 -- 26th Annual Fall Muster at Beauvoir. Festivities include a Picnic Basket Auction, ladies tea & a Saturday Night Dance.

11/10/2012 -- 3rd Brigade Picnic at Grand Gulf Military Monument Park north of Port Gibson. For more information contact Mike Webb at [email protected]

11/10-11/2012 -- Reenactment of the Wirt Adams Raid at Historic Jefferson College in Washington, MS. The time is 10 AM to 5 PM.

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