The Fort Brooke Record

March 2000

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MARCH FISHFRY

Saturday, March 25, 2000
Music Begins @ 6 PM
Food Served @ 7 PM

Music Provided by:

The Foothills Bluegrass

With

Scott Rowell, Bill Neely, Angie Peterson
& David Beaumont

@

the residence of
Commander Jim Hayward
651 Pine Forrest Road
Brandon, Florida 33511

(813) 685-4850

map

MARCH FISH FRY

Thank goodness and Brother, it’s about time!

What can you say? With all the directed verbiage with rude comments and insults which, as of late, have been thrown at us Confederate-Americans, sometimes we just need a break from it all. Every six months or so we, in the Lesley Camp, make it a point to get together and to “pinch each other” to make plum certain that reality is still ours.

One would have to be completely out of touch with the pulse of the news and the drift of things (culturally) around the nation not to know what is happening. According to the press and some national political parties we Southerners are a most vile and reprehensible bunch – totally racist and lost in the past. Left to our own devices we keep thinking that we are compassionate and sensitive to all. But then we watch the news or read a newspaper. And there see our flag (which we so revere) pulled through the mud and muck and compared to every devilish and immoral philosophy that a sick world can produce.

That’s why we need this “every six months event” at which we check the common reality.

Yes ma'am, it’s time for the fishfry...

We’ll pinch ourselves and each other and we’ll know that this is real. We’ll listen to good traditional bluegrass (Southern) music, listen to and tell hilarious stories, laugh until we hurt, eat plenty of grits and Southern fried catfish and then go for seconds. And you know what – we’ll even sing Dixie, and we “wont even close the door.” I mean, we’ll sing it loud – REAL loud, and for a time we’ll know that all is right in our world and that the Good Lord is still in the heavens.

Yep, it’s time for the fishfry. Remember, that if you miss this one you’ll have to wait six months for the next. (Who knows, in six months, without this reality check, you might begin believing that you are a vile and reprehensible person.) See you there!

FISHFRY PARTICULARS

Remember that this is a covered dish fellowship. So do what you can to bring a dish of your favorite food.

Please do try to bring a home cooked main dish which will feed at least six (6).

The catfish, grits, swamp cabbage (if available), and tea are furnished.

Please remember the following very important items:

There is a $8.00 cover at the gate for adults. This is for the cost of fish, chairs and tables and the music. As always, children 12 and under are free.

Do call Cmdr. Hayward (685-4850) and let him know the number who will be coming in your party. He needs to have the tally so that sufficient fish, tables and chairs can be ordered.

 

Program Article:

As the front page so clearly stresses, it is time for the John T. Lesley Camp semi-annual fishfry. We do look forward to this event and on every occasion, so it seems, we set a record for attendance. At the Fall fishfry, this past October, in which the Southern Star Bluegrass performed there were over 200 souls present. This time the draw will also be a bluegrass group but one with a definite traditional bias.

The name of the group performing at this month’s fishfry is Foothills Bluegrass. With four members they are accomplished musicians. Playing fiddle and performing tenor harmony with some lead, on guitar is Scott Rowell. Bill Neely plays rhythm guitar and does lead vocal. Angie Peterson, as the young lady of the group, is on the bass and performs harmony. Rounding out the group is talented David Beaumont who plays lead guitar, the banjo, the mandolin and does vocal harmony.

Even though they have been together as the Foothills Bluegrass but one year, individually they have a wide range of experience under their belt. David Beaumont, as a youngster, could be seen 20 years ago on the Ernie Lee Show playing with the Beaumont Family.

So do expect to be well entertained by this multi-talented group. Bluegrass music is most definitely a Southern music and if the truth were known the origins of bluegrass surely is Celtic. You can’t get much more Southern than that.

See you for some fine music and eatin’ on the 25th.

Florida 

Strawberry Festival Parade - 2000

This year’s Strawberry Festival Parade was, as every other parade we have ever been involved in, a wonderful and glorious success. No matter how vicious and mean-spirited the attacks by the press, politicians and “civil rights” activists become upon our flag and heritage the parades only seem to get better. Over and over again the message is impressed upon us that the people love the flag. The sight of so many hooping and hollering, standing and clapping Southerners is just thrilling. When black folks are by themselves they also applaud and wave. Even the Northern tourists (snowbirds) applauded and even stood up in reverence in the viewing stands when we marched by.

Ross Lamoreaux is seen leading the Lesley Camp parade contingent in the Strawberry Festival Parade in Plant City.  Following the Colour Guard is the tractor pulling the parade float.	On the rear of the float are Doug Torres and Compatriot Doug Hill.  The scene depicted on the float was that of a military encampment.  Behind the tent can be seen the camp sign which was created by camp artist Mike Bethune.
Tractor driver Paul McHenry is seen here driving Compatriot Mark Lane's tractor which is pulling the camp float.  Behind Paul from the left is Neal Schools (seated) then Tracey Knox, Wendell Boyd (E.M. Law Camp), and Darryl Whitt.	Lesley Camp Commander Jim Hayward is seen here driving his 1926 Model T Ford Pick-up truck.  Next to Cmdr. Hayward is his lovely wife, Rosa.  Just after the parade this truck blew a head gasket as a result of overheating in the slow moving parade.

Comprising the Colour Guard were Wayne Sweat, Greg Chappell, Mike Bethune, Greg Tisdale, Leroy Rogers, Mark Salter, Randy Tyler, and filling in was new member Darryl Whitt. The Colour Guard was commanded by Ross Lamoreaux.

Driving Mark Salter’s red vintage farm tractor was Paul McHenry. On the float were Wendell Boyd of the E. M. Law Camp, Tracy Knox, Doug Torres, Doug Hill, Darryl Whitt and Mark Miller. We were honoured to have Mr. Neal Schools of Portland, Maine with us on the float for the entire parade.

Behind the float were two vintage vehicles each bearing the logo of the SCV. Driving a red 1921 Model T touring car was Compatriot Richard Robison accompanied by his wife Donna. In the other vehicle was our illustrious commander, Compatriot Jim Hayward. Riding along with the commander was his wife, Rosa. Jim was driving his black 1926 Model T Pick/up truck.

Of note: Cmdr. Hayward’s ‘26 pickup truck was belching water and steaming along for the last mile of the 3 mile parade. The slow pace was just too much for the engine. The ‘26 Ford engine has no water pump but instead relies upon a thermo siphoning cooling system. The normal operating temperature of the engine is 212 degrees F. As the water gets to the boiling point it is forced over into the radiator. The problem was that the temperature got to be well over 212 degrees F.

April - Southern Heritage Month

Get ready for a lot to do in April. Of course, April is THE month for our heritage. And what better month than when, in the Springtime, the citrus trees are in full bloom and the oak trees are thrilling us with shades of green we haven’t seen in a year. Yep, Southern Heritage Month is April and Confederate Memorial Day is April 26.

The Hillsborough County Commission will be issuing a proclamation for us and we will be at the Board meeting in force on the 19th of April to receive it. On April 26 we will be honouring our Confederate dead at the courthouse with our annual “Guard Duty at the Monument.” On Sunday, April 30, we will have a great memorial service at the Brandon Family Cemetery. At this event we will have the 3rd Florida Regimental Band performing and Florida Division Cmdr. Bob Young will be the key note speaker. Plant City Chapter 1931 is co-hosting this event.

Rally in Montgomery, Alabama

The rally on March 4 was a success. Although not as well attended (2500 were in attendance) as the Columbia, SC rally this one had the same spirit which we saw before. The press did its usual job of ignoring the import or even the reality of this event. But the important message for us is that thousands of Confederate-Americans can be brought together with a little planning. So take heart from this experience. With the wonderful tool available in the new fangled contraction called the computer and the interconnecting internet we are becoming even more powerful.

2000 SCV Annual Convention

The convention for this year (2000) will be held in the beautiful city of Charleston in the fabulous state of South Carolina from August 2 through August 5. With the NAACP having declared a visitors and tourism boycott for South Carolina until the Battleflag comes off the Capitol dome surely this is the year to go to Charleston.

This will be the 105th convention. The host Westin Francis Marion Hotel is fully booked. There are three other hotels within one block of the Westin facility. They are the Embassy Suites (843) 723-6900 (most historic and classy), the Holiday Inn (843) 805-7900, and the Hampton Inn (843) 723-4000. The rate, over the phone, for the Embassy Suites was quoted at $159.00 per night.

The next issue of the Confederate Veteran Magazine should contain the registration form and the schedule for this event. If you just can not wait, contact Adjutant Dwight Tetrick at (813) 949-4746 or contact him through email at [email protected]. He reports that he presently has both schedule and registration forms in hand.

This should be a premier and vintage year for the SCV Convention/Reunion. Keep in mind that the CSS Hunley, the Confederate submarine, will be lifted from its tomb in Charleston Harbor just before this convention. The excavation of this sub with its crew is a 16 million dollar project.

Book Review

by Lesley Camp Rebmaster Lunelle Siegel

Editor’s Note: Black Southerners in Gray can be purchased from the Camp Store located at the Lesley Camp Store or directly from Storekeeper Mike Herring.

I really didn’t know what to expect when confronted with this book, with a young black and white boy on the cover in their gray uniforms and big knives. I’ve heard that blacks were not allowed to have guns. And of course, the whole thing about the war being to free the slaves – I wondered “why would a slave support the south in the war. Just the title of the book made me curious and hungry for the truth about how blacks felt about the war. I was not disappointed. It is a remarkable book though short (141 pages of articles) and well worth the few hours needed to read it. Once I got past the preface and into the text, I couldn’t bear to put this book down and for me this says a lot - for I must confess I haven’t written a book report since college, and I would rather mop the floor than read a book.

When I leafed through the table of contents, I realized this was a compendium of articles from various authors. I was suspicious of the authors educated at northern schools. Although there was the taint of political correctness from a few from both the North and South, it did not overshadow the work, primarily because it was chock full of facts, with very little commentary.

I don’t want to give the whole plot away, but I can’t resist giving you a few of the juicy bits. Not only did black slaves go to war, taking care of the day to day of their masters as body servants, but some were involved in battles. They shot guns during the war, captured Yankee prisoners, and even were captured and put into war prisons by Yankees. After the war was over they received pensions and attended veteran’s meetings, contributed funds for Confederate monuments and were commended by Confederate officers. Free people of color helped the war effort as well, and served in numerous units and functions.

According to pension applications from Tennessee, Richard Rollins reports “… slaves in the war performed nearly every job imaginable in the army, from barbering to caring for horses, cooking, polishing brass and foraging.” Rollins research of the same applications reports 114 slaves served in 42 Tennessee infantry and cavalry units. No total count of these black slaves exists, but some accounts report up to 3000 from Louisiana alone. One English observer estimated there were 30,000 black servants in the Army of Northern Virginia in 1862.

Let’s not overlook the free blacks. Groups of free blacks throughout the south gave their support, not just their words, but their own assets, including cash, and labor of their own slaves – yes, their own slaves. Rollins introduces us to Horace King of Russell County, Alabama. Horace “ was born a slave but was freed and became a highly skilled and successful bridge-builder, employing slave labor in his business. During the war he was frequent contributor to the Southern cause and furnished uniforms and money to the sons of his former master”. Fundraising balls were held throughout the South, and free and slave alike contributed what they could to the cause. One young girl gave a free offering of 25 cents, and a slave gave a bushel of sweet potatoes.

Not all body servants were slaves. Robert Greene, in Black Defenders, lists several who were hired, not owned. Stonewall Jackson’s servant, Jim Lewis, was “inconsolable” at Jackson’s death, and later returned to the army and served Colonel “Sandie” Pendelton at Gettysburg and after until Pendelton died at Fisher’s Hill in 1864. Robert E. Lee’s cook, William Mack Lee, was a free Negro who served the General throughout the war and until the General’s death in 1870.

Economics professor and nationally syndicated Walter Williams nailed it in a recent editorial: “Black civil rights activists and their white liberal supporters who are attacking the Confederate flag have committed a deep, despicable dishonor to our patriotic black ancestors who marched, fought and died to protect their homeland from what they saw as Northern aggression. They don’t deserve the dishonor.” Or as Ervin Jordan eloquently stated “…they are the Civil War’s forgotten people, yet their existence was more widespread than American history has recorded. Their bones rest in unhonored glory in Southern soil, shrouded by falsehoods, indifference and historians’ censorship.”

Was the first step in “cultural cleansing of the South” after the war that *“the Federal government would only furnish grave markers for Union and black Union soldiers?” Isn’t it ironic that the only State to still fly the flag over their capitol (South Carolina) also has a monument “Dedicated to the faithful slaves, who, loyal to a sacred trust toiled for the support of the Army with matchless devotion… guarded ‘Our Confederate States of America.’”. I for one am studying and honoring the black contribution in the Southern War for Independence in celebrating Black History Month Y2K and urge you to do the same by reading “Black Southerners in Gray”.

*source: Thomas Y. Cartright, “ ‘Better Confederates Did Not Live: Black Southerners in Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Commands’

Compatriot Jim Armitage was the keynote speaker and he really did a fine job. He talked about the Southern soldier and the important role that he performed for the United States military right up to the present. It was a great talk.

Mrs. Shelly Jakes was the MC for the evening and she did a fine job. Not only was the ceremony a fine success but the meal and cake were fabulous. Chapter 113, ya'll did real good..

Editor's note:  It is really special to have two great and active chapters of the United Daughters of the Confederacy right here in Hillsborough County.

Camp Business

CAMP TRAILER

We are now the proud owners of a fine new 12 by 6 foot box trailer. This unit is a single axle trailer, has a white painted finish and has two separate entrances. In the rear are double doors which open from the center. There is another single door located on the side. The unit is being lettered (along with art work) by Camp Artist Mike Bethune. Expect to see this new addition prominently displayed at the fishfry.

The trailer cost just over $3000.00. The trailer is needed to centrally house the many items that have been located at random sites which we use at parades and other events. This is a much needed enhancement to our logistical capability. It will also be great to see this trailer as it travels down the roads of the state with the camp lettering and logo colourfully displayed advertising our heritage and camp.

Chaplain's Column

- Rev. Ken Simpson

A A Chaplain’s Look at the 23rd Psalm

Part II

A. Jehovah is my Shepherd

Imagine a poet telling us that God is a shepherd. The word “Jehovah,” often translated “the Lord,” is the personal name for our Father God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Eternal One, the Living One, the Self-Existent Being, the eternal I Am. He is unchangeably the same. He created all things. He is, always has been, and always will be.

The psalmist dares call the eternal God his shepherd. A thousand years later Jesus took up David’s beautiful identification of God as Shepherd by declaring, “I am the good shepherd.” Jesus identified Himself with Jehovah, combining a high and exalted word for the eternal God and the tender word for a loving Saviour. Thus we find coupled the concept of power with that of sympathy, love and tenderness.

The word “shepherd” originally meant “friend,” “guide,” “companion.” The meaning was so apparent in the manner and character of the shepherd that the word came into common use. The psalmist is saying, “God is that to me – kind, loving, solicitous, and devoted.” The shepherd was also equipped to protect and guide his beloved sheep. The Lord’s hands, His eyes, His heart, His faithfulness, His strength, His tenderness, and His undying love for His sheep make Him the ideal Shepherd. When we turn to the New Testament for Jesus’ own appraisal of Himself, we see how perfectly He was the Good Shepherd. In every way He measured up to the deeper meaning of that figure. David caught a sublime truth and put into writing a New Testament theme too significant for words.

The little word “my” is the transforming word. What a profound difference it makes! The psalmist did not speak theoretically or in generalities. He knew the Shepherd as “my” Shepherd. Appropriation by personal faith makes Him mine. Only as He comes to be “my shepherd” can I know the full meaning of a relationship like the one described in this psalm.

B. I shall not want

No one in the world can say, “I shall not want,” except as he can claim the Lord Jesus as a Shepherd-Saviour. The man of this world can but cry out, “I perish here with hunger.” But the Apostle Paul shouts, “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). In another place the psalmist says, “The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want (lack) any good thing” (Psalm 34:10). In other words – “I shall not want” - no reference is made to a future tense. What David is really saying is “I never want for anything.” At no time in all of life, here or in eternity, can there be a lack of anything needful for carrying out God’s will. We are so rich that every need will be supplied moment by moment, from the Lord’s vast treasure house. How this knowledge should thrill us! I SHALL NOT WANT.

In Palestine the hills were bare and rocky and hot. The patches of good grass were scarce. The oasis were not easily available. The good shepherd knew where to find them, understood the need for them, and worked diligently to get his flock off the hot rocky hillsides into a quiet place where rest and refreshment could be had. David knew how necessary they were in lives of his sheep. In order to get the rest they needed, the security and the nourishment of food and water, they must be willing followers of the shepherd.

The psalmist saw the hand of the great Shepherd in his own life. How tenderly he had been led into the kind of soul rest that had given him the needed nourishment and refreshment for the rough going. He knew the kind of security that made him serene and quiet within. How life had been changed and blessed all the way by the streams of grace flowing daily into his rough life! The verb “nahal,” which he uses, is a beautiful pastoral word meaning “to lead gently” or “peacefully.”

Our Good Shepherd said, “He that cometh to me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). “My sheep shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28). We are wondrously cared for by One who delights to provide the needs of those who have trusted themselves to the Shepherd.

My dear Camp family, our Good Shepherd calls out to each of us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Your Chaplain & Friend,

Rev. Ken Simpson

Special - HERITAGE REPORT - Special

On the Home Front

February 1, 2000

Dear Folks:

... Old State laws that are outdated are being reviewed with a plan to have them struck by May by the Legislature. One of those laws being sponsored for elimination is the Law 256.10 Mutilation of or disrespect for Confederate Flags or replicas. Sen.John McKay, R-Brandenton, FL is sponsoring the elimination of this law along with others that are outdated. I need not say what should be done, but I will. All good Confederates should without hesitation (write) this good Senator with (comments explaining the importance of this statue).

Cordially yours,

David Luxton

PS If (we) let this one go with apathy then we are opening up Florida to the type of rhetoric and divisiveness that South Carolina is going through.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Florida Div. Cmdr. Bob Young informs us that his take on this is that the intent of this legislation is not directed at Confederate symbol protection per se but rather at duplication of laws on the books. Apparently there are two statues (FS 256.051 & FS 256.10) which address this Confederate flag protection. Therefore, please center your concerns upon, in the final analysis, a retention in the books of the spirit of this statue protection.

The senator can be contacted at the following address and phone number in Tallahassee:

Senator John McKay

Room 416 Senate Office Building

404 South Monroe Street

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100

 

Phone (850) 487-5078

SunCom 277-5078

 

Email address:

Are We A People?

There comes a time when we as Southerners become so frustrated and disillusioned with the way that our heritage is treated by the mainstream culture —– yes sir, there comes a time when it is time to do something drastic. Therefore, some are

recommending that all Southerners participating in the United States Census this year list their race /ethnicity under "OTHER", then write in

"Confederate - American"

What do you think??

X-X-X-X-X

Sons of Union Veterans

Reiterate SC Flag Position

Editor’s Note: The existence of and a facsimile of this “order” was passed to the FBR editor by Cmdr. James Hayward of the Lesley Camp. The following was copied as it was found from the website of the Sons of Union Veterans.

1. Recently, there has been some misinformation generated regarding the position of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (Order) on the battle flag of the Confederacy. In attempt to clarify this, the following is the position of the Order as adopted at the 115th Annual Encampment of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War August 10, 1996, Columbus Ohio:

A resolution in support of the display of the Confederate Battle Flag over the state house in South Carolina.

WHEREAS, we the members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, condemn the use of the confederate battle flag, as well as the flag of the United States, by any and all hate groups, and

WHEREAS, we the members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War strongly oppose the removal of the confederate battle flag from atop the state house in Columbia, South Carolina, and

WHEREAS, we the members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War support the flying of the confederate battle flag as a historical piece of this nation's history, and

WHEREAS, we the members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War oppose the removal of any Confederate monuments or markers to those gallant soldiers in South Carolina and the former Confederate States, and strongly oppose the removal of ANY reminders of this nation's bloodiest war on the grounds of it being politically correct, and

WHEREAS, we, as the descendants of Union soldiers and sailors who, as members of the Grand Army of the Republic, met in joint reunions with the confederate veterans under both flags in those bonds of Fraternal Friendship, pledge our support and admiration for those gallant soldiers and of their respective flags;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we the members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War in 115th Annual National Encampment hereby adopt this resolution and present it to the Governor of the state of South Carolina. Dated in Columbus, Ohio, on this tenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand Nine hundred and ninety-six.

2. The above resolution of support remains unchanged by this Order and should be conveyed as such when inquiries are made.

By Order of:
Danny L. Wheeler
Commander-in-Chief