SAM DAVIS SCV CAMP 1293 JUNE 2008 the Courier

SAM DAVIS CAMP PICNIC AND JUNE MEETING

he annual camp picnic is Saturday, TJune 14th at Dr. David and Vicki Watts’ house at 5029 Franklin Road (near Our driveway the road to Travellers Rest). has just been redone We will gather around 4:00 or so for so picnickers will need fellowship, then eat about 5:00. Hot dogs to park on Brentview and hamburgers will be served. Drive. Please bring a covered dish to round out the menu. A lawn chair would be a good thing to bring too.

Forrest Homecoming he 6th Annual Forrest Boyhood Home Fundraiser will be TJune 21st from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Chapel Hill.

9:30 a.m. Cannon Firing 10:00 a.m. Artillery Demonstration 10:30 a.m. Ladies' Program: Finding Your Confederate Ancestor 11:00 a.m. Cavalry Demonstration 11:30 a.m. Period Music: Paul & Kim Caudell 12:00 p.m. Storytelling: Dr. Michael Bradley 12:30 p.m. Special Music: Ross Moore 1:00 p.m. Author Brent Lokey, Riding With The Wizard of the Saddle 1:30 p.m. Artillery Demonstration 1:30 p.m. End of Silent Auction 2:00 p.m. Author Ross Massey, The Battle of Nashville 2:30 p.m. Cavalry Demonstration Also: Blacksmith Demonstration, 3:00 p.m. Ladies' Program: Roses in the Garden; Confederate Women in History Sale Tent, Vendors & Food/Drink 3:30 p.m. Mint Julep Toast to General Nathan Bedford Forrest Sales, Silent Auction

page 1 SAM DAVIS SCV CAMP 1293 JUNE 2008

BEHIND ENEMY LINES: COMMENTS FROM THE GRAND POOPAH

Camp Members’ Father “David’s talk was one of the case at the recent Battle of The father of Allen and Gary most moving accounts that I have Sacramento re-enactment. Chris Sullivant, Charles Sullivant, has ever heard.” was sitting around the campfire passed. The camp sent a wreath on a bale of hay when a huge to the service. Condolences are Go, Stranger Jersey cow, being led by a young extended to the entire family. Jerry Raymer writes, “Some girl, proceeded to eat his chair. camp members had the pleasure Almost Ready of visiting the Shiloh Battlefield Out in Front As soon as the pictures are with Compatriot Thomas The Confederacy was proudly finalized, all of our materials for Cartwright as our guide. As represented by Gene Andrews at the Civil War Trails marker on always, Thomas did a great job. the Days on the Farm event at the Winstead Hill will be sent to the He carried us into many areas Sam Davis Home. This was the Tennessee Department of Tourist where most tours don’t go. I saw second year in a row that we Development. We are still a few a quote on a monument for the have been invited. Gene reports hundred dollars away from the 2nd Tennessee Regiment I’d like that he was well-received by cost of the marker. Donations can to share with all of you. ‘Go, visitors and staff. be sent to the camp’s P.O. Box. stranger and tell Tennessee that here we died for her.’ At the Helm Impassioned Speaker “I don’t know about you, but The new president of Save the The camp meeting for April, these words reinforce for me Franklin Battlefield is Greg held at the Carter House, nearly what our beloved SCV is all Wade. Congratulations to Greg matched the largest attendance about. It's about these men and for this position of leadership. this year. After leading us on a boys who died for a Cause! The Joe Smyth, also from our camp, tour of the cotton gin area, David Cause of Liberty for the South. is the outgoing presiding officer. Fraley gave an impassioned tour “Whoever inscribed these Seems that the Sam Davis camp of the house. By the time we got powerful words wanted us, has a strong presence in the back to the house, it was dark, fellow Tennesseans, to remember organization. and even darker inside, our only and honor the brave individuals source of light being two who were willing to fight and die Heads Above the Rest flashlights. The darkness added for their homeland. Maybe the At the Ohio Civil War Show, to his whole presentation. The quote was meant just for me at Emily and Ronnie Townes won most poignant part of the story of that moment. But I’d like to think Best of Show for their display on what took place inside the house that now that you've read it, it Company B, Nashville CSA after the battle was hearing about will speak to your heart as well.” Veterans. Way to go! the technology used to show the blood stains all over everything. Chair Devoured Flown the Coop After the house tour, David He has had chairs misplaced, Thomas Cartwright has continued with an inspiring stolen, and broken, but Chris resigned as executive director of oration about Gen. Pat Cleburne. Sollmann has never had one the Carter House, a position he Larry Cockerham said, eaten before. Yet that was just the has held for over 19 years.

page 2 SAM DAVIS SCV CAMP 1293 JUNE 2008

Loring Marker Among the activities will be You may register by sending In the April newsletter, I living history programs, re- your money to Tennessee League announced that a marker enactor encampments, artillery of the South, P.O. Box 94, recognizing Gen. William demonstrations (including night Lobelville, TN 37097. These Loring’s Division would be firing), a Davis - Lincoln debate, meetings are always eye openers. dedicated at Carnton. That event a Miss Confederacy event, book Last year I took a Yankee from has finally been scheduled. signings, sutlers selling wares, New Jersey to the conference Following the McGavock and period music by Saxton’s held in Franklin. Need I say Confederate Cemetery service on Cornett Band. more... Sunday, June 1st, there will be a Gates open at 9:00 a.m. on short walk to the plantation Saturday and 10:00 a.m., Sunday. Franklin Symposium house where Eric Jacobson will There is a $5 parking fee. Go to A weekend dedicated to give a brief talk about Loring and www.kentucky.gov/Newsroom/ preserving the history of the War his men. A 21-gun salute will be parks/jeffdavis200.htm for more of the Rebellion will be held at fired by several of our camp details. the Franklin Marriott Cool members and other re-enacters. Springs Hotel on June 19th It is significant that Carnton is Monument Dedication through the 22nd. Last year’s honoring the Confederacy. We At the Parker's Crossroads excellent event is once again volunteered to do the gun salute Battlefield, there will be a hosted by Franklin’s Charge. Go to make the ceremony even more Morton’s Battery monument to www.franklinscharge.com for special. A battle flag display will dedication by Freeman's Battery, more information. also add to the occasion. I hope Forrest's Artillery, on Saturday, General Cleburne's pistol and you will be able to attend. June 14th at 10:00. This is the kepi, which were at Franklin on second monument that has been November 30, 1864, will be on CW Roundtable erected at the battlefield by the display at Carnton during the The June 8th Franklin CW battery. (They have also placed symposium. Of special note is Roundtable meeting will feature one on Winstead Hill.) that his kepi was taken by Carrie our very own John Bridges, who McGavock for safekeeping and will be talking about his newest League Meeting his pistol was later sent to his book, Three Cousins from The annual meeting of the fiancée Susan Tarleton in Mobile, Mechanicsville. The meeting Tennessee League of the South Alabama after the battle. As far begins at 3:00 p.m. in the main will be held on Saturday, June as it is known, both items have meeting room at the Williamson 14th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. been separated since the day of the battle over 143 years ago. County Library on Columbia at the 1939 Commodore Hotel in There will be a viewing of these Pike. Linden. The main topic for the meeting is “Secession - Moving items on Friday. Participants are also invited to Celebration to a Positive Future.” (Linden is as far from Yankee civilization as a special event the night of June The State 20th at Carnton commemorating Historic Site in Fairview, KY you can get, before you start heading back.) both Cleburne’s personal life and will commemorate our his role in the Tennessee th Reservations are $15 for an Confederate President’s 200 Campaign of 1864. birthday on June 7th and 8th. individual and $25 for family.

page 3 SAM DAVIS SCV CAMP 1293 JUNE 2008

NEW MEMBER: MIKE DUNCAN

ur newest member, Mike Duncan, was that I am going to investigate. They were in O welcomed into the Sam Davis Camp at the various branches, but I don’t know many details. April meeting at the Carter House. His ancestor, “I find the Civil War to be a fascinating story; Pvt. Willis Duncan, was in the 52nd Tennessee it is my favorite subject. I have read a lot and listened to many recordings. Our camp’s Shiloh trip is another way for me to broaden my knowledge. I want to learn as much as I can about the Army of Tennessee, which is my main interest. Because of my relatives, I can relate to the AoT more. I really like reading about it. “It took me a while to join the SCV, and at this point I really don’t know what I want to get out of the organization. I am exploring a lot of avenues which I want to continue. Obviously, a lot of the fellows have devoted a good deal of time to the study of the War but I’m not as well Mike receiving his certificate from Adjutant Chris Sollmann. informed. For now, I’d like to be a rank and file member, and continue to learn.” Regiment. Mike said that he found his service record, then researched in books the history and movements of his division. Pvt. Duncan’s two CONTRIBUTION RECOGNIZED brothers were in the 10th Cavalry. Mike said, “I have been interested in genealogy and the war records of my ancestors for a long time. I have been collecting information for about 30 years, but have just recently become aware of much of it for the first time. My great uncle had compiled a simple written record of the family when he first came to Tennessee. He was the authority on our family’s history. He had not only recorded the unit that my great great grandfather was in, but his brothers’ unit as well. That was my first occasion to have any knowledge of my family’s history, and since Gene Andrews congratulates Jeff. that time I have done a lot more research. “During my working years, I have gotten ohn Paysinger was a camp member who was information slowly from here and there, but now Jalways there to do whatever job needed to be that I am semi-retired I can spend more time on accomplished. An award in his honor was created it. I have more distant relatives around to recognize those who follow in his footsteps. Waynesboro and other areas in Jeff Rector received the award this year.

page 4 SAM DAVIS SCV CAMP 1293 JUNE 2008

PRESENTATIONS AT REUNION

wo of our members were honored at the T April Tennessee Division Reunion held in Knoxville. The most distinguished Jefferson Davis Award was presented to Jerry Raymer for rendering outstanding service to the SCV and for his contribution to protecting our heritage. For his relentless contribution to the Cause, Skip Earl was presented an impressive oil painting of Gen. Forrest. Both men were quite surprised and humbled by the presentations.

Skip accepts his portrait of General Forrest.

Jerry is presented his trophy by 1st Lt. Cmd. Mike Beck.

CONFEDERATE HERITAGE GROUP DOES NOT SUPPORT RACISM

To the Editor: pride in their Southern heritage. The Sons of As a member of the Sons of Confederate Confederate Veterans is not an organization of Veterans, I want to strongly condemn those who hate. Its purpose is to defend the Confederate would associate our flag in a racist manner. The soldier’s good name and to be a guardian of our student at Independence HS obviously did not ancestors’ history. The young man from know the true history of the Confederate flag. Independence High does not express our views! The SCV does not support any form of racism. I hope the school will not continue the ban of Jerry Raymer displaying Confederate symbols. It’s unfortunate Sam Davis SCV Camp 1293, Brentwood that the behavior of one individual can hurt those who have honorable intentions in showing their from Williamson A.M., May 5

page 5 SAM DAVIS SCV CAMP 1293 JUNE 2008

THE FORREST BOYHOOD HOME SHOULD BE RENAMED by Larry Cockerham

he Forrest Boyhood Home should be property may prove that this barn was built or at T renamed… Perhaps the Forrest Girlhood least used by William Forrest to operate his Home or simply the Forrest Home? Many of us blacksmith business, or at least shelter some jump to the conclusion that this place in Marshall horses. It’s obvious from the very firm soil County, Tennessee was just the home of Lt. around the Forrest Home that farming would General Nathan Bedford Forrest. That it was, but have been a secondary occupation at best. Caney only for about three years, until he was about Creek, a large stream a couple of miles south, thirteen. This small farm was also the home of was completely dry during the weekend of the probably seven Forrest siblings, all the children June 2007 fundraiser. Crops or large herds of of William Forrest and Miriam Beck Forrest. animals would have suffered in this climate.

William was a blacksmith, one of the first to Daughter Frances Forrest, twin of General enter Middle Tennessee. Born in Orange County, Forrest, died in 1841 in Mississippi. She claimed North Carolina, on 6 July 1801, he moved with her girlhood home for about three years, same as his parents to the Cumberland River valley near the general’s claim for boyhood residence. Gallatin in 1809 where they remained for about two years before moving to the Duck River area Son John Forrest arrived in 1822. He was to in Bedford County. William married Miriam later serve in the Mexican war where he was Beck about 1820, the daughter of Scottish wounded and paralyzed in his legs. He became a parents who had moved to Caney Springs in gambler in Memphis, worked as a jailer and 1796 from South Carolina. The young couple clerked for his brother Bedford. His claim to the made their home briefly in the little community Pyles Road residence as his boyhood home was of Chapel Hill near Holts Crossing on the north also three years. John Forrest died in 1876. side of present-day Chapel Hill. It was in this little town that their first children, twins Nathan Son William Hezekiah Forrest was born in Bedford and Frances were born, on 13 July 1821. 1825, hence his claim to three years at the boyhood home as well. As an adult, William ran The young Forrest family began to grow as slave businesses in St. Louis and Vicksburg, William labored in his trade as a smithy. buying slaves from brother Aaron before resale. He prospered to the point of being able to Their company was called Forrest and Maples. purchase the farm on Pyles Road on 1 November William had a home in Memphis and joined the 1830 for a payment of $588 to William and Sally Confederate Army on 13 July 1861, rising to the Mayfield. (Deed information supplied by Mr. rank of Captain. He was wounded on 30 April Boots Nix, current caretaker of the home.) There 1863 in a charge against Colonel Abel D. Streight has been speculation that the small cabin in at the battle of Sand Mountain in Days Gap, which the twins were born may have also made Alabama. William died in 1871. the trek west and become the one-story room that is the eastern portion of the present building. Daughter Mary Forrest was born in 1826. She Further analysis of the logs in the old barn on the died at a relatively young age sometime after

page 6 SAM DAVIS SCV CAMP 1293 JUNE 2008

BOYHOOD HOME, CONTINUED ...

1837. Her stay at the Pyles Road residence would From their porch on Pyles Road, William and have covered about eight years, making her claim Miriam Forrest could have seen a future Mexican to a girlhood home. War soldier, two future Captains, a future Lt. Colonel, and a future Lt. General at play in the Son Aaron H. Forrest was born in 1828. He rocky yard. In 1834, the family pulled up stakes claimed the boyhood home for six years. He and moved westward to better land in west owned A.H. Forrest and Company in Vicksburg, Tippah County, Mississippi in a little community, Mississippi by 1858, having worked with his now extinct, that incorporated as the town of brothers in the slave trade. The business closed Salem on 11 May 1837. about 1860. He served the CSA as Captain of the 6th Mississippi Battalion of State Troops, but A son Jeffrey E. Forrest was born in Salem in became ill with pneumonia while commanding 1837, just four months after the untimely death of an expedition near Paducah, Kentucky in 1864, his father William. Jeffrey died in his brother and died near Dresden, Tennessee. Nathan’s arms after being wounded at the battle of Okalona, Mississippi, on 22 February 1864. Son Jesse Anderson Forrest came into this He was Captain of the 7th Tennessee at Ft. world on 8 April 1829. His claim to the boyhood Donelson and was later Colonel of the 8th home also lasted for about three years. Before the Tennessee Cavalry. He was shot through both war, he was in the slave trade with his brothers in thighs at Bears Creek, Mississippi in October Memphis. Jesse was Lt. Colonel of the 20th 1863. Jeffrey managed a livery stable in Tennessee Regiment. He served valiantly in Memphis prior to the war. Mississippi before joining the Army of Tennessee in the Tennessee campaign and helping to fight The Forrest family was a remarkable, tough the rear guard action on the retreat. Jesse ran a part of the history of Tennessee and Mississippi livery stable in Memphis for several years after who gave far more than their share of blood and the war. He died on 14 December 1890, leaving a effort in the . daughter Sally.

Daughter Milly Forrest was born about 1831 and died young after 1837. Another claim to a girlhood home, though she lived there only a couple of years.

Twin sons Isaac Forrest and Bedford Forrest were born about 1834. This is near the time of the family’s move to Mississippi. The twins died at a young age. It may be these two boys who are buried at the Pyles Road residence, but more likely they are in Benton County, Mississippi. More research is needed here. The Coleman Scouts perform at the boyhood home.

page 7 SAM DAVIS SCV CAMP 1293 JUNE 2008

UPCOMING Published by The Sam Davis Camp 1293 CAMP CALENDAR Sons of Confederate Veterans P.O. Box 3448 June 1 Brentwood, TN 37024 McGavock Confederate Cemetery Service, 2:00 a.m. Commander, Richard Rust: [email protected] Dedication of Loring Marker Following the Service with 21-Gun Salute at Carnton 1st Lt. Commander, Larry Cockerham nd 2 Lt. Commander, David Eagan June 14 Adjutant, Chris Sollmann Camp Picnic Treasurer, Ronnie Townes Hosts: Dr. David and Vicki Watts (Serves as the June Camp Meeting) Chaplain, Tony Rocchietti Stewart Cruickshank, Historian and Genealogist June 21 Newsletter Editor, Richard Rust Forrest Boyhood Homecoming, Newsletter Assistant, Bill Powell 9 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Webmaster, Allen Sullivant June 21 - 22 Recruitment at Bob Pope’s Gun Show Website: www.samdaviscamp.org July 16 - 20 SCV Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, NC

July 24 Meeting w/ Speaker: Greg Biggs Woodson Chapel, 7:00 p.m.

August 23 -24 Recruitment at Bob Pope’s Gun Show

August 28 Meeting w/ Speaker: Dr. Michael Bradley Woodson Chapel, 7:00 p.m.

September 25 Meeting w/ Speaker: Dr. Carole Bucy The 2nd Tennessee monument in Shiloh. Woodson Chapel, 7:00 p.m.

page 8