The Frontier Chronicle Sons of Confederate Veterans 2nd Frontier District Camp #1904 (254) 734-6964

Our charge: “To you, Sons of Confederate Veterans, we submit the vindication of the Cause for which we fought; to your strength will be given the defense of the Confederate soldier’s good name, the guardianship of his history, the emulation of his virtues, the perpetuation of those principles he loved and which made him glorious and which you also cherish. Remember it is your duty to see that the true history of the South is presented to future generations.” –Lt. General Stephen Dill Lee, C.S.A., Commander General, United Confederate Veterans

Camp Officers: Frank Bussey—Commander (254) 734-6964 Charles Leatherwood—1st Lt.Commander Cliff Weible—2nd Lt. Commander Joe Williams—3rd Lt.Commander Charles Ditmore—Adjutant Jerry Shugart– Aide-de-Camp Past Commander—Thomas Harrison Past Commander—Charles Leatherwood Past Commander— Ronny Jennings September, 2015

The 2nd Texas Frontier District Camp #1904 proudly displayed the colors at the

Gorman Parade

on Saturday, September 12 at 7:00 p.m. The crowd was very receptive to our organization and we had a good time honoring our Confederate ancestors.

Pictures of Gorman Parade in Part 2 of Newsletter Commander’s Report

The Comanche Chief, Thursday September 17th, 2015, Page 1B Local Group Uprighting Vandalized Headstones

The Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1904 out of De Leon donated their time and effort to up- right the knocked over headstones at Proctor and Chapel Creek Cemeteries Tuesday afternoon. The cemeteries were vandalized between July 12th and July16th this year. Proctor Cemetery is located on a farm once owned by the pioneer family. The first person interred at the cemetery was Methodist minister W.B. Long 1817-1875. As the small town of Proctor grew with the arrival of the rail- road in 1890 the cemetery became a communi- ty graveyard. Many of the graves are from the 19th century and nine veterans from the War between the States are buried there. A cemetery association organized in 1940 maintains the historical burial grounds. Pictured are Frank Bussey, Brent McDonald, Tommy Alford, Charlie Leatherwood, and Eddie Cox raising a headstone at Proctor Cemetery. Also Observing was Randy Chisholm who is the Proctor Cemetery President.

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The large stone that Randy Chisholm and I are standing by after we had gotten it back in place was for Cpl. W. E. Guyger of Co. F. 34th Inf. Div., World War I He was born June 13, 1886 and killed in action in Toul sector, on Nov. 1, 1918. The Thirty-Fourth Division (National Guard) was known as the "Sandstorm Division." It's Insignia was a black oval encircling a red bovine skull. Organized at Camp Cody,Deming, New Mexico, on Oct. 2, 1917. The 34th Division remained in training at Camp Cody, New Mexico, until, Sept., 1918. The first units sailed for overseas on Sept. 16, 1918, via England, and the last units arrived in France on Oct. 24, 1918. W. E. Guyger was killed in action in Toul sector, on Nov. 1, 1918 World War I ended on November 11, 1918

Editorial written by Missy Jones, Cactus Rose #23, OCR

On the Comanche Chief edition of September 17th, on page 1 B is a picture of a LOCAL GROUP UPRIGHTING VANDAL- IZED HEADSTONES. This is a picture of members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans doing manual labor to try to set up and repair broken tombstones at the Proctor Cemetery and the Chapel Creek Cemetery. I have written before about these men, they are among the hardest working men in Comanche County. Probably 3 week- ends a month, they give of their time, the use of their vehi- cles, their gasoline, and they are taking the cannons, the fir- ing line to cemeteries in the area needing help with dedica- tion of markers. These men are working here, trying to re- pair damage done by peo- ple that were doing nothing but destroying these tomb- stones. Let’s think about the people who did do the damage at the cemeteries. We have no idea what they were think- ing or why they were doing this. I can imagine them talking to their children in a few years. “Hey, we had such a good time when I was a young boy. We went to cemeteries and broke down tombstones. We had such a good time. I hope you can have fun like that when you grow up.” Hey, we can decide which side of this story that we want to be on. Missy Jones Comanche

1st Lt. Commander’s Report The weather is cooling down somewhat and we are getting started on our fall parades and activities. Gorman was a lot of fun and we were well received by the crowd- — and there were a lot of people there. It is always good to get back together with your good friends and compatriots and see how every one is doing. I am concerned about faithful members who aren’t able to participate for health reasons, but we can always hope for improvements and to see them soon back in the fight. And it is a fight to maintain the honor of our Confederate past in today’s world! My only comment about the Jeff Davis statue being removed was “What did you expect out of Travis County?” Wanna make a bet about the decision of a Comanche County Judge? Compatriot Eddy Cox has been advocating the repair and resurrecting of stones in the Proctor Cemetery and Commander Bussey got a group together to get it done. Commander Bussey, Eddie Cox, Tom Alford, Brent McConald and myself met in Proc- tor and then moved a skid steer into the cemetery to lift and reset several stones. All had been deliberately vandalized but most were not Confederate. One stone was very large and very heavy. I can tell roughly the weight of what the skid is lifting and this stone was between 2500 and 3000 lbs.—and very dangerous to set back up. We did manage to get it back on it’s base and were very surprised to see what it was. On the last days of W.W.1 General Black Jack Pershing ordered American troops to fight right up to the final moment. He has been severely criticized for the needless deaths of these Americans just to prove something, I suppose. This man may have been one of them. Betty has enclosed a picture of this stone for you to see for yourself what is on it. Look at the date and where he was killed. Just11 days more and he could have come home. Consider this, Robert E. Lee’s love for his men and their lives and his painful decision at Appomattox, Lee was never callous and heartless about his sol- diers nor ordered their needless deaths. It just makes me sad to know what may have happened to this man all for the ego of a descendant of a damn Yankee. Lots of events are coming up so come and help out if you can. We will be at the Co- manche Pow Wow on September the 26th, a cannon demonstration for the 4H Shooting Club in Stephenville on the 6th of October, and Bye Gone Days in Stephen- ville on the 10th of October. Lots of smoke and lots of fun and good company so come and join in if you can. It is interesting times folks, and time to fight back against people who have no ancestral pride nor integrity either. Molon Labe. Charley CPL. W.E. GUYGER CO F. 64th INF. 7th DIV Born June 13, 1886 Killed in Action in Toul Sector Nov. 1, 1918

2nd Texas Camp Members repairing damage done by vandals at Proctor area cemeteries

Pictured are: Frank Bussey, Tommy Alford, Charley Leatherwood, Eddie Cox and, Brent McDonald

Commander Frank Bussey with Randy Chisholm. This stone was broken from the base and face down on the ground. When resurrected, it showed to be that of a World War I vet who was killed in France at the end of the war.

Repairs were done to Confederate Veterans’ Graves as well as others.

There’s more to be done! Upcoming Events Sept. 22, 2015 (Tuesday) Next Camp Meeting: 7:00 p.m. at the F&M Motor Bank in DeLeon. The program will be presented by Dickie and Peggy Freeman of the Granbury SCV Camp. Refreshments will be provided by Winona Jennings and Sheran Weible. September 26, 2015 (Saturday) Comanche Pow Wow—Our camp will set up musket sa- lute and cannon fire demonstrations throughout the day. Join us for the fun and com- radery. Oct. 6, 2015 (Tuesday) Demonstration for the 4H Shooting Club in Stephenville. October 10, 2015 (Saturday) Bye-Gone Days in Stephenville. Join us to man our booth, visit with the public, participate in musket fire and cannon salutes throughout the day. November 14 (Saturday), Veteran’s Day Parade in Stephenville. (pending) Dec. 12, 2015 (Saturday) Christmas Party and Awards Banquet: 6:30 p.m. at the Roof- top Garden, Connellee Hotel in Eastland, TX. Our speaker will be Scott Bowden. Please help us close out the year by planning to come. Bring your family and friends for fun and food ************************** Please Join Us As We Celebrate Our 2nd Texas Frontier District Camp #1904 Confederate Christmas Celebration

And Awards Banquet Date: December 12,2015 Time: 6:30 p.m. Place: Rooftop Garden, Connellee Hotel, Eastland, TX. Speaker: Scott Bowden For tickets contact Becky Bussey at (254) 734-6537 or mail to P.O. Box 41, Gorman, TX. 76454 Please put this on your calendar and plan to attend.

Randall Scott Erwin, author of several books and a member of SCV Camp 1904 gave an ex- cellent historical presenta- tion at our August Monthly Camp Meeting. In his talk "The Flags of Our Fa- thers", his description of the , had us on-the-edge of our seats. Confederate forces outwitted the larger, better armed Yankee ships in a decisive win. Scott's great- great grandfather was in that battle. The gripping details that made you feel you could hear the grape- shot slam against the hull and smell the black pow- der were gleaned from first hand accounts passed down from generation to generation in Randall's family. Johann Andrew Geupel, Randall's great-great grandfather, born Apr. 18, 1829 - Wunsiedel, Bavar- ia, Germany, died Oct. 22, 1919 - Santo, Palo Pinto Co., Texas was a private in Company F of the 20th Regiment, Texas Infantry (Elmore's). The Twentieth Texas In- fantry was composed mainly of middle-aged men and commanded by Colonel Henry M. Elmore. It was part of the District of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, also known as the Third Corps under General John B. Magruder. Their main purpose was to guard the Sabine River and to protect the city of Galveston, Texas. They saw little action until the Battle of Galveston in January 1863, in which they served with distinc- tion, for which their action were commended by Confederate President Jefferson Davis. The Second Battle of Galveston was a naval and land battle that occurred on January 1, 1863, dur- ing the War of Northern Aggression when Confederate forces under Maj. Gen. John B. Magruder attacked and expelled occupying Union troops from the city of Galveston, Texas. Two Confederate cotton clads, The CSS Bayou City and the CSS Neptune, sailed from Houston to Galveston in an effort to engage the Union Fleet in Galveston Harbor consisting of USS Clifton, USS Harriet Lane, USS Westfield, USS Owasco, USS Corypheus and USS Sachem.

Outnumbered six to two by the Northern ships, the USS Harriet Lane sank the Rebel tugboat Neptune, leaving one- half of the two-vessel Confederate fleet lying on the bottom of the harbor. Captain A three-hour truce was called for by Magruder, but Union Fleet Commander William B. Ren- shaw, ignoring the negotiation offer, attempted to destroy the grounded Westfield with explosives rather than let it fall into enemy hands. During these negotiations, Harriet Lane was also further damaged by fire from the Union Owasco under a flag of truce in an attempt to explode her magazine. The flagship Westfield was exploded, Renshaw and several Union troops were killed when the ex- plosives were set off too early. Union troops on shore were convinced that their own ships were sur- rendering and, therefore, laid down their arms. The remaining U.S. ships did not surrender and suc- ceeded in retreating to Union-controlled , leaving the USS Harriet Lane, from which Lieutenant W. D. Thompson had fired the first naval shot of the War of Northern Aggression and named for Harriet Lane, niece and official hostess of President James Buchanan, along with a copy of the United States signal service code book in her cabin, in Confederate hands. Galveston re- mained in the only major port that remained in Confederate hands at the end of the war. The Con- federate Congress stated this on the successful recapture of Galveston: The bold, intrepid, and gallant conduct of Maj. Gen. J. Bankhead Magruder, Col. Thomas Green, Maj. Leon Smith and other officers, and of the Texan Rangers and Soldiers engaged in the attack on, and victory achieved over, the land and naval forces of the enemy at Galveston, on the 1st of January, 1863, eminently entitle them to the thanks of Congress and the country. This brilliant achievement, resulting, under the providence of God, in the capture of the war steamer Harriet Lane and the defeat and ignominious flight of the hostile fleet from the harbor, the recapture of the city and the raising of the blockade of the port of Galveston, signally evinces that superior force may be overcome by skillful conception and daring courage. In April 1864, the 20th Texas Infantry reported 21 officers and 622 men present for duty. Its com- manders were Colonel Henry M. Elmore, Lieutenant Colonel Leonard A. Abercrombie, and Major Robert E. Bell. On May 26, 1865, at New Orleans, the 20th Texas Infantry was surrendered to Federal forces as part of General Edmund Kirby Smith's Confederate Department of Trans Mississippi, with Lt. Gen. Simon B. Buckner, acting in Smiths name.