Walter F. McClure Family McClure Family 1923 Jeanne McClure Sanders with son
On Confederate Memorial Day, April 1875, in ceremonies all over the South, people honored the memory of their brave soldiers. As they had sent every citizen able to bear arms to the front when their country called, so did they honor with reverent devotion the memory of the many noble sons who died on her behalf.
The hope of those who erected those first monuments to our Confederate dead was that those who came after them would say: “Our fathers fought for that which they deemed the right and were not dishonored traitors. The monuments bear testimony in their behalf – and are a protest to God and man of the righteousness of their cause and the purity of their motives. They are a vindication as well as a remembrance. That they speak to the world of a cause crushed but not disgraced, of a people vanquished but not dishonored. They commemorate the courage, the chivalry, the devotion of the dead and bear testimony to the justice of their cause. There will be no shame for the children of the conquered.” We should point with pride to our monuments, and say “so honored the South her heroes.” “In years to come the proudest patent of nobility which a Southern man can boast will lie in the words “my father fought for freedom in the ranks of the Confederate Army.”
Gen. Clement A. Evans on the occasion of laying the cornerstone of the Confederate Memorial at Augusta - spoke these honorable words:
“There are tears and honors for the slain without bitterness or hatred for the slayers. The hearts which thrilled under the remembrances of past glories and of surviving grief’s contain no feelings of resentment or of hostility for those who robbed us of our loved ones, who crushed our dearest hopes, who blighted our fondest aspirations. All is forgotten, or if remembered, there comes remembrance the softening recollection of their losses, the thought that they mourned their dead. We did not meet to swear hatred and vengeance upon the tombs of Southern soldiers; rather to declare to the North that while we honor and lament our dead we cherish no malice for the living. We say to them “here, across the graves of our sons and brothers, we extend to you the hand of peace and reconciliation. You believed in the justice of your cause, and battled for what you deemed the right. We believed in the justice of our cause, and battled for what we deemed the right. The God of Battles gave to you the victory. Let us, then, forget the enmities of the past, let us once more be friends and struggle together for the prosperity and glory of our common country. Victory has brought mourning as well as defeat. Your tears flow for the loved and lost.
The hope of those who erected those first monuments to our Confederate dead was that those who came after them would say: “Our fathers fought for that which they deemed the right and were not dishonored traitors. The monuments bear testimony in their behalf – and are a protest to God and man of the righteousness of their cause and the purity of their motives. They are a vindication as well as a remembrance. That they speak to the world of a cause crushed but not disgraced, of a people vanquished but not dishonored. They commemorate the courage, the chivalry, the devotion of the dead and bear testimony to the justice of their cause. There will be no shame for the children of the conquered.” We should point with pride to our monuments, and say “so honored the South her heroes.” “In years to come the proudest patent of nobility which a Southern man can boast will lie in the words “my father fought for freedom in the ranks of the Confederate Army.”
Gen. Clement A. Evans on the occasion of laying the cornerstone of the Confederate Memorial at Augusta -
“There are tears and honors for the slain without bitterness or hatred for the slayers. The hearts which thrilled under the remembrances of past glories and of surviving grief’s contain no feelings of resentment or of hostility for those who robbed us of our loved ones, who crushed our dearest hopes, who blighted our fondest aspirations. All is forgotten, or if remembered, there comes remembrance the softening recollection of their losses, the thought that they mourned their dead. We did not meet to swear hatred and vengeance upon the tombs of Southern soldiers; rather to declare to the North that while we honor and lament our dead we cherish no malice for the living. We say to them “here, across the graves of our sons and brothers, we extend to you the hand of peace and reconciliation. You believed in the justice of your cause, and battled for what you deemed the right. We believed in the justice of our cause, and battled for what we deemed the right. The God of Battles gave to you the victory. Let us, then, forget the enmities of the past, let us once more be friends and struggle together for the prosperity and glory of our common country. Victory has brought mourning as well as defeat. Your tears flow for the loved and lost.
There are bruised hearts in the North as well as in the South. Let us have a mutual forgiveness, a common forgetfulness of wrongs.”
It was “eminently proper that the brave should speak of the brave; that the justice of the Lost Cause should be vindicated and its fallen defenders eulogized” by such a gallant soldier. While he spoke, with such eloquence which can only be inspired by feelings of the loyalty, of the valor, of the fortitude of the Confederate troops; there was another theme upon which he touched, and which found a ready response in the hearts of his listeners:
“Let us do nothing to keep alive the passions of war. To study its lessons is prudence, to profit by its teaching is wisdom, but to stir up the old animosities is madness. The voice of this monument will not be for war, but for peace. It will say to us, the Confederacy has expired. Its great life went out on the purple tide of blood that flowed from the hearts of its sons. We have buried it; we don’t intend to exhume its remains.
“We were utterly defeated, and we dismiss our resentments. Sadly we furled the dear, old banner of the cross of stars, which we followed through many a storm of shot and shell; but we take with the true hand of Southern honor the staff that holds the flag of the stars and stripes.”
A few weeks later General Evans responded to a Northern businessman’s letter regarding the reconstruction of the country: “A better understanding between the people of the North and South is securing fraternity In that restoration wise counsels will everywhere prevail. Political virtue will have an early resurrection, and the threatening financial clouds will break in the prospering showers. To thinking men of the whole country will join on the speedy cessation of all war-feelings. If we ought not to fight with the sword like men, let us not quarrel like children. It is neither politic, nor manly to make now a war of words and measures in personal and political enmity. Spitefulness becomes neither of the great sections of this great land, and the cost of such a war to the country is the decay of the prosperity, the loss of its patriotism, and the death of its manhood.”
At the same time, General W.H.H. Davis, commander of the Fourth Pennsylvania Regiment, paid tribute to the memory of all the comrades who fell in battle: “At the crossing of yonder streets stands their monumental stone, erected rather to perpetuate their courage and fidelity than to commemorate the civil feud in which the lost their lives. But while laying a tribute on the graves of our own dead, we can afford to drop a tear for the dead of the other side. They were our countrymen,
It was “eminently proper that the brave should speak of the brave; that the justice of the Lost Cause should be vindicated and its fallen defenders eulogized” by such a gallant soldier. While he spoke, with such eloquence which can only be inspired by feelings of the loyalty, of the valor, of the fortitude of the Confederate troops; there was another theme upon which he touched, and which found a ready response in the hearts of his listeners:
“Let us do nothing to keep alive the passions of war. To study its lessons is prudence, to profit by its teaching is wisdom, but to stir up the old animosities is madness. The voice of this monument will not be for war, but for peace. It will say to us, the Confederacy has expired. Its great life went out on the purple tide of blood that flowed from the hearts of its sons. We have buried it; we don’t intend to exhume its remains.
“We were utterly defeated, and we dismiss our resentments. Sadly we furled the dear, old banner of the cross of stars, which we followed through many a storm of shot and shell; but we take with the true hand of Southern honor the staff that holds the flag of the stars and stripes.”
A few weeks later General Evans responded to a Northern businessman’s letter regarding the reconstruction of the country: “A better understanding between the people of the North and South is securing fraternity In that restoration wise counsels will everywhere prevail. Political virtue will have an early resurrection, and the threatening financial clouds will break in the prospering showers. To thinking men of the whole country will join on the speedy cessation of all war-
At the same time, General W.H.H. Davis, commander of the Fourth Pennsylvania Regiment, paid tribute to the memory of all the comrades who fell in battle: “At the crossing of yonder streets stands their monumental stone, erected rather to perpetuate their courage and fidelity than to commemorate the civil feud in which the lost their lives. But while laying a tribute on the graves of our own dead, we can afford to drop a tear for the dead of the other side. They were our countrymen,
and we should feel proud of their gallant deeds. Their courage and fortitude developed the highest type of American character; and in all the best qualities of a soldier the Confederate Gray proved himself the peer of the Union Blue. Our hearts should swell with charity toward them when we remember that but for the accident of success, Washington and Jefferson would have no greater claim to the name of patriot than Lee and Stonewall Jackson. I need not pause to tell you that the cause you served, and for which our comrades died, was just, for the judgment of the world has so decided. That “tis sweet to die for one’s country” is proved by the cheerfulness with which men lay down their lives in camp and court; and the altar of the country has claimed as many martyrs as the church. The lessons of patriotism are the most precious of all our teachings. There is one duty we should all cultivate – that of forgetfulness of the passions and hates of the war. Let us keep green the recollection of all the manly and noble qualities, everything that serves to ennoble and dignify human nature developed during the war, but let us forget everything else. Every good citizen should help to bind up the wounds of the war, and restore the old time harmony of good-will. Who so powerful in this office as those who fought the battles, and who can afford to be so generous?”
Our Southern women: “The women, ever foremost in deeds of charity and patriotism; who equipped their warriors for the field when the note of war was sounded; who kept alive the fires of patriotism during the darkest hours and gloomiest periods of the unequal struggle; who walked the wards of the hospitals and tended like ministering angels the couches of the fever-stricken and the battle-smitten – the women have, since the war ended, shown that though the Southern cause might have perished in the shock of war it still lived in their devoted breast. This sentiment, this love for the dead cause, has taken shape in a tender care of the memories and remains of those who perished in its defense.”
The mounds in local cemeteries which covered the remains of the local soldiers who died from wounds or disease symbolized to them all the sons, the brothers, the fathers, the friends and lovers who went to their rest in other fields, and were a remembrance to them of the noble spirits and dauntless hearts who encountered death upon the field of honor. “Tenderly have they been watched; faithfully have they been cared for, and with every recurring anniversary of the death of the Confederacy – the sweetest flowers of Spring, bedewed with the tears of beauty weeping for the brave, have been strewn upon their graves.”
Our Southern women: “The women, ever foremost in deeds of charity and patriotism; who equipped their warriors for the field when the note of war was sounded; who kept alive the fires of patriotism during the darkest hours and gloomiest periods of the unequal struggle; who walked the wards of the hospitals and tended like ministering angels the couches of the fever-
The mounds in local cemeteries which covered the remains of the local soldiers who died from wounds or disease symbolized to them all the sons, the brothers, the fathers, the friends and lovers who went to their rest in other fields, and were a remembrance to them of the noble spirits and dauntless hearts who encountered death upon the field of honor. “Tenderly have they been watched; faithfully have they been cared for, and with every recurring anniversary of the death of the Confederacy – the sweetest flowers of Spring, bedewed with the tears of beauty weeping for the brave, have been strewn upon their graves.”
“Vanquished but Not Dishonored”
WOMAN
Not thine! Not thine! is the glittering crest,
The glance of the snow-
And the badge that gleams from the warrior’s breast,
A star ‘mid the battle’s gloom.
Nor is thy place amid the boat
Where the war-
Where waving plumes are like sea-
And the turf wears a gory stain.
Not there – not there – is thy glorious dower,
But a holier meed is thine;
Where the proud have fallen in triumph’s hour,
And the red blood flowed like wine –
To wipe the dew from the clammy brow,
To pillow the drooping head,
To cool the parch’d lips fevered glow,
And to smooth down the lowly bed.
Not thine – not thine – is the tow’ring height,
Where Ambition rears her throne –
The timid dove wings not her flight
Where the eagle soars alone!
But in the hall and in the bower,
And ‘round the humblest hearth,
Man feels the charm, and owns the power,
That fetters him to earth!
Southern Literary Messenger
APRIL - CONFEDERATE HISTORY & HERITAGE MONTH
APRIL 17-20 - BATTLE OF SELMA • Contact Bill Rambo at: confedmempark3@juno.com
APRIL 19, 2008 -- 7th Annual Confederate History and Heritage Celebration in Wetumpka, AL 10:00 a.m. Parade Across Bridge to Gold Star Park, Games, HWY 280 BLUEGRASS BAND, Free Admission, FLAGS are WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED! Come and show your Southern Pride! For more information contact Mike Whorton at: whorton10524@earthlink.net or Bonnie LeMar 514-7339
APRIL 26 - CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL DAY. CofC Confederate Memorial Day, at Mt. Creek.
APRIL 27, 2008 (Sunday) ELMWOOD CEMETERY: The event at Elmwood is on Sun. the 27th is at 2pm. In addition to our usual observance at the Camp Hardee Plot, we will also be dedicating a new stone on Bill Scott Jr's grave (about 100 yds from the Hardee Plot) memorializing his role as the Division Commander from 1981 to 1984. Bill was the 1st Commander of the current Alabama Division SCV, when it was reformed with the required number of camps. He passed away in 2006, and the Wheeler Camp's past commander (me) has been working on getting around to placing a marker for about a year.
Of course, we would be thrilled to have as many of the UDC ladies in attendance as we can. Y'all always provide a much appreciated air of refinement and grace to any event you attend. R.C. Reames
Of course, we would be thrilled to have as many of the UDC ladies in attendance as we can. Y'all always provide a much appreciated air of refinement and grace to any event you attend. R.C. Reames
APRIL 28 -
MAY
MAY 3 - Gadsden. There will be a function at the site of where Emma Sansom took Forrest and his men across the creek after the Union soldiers. (More to come on this)
MAY 23-25 – BATTLE OF TANNEHILL FURNACE -
JUNE
JUNE 3 - RE-DEDICATION OF BEAUVOIR - BILOXI, MS - For more information contact Larry McCluney at: confederate@roadrunner.com
JUNE 7 - JEFFERSON DAVIS MEMORIAL: "Massing of the Flags" • UDC Memorial Building - Richmond, Virginia
JUNE 7 - JEFFERSON DAVIS BI-CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION - FAIRVIEW, KY - Contact CIC Chris Sullivan or SCV Headquarters, Columbia, TN
JUNE 14 - BI-CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION OF PRESIDENT JEFFERSON DAVIS - MONTGOMERY - CRADLE OF THE CONFEDERACY - COMMEMORATION SERVICE IN THE MORNING -
BI-CENTENNIAL BALL AT 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm - in Old Archives Room in Capitol building - UNRECONSTRUCTED BAND to perform - tickets $25 per couple - $15 single - more details will be forthcoming as plans develop - Contact Pat Godwin at: oldsouthrebel@zebra.net or 334-875-1690.
JULY
JULY 12 - LT. GENERAL NATHAN BEDFORD FORREST 9TH ANNUAL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AT FORT DIXIE (SELMA, ALABAMA) • 3:00 PM til ya wanna go home -more details will be forthcoming as plans develop. Contact: Pat Godwin at 334-875-1690
JULY 24-26 - 54th ANNUAL CHILDREN of the CONFEDERACY GENERAL CONVENTION • Fredericksburg, Virginia
SEPTEMBER
SEPT. 6, 2008 - Living History * Confederate Memorial Park Dedication * POW Descendant Pilgrimage.
Living History area opens at 9 a.m. Ceremony and Park Dedication starts at 10 a.m. on the newly constructed Confederate Memorial Park grounds in Pt. Lookout, MD. Public invited and FREE admission. Living history area includes encampments,
demonstrations, sutlers, pow portrayals and much more. Sponsored by the Pt. Lookout POW Descendants Org. to honor the over 52,000 Confederate POWs of Pt. Lookout and the over 14,000 who perished there.
For more information, contact: PLPOW Descendants Org. at plpow@verizon.net Web page www.plpow.com and http://ConfMemParkInc.PLPOW.com
SEPTEMBER 12-14 – BATTLE AT BUCKHORN TAVERNS- New Market, Alabama at Sharon Johnston State Park – hosted by Forrest’s Escort – contact Jim Clark at: ClarkBowman@aol.com
SEPTEMBER 19-21 - The ALABAMA DIVISION CONVENTION will be in Prattville, at The Ledges. Further information will be provided closer to the meeting dates.
SEPTEMBER 26-28 – MULE CROSSING, Winfield AL – contact Tonnia Maddox at: Tonnia@uab.edu
OCTOBER
OCTOBER 17-19 – FALL MUSTER, Beauvoir MS
OCT 25-26 – COTTON PICKING CELEBRATION & SKIRMISH - With School Days on the Oct.24th – Come visit Alabama's oldest, working farm. Old Baker farm is located approximate 25 minutes south on Hwy 280 from Birmingham, Al. - Firewood, Hay and Water furnished - Artillery is by INVITATION ONLY - Contact Jimmy White @ alabamabattery@yahoo.com
NOVEMBER
OCT 31, NOV 1 & 2 – Battles for the Armory, Tallassee AL – Contact Bill Anthony at: csaisliberty@yahoo.com
DECEMBER
DECEMBER 5-7, 2008 -7, 2008, at the Kanuga Conference Center near Hendersonville, NC. The SNC Committee will issue a formal Call for Delegates soon. In the meanwhile, consult the SNC website, www.southernnationalcongress.org to keep up to date as we approach this important date and event in the life of the Southern Nation.
In Honor of my Confederate GG-Grandfather, Manoah Bostick Hampton, II - of Alabama, and my Confederate gg-uncles:
Louis N., Armand, & Henry R. DeLaigle; Charles D. & Henry A. Watkins, and others.
Louis N., Armand, & Henry R. DeLaigle; Charles D. & Henry A. Watkins, and others.