The Fort Brooke Record

Twas the nite before Christmas

by Linda Lee O'strander

Twas the nite before Christmas, shadows fell round the house
and I cleaned and I cooked and I busied myself.

My flags were all flying off the porch eaves with care,
though one flag missing, Bonnie Blue wasn't there.

Outside the lights twinkled, garland fell into swags
and the lights flickered lightly on all of my flags.

My husband lay resting in his boots and his cap
and I warned him now was no time for a nap.

When out in the yard there arose such a clatter,
I walked out on my porch to see what's the matter.

Out towards the South I saw a bright flash
disappear into darkness, like a nite embers ash.

The moon's silouette made my yard look like snow,
made the moss look like ghosts in the shadows below.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear
but soldiers in gray, all young volunteers.

There standing in moonlight, I saw the first three;
It was Jackson and Forrest and General Lee!

I thought my mind weary, just playing a game
yet each soldier out front knew me by my name.

There were Stuart and Longstreet, Barnard E. Bee,
there were Beauregard, Davis all calling to me.

I held the porch railing, afraid I would fall,
then gathered my courage, to face one and all.

Then the maple and oak leaves, beginning to fly
hid the moon's nightly face in the clouds in the sky.

Around the ghost soldiers, the leaves and wind blew,
I heard soldier's say, "We are waiting for you."

And then in a twinkling, I needed no proof
for I heard prancing and pawing of each horse's hoof.

He was there all in gray, with his spur muted boot.
He smelled faintly of smoke and his face was all soot.

He had rifle and knapsack flung over his back
as we passed thru the darkness, so thick and so black.

I mounted a horse that breathed long ago
and soon we were riding down roads high with snow.

I stepped into the past with no disbelief,
saw shanties and shelters, just one Christmas wreath.

Saw soldiers with head wounds, no arms and gaunt belly,
saw men break out the apples, the cider, the jelly.

Saw some sockless and shoeless, some scantily clad
and I cried when I thought of all that I had.

He spoke not a word, I heard not a sound
as he reached for the bridle and turned horse around.

Twas then I saw my porch light and thought it a gag
but there on the porch hung a Bonnie Blue flag.

Lee was mounted on Traveller and gave the command,
I touched the blue flag and waved shaking hand.

What a gift they had given, so hard to believe
the visitors that came, bearing gifts Christmas Eve.

CHAPLAIN'S COLUMN

A December the Yankees would not forget, 
in more ways than one

It was to Lincoln's great consternation that he finally got fed up with General George McClellan not engaging the enemy in battle. Lincoln even told a friend , "Do you know what this is, as he and this friend were surveying the encampment of the Army of the Potomac resting in Maryland. Surprised the friend replied, "it is the Army of the Potomac." Lincoln told him, "it is only McClellan's body guard." So on Oct. 6, 1862, Lincoln could not take it any longer. He had directed General-in Chief Halleck to tell General McClellan to cross the Potomac and give battle to the enemy or drive him south...." Yet even this did not budge McClellan, and a few days later the Confederacy's be-plumed Jeb Stuart and 1,800 cavalrymen raided Chambersburg, PA, and then dashed contemptuously around the Army of the Potomac for a second time.

At length McClellan set his faithful army stepping into Virginia, but Lincoln's patience had run out. On Nov. 5 he relieved McClellan and turned command of the Army of the Potomac over to Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside, whose luxuriant mutton chop whiskers still give him fame. A likeable, impressive six-footer, West Pointer Burnside knew his limitations; It's a pity Lincoln didn't take him at his word. "I am not competent to lead such a large army," he said, and proved it tragically.

At Fredericksburg, on a raw day in mid- December, Burnside put brave soldiers across the Rappahannock River and stormed Lee precisely where he hoped they would - in an impregnable position on heights above the town. Six grand and hopeless Union assaults were hurled back before nightfall ended the slaughter. He wept when he gave the order to withdraw over the river. He left on the field 12,000 dead and wounded.

Gen. Lee had watched it all : smoke and dust and din of battle , the awesome Rebel yell, mounted officers shouting orders, human waves of death in ebb and flow (as fast as one brigade was cut down, a Federal General reported, "the next brigade coming up in succession would do its duty and melt like snow coming down on warm ground."). Turning to Gen. Longstreet, he said, "It is well that war is so terrible- we should grow too fond of it." But the wounded say it in their own way. They scream and groan as they writhe toward the rear, those who can move. They cry out for water, too and sometimes they find succor

At Fredericksburg, young Sgt. Richard Kirkland of the 2nd South Carolina could not stand the piteous appeals. He walked head up into that no-man's-land, expecting a Yankee sharpshooter's bullet. None came, and he gave water to the nearest wounded Federal, and the next, and the next. Many times he returned for water in the following hour and a half. He did not stop until he had ministered to every wounded man on his part of the front. Burnside offered battle no more, and Lee chose not to attack.

The foregoing was taken from "The Civil War " by Robert Paul Jordan , National Geographic and excerpts from "The Life History of the United States 1861-1876, Time Life Books.

As you can see even, in the midst of violent conflict, their can be compassion and this was evidenced by the act of Sgt. Kirkland. It is a kindness that our Heavenly Father must have been well pleased with for he watched over this man and did not allow any harm to come his way.

So I would encourage you to show a little kindness and compassion at this time of the year when we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. May His blessings be with each and every one of you this Christmas season.

I am yours in His service and in the service of the John T. Lesley Camp Sons of Confederate Veterans 1280.

Rev Calvin T. Martin, Chaplain

HERITAGE REPORT

 Flags Across Florida

An Update

By Cmdr. Marion Lambert, Florida Division Chief of Staff

AN UPDATE ON THE WHITE SPRINGS SITE 
LOCATED NORTH OF I-10 ON I-75.

Again, please be notified that the site at White Springs

is set for dedication in February.

The general contractor, Mr. Bob Raburn of Plant City, has the blue prints in hand and is waiting at this moment for some key elements to arrive at the site. He is the husband of Mrs. Sally Raburn, a member of Plant City Chapter 1931 UDC. The first phase of the construction will occur between the 11th and the 13th of November.

The definite time/date for the dedication of this site has been set for 2:00 PM, Friday February 15, 2002. It appears that we should have a fantastic turnout for the event from the Confederate re-enactors who will be in the same area for the Olustee Reenactment on that same weekend.

At this point, there is some concern as to the advisability of chartering a bus for this particular occasion.

Time is critically very short. Certainly by the time you read this, there is only a matter of days of opportunity left for subscribing. If you have not sent in your subscription to have your ancestor or your name inscribed please do so now. If you have any questions concerning this please contact me directly at (813)-839-5153.

From the Adjutant’s Desk:

The John T. Lesley Camp 1282, SCV Membership Roster for December 2001 remains at 190 Compatriots and 27 Legionaires.

Thanks to all of the Camp members that have promptly paid their year 2002 membership dues. The return envelopes you received with your dues notice require only a check for $35.00 and a 34-cent stamp, the Camp Adjutant takes care of all the rest. Please remember SCV International Headquarters must process over thirty thousand membership dues. Life Membership is available at the National, Division, and Camp level, contact Camp Adjutant for details.

An inquiry was made as to where one may purchase the Cold War Victory Commemorative Medal, struck to recognize honorable military service anytime between 2 Sept. 1945 and 26 December 1991. A Cold War Certificate is available from the U.S. Government. A good source is Medals of America, 1929 Fairview Road, Fountain Inn, SC 29644-9137, (800) 308-0849 or www.usmedals.com. Also available through them is the Southern Cross of Honor.

The 1841 Mississippi .54 CAL Rifle donation tickets are available from 1^st Lt. Commander Marion Lambert @ 813-839-5153.

If you have any questions concerning camp business or to process membership paperwork, please do not hesitate in contacting me.

Col. Dwight Tetrick, Adjutant

John T. Lesley Camp
19126 Amelia Circle
Lutz, FL 33558 phone (813) 949-4746

Editors note: Because of the significant persons involved in this event it was thought that it would be very appropriate to relay this announcement via this newsletter. Past Lesley Camp Chaplain Ken Simpson is the pastor at the church. The evangelist conducting services is the Rev. Alan Farley, who will be the program speaker for the January meeting.

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

From the 23rd to the 27th of January there will be an evangelistic revival at the First Baptist Church of Bloomingdale, located at 3303 Bloomingdale Ave. Valrico, Florida.

Services:

Wednesday - Sunday, January 23rd-27th

Times:

Wednesday -Saturday 7:00 pm.

Sunday 11:00am w/Luncheon to follow

Sunday Evening – 6 pm

Church Phone: 813-689-3847 W-F 8:30-12:00 or

Rev. Kenneth Simpson, Pastor

813-754-4755 after 6:00pm

Special Music by the Bloomingdale Messengers Gospel Quartet