Vol. XXI No. 5 May 2008
“To you, Sons of Confederate Veterans, we submit the vindication of the Cause for which we fought; to your strength will be given the defense of the Confederate soldier’s good name, the guardianship of his history, the emulation of his virtues, the perpetuation of those principles he loved and which made him glorious and which you also cherish. Remember it is your duty to see that the true history of the South is presented to future generations.” –Lt. General Stephen Dill Lee, C.S.A., Commander General, United Confederate Veterans
Date: 12 May 2008
Time: 7:30 P.M.
Speaker: Compatriot: Michael Ricks
Commissary Wagon: Compatriot: Brad Stephenson
Place: Museum of Colquitt County History, Moultrie, Georgia
Location: The corner of 4th St. and 5th Ave. Parking is on the East side of the building with handicap entrance in back.
2nd Mike Strickland, Thomasville 8th Rance Taylor, Doerun
4th Roy Vail, Pavo 14th Neil McCranie, Perry, Fl.
6th Clint Chafin, Moultrie 18th Lonnie Stallings, Moultrie
7th Jason Bullard, Doerun 21st Paul Massey, Cairo
7th Leon Sellers, Moultrie
New Member to Announce AND Welcome
We have no new members this month so
Recruit! Recruit! Recruit!!!!!!!!
Commander’s Corner
Greetings Brothers,
Another fine Confederate History month has passed and most of us spent some time remembering those who have gone on before us and left a fine heritage to follow. As we gathered with the UDC at the Confederate Monument on the Court House Square for our local service, the pride for those men was evident and pure. Let me thank each of you who came out to support this special occasion. We then moved to Westview City Cemetery to remember a fine Southern UDC Lady, dedicated to the cause, whose funeral procession a few years ago, passed by the monument during the Confederate Memorial Day service on the way to Westview where so many of our war time soldiers rest. After the UDC marker unveiling service at Westview, we traveled to Compatriot Charlie Crisp’s antebellum home on Tallokas Road for fellowship. Special Thanks to Comp. Charlie for opening his fine home to us on this special occasion. The home, called Iris Court, was build in the 1850’s, in Albany, utilized by the yankee to accept “surrender” from our troops. It was to be demolished and was purchased by Mr. C.O. Smith of Moultrie. Mr. Smith had the home dismantled and moved to its present site and lived there for many years until he passed. It then went into the hands of his widow, Mrs. Dean Day Smith, of Day’s Inns, until Brother Crisp bought it and moved from Americus and joined us here in Colquitt County.
Many thanks to all who turned out and especially to the Ladies of the Order of Confederate Rose for their support and help with the reception. Everyone’s time and efforts mean a lots in making a memorable event.
The Jefferson Davis 200th Birthday Celebration at the Park in Irwinville, Saturday, June 7 This, being the YEAR OF DAVIS, the Celebration will be an all day event, starting around 9:00 a.m. and continuing until 5:00 in the afternoon. It will be a good time to remember our President, even if you can’t spend the entire day. If you have the chance, at least drop in at the park to show our support and honor the President on “his year”. I’m sure if you wish to participate as a uniformed troop or attend in period dress you will be welcomed with open arms.
GA SCV REUNION, make plans now for JUNE 13-15. We need to have our full number of delegates at the Convention, which will be held in Villa Rica, home of the Division Commander. There’s several things to be covered during the business session and this is an election year, AN IMPORTANT YEAR FOR YOUR VOTE TO COUNT IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE, so we need to be there in force. As a matter of fact, we have a camp member running for a state office that we’d like to see continue on the executive council. We have slots for either 8 or 9 voting delegates and there is always a need for alternates in case someone doesn’t make it.. The registration form is in the February issue of the Georgia Confederate, available on line at: www.georgiascv.com/downloads/GCFeb2008.pdf So make your plans to be there and help us “take back” our Division.
For your information, I spoke with the Judge Advocate in Chief and received a ruling on the status of 9th Brigade Commander, Pete Giddens. He said that Pete was suspended from his post and that ruling only lasts until the end of this term. Pete plans on running again and while we can’t vote directly for him, we need to be there to show support for him. He is, without a doubt, one of the hardest working men in the Division..
See y’all at the meeting, we have several things to talk over..
For the Southern Cause,
Commander
A Note from our Chaplain
Greetings,
It is my prayer that all of you are well.
First, I want to thank you for your prayers. The operation on my hand went well and with time my hand should be back to normal. I must ask forgiveness for missing our Confederate Memorial Day events. My son, Thomas is getting married and we have been busy with party’s and other wedding events. The wedding is May 24, and I would appreciate your prayers for Thomas and his Bride to be, Suzanne Roberts.
Please continue to pray for Commander Bridwells Mother. Also, be in prayer for Compatriot Ursery’s Cousin who has cancer. Adj. Charlie Parks asked us to be in prayer for the family of Mr. E.J. McMillan. Mr. McMillan and Adj. Parks were co-workers. Mr. McMillian went to live with the Lord a few weeks ago. For anyone who has lost a loved one, this can be a hard time for the family members left behind. Please keep this family in your prayers.
As many of you know CSA stands for “Confederate States of America”. CSA could also stand for “Can’t Stand Alone”. Remember, we “Can’t Stand Alone” in our fight for our Southern Heritage. We as members of the SCV are a band of brothers and we must stand together.
God Bless,
Chaplain Clint Chafin
229-985-9723
May
3 – 8 a.m. Clean up at Gregory Family Cemetery.
12 – Regularly scheduled meeting with refreshment host Compatriot Brad Stephenson.
17 – Morven Peach Festival & Parade (in uniform) – 8 a.m. to work at our tent.
18 – Gay Family Reunion 11:30 a.m. – Camp 674 supplies the Color Guard for the opening ceremony at the Moultrie Expo site Community Center then we are invited to stay for Lunch which is always GREAT! Need your help.
June
7 – The Jefferson Davis 200th Birthday celebration in Irwinville. 9am – 5pm
9 – Regularly Scheduled meeting with refreshment host Bobby Cooper.
13-15 – Georgia SCV REUNION
THIS MONTH IN HISTORY
1-2 May 1863 Battle of Chancellorsville
5 May 1864 Battle of the Wilderness.
6 May 1861 Arkansas & Tennessee secede from the Union
6 May 1861 President Jefferson Davis approves a state of war between the Confederate States & the United States.
7 May 1865 Scalawag Governor Joe Brown (who later changed political parties and ran U.S. Grant’s presidential campaign) surrendered the Georgia State Line Troops & Georgia Militia to Union General James H. Wilson.
8 May 1836 Brigadier General Bryan Morel Thomas born in Milledgeville, Georgia
8 May 1862 Battle of McDowell, Virginia
9 May 1864 Fighting at Snake Creek Gap near Resaca, Georgia.
9-12 May 1864 Battle of Rocky Face Ridge, Georgia
10 May 1863 General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson dies
10 May 1865 President Jefferson Davis captured by Yankees in Irwinville, Georgia
12 May 1864 Battle of “Bloody Angel” at Spotsylvania Court House.
12 May 1864 General J.E.B. Stuart dies.
12 May 1865 Brigadier General W.T. Wofford surrenders Confederate forces in North Georgia, at Kingston, Georgia.
13-15 May 1865 Battle of Resaca, Georgia.
14 May 1830 Brigadier General George Pierce Doles born in Milledgeville, Georgia.
15 May 1864 Battle of New Market, Virginia.
16 May 1863 Battle of Champion’s Hill.
16 May 1824 General Edmund Kirby Smith born in St. Augustine, Florida.
18 May 1863 Siege of Vicksburg begins.
18 May 1864 Battle of Cassville, Georgia.
20 May 1861 North Carolina secedes from the Union.
20 May 1861 Confederate Capitol moved to Richmond, Virginia.
25 May 1864 Battle of New Hope Church near Dallas, Georgia.
26 May 1835 Brigadier General Edward Porter Alexander born in Washington, Georgia.
27 May 1864 Battle of Pickett’s Mill near Dallas, Georgia.
28 May 1818 General P.G.T. Beauregard born in St. Bernard Parrish, Louisiana.
28 May 1864 Battle of Dallas, Georgia.
31 May 1862 Battle of Seven Pines, Virginia.
CONFEDERATE SPOTLIGHT
Commander Jack Bridwell’s Ancestors will be the focus of our 1st Confederate Spotlight.
Zion Bridwell: Jack’s Great Great Grandfather enlisted in 1863 at the age of 45, with Company H, 3rd Battalion, Georgia State Guards, Captain Bassett’s Company for local defense, To serve within the limits of Fulton County, “The Atlanta Press Guards”.
Zion lived in Downtown Atlanta after the war and was referred to as “Uncle Zion” he Published a Newspaper called “The Atlanta Headlight” with news gathered from his daily walks to the Georgia State Capitol. He Died between 1900- 1907 and is buried with family in Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta. Zion is also the ancestor of Camp # 674’s Compatriots: A. J. Bridwell III, Allan Bridwell, Richie Bridwell & Richard Bridwell.
Zion also had 3 brothers that fought in the War Between the States, Mastin Bridwell (Born 1828) was a 2nd Sgt. In Company G, 3rd Regiment, Georgia Infantry from Richmond County, Georgia. Malachi Bridwell, (Born 1841) was a Sgt. in Company G, 3rd Regiment, Georgia Infantry. Malachi enlisted April 26, 1861 and surrendered at Appomattox, Virginia April 9, 1865. George McDuffie Bridwell (Born 1842) enlisted with Company B, 10th Georgia Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Richmond Co. Georgia.
George was captured at Gettysburg and died of smallpox at Point Lookout, Maryland
Confederate Prison Nov. 18, 1863 he was 21 years old.
A few of Jack’s Confederate Ancestors from his Mothers side are, George L. Earnest- Great Great Grandfather was born in 1820 or 1821 in Georgia. He was a farmer in Decatur and Married Elizabeth M. Chason in 1841, they became the parents of 11 children. In 1863, George enlisted with Sim’s Company, 6th Regiment, Georgia Infantry State Guards in Bainbridge. George was 43 and elected as a Sgt. Enlisting with him was his third son John who was 18- Jack’s Great Grandfather.
Sim’s company was called the “Decatur Infantry”, described as “Unattached” and stationed at Bainbridge until January 1864, when they were sent to Savannah their enlistment time was for 6 months. George survived the war, John re-enlisted at Bainbridge with Company F, 29th Batallion, Georgia Cavalry. then transferred to Abel’s Florida Artillery in 1864 and surrendered in Greensboro, North Carolina at the end of the war. John is buried at Salem- Seminole Church Cemetery., Desser, Georgia. A Confederate marker was placed on his grave in 2007 by his Great Great Grandson Jack Bridwell.
Two additional Great Uncles, George L, Earnest’s sons : William L. died in CSA (no records) and Thomas L., Company F, 50th Regiment, Georgia Infantry was 19 when he enlisted in Bainbridge Ga. May 13, 1862 He served under Stonewall Jackson at 2nd Manasses, South Mountain, & Crampton’s Gap only to die of Typhoid Fever Dec. 7, 1862 in Richmond, Virginia.
George L. (the father) and Thomas L. are buried in the Earnest Private Cemetery in Seminole County and were honored with a Memorial service & Confederate Markers in Oct. 2000. * George L. Earnest is also the Great Great Grandfather of Camp # 674’s Compatriot J. E. (Bo) Earnest of Donaldsonville, Georgia and 3rd great Grandfather of A.J. Bridwell of Kennesaw, Georgia.
