The Valley Patriot Tennessee Valley Chapter, Alabama Society Sons of the American Revolution—April/May 2021

President President’s Report Benny Hannah 256-724-0359 My first thoughts as we again try to emerge from this awful pandemic: The future looks bright; [email protected] the past was difficult and forced us to make many changes in our everyday life. Change is not

Vice-President always bad, but often opens new doors of opportunity for us. This past year we transformed into Dudley Burwell a virtual meeting environment allowing us to continue moving forward with our Chapter 256-883-2577 activities. [email protected]

Recording Secretary This year as we move back into live meetings again, we will continue to video and allow George Vinson [email protected] members to join our live meetings by Zoom. Whether you are out of town, sick at home, traveling or stuck in the office, you can still attend and participate in our monthly meetings by Corresponding Secretary/ Newsletter Editor ZOOM. Jim Maples 256-656-9898 For years we have met in the library. A beautiful location but it comes with many restrictions. [email protected] Another change for this year will be our meeting location. I have scheduled the First Baptist

Treasurer Church, across from the Huntsville Library for the second Monday of each month thru the end Randal Jennings of 2021. There are many advantages to the new location including a much larger meeting space 256-716-0706 and lots of parking. [email protected]

Registrar The Tennessee Valley Chapter Sons of the American Revolution is the largest and most active Ray Cassell 256-323-1261 chapter in all of Alabama. The past leadership and current members have been a large part of [email protected] making that happen. I promise to do my best as your new President to uphold the tradition of

Chancellor this wonderful organization. We have a good start with new member applications and pending Richard Tingle plans and activities scheduled for this year. We are blessed to have a large number of [email protected] committees with great leadership and a plan this year to add depth to all the committees. We

Genealogist will have increased focus this year on Americanism, Veterans programs and Patriot Grave Bill Sommers Markings. 256-883-6925 [email protected] Our youth programs are among the best in the country. The dedication of our members to this Chaplain and other programs makes me so very proud of this organization. As we increase the publicity, James Henderson and continue to partner with like minded organizations, the growth should follow. As we 256-337-0826 [email protected] increase the knowledge of new members thru mentoring and focus on getting new members involved in the numerous activities of the chapter, the number of renewals should also increase. Historian Jim Alexander Our Color Guard is the face of our organization and I encourage all members to get a uniform 256-837-7418 and participate with this great group of men. [email protected]

Meeting Schedule As I close, I would like to thank you once again for the honor to serve as your President.

12 April 2021 Working in this chapter is both fun and rewarding because so many of our members are First Baptist Church just across dedicated to the task and work so hard to get the projects done. I am honored to serve with so the street from the Library many compatriots who believe in the preservation of the principals documented by our founding Will also be broadcast on Zoom fathers. These compatriots show their Patriotism on a daily basis, share their knowledge of our Meeting at 11:00am country’s founding thru the Education of our Youth and preserving the History of the sacrifices 10 May 2021 of our great Patriots who made all this possible. First Baptist Church Also broadcast on Zoom Meeting at 11:00am Benny Hannah April/May 2021 The Valley Patriot Page 2

Revolutionary Questions Answers from the February/March Newsletter

1. Who was the Captain of the colonial militia at Lexington 1. What was the date when crossed the when the revolution began? Delaware River to surprise the soldiers in Trenton, NJ? The crossing started on December 25th in an effort to 2. When was the Declaration of Independence signed? surprise the Hessians who were likely not concerned about an attack occurring on such a significant day. 3. This female Quaker lived across the street from British

General Howe’s headquarters in Philadelphia. In 1777, the 2. How many men did George Washington have to get British soldiers demanded use of her home for the purpose of across the Delaware River in order to attack the Hessian’s in conducting meetings. She hid in a closet, gathered information from their meeting, and was able to get that Trenton? Approximately 2,400 men had to cross the Delaware River. information to General Washington warning him on an imminent attack. There is also an SAR Award named in her 3. How many hours did it take to get Washington’s army honor. Do you know her name? across the Delaware River? It took approximately 11 hours to get all of Washington’s men and weapons across the 4. This regiment fought for the duration of the Lewellen Jones Delaware River.Jamie Stanley Revolutionary War and also in critical battles including the

Siege of Yorktown. They were known as the “Black 4. There are 3 States that border New Jersey? Those states Regiment” because they had a large number of African are Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New York. When American’s who served and fought for Independence. In Washington crossed the Delaware River into New Jersey to fact, this regiment consisted of 88 enslaved individuals and fight the Hessians at Trenton, what State was he leaving in around a total of roughly 140 African Americans. The total size of the regiment was about 225 men, so African order to enter New Jersey? Pennsylvania Americans made up well over 50% of the total. Can you name that regiment? 5. Hessians were hired mercenaries from current day Germany and were considered some of the finest fighters in 5. The harsh conditions of the winter encampment at Valley the world. The Hessians in Trenton were commanded by Forge are well known. But do you know how cold it actually who? Colonel Johann Rall (Rahl). Colonel Rall was was? wounded twice during the and died the following day. Colonel Rall is buried at the First 6. What caused all of the death and hardships at Valley Presbyterian Church in Trenton, N.J. where his Forge during the winter encampment if it wasn’t the cold tombstone reads “Here lies Colonel Rall, for him, all is winter temperatures? over”.

7. Why did Army’s establish winter encampments such as 6. Only a few days after the victory at Trenton, George Valley Forge? Washington’s army once again fooled the enemy and were

able to win another victory at Princeton, New Jersey. Do 8. Were there any Revolutionary battles fought in Alabama? you know what General Washington did to fool British 9. Did you know that the first Governor of Tennessee was General Cornwallis, thereby enabling the Colonials to win buried in Alabama for 73 years? Do you know the name of the battle of Princeton? The British knew exactly where this Governor and Revolutionary War Hero? the Colonials were encamped. However, General

Washington ordered a number of the Colonial soldiers to stay and keep the campfires burning the night before the British planned to attack. During the time that the campfires were burning, General Washington and the

April/May 2021 The Valley Patriot Page 3 remainder of his army marched toward Princeton. The next morning, the British marched on an empty location where there was nothing more than embers from the campfires. At the same time, General Washington was attacking the remaining troops located in Princeton.

7. Present with Washington’s army at Trenton were numerous individuals who became very famous in the history of the United States. Can you name these people? , future President of the United States was wounded in the shoulder during the Battle of Trenton and is seen in the painting “Washington Crossing the Delaware” holding the flag behind George Washington. Henry Knox, First Secretary of War served under President George Washington. Alexander Hamilton, First Treasurer of the United Compatriot Bob Baccus rendered Taps recently at a States Veteran’s funeral. Bob does this often but this was the Of course there were others also present that made a first in about a year due to the restrictions on funerals for significant impact on the United States, but these are the the past year. best known.

Welcome new members!

Charles Olling Michael Acosta Tom Butler Chris Holland

Photo by Jim Maples April/May 2021 The Valley Patriot Page 4

Lewellen Jones Above is our new meeting space at First Baptist Church. The plans areJamie to meetStanley in person here for the rest of the year and to also broadcast our meetings by Zoom for those who can’t attend in person. The entrance is directly across the street from the Huntsville Public Library where we have previously met. Thanks to First Baptist Church for letting us use their facility!

Our special guest for our March meeting was Alabama Society President William Kirkland shown above. William installed our Officers for 2021 - 2022.

At the right our new installed Chapter President Benny Hannah accepts the gavel from outgoing President Ray Livingston. Congratulations to Benny and congratulations to Ray for getting the Chapter through a very difficult year!

April/May 2021 The Valley Patriot Page 5

Above, ALSSAR President William Kirkland presents Lafayette Medals and Certificates to Benny Hannah and to Ray Cassel for their volunteer support of the National Society. The Lafayette Medal is awarded to 40 hours of volunteer work for the National Society. Congratulations to Benny and Ray!

Below, National George Washington Endowment Fund Fundraising Chairman Jim Maples and President Kirkland present GWEF Fellow Certificates to our newest GWEF Fellows Harold Whitesides, Dudley Burwell and Ray Cassell. Thanks to these Compatriots and to others over the past year who have contributed to the GWEF.

Dudley Burwell Harold Whitesides Ray Cassell

Photo by Jim Maples April/May 2021 The Valley Patriot Page 6

On April 8th the host of Channel 48’s Tennessee Valley Living Payton Walker and her cameraman Patrick Akers filmed a story at Bethel Cemetery which will be aired on Patriot’s Day, April 19th at 11:00am. Shown above from left to right are Bill Sommers, Susan Sommers, Chapter President Benny Hannah, President of the Bethel Cemetery Perpetual Trust Fund Charles Butler, Payton Walker, Mark Hubbs, and Patrick Akers. They are shown at the gravesite of Revolutionary War Patriot William Cordra Maples. Be sure to watch Tennessee Valley Living on April 19th at 11:00am.

Photo Courtesy of Aaron Davies

Jim Maples Photos by Jim Maples 1501 Elmwood Dr. Huntsville, AL 35801

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