Thursday, May 15, 2008
The Jefferson Davis Memorial Day Funeral Train
By Calvin E. Johnson, Jr.
cjohnson1861@bellsouth.net
A Southern President was laid to rest on Memorial Day.
The Sons of Confederate Veterans have proclaimed 2008, as the "Year of Jefferson Davis" and Davis' 200th birthday, June 3, 2008, will be celebrated with many great events including the reopening of his last home "Beauvoir" on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Please share the following Memorial Day story with your family and remember Monday, Mary 26th, is Memorial Day in the USA.
Listen closely, when the wind blows, and you may hear a train whistle from the distance.
Many songs have been written about the passenger trains. On Sunday, May 28, 1893, a few days before Memorial Day, a story began in New Orleans, Louisiana that overshadowed all other events reported in the newspapers of the north and south.
Jefferson Davis died in 1889 and over 200,000 people witnessed his temporary burial at Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans. Four years later on a rainy Saturday, on May 27, 1893, the remains of Jefferson Davis was removed and taken to Confederate Memorial Hall where many people paid their last respects.
At 4:30 PM, May 28th, a funeral service was held for Mr. Davis and a moving memorial address was delivered by Louisiana's Governor Murphy J. Foster as thousands listened. A reverent silence fell among the people as the casket was given to the commitment of Veterans from Virginia.
The procession then formed for a slow march to the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Station on Canal Street.
Train No. 69, with Engineer Frank Coffin, waited patiently as the casket was taken to the platform and passed through an open observation car to a catafalque. The cars wall could not be seen due to the many flowers.
This was the vision of Mrs. (Varina) Jefferson Davis when she began three years previous to secure a funeral train and military escort for a 1,200 mile train trip from New Orleans, Louisiana to Richmond, Virginia.
Train engine No. 69, of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, slowly pulled out of New Orleans Station at 7:50 PM. L and N railroad later became CSX Railroad.
Newspaper reporters from New Orleans, Richmond, Boston, New York and the Southern Associated Press were guests on the train.
After a brief Stop at Bay Saint Louis, and a slow-down at Pass Christian, where hundreds of people lined the tracks, the Jefferson Davis Funeral Train stopped at Gulfport, Mississippi and "Beauvoir, www.beauvoir.org, that was the last home to Jefferson Davis and his family. It was here that Davis wrote his book, "The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government."
Uncle Bob Brown, a former servant of the Davis family and a passenger on the train, saw the many flowers that the children had laid on the railroad tracks. Brown was so moved by this beautiful gesture that he wept uncontrollably.
In Mobile, Alabama, the train was met at midnight by parents who let their children stay up late to witness the historic ocassion that included a artillery salute. Locomotive No. 69 was retired and Locomotive No. 25 was coupled to the train with Engineer C.C. Devinney and Fireman Warren Robinson taking over.
The Atlanta Journal reported, quote, "The Cradle of the Confederacy is ablaze with life and light tonight. Everything is ready for honoring the memory of Jefferson Davis. Tomorrow morning with the rising of the sun the funeral train from New Orleans will reach Montgomery. unquote.
The train pulled into Montgomery at 6:00 AM, on the 29th. A severe rainstorm delayed the funeral procession until 8:30 AM when a caisson carried the body of Davis to Alabama's capitol building. A procession carried the casket through the portico where Jefferson Davis, in 1861, had taken the oath of office as President of the Confederate States of America.
The casket was placed in front of the bench of the Alabama Supreme Court. Above the right exit was a banner with the word "Monterrey" and above the left exit was a banner with the words "Buena Vista." During the Mexican War Jefferson Davis was a hero at Monterrey and wounded at Buena Vista.
All Businesses and schools were closed, and church bells toiled during the procession to and from the capitol. In a final tribute, thousands of people in Montgomery, including ex-Confederate soldiers and children, filed by the casket.
At 12:20 in the afternoon the funeral train departed over the Western Railway of Alabama and Atlanta and West Point Railroad for Atlanta. At West Point, Georgia the train stopped under a magnificently-beautiful arch of flowers to pick up Georgia's Governor William J. Northen and his staff.
The funeral train pulled into Atlanta's Union Station at 4:30 PM. It is written that over 20,000 people lined the streets as the funeral procession made their way to the state capitol. Atlanta's Old Gate City Guard stood guard over the president's remains. Among those in attendance was former Confederate General John B. Gordon who had also been Governor of Georgia.
The Boston Globe reported, quote, " Davis Funeral Train on way north. Visions of the past called up. Living links of the past cause. Sumter's flag appears once more. Both banners on the walls of Georgia's capitol. Thousands look upon the dead leader. Women of the South show their affection by flowers." unquote.
At 7:00 PM the train pulled out of the station going north on the Richmond and Danville Railroad, which later became Southern Railroad and, today, Norfolk Southern Railroad. The train traveled through Lula, Georgia, Greenville, South Carolina and stopped in North Carolina at Raleigh. Davis' remains were taken to the North Carolina capitol building to lie in state.
A brief stop was made in Danville, Virginia where a crowd gathered around the train and sang, "Nearer My God To Thee" as the church bells toiled.
Finally, the train reached Richmond, Virginia on Wednesday, morning, May 31, 1893. It was Memorial Day. Mrs. Davis met the train and her husband's casket was taken to the Virginia State House to lay in state. There was no school this day and many children brought flowers that they scattered about the casket.
At 3 PM on May 31, 1893, the funeral procession started for Hollywood Cemetery with former Gen. John B. Gordon as Chief Marshall. The caisson was driven by six white horses and earlier rains kept the dust of the dirt roads from stirring.
With Mrs. Jefferson Davis were two of her daughters, Winnie and Margaret. Six Southern governors acted as pall bearers. Two hundred thousand people lined the streets and nearly 100,000 took part in the ceremony at the cemetery. The ceremony concluded with a 21-gun salute followed by "Taps."
It had been 28 years since the War Between the States ended, but they came by the thousands to pay tribute to their former president. In truth, they came to remember a hope and a dream. And all across the South hundreds of thousands heard that train.
The Sons of Confederate Veterans of Virginia are planning to erect a statue to Jefferson Davis and his African-American adopted son, Jim Limber.
Lest We Forget!!
cjohnson1861@bellsouth.net
A Southern President was laid to rest on Memorial Day.
The Sons of Confederate Veterans have proclaimed 2008, as the "Year of Jefferson Davis" and Davis' 200th birthday, June 3, 2008, will be celebrated with many great events including the reopening of his last home "Beauvoir" on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Please share the following Memorial Day story with your family and remember Monday, Mary 26th, is Memorial Day in the USA.
Listen closely, when the wind blows, and you may hear a train whistle from the distance.
Many songs have been written about the passenger trains. On Sunday, May 28, 1893, a few days before Memorial Day, a story began in New Orleans, Louisiana that overshadowed all other events reported in the newspapers of the north and south.
Jefferson Davis died in 1889 and over 200,000 people witnessed his temporary burial at Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans. Four years later on a rainy Saturday, on May 27, 1893, the remains of Jefferson Davis was removed and taken to Confederate Memorial Hall where many people paid their last respects.
At 4:30 PM, May 28th, a funeral service was held for Mr. Davis and a moving memorial address was delivered by Louisiana's Governor Murphy J. Foster as thousands listened. A reverent silence fell among the people as the casket was given to the commitment of Veterans from Virginia.
The procession then formed for a slow march to the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Station on Canal Street.
Train No. 69, with Engineer Frank Coffin, waited patiently as the casket was taken to the platform and passed through an open observation car to a catafalque. The cars wall could not be seen due to the many flowers.
This was the vision of Mrs. (Varina) Jefferson Davis when she began three years previous to secure a funeral train and military escort for a 1,200 mile train trip from New Orleans, Louisiana to Richmond, Virginia.
Train engine No. 69, of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, slowly pulled out of New Orleans Station at 7:50 PM. L and N railroad later became CSX Railroad.
Newspaper reporters from New Orleans, Richmond, Boston, New York and the Southern Associated Press were guests on the train.
After a brief Stop at Bay Saint Louis, and a slow-down at Pass Christian, where hundreds of people lined the tracks, the Jefferson Davis Funeral Train stopped at Gulfport, Mississippi and "Beauvoir, www.beauvoir.org, that was the last home to Jefferson Davis and his family. It was here that Davis wrote his book, "The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government."
Uncle Bob Brown, a former servant of the Davis family and a passenger on the train, saw the many flowers that the children had laid on the railroad tracks. Brown was so moved by this beautiful gesture that he wept uncontrollably.
In Mobile, Alabama, the train was met at midnight by parents who let their children stay up late to witness the historic ocassion that included a artillery salute. Locomotive No. 69 was retired and Locomotive No. 25 was coupled to the train with Engineer C.C. Devinney and Fireman Warren Robinson taking over.
The Atlanta Journal reported, quote, "The Cradle of the Confederacy is ablaze with life and light tonight. Everything is ready for honoring the memory of Jefferson Davis. Tomorrow morning with the rising of the sun the funeral train from New Orleans will reach Montgomery. unquote.
The train pulled into Montgomery at 6:00 AM, on the 29th. A severe rainstorm delayed the funeral procession until 8:30 AM when a caisson carried the body of Davis to Alabama's capitol building. A procession carried the casket through the portico where Jefferson Davis, in 1861, had taken the oath of office as President of the Confederate States of America.
The casket was placed in front of the bench of the Alabama Supreme Court. Above the right exit was a banner with the word "Monterrey" and above the left exit was a banner with the words "Buena Vista." During the Mexican War Jefferson Davis was a hero at Monterrey and wounded at Buena Vista.
All Businesses and schools were closed, and church bells toiled during the procession to and from the capitol. In a final tribute, thousands of people in Montgomery, including ex-Confederate soldiers and children, filed by the casket.
At 12:20 in the afternoon the funeral train departed over the Western Railway of Alabama and Atlanta and West Point Railroad for Atlanta. At West Point, Georgia the train stopped under a magnificently-beautiful arch of flowers to pick up Georgia's Governor William J. Northen and his staff.
The funeral train pulled into Atlanta's Union Station at 4:30 PM. It is written that over 20,000 people lined the streets as the funeral procession made their way to the state capitol. Atlanta's Old Gate City Guard stood guard over the president's remains. Among those in attendance was former Confederate General John B. Gordon who had also been Governor of Georgia.
The Boston Globe reported, quote, " Davis Funeral Train on way north. Visions of the past called up. Living links of the past cause. Sumter's flag appears once more. Both banners on the walls of Georgia's capitol. Thousands look upon the dead leader. Women of the South show their affection by flowers." unquote.
At 7:00 PM the train pulled out of the station going north on the Richmond and Danville Railroad, which later became Southern Railroad and, today, Norfolk Southern Railroad. The train traveled through Lula, Georgia, Greenville, South Carolina and stopped in North Carolina at Raleigh. Davis' remains were taken to the North Carolina capitol building to lie in state.
A brief stop was made in Danville, Virginia where a crowd gathered around the train and sang, "Nearer My God To Thee" as the church bells toiled.
Finally, the train reached Richmond, Virginia on Wednesday, morning, May 31, 1893. It was Memorial Day. Mrs. Davis met the train and her husband's casket was taken to the Virginia State House to lay in state. There was no school this day and many children brought flowers that they scattered about the casket.
At 3 PM on May 31, 1893, the funeral procession started for Hollywood Cemetery with former Gen. John B. Gordon as Chief Marshall. The caisson was driven by six white horses and earlier rains kept the dust of the dirt roads from stirring.
With Mrs. Jefferson Davis were two of her daughters, Winnie and Margaret. Six Southern governors acted as pall bearers. Two hundred thousand people lined the streets and nearly 100,000 took part in the ceremony at the cemetery. The ceremony concluded with a 21-gun salute followed by "Taps."
It had been 28 years since the War Between the States ended, but they came by the thousands to pay tribute to their former president. In truth, they came to remember a hope and a dream. And all across the South hundreds of thousands heard that train.
The Sons of Confederate Veterans of Virginia are planning to erect a statue to Jefferson Davis and his African-American adopted son, Jim Limber.
Lest We Forget!!
# posted by Chuck Demastus : 5:07 PM
Monday, May 12, 2008
The Arrogance of Flag grabbing William Howell
It seems Speaker of the House William Howell is good at making friends these days. While most of us could care less about who becomes the leader of any political party, this intra-party fight seems to show the same sort of arrogant attitude that William Howell has towards the heritage community in Virginia. Whether your conservative or liberal, it doesn't seem wise to treat half of your party base like they are vermon, unless you like to lose and if you like to lose that makes you a loser.
FROM THE DESK OF
Amy N. Frederick
An Open Letter To William Howell, Speaker Of The Virginia House Of Delegates
Dear Mr. Speaker: I received your letter this morning. To say that I was shocked would be an understatement. It takes some nerve for you to write me to outline all the reasons my husband should not be Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia (RPV). Worse, your letter to me was apparently timed to arrive the same day RPV (the organization our opponent currently oversees) leaked misleading documents intended to attack Jeff's integrity.
Can you imagine your reaction if Jeff sent a letter to your wife Cessie telling her -- in light of the House Republican Caucus losing 11 seats to the Democrats since you've become Speaker -- that you should not be Speaker any more? That the House GOP has gone from a very healthy governing majority to now a slim 3 seat majority under your leadership and therefore you're not best qualified to be Speaker? Then, on the same day after such a letter, you were attacked for standing on the podium at the 1993 Virginia Republican Convention to ask Republicans to defeat a pro-life nominee for Lt. Governor with a pro-choice alternative?
I believe you'd demand an apology from Jeff immediately -- and while I can't demand anything, I do believe you owe me an apology. I realize Jeff is a young go-getter, and that rubs the old guard the wrong way. Yet, just because you've known Jeff's opponent for over 20 years, as you stated in your letter, doesn't excuse this sort of conduct.
I do find one of your statements rather curious: "As the Speaker of the House of Delegates, I've stood firm for our conservative values and John Hager has stood with me. I've known John Hager for two decades, and I've always been able to count on him." Was it the time you were advocating the Party go with a pro-choice statewide candidate over a pro-life leader, or more recently when John Hager was working to advance the agenda of Democratic Governor Mark Warner, that you were counting on him? True, Jeff was too young to vote two decades ago when you started working with John, but is the old guard really getting things done? Republicans came to power on the backs of conservative, grassroots activists, and Jeff is a young leader who has shown he can motivate young voters to join those who have spent years doing the volunteer work necessary to elect conservatives.
Jeff is not going to march more in line with the establishment to earn their support; no thanks. It is amazing to me that the old guard has betrayed grassroots conservatives on so many issues, yet still feels it can dictate to the grassroots who they need to select as their Party leaders. As you recall, John Hager lost his 1992 bid for RPV Chairman running as a moderate. Then the Party was able to get back to its conservative principles on life, taxes and the 2nd Amendment and the result was us winning control of both houses of the General Assembly and sweeping all statewide offices.
On May 31, I believe the Republicans who attend the convention will vote to get back to winning elections and governing as conservatives -- and will defy you and the rest of the old guard to elect Jeff Frederick as RPV Chairman.
Sincerely,
Amy Frederick
P.S. Please take "Mrs. Amy Frederick" out of your contacts, and please don't send me anything further in the future about my husband.
# posted by Chuck Demastus : 11:47 PM
Friday, May 09, 2008
Remembering Jefferson Davis' 200th Birthday
Calvin E. Johnson, Jr.
cjohnson1861@bellsouth.net
Is the "War Between the States" still taught in our schools?
The Jefferson Davis State Historic Site in Fairview, Kentucky marks the spot where Jefferson Davis was born on June 3, 1808. Plans are underway to celebrate Davis' 200th birthday on June 7th 8th, there, in the shadow of a 351-foot monument to Davis.
Earlier, an official dedication and grand opening of "Jefferson Davis Park" took place at beautiful Clark County, Oregon on Sunday, April 27, 2008. This project was made possible by the local Sons of Confederate Veterans and United Daughters of the Confederacy. http://JeffersonDavisPark.org
Many 200th birthday tributes are planned for Davis.....
But, what do our children know about Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) and Jefferson Davis (1808-1889?) These men were born nearly 100 miles of each other in Kentucky, served as War Between the States presidents and America will remember the 200th birthday of both men soon.
A news reporter wrote that the 200th birthday commemoration for Abraham Lincoln will take place on February 12, 2009, but many people would rather forget the bicentennial birthday of Jefferson Davis on June 3, 2008.
Why the negative slant on Jefferson Davis?
The Sons of Confederate Veterans are sending a positive message by proclaiming 2008 as the "Year of Davis" www.scv.org...And last February, Bertram Hayes-Davis, the great-great grandson of Jefferson Davis, recreated the 1861 swearing-in ceremony of his grandfather as Confederate President in Montgomery, Alabama. Bertram Davis told reporters:
"I stand here representing a family that is very proud of their ancestor."
The Davis event of the year might be the June 3, 2008 reopening of "Beauvoir" the last home of Jefferson Davis and his family. The Davis home was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Read more about Jefferson Davis and his Mississippi Gulf Coast home at: www.beauvoir.org. The birthday festivities begin at 10 AM.
Did you know that Jefferson Davis adopted a black child, Jim Limber, as his son? The Sons of Confederate Veterans are planning a Davis Memorial Statue, in Virginia, depicting the forgotten story of the Jefferson Davis family and Jim Limber.
Sons of Confederate Veterans Commander-In-Chief Christopher Sullivan said of this project "This will be our token of gratitude for what Jefferson Davis did and what he stood for."
Please ask your local newspaper, radio and TV for equal-time in covering the birthday of Jefferson Davis. Our American Media will no doubt cover the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln next February 12th but shouldn't they also cover the Davis birthday of June 3rd? This seems to me the "Fair and Balanced" thing to do as the USA remembers two American presidents.
Who was Jefferson Davis?
Jefferson Davis was born on June 3, 1808, in Fairview, Christian County, Kentucky that would become Todd County.
Davis' father, Samuel Emory Davis, served in the Revolutionary War and participated in the siege of Savannah. Three of Jeff's older brothers served in the War of 1812, two under General Andrew Jackson. His father was from Georgia and mother Jane Cook Davis, daughter of a noted Baptist Preacher, was from North Carolina.
Jefferson Davis, who would become the first and only President of the Confederate States of America, was a strong Unionist and a strong defender of the United States Constitution. Our founding Fathers believed in the sovereignty of the states and do did Jefferson Davis.
At the young age of 16, Jefferson Davis received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York by President Monroe. He graduated in 1828 with the commission of 2nd Lieutenant.
Jefferson Davis fought valiantly in the War with Mexico, served as the United States Senator from Mississippi, served as Secretary of War under President Franklin Pierce and was the first to suggest the transcontinental railroad to link the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Jefferson Davis' last marriage is said to have been a good one to Varina, who gave her husband three sons and two daughters (Jefferson Joseph, Billy, Margaret and Winnie.) Joseph was killed in an accidental fall at the Confederate White House in Richmond, Virginia in 1864, and an abused black child named Jim Limber was adopted by the Davis family.
Jefferson Davis died in New Orleans, Louisiana in December 1889, and the New York Times ran a 2,000 word tribute to the funeral of Davis on December 12, 1889. The following is a small part of the news report from New Orleans, Louisiana:
"He suffered many and grievous wrongs. Suffered mostly for the sake of others, and those others will remember him and his unflinching fidelity with deep gratitude while the Potomac seeks the Chesapeake or the Mississippi sweeps by Briarfield on its way to the Mexican Sea."
A birthday ceremony will be performed on June 7, 2008, at 10 AM at the grave of Jefferson Davis at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.
Let's remember all those who helped make America great!!
# posted by Chuck Demastus : 3:10 PM
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
History Revised by Political Correctness in Louisiana
Elm Springs, Columbia, TN
April 14, 2008
The news of the changes in long-standing proclamations declaring Confederate History and Heritage Month observances in Shreveport and Bossier City, Louisiana has prompted the following statement from Christopher M. Sullivan, Commander-in-Chief, Sons of Confederate Veterans:
"We learned with immense dismay of the mayors of Bossier City and Shreveport, Louisiana, departing from a long- standing tradition of issuing proclamations honoring Confederate History and Heritage Month.
"According to local news accounts they have taken it upon themselves to change the observance to ‘Civil War History Month’.
"This is a direct act of political correctness that takes on more serious proportions as it undertakes revising or eliminating true history in America.
"Cities, counties and states annually issue proclamations honoring the various cultures and events that have made the greatness of America. Confederate History and Heritage Month is one of the most widely known throughout the United States with hundreds of proclamations and observances each year which honor the Confederate soldiers who are recognized by the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs with the same rights and recognition as all veterans of U. S. service.
"It is indeed disheartening to see the success of this recognition distorted and intentionally eliminated by a small element whose agenda is to impugn or eradicate the history of the Confederate military."
"It is our hope the people of Shreveport and Bossier City will show a spirit of fairness and patriotism by effectively speaking out against censorship and historical revision."
April 14, 2008
The news of the changes in long-standing proclamations declaring Confederate History and Heritage Month observances in Shreveport and Bossier City, Louisiana has prompted the following statement from Christopher M. Sullivan, Commander-in-Chief, Sons of Confederate Veterans:
"We learned with immense dismay of the mayors of Bossier City and Shreveport, Louisiana, departing from a long- standing tradition of issuing proclamations honoring Confederate History and Heritage Month.
"According to local news accounts they have taken it upon themselves to change the observance to ‘Civil War History Month’.
"This is a direct act of political correctness that takes on more serious proportions as it undertakes revising or eliminating true history in America.
"Cities, counties and states annually issue proclamations honoring the various cultures and events that have made the greatness of America. Confederate History and Heritage Month is one of the most widely known throughout the United States with hundreds of proclamations and observances each year which honor the Confederate soldiers who are recognized by the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs with the same rights and recognition as all veterans of U. S. service.
"It is indeed disheartening to see the success of this recognition distorted and intentionally eliminated by a small element whose agenda is to impugn or eradicate the history of the Confederate military."
"It is our hope the people of Shreveport and Bossier City will show a spirit of fairness and patriotism by effectively speaking out against censorship and historical revision."
# posted by Chuck Demastus : 1:31 PM
Monday, April 28, 2008
A New Beginning Ringgold 4/26/08
PoP Aaron & Chuck Demastus, Ringgold Georgia
In the background is Taylor's Ridge "also call White Oak Mountain." To the right, you can see Ringgold Gap, where our heroes stand made them immortal!
PoP & Son Chay.... My right hand man.
A better view of the gap.
The painting "Try Me" is a gift to me from my NCP CopperHead Sister in New Your City, Valerie Protopapas.
God's blessings to y'all,
Bro. PoP
# posted by PoP : 6:12 PM
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Remember Monday April 28, 2008
Confederate Memorial Day in Mississippi
Some Gave All, All Gave Some
Some Gave All, All Gave Some
# posted by Chuck Demastus : 11:24 PM
Thursday, April 24, 2008
SLRC SUES CITY OF RINGGOLD, GA, TO RESTORE CONFEDERATE BATTLE FLAG
Attorneys for the Southern Legal Resource Center will fill suit Friday in Catoosa County (GA) Superior Court to compel the City of Ringgold to restore the Confederate Battle Flag it removed from a memorial display in 2005.
The SLRC represents the Georgia Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and its local camp # 1859 in Ringgold.
The suit alleges that the City of Ringgold, which removed the flag from its pole shortly after the memorial display was completed, violated applicable Georgia state law protecting monuments and memorials.
The City removed the Battle Flag, one of four flags displayed in a commemorative area at the Historic Ringgold Depot, after some residents and members of the NAACP complained about its presence shortly after the monument was completed and threatened political and economic action if it were not taken down. The city replaced the Battle Flag with the relatively obscure “Hardee Pattern” unit flag, on gronds that the Hardee pattern was historically correct as it would have been carried by Confederates at the Battle of Ringgold Gap in 1863. The SLRC contends that this assertion is inaccurate based on documentary evidence and also irrelevant, since the Battle Flag has been established as the appropriate Confederate banner to be flown at memorial sites. Moreover, the SLRC says, the City had no authorization under law to take such action.
SLRC officials and SCV members will hold a media conference on the steps of Catoosa County Couirthouse Friday morning, April 25, at 10:00 a.m., after the filing.
The Southern Legal Resource Center
90 Church Street
P.O. Box 1235
Black Mountain, NC 28711
Phone: (828) 669-5189
Fax: (828) 669-5191
www.slrc-csa.org
The SLRC represents the Georgia Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and its local camp # 1859 in Ringgold.
The suit alleges that the City of Ringgold, which removed the flag from its pole shortly after the memorial display was completed, violated applicable Georgia state law protecting monuments and memorials.
The City removed the Battle Flag, one of four flags displayed in a commemorative area at the Historic Ringgold Depot, after some residents and members of the NAACP complained about its presence shortly after the monument was completed and threatened political and economic action if it were not taken down. The city replaced the Battle Flag with the relatively obscure “Hardee Pattern” unit flag, on gronds that the Hardee pattern was historically correct as it would have been carried by Confederates at the Battle of Ringgold Gap in 1863. The SLRC contends that this assertion is inaccurate based on documentary evidence and also irrelevant, since the Battle Flag has been established as the appropriate Confederate banner to be flown at memorial sites. Moreover, the SLRC says, the City had no authorization under law to take such action.
SLRC officials and SCV members will hold a media conference on the steps of Catoosa County Couirthouse Friday morning, April 25, at 10:00 a.m., after the filing.
The Southern Legal Resource Center
90 Church Street
P.O. Box 1235
Black Mountain, NC 28711
Phone: (828) 669-5189
Fax: (828) 669-5191
www.slrc-csa.org
# posted by Chuck Demastus : 11:12 AM
