Calcasieu Greys - June 2014

Next Meeting

          The next meeting of Captain J.W. Bryan Camp will be from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, June 10, at Logan’s Roadhouse in Lake Charles. Charles Richardson will present a program on Francis T. Nicholls was attorney, politician, judge, and a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He served two terms as the 28th Governor of Louisiana, first from 1876 to 1880 and then from 1888 to 1892. This should be an interesting program. Our annual wreath laying ceremony for Confederate Memorial Day will at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 3, at The South’s Defender Monument at the Calcasieu Parish Court House.

Dr. Michael Begeron, M.D., surgeon of Captain James W. Bryan Camp 1390,

 is seen here at the podium reading the proclamations sent by Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne

 and State Sen. Ronnine John for the 150^th anniversary commemoration

 of the Battle of Calcasieu Pass held at the Cameron Parish Court House

 on Saturday, May 10. (Photo by Mrs. Susan Jones)

Finding Your Way Home

Commander's Column, June 2014

Dr. Andy Buckley

Years ago I adopted a phrase and applied it to my work as a pastor/campus minister and to my time invested in education as a public school teacher/college instructor: “Better than many…Equal to any…

Second to none.” Throughout my adult life I have sought to strive for excellence in every task I have undertaken. I would like to challenge the members of our camp to apply this phrase “Better than many…Equal to any…Second to none” to the work of our Captain James W. Bryan Camp #1390. We have a good camp built over the years upon the shoulders of those members and leaders who have served and participated in our work. As we look to the future, let us strive for excellence in being the best we can be. Our beloved Confederate ancestors deserve nothing less.

We should celebrate Confederate history all year long, but June 3 is still Confederate Memorial Day, an official state holiday in Louisiana. Our Captain James W. Bryan Camp 1390 will be placing First National CSA flags on all known Confederate soldiers’ graves in here in Calcasieu Parish Saturday, May 31. As in the past we will mark the graves in West Calcasieu Parish Saturday morning at 8:00 am and the graves in the Lake Charles cemeteries in the afternoon at 6:00 pm. We will have our annual memorial service on Tuesday, June 3th, 6:00pm at the Calcasieu Parish courthouse in Lake Charles. Please help us honor the men from Calcasieu Parish who served in the CSA Army on these days.

This past month we received Jerry Ross into our SCV membership. Jerry’s ancestor is Private Robert Wiley Stewart of Company I, 2nd Arkansas Infantry Regiment. Welcome Jerry! During our June meeting we will receive Dr. Jack Thelin, retired Lake Charles urologist into our membership. We also have several individuals who have requested member applications. According to the Louisiana Division, the Captain James W. Bryan Camp is the third largest Sons of Confederate Veterans group in the state. Bryan Camp is now at 51 members and we are asking your help in enlisting new members this year. There is absolutely no reason why we could not enlist 10 new members this year.

Congratulations to Past Commander Archie Toombs who was elected Southwest Brigade Commander for the Louisiana SCV. Dr. Elwyn Cavin, Travis Lanier, and Dr. Carl Nabours were recognized as the newest Louisiana Division Life Members at the recent reunion. Members of our camp, Jim Ross, Luke Dartez, Mike Jones, Archie Toombs, Kevin Guillottee , Travis Lanier assisted the Jessie Cooper Camp with reunion registration and attended the banquet,

Our June meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 10 at Logan’s Roadhouse in Lake Charles. Charles Richardson will present a program on Francis T. Nicholls was attorney, politician, judge, and a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He served two terms as the 28th Governor of Louisiana, first from 1876 to 1880 and then from 1888 to 1892. This should be an interesting program.

Dr. Andy Buckley, Commander                             

Captain James W. Bryan Camp 1390

Confederate Graves Flag Schedule Saturday, May 31

West Calcasieu

Meet at 8:00 am at Farquhar Cemetery

Dutch Cove Carlyss

Big Woods, Edgerly

Nibbett’s Bluff, Vinton

Rigmaden, North of Houston River

Lake Charles

Meet at Orange Grove Graceland Cemetery 6:00 pm

Lake Charles

Meet at Orange Grove Graceland Cemetery 6:00 pm

Corporate Cemetery

Bilbo Cemetery

Catholic Cemetery on Common Street

Sallier Cemetery

Battle of Calcasieu Pass Commemorated

CAMERON, La. - The 150th anniversary of the small but sharp Battle of of Calcasieu Pass, Louisiana was commemorated in ceremonies held Saturday, May 10, at the Cameron Parish Courthouse. The commemoration was sponsored by Captain James W. Bryan Camp 1390, Sons of Confederate Veterans, with the assistance of Calcasieu Chapter 1519, United Daughters of the Confederacy.

      Living history re-enactors from across Louisiana and Texas gathered for the event, fired a three-volley salute to honor the men who fought and died in the battle on May 6, 1864 on the southwest coast of Louisiana. John Bridges of KPLC-TV was the master of ceremonies, camp commander Dr. Andy Buckley gave the welcome address, Tommy Curtis, camp chaplain, the invocation.

      Pledges were given to the U.S. flag and the Louisiana flag as well as the salute to the Confederate flag. Nelson Fontenot read the "Charge of Lt. Gen. Stephen Dill Lee" to the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Former SCV Chief of Heritage Defense brought greetings for the national organization. Others bringing greetings included Trans-Mississippi Department Councilman Charles Lauret; Louisiana Division 1st Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Adkins; Major Frank Dietz, SCV Mechanized Cavalry; Linda Gramling, state president of the UDC; Mike Broussard, Gen. Louis Hebert Camp, SCV; Corey Bonin, Maj. Franklin Gardner Camp 1421; George Gremillion; and Richard Grant, Maj. Jesse Cooper Camp 1665.
      Dr. Michael Bergeron, M.D., read proclamations  from Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne and State Senator Ronnie Johns. Michael D. Jones, author of The Battle of Calcasieu Pass and the Great Naval Raid on Lake Charles, Louisiana, gave the history of the battle. Camp 1390 Adjutant Luke Dartez sounded the bell as 2nd Lt. Cmdr. Charles Richardson read the name each man, Union and Confederate, who was killed or mortally wounded in the battle. Former Camp Cmdr. Archie Toombs read the history of "Taps," and then Jacob Bridges did a beautiful job of playing the haunting tune. All gathered joined in the singing of "Dixie." Refreshments were provided by Calcasieu Chapter 1519 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

My Confederate Ancestor

Qur Captain James W. Bryan Camp features the stories of camp member’s Confederate ancestors in our monthly newsletter Calcasieu Greys. We would like to invite members to submit a brief biography of your ancestor for our upcoming issues.  The biography should be 750 words or less and include all service information, rank, place of enlistment, branch and unit, the battles in which your ancestor fought, final resting place, family information, and any anecdote concerning your ancestor. Please include a photograph of yourself and your ancestor. Send your biography to Mike Jones, Editor at m4082@msn.com or Dr. Andy Buckley Commander at andybuckley1224@gmail.com.

INVITATION TO SCV WIVES

      United Daughters of the Confederacy Meet Friday, June 13th. All of the wives of our Captain James W. Bryan Camp 1390 members are invited to attend the next chapter meeting of the United Daughters of the Confederacy scheduled for Friday morning, June 13th at the home of Jan Craven 2008 Cheryl Lane in Moss Bluff at 9:30. Jan’s telephone number is 855-4465 and e-mail address is weedwarrior06@gmail.com. After Calcasieu Pass our camp has expressed interest working more closely with the UDC.

Steve Travis Lanier, left, receives his Life

Membership Certificate of the La. SCV Div.

from state Commander Ted Brodie at the

recent La. Div. Reunion. (Photo by Mike Jones)

The history of the Battle of Calcasieu Pass was given at the commemoration

ceremony by author and Camp 1390 member, Michael D. Jones, seen here at

 the podium. The obelisk seen behind him honors the soldiers of both sides in

 the battle. About  100 people turned out for the  event. (Photo by Mrs. Susan Jones)

New Louisiana  Division officers were sworn in at the State Reunion held in DeRidder Saturday,

 May 24. From left are Chip Landry, Southeast Brigade Commander; Archie Toombs, Southwest

Division Commander; Paul Gramling, Northwest Division Commander; J.C. Hanna, 2^nd La. Div.

 Commander; Donald Kimball, 1^st. La. Div. Commander; Thomas Taylor, Louisiana Division 

Commander and former National Commander in Chief Chuck McMichael, installing officer. 

(Photo by Michael D. Jones)

Mrs. Susan Jones, wife of Capt. Bryan camp

Compatriot Michael D. Jones, played traditional

Southern music on her viola at the La. Div.

Reunion in DeRidder.

Capt. J.W. Bryan Camp’s newest

Member, Jerry Ross, left, received his membership

certificate at the May meeting from Camp

Cmdr. Dr. Andy Buckley. (Photo by Jim Ross)

LNG PLANT TO BE BUILT ON BATTLEFIELD

          A Southern California energy company has announced plans to build a $2.4 billion Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) facility on the site of the Battle of Calcasieu Pass, where the blood of heroes and patriots hallowed that ground on May 6, 1864.

        Greg Michaels, Chairman and CEO of Southern California Telephone & Energy, announced recently the acquisition of land located on the Calcasieu Ship Channel for the development of  the LNG facility by its subsidiary SCT&E LNG, LLC(www.sctelng.com). The approximate +/-232 acre site is strategically located on Monkey Island in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.

        In the area acquired by the company is believed to contain the site of the LeBoeuf  family farm house, that was used as a  hospital during the battle. Men killed in the battle, both Union and Confederate, were buried near the house and wooden markers were placed over their graves. The marked graves were seen and well known in the community well into the 20^th Century. At some point, however, the markers were lost, possibly during hurricanes or from natural deterioration and the site currently has no markers or memorialization. The site of the now unmarked cemetery is believed to be in the section that was acquired by the California company.

         According to Louisiana State Law, even unmarked and abandoned historic cemeteries are protected from disturbance. The grave site is hallowed ground and the state must protect it.

        The Battle of Calcasieu Pass was fought between two Union blockading gunboats, the U.S.S. Wave and the U.S.S. Granite City, and a small army of Confederates from the Sabine Pass garrison. After a sharp battle of approximately 1 ½  hours, the two gunboats had surrendered and approximately 50 men on both sides were killed or wounded.

       Natural gas will be treated at the Monkey Island site, liquefied, stored, and loaded onto LNG carriers for export to overseas customers in countries that have a free trade agreement (FTA) and/or non-FTA status with the United States. The site will house multiple LNG storage tanks which may be used for LNG bunkering and fueling of transportation ships for distribution of LNG. Now that the land acquisition is complete, SCT&E LNG will submit applications to the Department of Energy (DOE) for permission to export LNG to FTA and non-FTA nations, according to the company.

Pvt. William Kniep

Killed in action at the Battle of 

Calcasieu Pass, La. 

(Photo courtesy of Kniep family)

CALCASIEU GREYS - May 2014

Next Meeting

          The next meeting of Captain J.W. Bryan Camp will be from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, May 13,  at Joe’s Pizza and Pasta Restaurant, 1601 Ruth St. in Sulphur.  This is a new meeting place for us and  they have a large room capable of seating up to 60 people with it’s own restrooms separate from the main dining room facilities.  The menu has an adequate selection with reasonable prices.  The food is quite good also.  We need a good number in attendance for this meeting. Please come if you can possibly make it. Fred Adolphus Commander of Sons of Confederate Veterans Major Jesse M. Cooper Camp #1665 De Ridder will present the program entitled “Confederate Uniforms of the Trans-Mississippi.”

The new camp flag of Captain James W. Bryan

Camp 1390 is being displayed here by Mike Jones.

It is made to the same specifications as an authentic

Confederate Battle Flag and has the camp name and

number hand painted on it.

Finding Your Way Home

Commander’s Column May, 2014

Dr. Andy Buckley

Since January our Captain James W. Bryan Camp has experienced a high level of participation at our monthly meetings. In addition to camp members and spouses, which average about twenty or so, we have had four to five visitors and guests almost every month. Most of the guests are prospects to join the Sons of Confederate Veterans and have been cultivated by our members. This does not happen by accident. We are blessed to have an excellent camp with good attendance at meetings and informative, inspirational program speakers. Thanks to all who attend regularly and I invite all members that haven’t attended in a while to come back and join us.

The 150th anniversary of the Battle of Calcasieu Pass is scheduled for Saturday, May 10th on the grounds of the Cameron Parish Court House. It is my hope this event will be a commemoration service that Southwest Louisiana will remember for many years to come. We only have one chance to celebrate this significant milestone in the history of Southwest Louisiana and to honor the brave Southern soldiers who won this great victory. I hope every camp member will participate.

Because the Calcasieu Pass Commemoration service is such a huge event with the potential to attract new members and draw large numbers from the general public we need every member of the Captain James W. Bryan Camp 1390 to make this a successful venture. Frankly we cannot do the Calcasieu Pass commemoration without your involvement. The primary steering committee, which has taken the lead in planning this strategic event, is composed of Mike Jones, Luke Dartez, Archie Toombs, Scott Romero, and myself.

The job of planning this event has been overwhelming. We have tried to involve as many of our members as possible. We have included a tentative copy of the program and still need one or two color guard members and someone to read the proclamations. We also need additional financial support to rent chairs and pay for any additional expense which may occur, as our camp financial base is limited. I know you will do what you can and the commemoration will be a successful event. We’ll be setting up the chairs, speaker stand, sound system, and tables for the refreshments for the program at 7:00 am Saturday morning at the Courthouse. Please come early and assist these efforts.

Our May SCV monthly program will be at Joe’s Pizza and Pasta Restaurant in Sulphur, Ruth Street on Tuesday May, 13. Luke Dartez met with the owner personally, and everything is ready to go. This restaurant has a large room capable of seating up to 60 people with restrooms separate from the main dining room facilities. The menu has an adequate selection with reasonable prices. I hope that we have a good number in attendance for this meeting. Fred Adolphus Commander of Sons of Confederate Veterans Major Jesse M. Cooper Camp #1665 De Ridder will present the program entitled “Confederate Uniforms of the Trans-Mississippi.” Fred is currently Director of the Fort Polk Army Museum. Fred earned the BA History, Texas A&M University and the MA American Strategic Studies, LSU University and has authored numerous publications about Confederate uniforms which have been featured in the Confederate Veteran magazine and the Military Collector and Historian Journal.
Dr. Andy Buckley, Commander                             

Captain James W. Bryan Camp 1390 

Pvt. William Guehrs State History Marker that was in front

of the Cameron Parish Court House. It was vandalized and

stolen after Hurricane Rita.

Greg Newton and Michael Wayne Clanton at the April

Gun Show at the Lake Charles Civic Center.

Capt. J.W. Bryan Camp Cmdr. Dr. Andy Buckley presneting

the Hunley Award recent to Chief Francis at Washington-

Marion Magnet High School in Lake Charles, La.

Former Capt. J.W. Bryan Camp

commanders Archie Toombs and

Mike Jones at the Mansfield 150th

anniversary reenactment.

My Confederate Ancestor

Qur Captain James W. Bryan Camp features the stories of camp member’s Confederate ancestors in our monthly newsletter Calcasieu Greys. We would like to invite members to submit a brief biography of your ancestor for our upcoming issues.  The biography should be 750 words or less and include all service information, rank, place of enlistment, branch and unit, the battles in which your ancestor fought, final resting place, family information, and any anecdote concerning your ancestor. Please include a photograph of yourself and your ancestor. Send your biography to Mike Jones, Editor at m4082@msn.com or Dr. Andy Buckley Commander at andybuckley1224@gmail.com.

Mansfield battlefield expanded

          During a ceremony held in conjunction with the Battle of Mansfield 150th anniversary reenactment this April 26, Louisiana Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, joined by a representative of the Civil War Trust,announced a trio of exciting battlefield preservation achievements. First, the Trust launchd a national fundraising campaign to purchase 282 acres of battlefield land destined for eventual inclusion in the state historic site. The event also made public the Trust’s intention to donate to two already-acquired battlefield properties to the State of Louisiana — a one-acre parcel with frontage on Route 175 contiguous to Mansfield State Historic Site, and a 4-acre parcel that includes the historic Allen House.

        “Quite frankly, if you had told me ten years ago we would ever have a chance to save this much additional land at Mansfield, I would have been incredulous,” said Trust president James Lighthizer. “But now, thanks to some forward-thinking, preservation-minded business leaders and landowners, we have an unprecedented opportunity to build significant momentum for preservation associated with this often-underappreciated campaign.”

          The 282-acre tract northeast of the current state park was the site of the advance of Confederate Brig. Gen. James P. Major’s cavalry division (part of Maj. Gen. Thomas Green's cavalry corps) against the Union forces under Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Banks. During the morning, overall Confederate commander Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor positioned Confederate Brig. Gen. Jean Jacques Alexandre “Alfred” Mouton’s division on the east side of the clearing. Maj. Gen. John G. Walker’s division arrived in the afternoon and formed on Mouton’s right. In the early afternoon, prior to the Confederate attack, Green’s cavalry fell back from the advancing U.S. forces and Major’s division took up position on Mouton’s left flank, while a brigade of cavalry moved to Walker’s right.

          Thanks to a generous matching grant from the American Battlefield Protection Program, in order to complete the 282-acre acquisition, the Trust must raise $100,000 in private donations. After that funding is secured and the Trust closes on the property, the land will be donated to the State of Louisiana for inclusion in Mansfield State Historic Site. Once completed, the purchase will mark the largest-ever preservation effort at a Red River Campaign battlefield. Learn more at www.civilwar.org/fourbattlefields2014.

           Although smaller, the two already acquired properties are no less historic. The one-acre parcel witnessed extensive troop movements by both Union and Confederate forces. The 2nd Illinois Cavalry formed near this area before launching a series of counterattacks on the Confederates to cover and protect the withdrawal of Union units atop Honeycutt Hill. Moreover, protection of this property allows access to a 30-acre portion of the park that was acquired by the Trust in 1993 and transferred to the state. The Trust’s purchase was made possible through the assistance of a matching grant from the American Battlefield Protection Program, an arm of the National Park Service.

             During the Battle of Mansfield, the ante-bellum Allen House served as a Federal field hospital. It is one of the few remaining Civil War-era structures in the vicinity. The Calhoun Family donated the Allen House and surrounding property to the Trust, which is performing stabilization and restoration work before conveying it to the State.

“Being able to more formally ensure the long-term protection of this historic building has long been a goal for us,” said Carolyn Calhoun Huckabay.  “We are so pleased to see the growing public interest in our wonderful community’s dynamic past and are proud to have played a role in that process.”

            The Battle of Mansfield, fought April 8, 1864, was the decisive battle of the Red River Campaign. The 4,400 casualties inflicted there convinced Union Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks he could not wrest Louisiana and Texas from Confederate control.

            Civil War Trust is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States. Its mission is to preserve our nation’s endangered Civil War battlefields and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds. To date, it has preserved more than 38,500 acres of battlefield land in 20 states. Learn more at www.civilwar.org, the home of the Civil War sesquicentennial.

Battle of Mansfield

(Article courtesy of Civil War Trust)

           In March of 1864, Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Banks, led roughly 30,000 men up the Red River in a movement that had been conceived in part by former General-in-Chief, Henry Halleck. Banks’ mission was to destroy the Confederate army under Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor and capture Shreveport, Louisiana, thus seizing control of the Red River, and further tightening the Federals’ grip on the Confederacy. Though this movement was not line with Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s unified strategy for the Federal army, the plan was approved and Banks’ expedition began.

           Retreating up the river for most of March, Taylor was slowly collecting reinforcements from Texas and Arkansas, while he looked for a place to make a stand. Finally, in April, Taylor chose a clearing just south of Mansfield as an idea location to strike a blow at the Yankees, and possibly turn the tide of the campaign. Fully aware that his Confederates were outnumbered nearly two to one, Taylor said he would "fight Banks here [Mansfield] if he has a million men."

          Taylor knew the Union force would not be routed easily. He created a trap, stationing his men across Mansfield Road in an arc formation, just on the north side of an open field. Maj. Gen. John G. Walker’s three brigades were then placed in a battle line approximately 500 yards on either side of the road. Walker’s force was to take the first hit, with Brig. Gen. Alfred Mouton’s two brigades on Walker’s left there to attack once the Union forces were engaged. Brig. Gen. Thomas Green’s cavalry edged out both flanks. Upon the Union’s arrival, Brig. Gen. Thomas Ransom led a brigade forward but, concerned about hidden Confederate forces, halted. Banks ordered an advance that afternoon, but was rebuffed by Brig. Gen. Albert Lee, who insisted their position was too precarious. Banks reconsidered and called for additional cavalry reinforcements. While Banks waited, Taylor sent his infantry and a battery of artillery forward in an effort to draw the Federals into battle.

           After the Yankees failed to take the bait, Taylor ordered the advance of the entire Confederate line. Immediately, Mouton’s division encountered difficulties in the center of the line. Though Mouton managed to rally his men, he was mortally wounded. Walker, however, fared better on the Federal left, and forced a Union retreat in that sector. Very soon, the collapse on Banks’ left led to withdrawal along the whole line, and eventually devolved into a rout in which the Yankees left three pieces of artillery in Confederate hands.

            Banks, finally understanding the gravity of the situation, called for additional reinforcements. Brig. Gen. Robert Cameron’s division of the Thirteenth Army Corps hastened to the front to bolster the line, but was delayed by the Federals’ own supply trains. After extricating his troops, Cameron established a battle line approximately one mile south of Moss Plantation. Once more, the Confederates rolled up the Union line. Flush with success, Taylor pushed Walker’s, Polignac’s (who had taken command of Mouton’s division), and Green’s divisions forward, adding to the confusion of the Union retreat.

           Federal reinforcements, however, were coming to stem the flood. Without orders, Brig. Gen. William H. Emory quickened his pace to the front, leading his Nineteenth Corps towards the battle. Emory knew a defensible post was vital to support the retreating Federals and to prevent additional Confederate advances. He found a hill bordered by Chatman Bayou Creek and a small orchard, called Pleasant Grove, and decided to make his stand there. He placed approximately 5,000 men across Mansfield Road, forming a wall of soldiers with their rifles aimed at the advancing Confederates. When the Rebels tested this line, Emory’s fire sent them back in a brief retreat.

              Refusing to surrender their progress for the day, the Confederates again attacked, this time on the flanks in hopes of rolling up the line as they had done earlier. Seeing this, Emory refused his line, bending it back to repel the Confederates again. Unable to break through, Though Taylor was frustrated with the outcome of the day, Mansfield was still a strategic victory for the Confederates. Taylor displayed excellent generalship, maneuvering his force to overwhelm individual parts of the larger Union army.

        Taylor and his Confederates also captured more pieces of Union army equipment and artillery, and sustained approximately 1,000 casualties. In comparison, the Union army sustained 2,800 casualties and was unable to seize nearly as many Confederate the Rebels retreated as darkness fell.

Allen farm house, used as a hospital during the battle. It has been donated 

to the state battlefield park by the Calhoun family.

(Photo courtesy of Civil War Trust)

CALCASIEU GREYS - April 2014

Next Meeting

          The next meeting of Captain J.W. Bryan Camp will be from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, April 8, at Logan’s Road House, 3509 Gerstner Memorial Blvd, Lake Charles LA 70607. Ed Sherwood will present the program “Benjamin Butler and the Federal Occupation of New Orleans.” Please make every effort to be in attendance.

       Monthly camp meetings in Lake Charles have been scheduled and confirmed for:; Tuesday, June 10; Tuesday. August 12;Tuesday October 14.

FINDING YOUR WAY HOME

Commander's Column, April 2014

Dr. Andy Buckley
Camp  1380 Cmdr.

Colonel William Henry Parsons commanded the Texas unit, which served as the primary cavalry for the Army of Trans-Mississippi in Arkansas and Louisiana in 1862-1863. Parson’s commanded the 19^th Texas Calvary, Morgan’s Texas Battalion, and the 10^th Texas Artillery. My own great-great grandfather, J.T. Garrett served under Parsons in the Alf Johnson Spy Company organized in McKinney, Texas.

W.H. Parsons was a man of honor, conviction, courage, and Christian faith. The following letter, written from Chicago some two months before his death, was read at the Brigade’s reunion in Hillsboro, Texas on August, 1907. It reminds all of us why we are a part of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

“Leaf by leaf the trees are falling

Drop by drop the streams run dry

One by one beyond recalling

Summer roses droop and die.

Your Letter, dear comrades in arms, finds me still among those who witness the falling leaves, while I wait the bugle call of my Great commander. I find

that it is in strict military order that he who was your superior officer during those thunderous days from 1861 to 1865, should remain on the field until the last man utters his response to the earthly roll call.

Those of us who survived the shock of battle and have since encountered the stings and arrows of outrageous fortune, are conscious of Providential care and are correspondently thankful. When the old guard gather at Hillsboro, read them this letter from the man who loves hem and hopes to join them in the activities of the future life where we are assured there shall be no more nights nor tears. Endless day and ceaseless joy shall be the portion of those conscious of duty well  performed according to their light.

You have from time to time received from my pen words reminiscent of those Stirring days of civil strife, but now I feel that we should for the remaining years Live in the present and contemplate the future.  The years are big with promise  for our great country, and I have always been among those who, while ready to

oppose wrong, yet never uselessly antagonize the inevitable trend and was ready  to accept the situation, as you know I did return from South America just after the war.

It takes more courage to stand alone than to battle among your fellows, and you Recall my stand for reconstruction. The grant old state of Texas flourishes and I am conscious of my part in its present greatness and prosperity. Let the youngest Generation join with us in our enthusiasm and say to young and old in the hearing of your  voice at the coming reunion of Parson’s Brigade, that your old commander

still lives and loves.”

W.H. Parsons, Waxahachie Daily Light Newspaper, Saturday, August 10, 1907.

W. H. Parsons is but one great example of the values and positive character traits of our Confederate ancestors. I am truly grateful to be a member of a national organization like the Sons of Confederate Veterans, which proudly honors the sacrifices of our brave Confederate ancestors and celebrates the true and accurate history of the War Between the States. At our March meeting our program speaker Joe David Pool reminded us of the distinctive characteristics of Southerners and the uniqueness of our Southern culture. I am unapologetically a Southerner and an ancestor of men who fought bravely and courageously against the Yankee invasion of our home and for the cause of Jeffersonian small government, states rights, strict interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, and economic opportunity for all.

Tommy Curtis has served our Captain James W. Bryan Camp 1390 with distinction as our Camp Commander and as Commander, Southwest Brigade, Louisiana Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans. Tommy, who currently serves as our chaplain, recently shared with me these thoughts concerning the unique role of our organization:

“At this critical time, when the twin scourge of political correctness and revisionist history has created a climate hostile to any flag, symbol, or monument that would honor the Confederate soldier, we need the support of every Southerner, more than ever. With our heritage under attack we have much to fight for, defend, and preserve. Like our forbearers of 1861, we must answer the clarion call and come to the defense of our Southland. I have found the SCV to be the perfect organization for defending the honor of our Confederate heritage. The rank and file of our membership are honorable, high-minded, and seekers of the truth with regard to the historical record of the War for Southern Independence. Just being a member of the SCV is a proclamation of our heritage and an important defense of our way of life.”

Thank you Tommy Curtis. I could not have said it more eloquently. It is my hope Tommy’s words challenge each of us to reach out to men in our community who would join with us in celebrating, defending, and promoting our heritage through the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Because of the war being waged against our ancestors, our history, and our memorials, we need to increase dramatically the membership of the Captain James W. Bryan Camp. There is strength in numbers!

We are grateful for the return of one of our own, U. S. Army Lieutenant Evan Ellis, who has served our nation as the executive officer of an engineering company deployed in the Middle East for the past 14 months. I hope you will read  Lt. Ellis ancestor’s story in the Confederate Grays newsletter. Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8^th at Logan’s Road House on Highway 14 in Lake Charles. Ed Sherwood will present the program “Benjamin Butler and the Federal Occupation of New Orleans.” Please make every effort to be in attendance.

Dr. Andy Buckley

Commander

andybuckley1224@g mail.com

Commander Dr. Andy Buckley has a UCV Stamp in his personal collection like the one seen here. 

The U.S. Post Office issued this special commemorative stamp in 1951 to commemorate the final reunion 

of the United Confederate Veterans. There were only a small number of  Confederate  veterans alive 

at that time.

My Confederate Ancestor

         

          Qur Captain James W. Bryan Camp features the stories of camp member’s Confederate ancestors in our monthly newsletter Calcasieu Greys. We would like to invite members to submit a brief biography of your ancestor for our upcoming issues.  The biography should be 750 words or less and include all service information, rank, place of enlistment, branch and unit, the battles in which your ancestor fought, final resting place, family information, and any anecdote concerning your ancestor. Please include a photograph of yourself and your ancestor. Send your biography to Mike Jones, Editor at m4082@msn.com or Dr. Andy Buckley Commander at andybuckley1224@gmail.com.

Lieutenant Evan Ellis, a descendent of the Alanson,

 resides in Texas and, following tradition, is a Cavalry Officer 

and Horse Trainer. 

ALANSON DAWDY

By Evan Ellis

Alanson Dawdy was one of the first settlers of Dallas County, Texas. He was the son of Alanson Dawdy, and grandson of Irish indentured servant Howell Dawdy. The family name was variously spelled Dawdy & Dowdy throughout the centuries, literally changing back and forth from one generation to the next. The subjects Grandfather fled from his servitude in 1771 and headed south. A wanted listing for a reward of four pounds was listed for his grandfather on November 18^th, 1771 with the following description:

“Howell Dawdy, about 26 years of age, about 5'9" high, of a sandy complexion, red beard, with a hair mole on the right side of his chin, sandy hair which he wore tied, thin visaged, he pretends to be a carpenter, is a well made fellow, sings a good song, and is very fond of company; he took with him a light coloured  saggathy coat, nankeen jacket and breeches, a pair of leather breeches, an old green lappelled jacket, ribbed worsted hose marked I.B. on the top of each stocking; it is supposed he stole a light coloured surtout coat; he plays a little on the violin; he went away on the 14th of this month and is supposed he is gone to the eastward. Whoever apprehends the above described persons shall receive the above reward, or Four Pounds for either, from Samuel Dick and Curtis Trenchard.”

         His Grandfather went on to fight in the American Revolution in the North Carolina Militia, and moved on to Tennessee where he died a free man in 1830. Thus the family began its westward journey toward its destiny in Texas. The subject’s father of the same name was thus born in Tennessee in 1786 and from there the family moved to the Illinois Territory. Alanson was born there on December 15^th, 1826 and raised there until in 1846 the  Mexican War beckoned the young man to greater adventures. He joined Company H, of the 1^st Illinois Volunteers. It was with his Kentucky Regimental commander Colonel John J. Hardin he fought at the Battle of Buena Vista. In this famous battle Colonel Hardin was killed.

         Returning from the Mexican War Alanson decided to join other members of his kin in settling around Dallas County, Texas. It was here on the Trinity River that he started Dowdy’s Ferry. The Ferry charges included one dollar for a wagon with four or more animals, ten cents for a man and horse, and five cents for a person on foot.

Alanson continued to manage his ferry, train horses eventually and purchased his farm in Dallas County after profiting from his various endeavors. He became a prominent citizen within the county.

In March of 1862 the 18^th Texas Cavalry was organized and Alanson was elected 1^st Lieutenant of Company I under Capt. William H. Perry.  The unit was soon assigned to the Indian Territory that same month. In April the unit was dismounted and its horses were taken away. This did not sit well with the Texans and family tradition states that Alanson resigned his commission rather than be transferred to the Infantry.

His unit was sent to Arkansas Post where it was later captured in January of 1863. Not much is known of the rest of his military service to the Confederacy although the Memorial & Biographical History of Dallas County, Texas (Chicago: Lewis Pub Co. 1892), page 639   mentions that he was involved in numerous skirmishes and at the time of Lee’s Surrender he was in Tyler, Texas on duty. It is quite possible that he was a member of the Texas State Forces at that time.

          Alanson was a deacon in the Christian Church, a Mason and a Southern Democrat. He died on Jan. 23, 1901 in Dallas and is buried in the Hutchins Cemetery in that city.  Alanson’s legacy still lives on in Dallas, Texas, and anyone familiar with the city will know of Dowdy Ferry Road in the Southeastern portion of the city. 

Dowdy's Ferry Exit in Dallas, Texas

Dawdy's Ferry Historical Marker
(Photos courtesy Lt. Evan Ellis)

Mansfield 150th Re-enactment Schedule

( subject to updates)

Mansfield State Historic Site, 15149 Highway 175,Mansfield, LA  71052

* GPS coordinates     32.011096, -93.665964

On April 26-27, 2014, Mansfield State Historic Site, in conjunction with the 11th Louisiana Infantry, will host a 150th anniversary reenactment.  The event will be held on 134 acres of the actual battlefield, regarded as some of the best preserved battlefield land in the country. Two full battle scenarios will be

reenacted:  Saturday will feature the overwhelming assault of Mouton’s and Walker’s Divisions, in concert with Green’s Confederate cavalry, on the initial 13th Army Corps line at the battle’s opening phase. Sunday’s scenario will feature the attack and repulse of General Taylor’s Confederate forces as they attempted to destroy the 6,500 men of General William H. Emory’s 19th Corps division at the battle’s third and final phase.

Thursday-April 24th :

                Sutler and Vendor set-up

Friday-April 25th :

                Reenactor set-up

                9 am. - 10 pm.  on site registration

                8 pm.  Battalion Commander Meeting (CS/HQ area)

Saturday- April 26th :

                7 am. Reveille

                8 am on site registration opens

                9 am Camps open to the public

                8:30 am Infantry weapons inspection

                8:30 am Battalion Commanders meeting

                9 am Artillery Inspection

                ( mandatory-all crew members and         Commanders present)

                10 am ALL vehicles out of camp until end    of  the event

                11 am  Ladies' Tea

                12 noon registration closes

                2 pm Battle of Mansfield

                4:30 pm- 6:30 pm Supper for Registered               Reenactors

                5 pm Camps closed to the public

                7 pm-10 pm  Dance

Sunday- April 27th

                7 am Reveille

                9 am Battalion Commanders meeting

                ( CS/HQ area)

                9 am Camps open to public

                10 am Church Service

                2 pm. Battle of Mansfield

                After Battle camps open to vehicles

DATES OF IMPORTANCE

April 4-5 Battle of Pleasant Hill Commemoration

April 25-27 Battle of Mansfield Commemoration

May 10 Commemoration of the 150^th anniversary of the Battle of Calcasieu Pass.

May 23-24 SCV Division Reunion DeRidder

CALCASIEU GREYS -- MARCH 2014

Joe David Pool

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of Captain J.W. Bryan Camp will be from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, March 11, 2014, in Sulphur at  Hollier’s Cajun Kitchen, Ruth Street. At the March meeting the camp membership will address a permanent location for the Sulphur meeting since another organization has reserved the meeting room at the Pitt Grill. Our guest speaker will be Joe David Pool of DeRidder on “A Journal of the 17^th Louisiana Infantry Regiment in the Civil War.”

          Monthly camp meetings in Lake Charles have been scheduled and confirmed for Logan’s Road House: Tuesday, April 8; Tuesday, June 10; Tuesday. August 12;Tuesday October 14.

Battle of Calcasieu Pass 150^th Anniversary Committee

At the last meeting,  the Camp Commander named a Battle of Calcasieu Pass Commemoration Committee: Mike Jones, Luke Dartez, and Archie Toombs. Because this event is so huge we are requesting additional members volunteer to serve on the committee which will be planning the service. 

Dr. Andy Buckley
Cmdr. Camp 1390

Finding Your Way Home

Commander's Column March 2014

I noticed a posting on the web-page of the Rivers Bridge Sons of Confederate Camp #842 in Barker’s Mill, South Carolina recounting the history of our proud organization:

Within months following the cessation of hostilities between the North and South in 1865, groups of male descendants of those who served in the Confederate Army and Navy were formed throughout the South. Their main objective was the welfare and comfort of the veterans who had "worn the gray." They soon realized their efforts would be more effective if they joined together in some sort of federation. In this way, they could render assistance to support the United Confederate Veterans which had been organized in New Orleans on June 10, 1889.

Such a federation became a reality on July 1, 1896 in Richmond, Virginia during the annual re-union of the United Confederate Veterans. On this date twenty-four "camps" from five Southern states, approved the formation of the "United Sons of Confederate Veterans." J.E.B. Stuart, Jr., was elected the first leader.

Because they had initially formed camps to assist the Confederate veterans, it was only natural that they were committed “to comfort and assist needy, Confederate Veterans, their wives, widows and orphans." Their annual meetings were held on the same date and site as that of the United Confederate Veterans. In 1912 the name was shortened to "Sons of Confederate Veterans.”

These farsighted young men realized that the day would come when there would be no more veterans, widows or orphans to assist. Therefore one of their declared objectives was to see" ...that the events of the War Between the States are authentically and dearly written..." remembered and defended.

I am truly grateful to be a member of a national organization which proudly honors the sacrifices and values of our brave Confederate ancestors and celebrates Southern history and culture. There truly is no other region in our great country like the South. Our beloved South remains generally more conservative than the rest of the United States. Communities in the South have developed strong attachments to their churches as the primary community institution and an expression of our faith in God. Etiquette, respect, honesty, and integrity have traditionally been very important to people living in the South. This is the way it should be. In his landmark book entitled Heritage of the South author Tim Jacobson has written these thoughts about our unique Southern way of life:

"More than any other part of America, the South stands apart. Thousands of Northerners and foreigners have migrated to it...but Southerners they will not become. The South is still a place where you must have either been born or have 'people' there, to feel it is your native land. Southerners are proud to be Americans, but they are also proud to be Louisianans, Virginians, South Carolinians, Tennesseans, Mississippians and Texans. Southerners are loyal too, to an identity that transcends the usual ties of national patriotism and state pride. It is a loyalty to a place where habits are strong and memories are long. If those memories could speak, they would tellstories of a region powerfully shaped by its history and determined to pass it on to future generations."

Please be in attendance at our next monthly meeting March 11, 2014 at Hollier’s Cajun Kitchen on Ruth Street in Sulphur . Joe David Pool of DeRidder will share about a project he has been researching and composing for fifty years entitled "A Journal of the Louisiana 17th Infantry Regiment in the Civil War." It is written through the eyes of one individual soldier of that unit. His perspective is not presented from the commanding officers' viewpoints, but from the common combatant. In his presentation, you will hear about misery and death. You will hear about friendship and entertainment. Of course, you will hear about their participation in battle... at Shiloh, Corinth, Chickasaw Bluffs, Port Gibson, and Vicksburg. He has the rolls of the companies of the regiment and a list of the dead. Mr. Pool has published five books and four magazine articles. He likes to write about the people of Louisiana in which his family has lived for over 200 years. He was Dr. Joe Grey Taylor’s teaching assistant at  Mc Neese State University where he earned the Master of Arts in History. He taught at Barbe, LaGrange, and Sulphur High schools; and on the Navajo Indian Reservation in New Mexico. 

Beginning last month our Calcasieu Greys has added a new feature highlighting the story of a James W. Bryan Camp member’s Confederate Ancestor on a monthly basis. Please be willing to share your ancestor’s story.

This spring will be a busy time for our camp. We need all the members of our Captain James W. Bryan Camp to be present for commemorating the 150 year Battle of Calcasieu Pass on Saturday, May 10 on the grounds of the Cameron Parish Courthouse, 10:00 am-12:00 noon. This will be the first time our camp has attempted to conduct an event on such a large scale.  We are counting on you to make this event a great success.

Dr. Andy Buckley

Commander, andybuckley1224@g mail.com 

My Confederate Ancestor

          The Calcasieu Greys will soon feature the story of a James W. Bryan Camp member’s Confederate Ancestor on a monthly basis.

          Beginning this spring our Captain James W. Bryan Camp will feature the stories of camp member’s Confederate ancestors in our monthly newsletter Calcasieu Greys. We would like to invite members to submit a brief biography of your ancestor for our upcoming issues.  The biography should be 750 words or less and include all service information, rank, place of enlistment, branch and unit, the battles in which your ancestor fought, final resting place, family information, and any anecdote concerning your ancestor. Please include a photograph of yourself and your ancestor. Send your biography to Mike Jones, Editor at m4082@msn.com or Dr. Andy Buckley Commander at andybuckley1224@gmail.com.

Brig. Gen. Matthew C. Butlert

CONFEDERATE OF THE MONTH

Brigadier General Matthew C. Butler of South

Carolina served as a captain in Hampton’s

Legion and then as colonel of the 2^nd South Carolina Cavalry. He was wounded at the Battle of Brandy Station and his left foot amputated. He was then promoted to the rank of brigadier general.

Executive Committee  Recommendation.

The Executive committee met on Friday 21 with Dr. Andy Buckley commander, Luke Dartez Adjutant, Al Cochran, Historian, Mike Jones, Editor, and Archie Toombs Past Commander in attendance. 

              The committee discussed the $500.00 of the spring semester scholarship due Shelby Wolfe. Due to difficulty in obtaining applicants the scholarship committee had agreed and requested in April 2012 the amount of the scholarship be raised from $500.00 per year to $1000.00 per year. Scott Thorn agreed to this request and paid McNeese Financial Aid/Scholarship Department $500.00 with a personal check. No receipt of the scholarship award was provided the Captain James W. Bryan Camp from McNeese, as the scholarship check was a personal check from Scott.

          When contacted by Dr. Andy Buckley in December for the second scholarship payment of $500.00, Scott indicated he initially misunderstood the request to raise the scholarship and had moved the funds to a new account and could not make a second withdrawal due to loss of interest. The second half of the scholarship payment for the spring semester of $500.00 has therefore not been paid. The Executive Committee strongly feels the integrity of our promise to Shelby Wolfe requires the Camp to honor its agreement to fully fund the scholarship payment.

The Executive Committee will recommend the Camp provide the $500.00 promised Shelby Wolfe out of our funds and terminate future participation with the Ben W. Burns Scholarship. The Ben W. Burns Scholarship is under the control Scott Thorn, who although is a past Camp Commander, is not an SCV Member, and has not been for a number of years.

              Because there is no direct relationship in the management or oversight of the Ben W. Burns Scholarship with the Sons of the Confederate Veterans or the Captain James W. Bryan Camp #1390, and to protect the good name of the Sons of the Confederate Veterans, we believe the Camp should not continue to participate in the recruitment of applicants, publicity/promotion, or distribution of  scholarship funds for which we have no direct institutional oversight or involvement.

If Scott Thorn desires to continue to offer the Ben W. Burns Scholarship funds at McNeese he may do so as the executor of the Burns estate, but not in the name of the Captain James W. Bryan SCV Camp 1390.

Captain James W, Bryan Camp # 1390

Executive Committee

NEW GEORGIA LICENSE PLATE CELEBRATES SOUTHERN HERITAGE

 (ATLANTA – February 18, 2014)   As of February 1, 2014, the Ga. Div. Sons of Confederate Veterans has a totally new Special License Plate available to all Georgians. The new design has already been approved and is now available as part of the state’s new form which allows for digital images for license plates instead of the traditional raised letter format.

The new design of the SCV’s special license plate features a much more prominent logo of the organization with larger stars and a beautiful Confederate battle flag image in the background and covering the entire size of the plate. Additionally, the plate features a gold frame with the words “Sons of Confederate Veterans” displayed where the county name was previously featured on the plates.

The design for the new plate previously submitted by the SCV also featured the carving on Stone Mountain, the largest Confederate monument in existence; however, Silver Dollar City which has leased the Park from the state of Georgia claims to have the carving trademarked and refuses to allow other entities to use it. At present, the Sons of Confederate Veterans has challenged the right of any private corporation to trademark a symbol which belongs to the people and state of Georgia and is considering further action to void the trademark claim of Silver Dollar City; but the new alternate license plate design was submitted by the SCV so as not to delay its production.

In addition to the promotion of Southern Heritage which comes from every license plate which is on the roads, a financial contribution of $10 from the tag fee is made to the Georgia Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans to promote Southern Heritage through educational activities and preservation efforts around the state. Since the program’s inception several years ago, hundreds of thousands of dollars from the sale of the SCV specialty plates have gone toward such projects as the cleaning and maintenance of statues and monuments, the preservation of the last standing chimney of the Confederate Powderworks in Augusta, the erection of numerous other monuments across the state, the production of educational literature and posters, and even Southern history segments on radio and television across the state as part of the Sesquicentennial commemoration of the War for Southern Independence.

150-years-ago

RED RIVER CAMPAIGN STARTS WITH ATTACK ON FORT DERUSSY March 14, 1864

(National Park Service summary)

The Union launched a multi-purpose expedition into Rebel Gen. E. Kirby Smith’s Trans-Mississippi Department, headquartered in Shreveport, Louisiana, in early 1864. Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks and Rear Adm. David D. Porter jointly commanded the combined force. Porter’s fleet and Brig. Gen. A.J. Smith's XVI and XVII Army Corps detachments of the Army of the Tennessee set out on March 12, 1864, up the Red River, the most direct route to Shreveport. Banks with the XIII and XIX Army Corps advanced by way of Berwick Bay and Bayou Teche. After removing various obstructions that the Rebels had placed in the river, the major impediment to the Union expedition was the formidable Fort DeRussy, an earthen fortification with a partly iron-plated battery designed to resist the fire of Union ironclads that might come up river. Union Brig. Gen. A.J. Smith’s command had embarked on transports at Vicksburg and then disembarked at Simsport, on the 12th, about thirty miles from Fort DeRussy. Smith sent out some troops on the morning of the 13th to determine if any enemy was in their path. This force dispersed and chased an enemy brigade, after which, Smith set his men in motion up the Fort DeRussy road. They did not proceed far before night. Early the next morning, the 14th, they continued the march, discovering that a Confederate division threatened their advance. Always mindful of this threat, Smith had to place part of his command in a position to intercept these Rebel forces if they attacked. Upon arriving at the fort, the enemy garrison of 350 men opened fire. Smith decided to use Mower’s division, XVI Army Corps, to take the fort and set about positioning it for the attack. Around 6:30 pm, Smith ordered a charge on the fort and about twenty minutes later, Mower’s men scaled the parapet, causing the enemy to surrender. Fort DeRussy, which some had said was impregnable, had fallen and the Red River to Alexandria was open.

DATES OF IMPORTANCE

March 28-29 Battle of Port Hudson Commemoration

April 4-5 Battle of Pleasant Hill Commemoration

April 25-27 Battle of Mansfield Commemoration

May 10 Commemoration of the 150^th anniversary of the Battle of Calcasieu Pass.

May 23-24 SCV Division Reunion DeRidder

Gun Show dates?

Nibblet’s Bluff Festival date?