bennitt - forefront jan-feb 2018 - durhamncscv.org · these scalawag or carpetbagger politicians in...

1 Pvt. Lorenzo Leigh Bennitt Camp 773 The Forefront January‐February 2018

Sons of Confederate Veterans – Durham, North Carolina

The Forefront ______________________________________________________________________________________________ January-February 2018 Published in Occupied North Carolina

Winner of the “Colonel Leonidas LaFayette Polk Award” for the best Camp newsletter in the North Carolina Division in 2007, 2008, 2012 and runner up 2015.

"First at Bethel, farthest to the front at

Gettysburg and Chickamauga, last at Appomattox" Commander: Douglas W. Nash, Jr. Public Affairs/Education Officer: William G. O’Quinn Lt. Commander: John T. Flora, Jr. Genealogist: John T. Nash Adjutant/Treasurer: Thomas M. Beach Member-at-Large: Gerald Belton Chaplain: David T. Patterson Historian: David T. Patterson Parliamentarian: Stewart Dunaway Communications Officer: John T. Nash Newsletter Editor: Douglas W. Nash, Jr. H.L. Hunley Award Coordinator: Mark A. Hall Color Sergeant: W. Greg Parrott Webmaster: W. Greg Parrott Social Media/Advertising Officer: Matthew McGuigan

Charge to the Sons of Confederate Veterans:

“To you, Sons of Confederate Veterans, we will commit 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 which he loved and which you love also, and those ideals which made him

glorious and which you also cherish.”

Lt. Gen. Stephen Dill Lee, Commander General, United Confederate Veterans, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1906


Statement of Purpose We, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, having been commissioned by the Confederate Veterans themselves, retain our responsibility and right to adhere to the founding principles of the United States of America remembering the bravery, defending the honor and protecting the memory of our beloved Confederate Veterans, which includes their memorials, images, symbols, monuments and gravesites for ourselves and future generations.

Our Next Meeting: Our February 2018 meeting will be held on Tuesday the 6th at Pomodoro Italian Kitchen, 1811 Hillandale Road, Durham beginning at 6:30 PM. Remember to arrive early so you can place your supper order. Our guest speaker will be North Carolina Division, United Daughters of the Confederacy, President Peggy Johnson.

Commander’s Comments:

Compatriots, I would like to

thank everyone

who stepped up to the plate and

sent comments to

the State Historical Society about our Confederate monuments at the State

House. This is the primary type of activity we have at our disposal to attempt to protect our heritage and carry out the Cause. I would also like to thank Lt. Commander John Flora to chairing our January and February meetings in my absence. Job well done, Sir.

Flag Pledge and Salutes: Pledge to the US Flag – I pledge

allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands; one nation under God, indivisible,

with liberty and justice for all. Salute to the Confederate Flag – I salute

the Confederate Flag with

affection, reverence, and

undying devotion to the Cause for which it stands.

Salute to the North Carolina Flag – I

salute the Flag of North Carolina and pledge to the Old North State, love loyalty, and faith.


January 2018 Camp Meeting: (Photos courtesy of Basha Beach)

Guest speaker Rev. Dr. Herman White.

Commander’s Certificate of Appreciation presented to Social

Media/Advertising Officer Matthew McGuigan by Lt. Commander John Flora.

February 2018 Camp Meeting:

Presentation of check to the Mingo Militia Camp 1717 for

replacement of the Durham County Confederate monument.

Recent Events: None.

Upcoming Events: 3RD Annual Confederate Flag Day. The Sons of Confederate Veterans is once again organizing Confederate Flag Day. The third of these events well be observed March 3, 2018. This has become a very popular event across the entire country. Each Division should be making their plans on how they are going commemorate thus event this year! Please send your information to me at the email on the website http://csaflag.org/index.html. There is a prize this year. The first Division to supply me with their complete event information will receive a 3rd National flag that was flown at Elm Springs with authentication. Let’s show the world that we are still here and still proud of our sacred banners. Deo Vindice Chuck McMichael Past Commander-in-Chief Flag Day Chairman


NC Division Reunion/Convention. The 2018 NC Division Reunion/Convention will be held on Saturday, April 28th hosted by the Black River Tigers/10th Bn Hvy Arty, Co B Camp 2152 and the Black River Tiger Roses OCR in Coats, North Carolina. More info will follow when available. The Reunion will be held at Enoch Vineyards Event Center, 3735 Highway 50 South, Benson, North Carolina 27504. Dinner will be provided by Iron-Chef Glenn Joslyn of SIMONZ’ RESTURANT, Angier, NC. Pre-registration is $20.00, or $25.00 at the door. Registration begins at the door at 0900. Make registration check out to SCV Camp-2152 and mail to Martin T. Warren, Adjutant, 10116 NC HWY 210, Four Oaks, North Carolina 27524.

Vidalia Onion Sales. Now is the time to start taking orders for our Vidalia onion sales.

Onions normally

arrive the first week of May. Remember, this is our primary money-making event of the year. Sell….sell….sell! 123rd National Reunion. The 123rd National Reunion will be held July 18-21, 2018 in Franklin, Tennessee. Host Hotel

is the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs. Rooms are $129.00 per night (subject to state and local taxes). Ask for the SCV Reunion special rate.

From the Commander-in-Chief:

This CiC Letter on Memphis is an internal communique. Please do not share this outside the organization. We will be publishing another communique for the general public. If you have posted it, please remove it and wait for the less detailed version.

SCV GOES ON THE OFFENSIVE IN MEMPHIS - Files TRO and Injunction

SCV National and the Forrest Camp 215 yesterday filed several court actions against the City of Memphis to combat and rectify the despicable crimes against and theft of Confederate statues on the night of December 20, 2017. On that night, the City ordered police and cranes into Forrest Park and Confederate Park and forcibly removed the Forrest Memorial Equestrian Statue, the Jefferson Davis Statue, and the bronze bust of Capt. Harvey Mathes, 37th Tenn. Infantry. The Forrest gravesite was also


damaged. The statues were taken to an undisclosed location.

The SCV Court filings against the City and "any and all co-conspirators" include requests for a Temporary Restraining Order and a Preliminary Injunction. These actions, filed in (Nashville) Chancery Court, call for the defendants to exercise all duty and care for the 3 statues and prohibit the defendants from further damaging, moving, selling, or in any way harming or otherwise disturbing the statues and the Forrest gravesite pending further legal action. It is likely that additional lawsuits will be filed, to combat violations of the Tennessee Heritage Act and to pursue damages incurred under the laws.

Our legal team and the Forrest Camp members have been working tirelessly since the infamous theft to gather evidence, conduct interviews, and collect incriminating documents. Very simply, the filing of a TRO is not an easy matter; briefly, an 'injury' must be shown, court cases have to be cited, evidence submitted, and an indication of future court success must be shown in requesting a TRO. We have been extremely busy these past few weeks building our case and we continue to pursue legal action on multiple fronts.

It is our opinion that the City and its cohorts committed numerous violations of state law, civil law, cemetery law, and a host of other illegal acts in what appears to be a sham scheme to remove

the Confederate monuments and to circumvent Tennessee law. Though the state attorney general has offered no help in prosecuting these crimes, the SCV has called on the Tennessee Legislature to appoint a special prosecutor to pursue charges against the Memphis mayor, city council, and all those involved in the thefts and/or damage to the Parks and monuments.

Special thanks go to our legal team headed by Mr. Doug Jones, and co-counsel David Livingston, and SCV JAG Scott Hall, and especially to the men on the front lines who have done yeoman's work to face the City in this fight: Lee Millar, Camp Commander Alan Doyle, and Tennessee Division Commander James Patterson and the Commander-in-Chief. Continuous consultation has been provided by the SCV GEC and the Division Officers. All of us have been involved, as have many of you.

But the fight has just begun. There is much more to do and more legal action to follow. We will not rest until our statues are returned to their rightful place and these scalawag or carpetbagger politicians in Memphis are punished. And we need you to help. Please donate to the Heritage Defense Fund to carry this fight to the enemy. Legal action results in legal bills. We need your donations to assist in the fight.

As famous author William Faulkner said on viewing the Statue of Forrest 75 years


after the General's death: "Still powerful, still dangerous, still coming".

And so we likewise say to the City of Memphis: General Forrest and the SCV are still coming.

We will continue this journey, with your and God's help.

From the Judge Advocate-in-Chief: Injunction granted against Memphis. See the link below for details / copy of the ruling and Order. Go to the very bottom of the email to see the link. The fight continues in Tennessee, but the Chancellor recognized the fraud in Memphis for what it was (with more delicate language, of course). Scott D. Hall, Esq Judge Advocate-in-Chief Sons of Confederate Veterans 374 Forks of the River Parkway Sevierville, Tennessee 37862

Chaplain-in-Chief Dr. Ray Parker’s January Sermon:

A New Year's Meditation - 2018 and a Changing World

Read Mark 6:14-16

Perhaps you heard the story of the little lady who came home from church one Sunday evening and found an intruder

inside. She was overcome with fear and the only thing that she could think to do was to quote Scripture. She cried at the top of her lungs, “Acts 2:38. Acts 2:38. ‘Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of your sins’ Acts 2:28.”

Hearing those words, the intruder immediately stopped and placed his hands in the air. He promised the little lady that he would not move while she called the police.

When the police arrived, they asked why he had given up so easily. All the lady had done was quote Scripture. To which the intruder said, “She did more than that. She said that she had an ax and two 38s.”

Certainly, there are times when we do not always hear clearly or interpret correctly. However, we find just the opposite in our Scripture passage. Mark wrote of people who did hear and who did understand and who did respond. Mark proclaimed that the name of Jesus “had become well known” (Mark 6:14).

Today we face the challenges of a new year. It seems that it can no longer be said that the name of Jesus is well known. We are now faced with a different culture. Of course, it has not always been as it is now. Historically the name of Jesus has been important.

I. Past Foundations

The first colleges in America (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, William & Mary) were founded by churches for the purpose of Christian education.


In 1743 the president of Yale stated that the purpose of a Yale education was to obtain “the clearest conceptions of divine things and to lead (the student) to a saving knowledge of God in His Son Jesus Christ.” The Yale College Laws said, “Every student shall consider the main end of his study ... to know God in Jesus Christ and ... to lead a godly, sober life.”

But things, they are a changing.

The first school teachers were ministers. The first school buildings were often churches. The first textbooks were the Bible, the Catechism and moral concepts.


A few weeks ago I watched a re-run of the many-years-ago-popular-show, Leave it to Beaver. The show revolved around the Christmas pageant at the government school. In the pageant were the wise men, the shepherds, angels, Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, and the singing of Christmas carols.


We must now face

II. Present Failures

Some time back on the morning show Fox and Friends I listened to Franklin Graham, son of Evangelist Billy Graham. Mr. Graham said, “We live in a society that wants to eliminate God. There is no Bible reading or prayer in our government schools. Some would remove the words ‘Under God’ from the

pledge of allegiance and the words ‘In God we Trust’ from our currency.”

Things, they are a changing.

We see a generation of children and young people raised without God. I spoke with a young man just a couple of months ago who had never been in a church, never owned a Bible, and never read a Bible verse.

The sad reality is that there are people within the shadow of this church and every church in town and yet they do not come. They know where the church is. They know they would be welcomed. They just do not come.

I spoke with a young couple some time back who told me that the only time they go to church is when they are visiting their grandparents. They do it to show respect to grandpa and grandma, not because there is anything in the church that has importance to them. We live in the age of the “graying of the church.” Where are the young adults?

Things, they are a changing. We are now faced with

III. Powerful Challenges

We live in what sociologists call the post-Christian era. There are more people who do not attend church than do attend. It can no longer be assumed that people know about church, or Jesus, or the God of the Bible. The sad reality is, they do not!

We actually find ourselves in the same type of culture faced by the Apostle Paul


in the book of Acts. We live in a pagan society. The mission field is no longer Africa, China, Asia, or the islands of the sea. The mission field is next door ... across the street ... down the block ... our neighborhood ... our city ... our state ... our nation.

We must now face the reality that we are on mission for Christ. We are missionaries. We have a culture to reach with the gospel. It is not 1959 anymore. The Leave it to Beaver culture is gone.

Things, they are a changing.

We must make Jesus known in our society, a society that does not know Him. We have the old, old story that never changes. Now we must proclaim that story in a new world system – a world system that does not know the Jesus of the Bible. We must educate our world by life and by lip in regard to the wonder of Christ. We must minister to our pagan culture with the eternal truths of the Word of God. This is a challenging task, but this is the task that God has given us to do now. We have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.

I would love to tell you

what I think of Jesus

Since I found in Him a friend

so strong and true;

I would tell you how

He changed my life completely –

He did something that

no other friend could do.

No one ever cared for me, like Jesus,

There’s no other friend so kind as He;

No one else could take the sin and darkness from me –

O how much He cared for me.

From AmazonSmile: Dear Charity Administrator, This is to notify you that Sons of Confederate Veterans Inc - Durham, NC (EIN: 58-1819841) has been issued a $23.21 donation from the AmazonSmile Foundation as a result of AmazonSmile program activity between October 1 and December 31, 2017. The donation was deposited to your organization's bank account on or before February 15, 2018. It may take several days for the donation to appear in the account.

Candidacy Announcements for Commander-in-Chief: Johnnie Holley: Fellow Compatriots of the Sons of Confederate Veterans: These last few years have been a stressful and eye-opening experience for the SCV. As our gallant ancestors faced an enemy with superior resources and manpower, we in the SCV are now facing


the same powerful enemies. Our enemies of the past are still with us but now we also face enemies with unlimited financial resources and superior intelligence gathering capabilities who have total access to the media. We have seen our monuments and history attacked at all levels. We have seen laws we felt protected us, flaunted and ignored. We have seen our resources drained due to the attacks all across the nation. We must learn from our past responses and develop new approaches to these attacks. We must learn from the past and develop a comprehensive plan for our future. I have held Camp, Brigade, Division and Army level offices in the SCV. I have been closely involved with legal defenses from counties all the way up to the Supreme Court of the United States. I feel I now am qualified to ask you to honor me by electing me as your Commander in Chief of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. The Confederate Veterans were chosen by our enemies as the “easy target”. In my opinion, we in this country now face an enemy who is intent not only on erasing our Confederate Heritage but also destroying the very foundations on which our nation was built. If they can remove our monuments and destroy our Heritage, they will, as they have shown, destroy our Constitution, our churches and all the values that our gallant ancestors fought so hard to defend. To meet these challenges, the SCV must continue to modernize and strengthen our organization. We must build and

supply our Museum and make it a source of information from which to spread the truth of our Cause. We must develop ways to increase our financial base through grants, fundraisers and donations from outside sources. We must reach out to Heritage groups, veterans groups, and any organizations that share our vision. Over the next months, I will provide you specific goals that I will pursue, if elected. I am not running as a candidate from the ATM, AOT, or ANV. I am running as a candidate for Commander in Chief of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and I ask for your support in electing me to that office. God Bless the SCV, Johnnie Holley Commander ATM Candidate for CIC Paul Gramling, Jr.: Gentlemen of the SCV,

In 1896, our Confederate Ancestors, knowing the thin gray line, the Confederate Veterans themselves, would vanish in a few short years, agreed to help establish the next group of Southern Defenders - the Sons Of Confederate Veterans. Our forefathers knew there would come a time when the South would have to endure a continuous onslaught against everything for which they sacrificed and died. They knew they could count on their Sons to defend their good name and to vindicate the cause for


which they fought. Well....that time is NOW!!!

It is said, "A man will be judged by his works." That is what I ask of you. Judge me for my works and the job I have done with the SCV, for I will be standing for the position of Commander-In-Chief of the Sons of Confederate Veterans at our National Reunion in Franklin, TN.

It is my desire to do my duty to the best of my ability.....that is to promote and grow the SCV, to defend our Confederate Veterans at all costs, and to teach our youth so the truth will be handed down to our descendants. It has been an honor and a privilege to have served you as your Lt. Commander-In-Chief for almost two years. I look forward, with anticipation and optimism, to serving as your next Commander-In-Chief.

It is well known, the battles we are fighting today are from the east coast to the west coast and north and south. These attacks are never ending. Just as the resolution was passed in 1991 to eradicate everything Confederate, we see that becoming more real every day. Having been given the blessing from the Confederate Veterans themselves, the Sons of Confederate Veterans WILL advance the Colors, the Truth, and the Cause for which They Fought.

However, one man cannot do it alone. It will take the COMMITMENT of EVERY member to resist the forces of

destruction. WILL YOU STAND WITH ME??

Thank you for your support.

Paul Gramling, Jr. Lt. Commander-In-Chief Sons of Confederate Veterans

Fellow Compatriots,

As you can tell, we are experiencing a period of "Reconstruction" of our own reconstruction just as our ancestors predicted as our enemies embolden themselves with continued attacks upon our heritage. We see our own communities tearing down statues and monuments that they graciously accepted and honored over a hundred years ago. These attacks will continue until everything that is Confederate is erased and those people get to rewrite history until even the framers of this nation are purged from our schools. As a result, these attacks have placed the Sons of Confederate Veterans in the limelight of the world press and revealed that our organization is the protector and authority of everything Confederate. If we are to persevere we must seize this opportunity to promote Growth, Unity, and Progress by recruiting new members in our organization, educate the public about the true Cause our ancestors fought for, and promote our organization in our communities.

To accomplish this, we need the proper leadership to see this carried out in a


gentlemanly and orderly fashion. To meet this challenge, we need men with new innovative ideas who are willing to work hard at bringing our membership together under a common Cause, and to meet the demands that the "Charge of Gen. Stephen D. Lee" has laid before us. Our "enemies" think they have us on the ropes and we cannot withstand the tied of change they are forcing upon us in the name of "political correctness.". They continue to paint a picture about our ancestors and the Cause they fought for was immoral, illegal, and unjust. The SCV is the largest and most recognizable organization for the promotion of Confederate Heritage and it is time we capitalize on that fact. We must hold true to Stephen D. Lee's Charge to us and make our organization something that will be perpetuated for future generations so that they too may take pride and celebrate a rich Confederate heritage that we have inherited.

But, there is serious work before us that needs to be done in an aggressive and imaginative manner, emulating the principles that our ancestors fought so hard for. It is time to look at our problems with new eyes, keeping in place the wisdom gleaned from the lessons of the past. We need to use 21st Century ideas to fight this growing threat of "political correctness."

As a high school and college teacher for twenty-five years, it has been my job to teach students our nation's history. I

have seen political correctness infiltrating our history books. It has been a struggle to teach the "truth" in our classrooms. Yet, the youth of today are eager to know the truth when it is presented. As a Southerner and a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans for over 20 years, it is my duty to teach the truth about the Cause our ancestors fought for and to uphold the "Charge" they have left for us. This, I am faithfully carrying out. As a member of the GEC for the past eight years as AoT Councilman and now AoT Commander, I have proven that I have the energy, the experience, and the right attitude to lead and represent this organization. And so, I humbly ask you for your prayers and your support as I make my formal announcement to run for the office of Lt. Commander-in-Chief of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. I will have a website and a face book page set up in the future to learn more about my platform in the future.

Larry A. McCluney, Jr.

Army of Tennessee Commander Sons of Confederate Veterans

Candidacy Announcement for ANV Commander: Ronnie S. Roach:

Compatriots,

It has been my honor and pleasure serving as your ANV Commander for the last 18 months. My service as


Commander has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my 34 years SCV career. I have really enjoyed having the opportunity to travel around the Confederation and speak at many of your events and meetings.

The last few months of attacks against our shared heritage, and its banners, symbols and monuments, have made me and many others realize that this isn’t our grandfathers’ Sons of Confederate Veterans any longer. The “PC” instilled mindset has infected many in academia, the media and the general public and we must become more “proactive” in the future to meet the attacks on our Heritage. We cannot and will not sit ideally by while there are people out there that want to take our history away from us on an almost daily basis.

This being said, I would like to ask you for your support in July in Franklin, TN, as I am officially announcing my candidacy for re-election as your Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. I would really appreciate your support in this endeavor.

I believe my service as your ANV Counciman and my current service speaks for itself. However, if you have any questions, please feel free to message me on Facebook at Ronnie Smith Roach, email me at [email protected] or if you would like to speak with me personally, you can give me a call on my cell phone at (919) 602-2449. I will gladly provide my qualifications for this position and a brief biography to anyone who requests the information.

At your service in the Cause,

Ronnie S. Roach Commander Army of Northern Virginia Sons of Confederate Veterans Anthony M. Griffin

Compatriots,

The position of Councilman provides a critical link between the General Executive Council and the SCV membership. As your ANV Councilman, I pledge to be your voice on the GEC by listening to your concerns, suggestions and expressing them on your behalf. I would serve to be your voice on the GEC by establishing a direct line of communication between you and the Council.

I am committed to fulfilling "The Charge", and understand that all of you want to offer opinions and suggestions to move our great organization forward. It would be my duty as your Councilman to work with your good ideas in order to honor our ancestors and benefit the SCV as we move forward.

Should you elect me to serve as your Councilman, I would work to create a quarterly newsletter which would keep you informed. I would also ask you for


your feedback, and share my ideas too. I would not be just "another vote" on the Council. I will be your direct voice and vote!

My credentials to serve as your Councilman include that I have been a member of the SCV since 1993. In the Virginia Division, I have served as Adjutant, 1st Lt. Commander, and am currently the Commander of the Division. I'm also serving in my 10th year as the Commander of the Isle of Wight Avengers Camp #14 in Smithfield, Virginia. I'm proud to state that I'm also a Life member in both the SCV and the Virginia Division, with many Confederate soldiers in my heritage. As such, I have a proven track record of being available to the membership on all levels. I love the South, I live in the South, and am proud to be called a true Southerner!

I'm more than aware of the attacks on our Heritage. I'm diligently working to preserve our monuments and statutes. In fact, my name is listed as one of the plaintiffs in the Lee Monument lawsuit in Charlottesville. As your Councilman, I will continue to fight this heritage battle, and will ask for your involvement. We need to recruit new members, retain current members, and educate the public about our true mission. This will go a long way in helping us to achieve victory over those who desire the eradication of all things Confederate.

I wish to put my experience and credentials to work on your behalf. Your support and vote will help me to implement new ideas, to keep you well informed, to preserve our history, and to further "the Cause" as your ANV Councilman.

Blessings to you and yours,

Tony Anthony M. Griffin

Virginia Division Commander

Candidacy Announcement for ANV Councilman: Terry M. Klima: The past years have been particularly challenging for our organization, countering incessant attacks on our history, heritage and memorials. Yet despite the adversity, we have remained steadfast and resolute in defending the honor of our ancestors. The coming years will undoubtedly present further challenges as our adversaries continue to assault our history, attempt to eradicate our culture and engage in the politics of division. Our actions or inactions at this critical juncture will determine how future generations perceive the sacrifices of our ancestors and the cause for which they


fought. Fully recognizing the daunting responsibility that we as SCV members share in defending the good name of our ancestors, and the continuing battles that lie ahead, has prompted me to seek reelection as Councilman for the Army of Northern Virginia. Serving as a Division Commander, in a state where heritage attacks have been unrelenting, provides valuable insight as to what is required to counter our opposition and a proficiency in articulating our views to legislators, public officials and media. Experiencing first-hand the challenges of leadership at the Division and Camp levels provides a unique perspective to effectively advocate the concerns of the Army of Northern Virginia before the General Executive Council. Currently, the SCV is engaged in a number of heritage defense battles which are not only lengthy and challenging but complex with financial implications. Over the course of my term as Councilman, I have had an opportunity to become familiar with the various engagements we are involved in, the chronology of events, the strategies being pursued and the desired objectives. Until we are victorious, my desire is to stay the course and continue to serve as your Councilman for the ANV, contributing to the best of my abilities. Your favorable consideration and support of my candidacy for Councilman of the Army of Northern Virginia would be most appreciated. Terry

Life Member, Maryland Division Commander, Current ANV Councilman, formerly ANV Coordinator for National Heritage Operations Committee, past Maryland Division Adjutant and Maryland Division Heritage Defense Officer; previously served on National SCV Sesquicentennial Committee, past Treasurer for the Army of Northern Virginia, served multiple terms as Commander of the Major General Isaac Ridgeway Trimble Camp #1836, Ellicott City, Maryland Anthony M. Griffin:

Compatriots,

The position of Councilman provides a critical link between the General Executive Council and the SCV membership. As your ANV Councilman, I pledge to be your voice on the GEC by listening to your concerns, suggestions and expressing them on your behalf. I would serve to be your voice on the GEC by establishing a direct line of communication between you and the Council.

I am committed to fulfilling "The Charge" and understand that all of you want to offer opinions and suggestions to move our great organization forward. It would be my duty as your Councilman to work with your good ideas in order to honor our ancestors and benefit the SCV as we move forward.

Should you elect me to serve as your Councilman, I would work to create a quarterly newsletter which would keep


you informed. I would also ask you for your feedback and share my ideas too. I would not be just "another vote" on the Council. I will be your direct voice and vote!

My credentials to serve as your Councilman include that I have been a member of the SCV since 1993. In the Virginia Division, I have served as Adjutant, 1st Lt. Commander, and am currently the Commander of the Division. I'm also serving in my 10th year as the Commander of the Isle of Wight Avengers Camp #14 in Smithfield, Virginia. I'm proud to state that I'm also a Life member in both the SCV and the Virginia Division, with many Confederate soldiers in my heritage. As such, I have a proven track record of being available to the membership on all levels. I love the South, I live in the South, and am proud to be called a true Southerner!

I'm more than aware of the attacks on our Heritage. I'm diligently working to preserve our monuments and statutes. In fact, my name is listed as one of the plaintiffs in the Lee Monument lawsuit in Charlottesville. As your Councilman, I will continue to fight this heritage battle, and will ask for your involvement. We need to recruit new members, retain current members, and educate the public about our true mission. This will go a long way in helping us to achieve victory over those who desire the eradication of all things Confederate.

I wish to put my experience and credentials to work on your behalf. Your support and vote will help me to implement new ideas, to keep you well informed, to preserve our history, and to further "the Cause" as your ANV Councilman. Blessings to you and yours, Anthony M. Griffin Virginia Division Commander

From the Division Commander:

North Carolina Officers in the War Between the States:


Brigadier General Laurence Simmons Baker

Laurence Baker was born on the Cole's Hill Plantation in Gates County, North Carolina, May 15, 1830, the last of five children of Dr. John Burges and Mary Wynns (Gregory) Baker. His great-grandfather and namesake Lawrence Baker had been a general during the American Revolution. After receiving his initial schooling at the Norfolk Academy, he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1851, placing 42nd (last in his class). After graduation, he was breveted a second lieutenant earning his full rank on Mar. 31, 1853. He served for nine years in the U.S. Mounted Rifles, assigned to duty on the western frontier and rising to the rank of first lieutenant.

Norfolk Academy.

On 13 Mar 1855, Laurence Baker married Elizabeth E. Henderson (1836–1918).

In May 1861, he resigned his commission when North Carolina seceded from the Union. Although personally opposed to the concept of secession, Baker was loyal to his state. He became the lieutenant colonel of the 1st North Carolina Cavalry, and was then promoted to colonel on March 1, 1862, leading the cavalry regiment in the 1862 Peninsula Campaign. He saw action at the Seven Days Battle, Second Battle of Manassas, and the Battle of Sharpsburg later in 1862.

During the Gettysburg Campaign, Baker was wounded at the Battle of Brandy Station. However, he capably led his men in a number of small cavalry actions, culminated in the fighting at East Cavalry Field at the Battle of Gettysburg. Baker assumed command of Brig. Gen. Wade Hampton's brigade when that officer was severely wounded by a saber slash. He was promoted to brigadier general on July 23, 1863, in recognition for his


valiant service covering the retreat of the Army of Northern Virginia. Eight days later, he was severely wounded in the right arm while resisting a Federal crossing of the Rappahannock River, and was incapacitated for nearly a year.

Battle of Sharpsburg.

Battle of Brandy Station.

Rappahannock River.

After recovering enough for administrative duty, Baker was named commander of the Second Military District in his home state of North Carolina, overseeing the defense of vital railroads and supply lines. He briefly led a brigade into Georgia to help defend Savannah, but withdrew before the city surrendered. He also commanded the North Carolina Junior Reserves from 1864 until 1865, a predominantly recruiting and desk position. Despite his still painfully shattered arm, Baker returned to the field during the Carolinas Campaign, including the Battle of Bentonville. He and most of his men did not surrender at the end of the war, preferring to try to cut his way through Union lines to join Joseph E. Johnston's army. Instead, he disbanded his brigade and the remaining men dispersed. Baker received his formal parole in Raleigh, North Carolina, in May 1865.

After the war, Baker lived at New Bern, North Carolina, for a while before moving to Norfolk, Virginia, as a farmer. After returning to North Carolina, he was engaged in insurance until 1877. The


next year, he joined the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad in Suffolk, Virginia as a station agent, serving for 29 years. His duties included managing the Western Union telegraph and the Southern Express Co., a shipping company.

He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Suffolk, Virginia, and was active in the local camp of the United Confederate Veterans. He died in Suffolk in 1907 on April 10, 1907 and was buried in the city's Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Due to a clerical error in the War Department, in some official military documents, his first name is frequently misspelled as "Lawrence".

Did They Eat/Drink/Use That? The year is 1854: Keebler Biscuits were introduced by Godfrey Keebler in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Food for Thought: What crime has a man committed if his only offense is to raise his hand to stop invaders from killing members of his family or burning his house? How can


the defense of one’s home and family be considered treason?

Economy of the Confederate States of America: Railroads

The outbreak of war had a depressing effect on the economic fortunes of the Confederate railroad industry. With the cotton crop being hoarded in an attempt to entice European intervention, railroads were bereft of their main source of income. Many were forced to lay off employees, and in particular, let go skilled technicians and engineers. For the early years of the war, the Confederate government had a hands-off approach to the railroads. It wasn't until mid-1863 that the Confederate government initiated an overall policy, and it was confined solely to aiding the war effort. With legislation authorizing "impressment" that same year, railroads and their rolling stock came under de facto control of the military.

At the beginning of the war, the northern states included 20,000 miles of railroad while the Confederate states had 9000 miles (1.7 thousand miles total in the three border states of Missouri, Kentucky and Maryland).

The Confederate Army of the Shenandoah did use their railroad system effectively at the Battle of Manassas on July 21, 1861. Confederate reinforcements under Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Johnston arrived from the Shenandoah Valley by railroad and the course of the battle quickly changed.

Gen. Braxton Bragg also effectively used the southern railway system to amass forces in central Tennessee against the Union forces of Gen. Don Carlos Buell in July, 1862. The rail system was used to move some 35,000 men down the length of the state of Mississippi, then across Mobile Bay to Mobile, Alabama and then up the length of the state of Alabama arriving finally at Dalton, Georgia. This was a total distance of about 766 miles and involved "more than half a dozen" railroads. This circuitous route had to be used because the Union Army controlled a key railroad which would have offered a more direct route. According to Jean Edward Smith, "Bragg had moved men farther and faster than troops had ever been moved before. He had united two Confederate armies, his own and Smith's [Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith] and stood poised to change the direction of the war."

In the fall of 1863 the Army of Northern Virginia sent most of Gen. James Longstreet's First Corps, Army of Northern Virginia via rail from Virginia to northern Georgia in order to reinforce Gen. Bragg's Army of Tennessee just prior to the Battle of Chickamauga. Approximately 15,000 men were transported about 900 miles to the Georgia theater of operations. This operation involved sixteen different railroads and took a total of seven days (9 September-16 September) for the entire corps to arrive in Georgia.

In the last year of the war, the Confederate railroad system was always on the verge of collapse. The impressment policy of quartermasters ran the rails ragged. Feeder lines were


scrapped to replace iron for trunk lines, and the continual use of ill-maintained rolling stock wore them down faster than they could be replaced.

Confederate Kinfolk Corner: Corporal Spencer Robert O’Brian, Company E (Granville Targeteers), 23rd Regiment North Carolina Infantry. Spencer Robert O’Brian, 2nd Great Grandfather of Greg Parrott, was born on April 27, 1834, in Granville County, North Carolina.

Spencer enlisted on June 5, 1861 at age 27 with Company E, 23rd Regiment North Carolina Troops, at Oxford,

Corporal O’Brian fought in many major battles, including Gettysburg; and was wounded several times. His leg was amputated at the Battle of Cedar Run, Virginia, on October 19, 1864. His peg leg is on display in the NC Museum of History in Raleigh.

Spencer survived the war, came back to Berea and married, had several children and applied for his Confederate pension in 1907.

Spencer Robert O’Brian died on June 19, 1913 and is buried in the O’Brian Family Cemetery, Granville County, North Carolina.

bennitt - forefront jan-feb 2018 - durhamncscv.org · these scalawag or carpetbagger politicians in...

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