The Fort Brooke Record
November 2001
Volume 8, Issue 11
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The Fort Brooke RecordNovember 2001
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| The "Fort Brooke Record" (FBR) is the monthly newsletter of the Capt. John T. Lesley Camp 1282, Inc, a Camp of the Florida Division, SCV and of the International Sons of Confederate Veterans. The FBR is provided free of charge to members of the Camp. Editorial comments in this publication are the expressed opinion of the editorial writer and not of the Camp. Paid advertisements can in no way be considered an endorsement by this camp. Locally, for inquiries and information on coming to events, the camp maintains a full-time access phone at (813) 661-7045. |
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Program Article
One of the essential methods of proclaiming and advancing the image and worth of our Southern Heritage is through the medium of Civil War Re-enacting. The men and women who are involved in this enterprise are living historians who portray with great accuracy and detail the broad and even the minute aspects of the War period. Their service in educating the public is invaluable. This pastime is both a hobby and/or a passion for many individuals throughout our land. Twenty-five years ago it was anything but sophisticated. The hobby was in it infancy and the adherent to the hobby had great difficulty in out-fitting himself with the needed material and accouterments. Today, it only takes the inclination and the funds to outfit what is needed. Within the Sons of Confederate Veterans you will find many die-hard reenactors and you will find many members who are totally ignorant concerning what all the fuss is over concerning the hobby. But be assured, the hobby is VERY essential in preserving the good name of the Confederate soldier and the Cause for which he fought. Within the Lesley Camp we are privileged to have one of our own who is well connected and knowledgeable in this field. At this next meeting we will be learning how this hobby functions and works from Colonel Don Bowman, also know as Compatriot Don Bowman. Don has been reenacting since 1975 and, in fact, it was the hobby which lead him to the SCV. He joined the Lesley Camp the year after he began reenacting or in 1976, the year after he began re-enacting. Back in 1975 Don joined a reenacting group called Co A 5th Florida Infantry, also called the Florida Light Guard. Back then he was a private soldier beginning a career which was to take him up the ranks to full colonel commanding the Florida Battalion of the Department of the Gulf, Confederate States Army. What has happened to the hobby of reenacting, over these past 25 years, is part of the story Don will tell. From the early days when it was difficult to outfit oneself with material and accouterments to the present time when all one is required to have is inclination, health, time and money. Today, anything for the hobby can be bought. Colonel Bowman performs his duties as a commanding officer 20% of all the weekends of the year. He travels throughout the state of Florida (Olustee, Brooksville, Horse Landing, etc.) and across the nation (Gettysburg, Resaca, etc.). During the week, in civilian life, Don is a union electrician. At home he is husband to his wife of 27 years, Michele, and the father of two daughters, Melanie and Vanessa. Don will be sharing with us the full range of his knowledge of the hobby of reenacting. How it started and how it developed. Along with its history he will educate us on how it operates and functions. So look forward to a great meeting and plenty of stimulation. Of course the meeting will be held at the usual location at Buddy Freddys in Brandon. Get ready, mark your calendar and come hungry on the evening of Tuesday, November 20. Please refer to the front page for particulars for this meeting.
Ladies and Gentlemen, you are invited to Confederate Capt. Francis Hendrys home for a southern old-time Holiday get together. The Major William Footman Camp SCV, The Fort Myers Chapter of the UDC, and SW Florida Civil War Reenactors will be hosting this event. Music, Pig Roast, Chicken and Ribs will be provided for your enjoyment. All family and friends are invited. Please bring a covered dish or food item that will feed at least four. This is a once in lifetime chance to come together and celebrate at such a grand place. Captain Hendrys house was placed on the National Historical Registry in 1914. The home has a grand wrap around porch, several fire places, a grand back yard just yards from the Caloosahatchee River, beautiful Spanish Moss laden trees. We will all truly step back in time and enjoy a great Southern treasure. Great holiday music, door prizes and a good time for us all. WHERE: The Capt. Francis Hendry House, Labelle Fl. Directions are: from I-75 get off at exit # 25 and head due east about 20 miles on SR 80, once in Labelle take a left on Hardee St. (the Log Cabin Restaurant is located on the corner of SR 80 and Hardee St., from Hardee St. go north about 200 yards and make a left on Fraser Street it will take you straight to the Hendry House. We will have directional signs placed.
Dedication Service Held The Confederate military grave marker dedication service for Private Frank M. Beal of Co H 3 Florida Infantry, CSA was held at 2 PM on Sunday, October 21, 2001. The setting was the peaceful surroundings of the Woodlawn Cemetery located in Bartow, Florida. Private Beals son was the founder of Bealsville, Florida. Today, many of his descendants still live in the area of Bealsville. We were fortunate to have had a number of these descendents at the ceremony. 1st Lt. Marion Lambert served as the Master of Ceremonies. Chaplain Calvin Martin was present for the opening invocation and the closing benediction. Rev. Martin also performed a solo singing of Dixie and a solo singing of Amazing Grace. 2nd Lt. Commander Herring presented an SCV statement of purpose to those present while Commander Jim Hayward spoke of the Confederate military record of Private Beal. A poem was read by 1st Lt. Cmdr. Lambert and 9th Brigade Commander Ken Murphy played taps. We were especially honoured to have a rifle detail from the Major William M. Footman Camp 1950 of Fort Myers present for the military rifle salute.
Forming the Lesley Camp Honour & Colour Guard were the following: Captain Michael Herring, Corporals Mark Salter, Dean Laferink, Wesley Sainz, Wayne Sweat and Greg Tisdale. Colour Sergeant Gregg Chappell fell in, this day, with the Rifle Squad. Private Frank M. Beal served throughout the War and we know was involved in at least two of the major conflicts in the western theatre. He was at the Battle of Perryville in Kentucky in 1862 and he was at the Battle of Mursfreesboro in Tennessee.
OCTOBER FISHFRY
CAMP BUSINESS EMAIL DIRECTORY We seem to have reached an impasse in the effort to have all of the email addresses of the camp members recorded in our camp e-mail directory. In this high tech age to be effective in our endeavors it is essential that we be able to communicate quickly and efficiently. Therefore, if you are not receiving camp notices via e-mail then do get back with me and give me your address. To make that contact please send your information to: 1st Lt. Commander Marion Lambert at
If you would like to be added to the directory but do not wish that your email address be made known to others please so indicate in your request.
***ANNOUNCING*** The next meeting of the Southern Society of Tampa Bay will be held Monday, November 26, at 6:30 PM at Valencia Garden Restaurant located just west of downtown Tampa on Kennedy Blvd. We will meet in the Original Dining Room. Meals will be billed individually to those attending and we will order off of the menu. This is another new location and again it is a first class establishment. The actual physical address for Valencias is 811 West Kennedy Blvd. They are on the north side of the street and are just west of the University of Tampa. Their telephone number is (813)253-3773. Here are directions to arrive at the Valencia Restaurant: From Interstate 275: Upon nearing the west side of the I-4/I-275 Interchange (Malfunction Junction) take Exit 25, which is the Tampa Downtown exit. Go south on Ashley Drive until you come to Kennedy Blvd. Turn right going west, cross the bridge, go past the University of Tampa and you will find Valencias on the right. Invited to attend this meeting are officers and members of the following organizations: Mary Custis Lee Chapter 1451, UDC; Company K 7th Florida; John T. Lesley Camp 1282, SCV; Confederate Cantinieres Chapter 2405, UDC; and the Plant City Chapter 1931, UDC; Dixie Chapter 1008, UDC; Florida Division, SCV; Stonewall Jackson Camp 1381, SCV; and any other Southern Heritage minded organization in the Bay area. Any member of these organizations who has a special interest and wants to be involved, please do attend. We will continue the planning for the Tampa Bay Southern Culture Festival & the Robles Antebellum Ball scheduled for April of 2001. Again, the next meeting of the Society will be held Monday, at 6:30 PM on November 26 at the Valencia Garden Restaurant located on Kennedy Blvd. Just west of downtown Tampa. |
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CHAPLAIN'S COLUMN Whose Battle Is It Anyway? The ancient Israelites, such as Joshua, and some of our most famous soldiers, such as Gen. Jackson and Gen. Lee would seek the leadership and guidance of the Lord God Almighty before going into battle. That is what I have been doing lately and I know that you too have been in prayer too for our country. Yes we are in a war and there are many battles ahead but we can win with the leadership of our Lord if we will seek His guidance and leadership and give Him the Glory for the victories that will be won. We have some battles in our own camp that need your prayers. One is for our friend and compatriot, Dave Anthony, who is going to be fighting a battle with a bad heart. He will be having bypass surgery. This is a very serious battle for him and I know he is leaving it in God's hands. We, as his friends are praying for him. So Dave, be strong and put your trust in God and He'll see you through. Another of our friends and compatriots, John Hall has been having some heart problems also. So I want you to be in prayer for John. And to top that off, John's brother Jim Hall, of Jacksonville, FL, recently had a stroke and was in the hospital for some time but is now at home and recovering, still with some speech problems. So lets be in prayer for the Hall brothers. The battles of life that we go through will be conquered if we will go to our Lord and Saviour and seek His help. He will see you through some of the roughest places that you will get into and He is the One who will see you through. So keep your spirits up and give God the glory. For if God be for us, who can stand against us. Remember, the battle is the Lord's. 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 Again, please be notified that the site at White Springs A general contractor has been selected for construction. He is Mr. Bob Raburn of Plant City. He is the husband of Mrs. Sally Raburn, a member of Plant City Chapter 1931. 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. The Lesley Camp will definitely be chartering a bus for this occasion. Time is growing very short. If you have not sent in your subscription to have your ancestor or your name inscribed please do so as soon as possible. If you have any questions concerning this please contact me real soon.
From the Adjutants Desk: The John T. Lesley Camp 1282, SCV Membership Roster for October 2001 stands at 190 Compatriots and 27 Legionaires. The Lesley Camp takes pleasure in announcing the membership of Mr. Harold Wayne Hancock into our ranks. His Confederate Ancestor was Pvt. Thomas Young Hill of Co. A 10th NC Artillery. The thirtieth Semi Annual Fish Fry held at the Commander & Mrs. James Hayward residence was a grander success then the last one in the Spring and a good time was had by all. The Foothills Bluegrass Band really performed well as usual. Thanks to the ladies of the UDC for their great cooking skills in the kitchen. And a special thanks goes out to the Fish-Fryers who turned out some really delicious fish. Thanks to all of the Movers & Shakers that made it all come together. The 1841 Mississippi .54 CAL Rifle donation tickets are available from 1st 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. Dwight Tetrick, Adjutant John T. Lesley Camp |