The JB Kershaw Chapter UDC was delighted  to have Heather Sheen of Greenville #51 UDC present “Civil War” Cockades at their March 19 meeting.  Heather has probably become a national authority on the subject as she began researching the topic before the Sesquicentennial of the Firing on Ft. Sumter, April, 2011.  In fact, she was contacted by the producers of the recent movie “Les Miserable” and asked if she could provide 3000 cockades for opening night of the movie!  Little did they know that these are hand-made and could not be done in three short weeks.

Chapter ladies found the topic very interesting as well as the items she brought with her, some of which she had made, and others from different time periods in history.   Heather apologized for calling it the “Civil War” as that is not the correct name for this period in history.  But, in order to move along quickly and cover a lot of information, she used this shortened name.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans held its 2013 Sesquicentennial Heritage Rally on Saturday, March 16, 2013, in Biloxi, Mississippi, at the opening of the Jefferson Davis Presidential Library and Museum on the grounds of Beauvior, the last home of President and Mrs. Jefferson Davis in the years following the War Between the States. Beauvoir was the site of his retirement and the place where he wrote his two-volume memoir, The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government. Following his death, the home was sold to the Mississippi Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans with two stipulations:first, the property was to be used as a Confederate Veterans Home for the veterans and their widows at no charge to them.

Don Gordon of Columbia, South Carolina, was guest speaker at the February meeting of the Sixteenth Regiment, SCV in Greenville. He discussed General Nathan Bedford Forrest, renowned cavalry leader, considered by many to be the finest produced by the Confederacy. At the conclusion of his presentation, Mr. Gordon quoted from memory a lengthy segment of the final speech Forrest gave to his troops  3-days before the final surrender. The presentation drew an enthusiastic standing ovation from the packed banquet room at the Phoenix Inn.

“A Nation of Men of Lee’s Character Would be Unconquerable in Spirit and Soul” President Dwight D. Eisenhower

The Officers and Members of the 16th Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Camp 36 in Greenville celebrated the birthdays of Generals Lee and Jackson at the Greenville Hilton, Saturday evening.

Robert E. Lee was born January 19, 1807, in Stratford Hall, Virginia.

Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson was born January 21, 1824, in Clarksburg, Virginia.

Despite the mendacity of those who continue to attempt to justify the atrocities committed against the Southern people by maligning Southern leaders, General Lee and “Stonewall” Jackson continue to be used by the top military schools throughout the world as the best examples of leadership and character in military history. Both were distinguished graduates of the U. S. Military Academy and officers in the United States Army. They were faced with a momentous decision when their sovereign state left the Union. They resigned their commissions to defend their homeland.

It has become typical in school text books, in public discussions, and in the smug wisdom of Progressives, to diminish the words and actions of those who led the founding of the United States. However, now that the nation has gone through what Al Gore called a “wrenching transformation” away from limited government, free enterprise, and individual liberty (all major ingredients to making the US the freest and most prosperous nation in history) it’s time to listen again to their wisdom.

Thomas Jefferson warned us to ...

Greg Harrison, manager of the Confederate Book Store and Gift Shop, in dress uniform, greets visitors at the entrance of the shop located at the Library and Museum of Confederate History owned and operated by the 16th Regiment, SCV. The popular attraction for visitors from as far away as Russia is located at 15 Boyce Avenue, in the Pettigru Historic District of Greenville, South Carolina. Admission and scheduled tours are free. For questions and arrangements for special  group and school tours, call  (864) 421-9039.