Never Again

By John Wayne Dobson

Recently I was waiting my turn in a check-out line at a local retail store. Near by was a rack of various children’s books and among them was one entitled “Meet Dr. Martin Luther King.” I do not suggest that there was anything wrong with the presence of that book but rather the absence of other books that could have been offered as well.

There was not one, for instance entitled “Meet Jefferson Davis” nor one about Robert E. Lee or Nathan Bedford Forrest. Each of these four individuals were noted personages in American history, and, regardless of their respective roles, they played a significant part in what America was to become.

A decision of political correctness has been reached and an unwritten standard set that allows certain portions of history and culture to flourish and disregards others – even seeks to destroy them. History is history and it should be a level playing field. The legacy of the South – the good the bad and the ugly – is part of my compiled personal heritage. I have every right to it. I never seek to attack nor disgrace the heritage of other people – never – and I dare anyone to say that I do.

A person should be naturally proud of their heritage. I would, for example, think something was strange about a black person who was not proud of their heritage. Most, I suppose, are justly proud, and that is perhaps why they often refer to themselves as African-Americans. I will speak plainly when I say that I simply do not believe that I am allowed the same dignity, respect and latitude regarding my Confederate ancestry.

As an example, I have regularly been personally jeered and told to “get out of town” when lawfully and peacefully participating in Confederate Memorial Day parades. I would not attend, for instance, a Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday parade and offer the same disrespect.

There are other examples of this type of inequity. Recently, in Monroe, Georgia, black people put on white masks and Ku Klux Klan hoods to re-enact the 59th anniversary of the unsolved lynching of two black couples who were forced out of their car by a mob of white men. This is history – they can certainly re-enact it if they want to, however, if this project had been accomplished by whites, the cries of protest would never have ceased. Other historical re-enactments do not exclude blacks (unless they were historically not present) and I defy anyone to say they do.

Additionally, an effort is being made in Memphis to rename several parks and remove the statues (and graves!) of Confederate heroes standing within. While seemingly all other ethnic, cultural or historical groups enjoy the proliferation of their heritage, there is a concerted effort to remove every vestige of the Southern Confederacy, 1861-1865, and the people who played a role in that period.

True, this disdain may well be attributed to a lack of understanding of this area of Southern culture but that is a hollow excuse - there are many areas of history and heritage that I do not know much about but I sure do not protest them or lean toward their destruction.

Therefore, I have concluded that I simply do not want to hear any more about 'civil rights' – no more about social injustice - no more about equality – no more. Never again, do I want anyone to try to persuade me. I have had it!

When the political tide turns to include me, and deliver REAL equality, then maybe--–just maybe---I will reconsider including others.

John Wayne Dobson can be reached at waynedobson51@yahoo.com

Always Follow the Money

By Bob Hurst

Well, here we are into February so I'm sure we will hear a lot from the media about Abraham Lincoln. There is a highly-promoted motion picture playing in theaters all around the country that I have absolutely no desire to see. This movie has been nominated for a number of awards but I still have no desire to spend my time and money on this show. Even though this spectacle is being brought to the world by Steven Spielberg, several of whose movies I have seen and enjoyed, this particular picture has no interest for me as it is about Abraham Lincoln - a man that I consider the greatest war criminal this country has yet produced.

I have written about Lincoln several times over the past several years so I will not replow any ground concerning this awful creature who, in my opinion, is the one person most responsible for the hundreds of thousands of deaths that occurred as a result of the war that took place from 1861 to 1865 which can accurately be called "Mr. Lincoln's War". I have noticed that just about everything that is produced these days about Lincoln ( be it movies, books or whatever ) is nothing more than myth and is intended to proselytize to the masses that the War was fought over slavery and that Lincoln was willing to commit the Northern states to a bloody war for the noble purpose of breaking the chains that held many black Americans in bondage. This is nothing but folderol.

If true, what a humanitarian he must have been, right? Well, let's consider what he said in his first inaugural address. In this speech, given in March of 1861, Lincoln said,"... I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the states where it now exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so." This was a theme that he had repeated on numerous occasions during his campaign for the presidency.

Later, in that same inaugural address, Lincoln said: "I understand a proposed amendment to the Constitution... has passed Congress, to the effect that the Federal Government shall never interfere with the domestic institutions of the States, including that of persons held to service. To avoid misconstruction of what I said, I depart from my purpose not to speak of particular amendments so far as to say that, holding such a provision to now be implied constitutional law, I have no objection to its being made express and irrevocable."

It is obvious from this statement that abolishing slavery was certainly not on Lincoln's list of things to do during his presidency. Equally obvious is the fact that Northern legislators also had no stomach for ending the institution of slavery since this amendment referenced by Lincoln, which was known as the Corwin Amendment, had passed overwhelmingly in both houses of Congress - 133 to 65 in the House of Representatives and 24 to 12 in the Senate.

What makes this vote so significant is that this action was taken after seven Deep South states had already seceded from the Union and their members of Congress had already left Washington, so this was a northern-dominated vote. Obviously then, abolishing slavery was not a high priority of the overwhelming majority of Northern politicians. The truth is that most Northerners cared as little about the slavery issue as they did about the eradication of Native American tribes or the terrible treatment accorded poor illiterate workers in those hellholes called "factories". In fact, those held in servitude in the South received far better treatment than either of these two classes or their black counterparts in the North.

It never ceases to amuse me how Lincoln apologists, and Liberals in general, always want to push the point that the South did indeed fight exclusively to preserve slavery. They then cite the "Cornerstone Speech" of Confederate Vice-President Alexander Stephens as prima facie evidence of this. They will even go to such lengths as quoting John Stuart Mill, a favorite of liberals, who pontificated on this issue in British magazines of that time.

I prefer to quote the brilliant American economist and writer, Charles Adams, a member of that accomplished New England family: "Wars are not really fought to free some unfortunate minority not directly involved in the conflict. People who want freedom have to fight for it themselves. Outsiders who come to their aid normally have ulterior
motives, especially if the outsider happens to be a nation. The concern of the North for the enslaved black man was more facade than substance. There were economic concerns that were far more compelling."

What Charles Adams is saying is "always follow the money". This same understanding of reality and human nature was expressed
in an editorial in the Boston TRANSCRIPT newspaper in a March of 1861 editorial:

"It does not require extraordinary sagacity to perceive that trade is perhaps the controlling motive operating to prevent the return of the seceding states to the Union which they abandoned. Alleged grievances in regard to slavery were originally the causes for the separation of the cotton states; but the mask has been thrown off,
and it is apparent that the people of the principal seceding states are now for commercial independence. They dream that the centres of traffic can be changed from Northern to Southern ports. The merchants of New Orleans, Charleston and Savannah are possessed with the idea that New York, Boston and Philadelphia may be shorn, in the future, of their mercantile greatness, by a revenue system verging on free trade. If the Southern Confederation is allowed to carry out a policy by which only a nominal duty is laid upon imports, no doubt the business of the chief Northern cities will be seriously injured thereby.

The difference is so great between the tariff of the Union and that of the Confederate States that the entire Northwest must find it to their advantage to purchase their imported goods at New Orleans rather than New York. In addition to this, the manufacturing interests of the country will suffer from the increased importation resulting from low duties... The (government ) would be false to its obligations if this state of things were not provided against."

There you have it. The astute editorial writer well understood the true reason for the friction between the states of the North and those of the South - and it wasn't slavery. He also obviously understood that Southern leaders were being a bit esoteric with their attempts to turn the focus toward slavery as they understood that wars are not fought to free some unfortunate minority.

Again, to understand war ( and most other human endeavors ) one must "always follow the money".

Actually, the economic differences between the North and the South went back a number of years. The first major confrontation occurred in 1832 over a high import tariff (tax) which was called the "Tariff of Abomination" by the Southern States. This tariff caused the agrarian Southern States to pay a high tariff on imported goods from Europe or pay excessive prices on goods bought from the manufacturing Northern states. Either way, the net effect was to shift wealth from the South to the North. The potential for war between the North and the South was averted by a compromise that was reached in 1833 which would lower the import tariff to a level acceptable to the South.

By 1850, those import tariffs were again taking a great toll on the South and talk of secession was beginning in the South. A dying John C. Calhoun, the magnificent voice for the South, although too ill to deliver it himself, had prepared a speech to be delivered on the floor of the U.S. Senate by a colleague. Calhoun's presentation listed three grievances that could possibly lead to secession from the Union by the South. The first two were general in nature and spoke of the developing imbalance of power between the regions and the fear in the South of a growing powerful national government that would be detrimental and abusive to state sovereignty and states' rights.

The third grievance was specific and focused on taxation and a system that once again was detrimental to Southern planters but very beneficial to Northern manufacturing interests. In Calhoun's words: "The North has adopted a system of revenue and disbursements in which an undue proportion of the burden of taxation has been imposed on the South and an undue proportion of the proceeds appropriated to the North... The South as the great exporting portion of the Union has in reality paid vastly more than her due proportion of the revenue."

In other words, Washington was picking the winners and the losers. Reminds me a bit of our current situation in this country.

Calhoun also expressed how the excessive import taxes were crushing European market competition and giving the North a monopoly over Southern markets with the resulting exorbitant prices to Southerners caused by the situation. Calhoun saw the import tax as class legislation specifically directed against the South. Calhoun was a remarkably prescient individual - would that we have more like him today. Unlike 1833, this conflict was never resolved. In fact, it got much worse.

When Lincoln was elected in 1860, his chief supporters had been the rich industrialists of the North. They were his chosen "winners", and at the heart of his platform was a return to high import taxes which resulted in the Morrill Tariff - the highest tariff in U.S. history.Lincoln had done the bidding of his wealthy Northern cronies but he had split the nation. His inaugural address even included a vow to collect taxes from the Southern States despite their secession.

By contrast, the Confederate Congress was creating a veritable free trade zone by banning high import taxes in the Confederate Constitution. The long-held dream of the South to make Charleston, Savannah, Mobile and New Orleans the major trade centers of North America would be within reach.

This would be a catastrophe for Northern business interests and neither Lincoln nor the wealthy Northern industrialists were about to let this happen. You know the rest of the story.

By the way, Lincoln did not issue the Emancipation Proclamation until two years into the War. Those two years had not gone well for the Union Army. You might find the following quote from the beast about the proclamation a bit interesting:

"Things had gone from bad to worse, until I felt we had reached the end of our rope on the plan we were pursuing; that we had about played our last card, and must change our tactics or lose the game. I now determined upon the adoption of the emancipation policy."

Interesting, huh? I certainly hope that no one reading this thinks that the War (War Between the States, War for Southern Independence, Civil War, etc.) was fought primarily over the issue of slavery. If any of you think that the North was fighting to free slaves and not for political hegemony over the South, I hope you will ponder the question of why it took another hundred years to pass the Civil Rights Act.

I will leave you with one message: whenever you're considering why there is war and why people do things that are seemingly inexplicable, just remember "always follow the money".

DEO VINDICE

Note: Previous articles of CONFEDERATE JOURNAL are available in book form. Articles from 2005-2007 are in Book 1 which can be ordered online at http://createspace.com/3540609 while articles from 2008-2009 are in Book 2 and can be ordered at http://createspace.com3543269/.

Bob Hurst is a Son of the South with special interests in the antebellum architecture of the South and the Confederacy. He is Commander of Col. David Lang Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans, in Tallahassee and also 2nd Lt. Commander of the Florida Division, SCV. He can be reached at confederatedad1@yahoo.com or 850-878-7010 after 9 PM Eastern time.

Firearms and Self Defense

On 16 January 2013, President Barack Obama issued a series of twenty-three "executive actions" designed to control "gun violence" in America.

The League of the South, the premier Southern nationalist organization, issued the following statement from its President, Michael Hill:

"We encourage all Southerners to defend their God-given right to self defense. To defend oneself and one's family, real property, and rights presupposes having the means to do so, and in our day that means firearms ownership and the right to keep and bear such arms whenever and wherever necessary.

We encourage our Southern State governments--the lesser magistrates--to employ the doctrines of Nullification, Interposition, and Secession to protect their citizens from unlawful encroachments by the government of the United States."

This is just the latest example of the abandonment of the principles upon which government was established on these shores. The Declaration of Independence clearly established that we as citizens "are endowed by [our] Creator with certain unalienable Rights" And just as importantly: "That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

Over the years the primary purpose of government – to guarantee our God-given rights – has been lost upon the corrupt and power-hungry officials in Washington, DC. This Founding principle is now looked upon as "extreme" from both sides of the aisle.

Therefore, should the U.S. government, or our State governments, decide, as did King George III in 1775, to confiscate our weapons and ammunition, then like our ancestors we shall have no choice but to declare it an act of war and meet it with a morally justifiable, righteous, and manly armed resistance.

The only way to stop this madness is for you--the citizens--to let these corrupt government officials understand that you are ready to withdraw your consent. We urge you for the benefit of your children and grandchildren to join with us in the League of The South.

LEAGUE OF THE SOUTH NEWS SERVICE

Parade & Dedication Info - Confederate Veterans Memorial in Palestine, TX

April 13, 2013

Compatriots,

I know many of you have already made plans to help the John H. Reagan Camp #2156, the Texas Division, and the National organization of the Sons of Confederate Veterans dedicate and open the new Confederate Veterans Memorial Plaza in Palestine this April. The parade will begin at 10:00 AM around the NE corner of the Anderson County Courthouse with the dedication ceremony beginning at 11:00 AM at the Memorial Plaza located at 600 West Oak St.

We are in hopes that many of y'all will come to Palestine to participate in the parade and dedication ceremony to officially open this privately owned Confederate Veterans Memorial Plaza. The property ownership is in the name of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Inc. Columbia, TN. We expect this event to be covered by the media, including the Tyler television stations and possibly others. Therefore, we have another excellent opportunity to show many others how important the cause we hold so dear to our hearts of remembering, honoring, and vindicating our Confederate ancestors is to all of us.

You are not only cordially invited, we would more than appreciate and need the help and support of all of you and your families. Men in uniform or other period clothing, ladies in period dresses (preferably not black dresses at this particular dedication), cavalry on horses, cannons pulled on trailers, horse drawn buggies if possible, and others to simply attend and watch the events are all needed.

FYI, we already have commitments to attend from the following organizational leaders: ATM Commander Todd Owens, ATM Councilman Charles Lauret, ATM Chaplain Len Patterson, Texas Division Commander Granvel Block, Texas Division 1st Lt. Cmdr. Johnnie Holley (parade organizer), Texas Division 2nd Lt. Cmdr. Michael Hurley, Texas Division 3rd Lt. Cmdr. David Moore,Texas Division Color Sgt. Dyess (color guard detail commander), and leaders from the ladies organizations such as Texas UDC President Betty Petruska, OCR State Director Cindy Bobbitt, and others. I know there are many other leaders who will probably be attending, but I have simply not contacted them personally as of yet.

Please forward this email and help us pass the word around to anyone who you think may be interested in participating and/or attending.

There will also be a reception held from 06:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Museum for East Texas Culture the evening before, Friday April 12, for those who come in to Palestine early or live close by. Reagan Camp Commander Dan Dyer is organizing the reception. He is also the director of the Museum. There will be plenty of finger foods and drinks served at the reception and the museum will be open for those attending who would like to tour. The museum is located on the west side of Reagan Park at 400 South Micheaux Street in Palestine (see lower part of attached map for location of museum). The reception is sponsored by the Texas Division Sesquicentennial committee and the Davis-Reagan Chapter 2292 UDC will handle the set up and serving of the food and drinks.

For those wanting a hotel room for Friday night, I have reserved a block of 25 rooms at the LaQuinta Inn and Suites, 3000 South Loop 256, Palestine, TX. I had not idea of how many rooms we may need so I guessed considering that many would drive it Saturday morning. The rate is $80.00/night for a king (10 rooms reserved) or two queen beds (15 rooms reserved) and up to four in each room. The hotel has also set up a complimentary conference room with snacks and drinks for anyone in our group to enjoy meet and greet time together. Please call 903-723-1387 and ask for the Sons of Confederate Veterans block by March 28, 2013 if you need a room.

Memorial brick pavers are still available to honor Confederate veterans, government officials, SCV camps, or UDC and OCR chapters in this plaza. A memorial paver order form is attached and also available on the home page of the Reagan Camp's website: http://www.reaganscvcamp.org/

Thank you in advance for your help!

Respectfully,

Marc Robinson

For more information and to let us know you can participate and/or attend, please contact the following:

Marc Robinson
Dedication event coordinator - CVMP - Palestine
2nd Lt. Cmdr. 8th Texas Brigade
mrobinson1836@yahoo.com
cell: 903-676-6069
or
Dan Dyer
Commander
John H. Reagan Camp #2156
danieldyer@embarqmail.com
cell: 903-391-2224

Music, Food, Charter Signing

Local Color Cafe - Springville, Alabama

February 21, 2013

We're meeting at Local Color cafe on February 21st. The starting time is tentative. I'm still working on the agenda but have most of it done. There'll be Confederate rock, folk, and traditional music, food for under $10.00 a plate, a guest speaker, swearing in of members and officers, the signing of the camp charter, and a business meeting afterwards.

Our camp members, their families, members and families from other camps, division officers, and the public will be invited. I'll be visiting two or three nearby camps to invite their members.

The owners of Local Color were very enthusiastic, kind and negotiable in allowing us to have this event at their cafe. This is a great opportunity for our camp and the SCV. More updates on this event will unfold as it's being put together.

Brad Weaver
St. Clair Home Guards, Camp 2217
Sons of Confederate Veterans
Odenville/Springville, AL
occupied_nation@yahoo.com
www.HomeGuards.org

ANNUAL LEE/JACKSON BIRTHDAY CEREMONY

SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 2013, 11:00 A.M.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

As in the past, the annual memorial ceremony at the LEE/JACKSON Monument in Baltimore will be hosted by the Colonel Harry W. Gilmor Camp #1388, Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Maryland Division, United Daughters of the Confederacy. The purpose of this ceremony is to honor General Robert Edward Lee and General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson on the anniversary of their births, January 19, 1807 and January 21, 1824 respectively. The ceremony will also remember and honor the thousands of soldiers who served the Confederacy during the War Between the States.

In previous years, many of you have attended this ceremony even in the coldest weather and because of your effort and dedication to the memory of the Confederate soldier, the ceremony has always been a great success. We would like to once again cordially invite you and your reenactment unit, patriotic organization, and your family and friends to participate in this important annual event. The LEE/JACKSON ceremony will be held on SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.

The LEE/JACKSON Monument is located at Art Museum Drive and Wyman Park Drive about two blocks west of Charles Street and across from the Baltimore Museum of Art. This year we will assemble across from the monument.

Paid on street parking by credit card may be required. We cannot park on the Johns Hopkins campus and probably not on their parking lots. There is free parking on some side streets.

THE TENTATIVE LEE/JACKSON BIRTHDAY CEREMONY PROGRAM INCLUDES:

* Invocation

* Pledge of Allegiance to the US flag

* Salute to the Confederate flag

* Welcoming remarks

* Presentation of memorial wreaths and floral tributes by various patriotic organizations and military units

* Dixie

* Benediction

* Closing bugle call.

Additional Information:

* Military units, please bring ALL your colors, your drummers and fifers. We ask that reenactors under 16 years of age not to carry muskets or edged weapons.

* With all the recent attacks on the Confederate Flag and our Confederate Heritage, and particularly with the affront to us by Johns Hopkins University, this is your opportunity to show the Confederate colors in a positive and honorable way. PLEASE BRING EVERY CONFEDERATE FLAG YOU OWN, Battle, 1st National, 2nd National, 3rd National, Bonnie Blue, State flags, unit flags, SCV Camp Confederate flags.

* All groups, military or civilian are encouraged to bring wreaths or floral tributes to be placed at the LEE/JACKSON Monument. If you are making a presentation, please let us know who will make the presentation for your organization/unit and check in with the Wreath Coordinator at the event.

* If you have contact in the press, please invite them to this ceremony.

* Please distribute to your address book, post in your newsletter and on your web site.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Regards to all,

Elliott Cummings
Adjutant
Col. Harry W. Gilmor Camp #1388
Sons of Confederate Veterans
basilduke@comcast.net

THE ANNUAL GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE BIRTHDAY PARADE AND EVENT IS SCHEDULED On JANUARY 19, 2013

The Georgia Division will have its annual Robert E. Lee Birthday celebration once again on January 19, 2013 at the Old Capitol in Milledgeville, Ga. to celebrate the birthday of one of the world's greatest military leader.

On Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 10:00 am. we will assemble at the Old Governor's mansion to ready for the parade to honor General Robert Edward Lee. The parade will begin at 10:45 and end at the Old State Capitol building.

The program at the old Capitol building will be starting approximately at 11:30 in the old legislative chambers for all to enjoy. The event always includes the Family and Friends of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, please come a nd help us honor General Lee.

LEE-JACKSON DAY 2013 (Jan. 17-19)

The Stonewall Brigade SCV will once again be hosting a symposium, ceremonies, parade, flag vigil, luncheon, and a Civil War era ball in Lexington, Virginia in honor of the birthdays of Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. 'Stonewall' Jackson.

On Thursday (January 17) noted Black pro-Confederate History activist H.K. Edgerton will march from downtown Buena Vista to Lexington beginning at 11am. H.K., a past NAACP president from Asheville, NC, will be marching in protest of Lexington's recently adopted Flag Ordinance which the SCV is still challenging in Federal Court.

On Friday (January 18) the SCV will host a Lee-Jackson Day Symposium at the Holiday Inn Express from 1pm until 6pm. The symposium, which is free and open to the public, will feature a variety of speakers who will explore the character and criticisms of Lee and Jackson.

A Flag Vigil will also be maintained in the afternoon by individuals holding various types of Confederate and historical state flags below the city's flag holders from which they were banned. Local businesses are not being asked to display flags by the SCV this year because of numerous threats of violence and intimidation that several business owners reported to us last year. However, a few businesses have stated they will display a flag despite the threats. The business community has been generally supportive of the event because of the importance of Civil War related tourism to the area.

On Saturday (January 19) military honors and a wreath laying ceremony will be held at 10:30am at the grave of General Jackson followed by a War Between the States themed parade at 11:15am. A memorial service will be held at Lee Chapel at Noon featuring a talk by Charles Kelly Barrow, an educator and author from Georgia. Mr. Barrow is currently the Lieutenant Commander-in-Chief of the SCV, the Treasurer of the official Georgia Civil War Commission, and is the author of the book Black Confederates. Following the ceremonies, a luncheon will be held in the Appomattox Mezzanine of the Virginia Horse Center for registered guests. The Lee-Jackson Memorial Ball will be held at 7pm at the Horse Center. The ball will feature music by The Shenandoah Valley Minstrels and a dance caller will instruct participants about period dance moves. Semi-formal or period attire is required. Ball tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door for $25. The event website is www.leejacksonday.webs.com

For additional information contact:
Brandon Dorsey (Camp Commander)
sbcamp1296@centurylink.net
Commander
The Stonewall Brigade #1296 SCV

2013 Events At the Cannonball House, Macon, GA

January 19 - "ETHNIC DIVERSITY OF THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR"
Historian John Wayne Dobson will present a program on Ethnic Diversity during the war. His research on the matter reveals both cultural and nationality differences in the front line soldiers of the war and how this impacted the armies. From the black troops who rode with Nathan Bedford Forrest to the Irish Brigade, Mr. Dobson will present information that is often overlooked by most historians. Please join us for this program at 2:00 p.m. and enjoy a tour of The Cannonball House, included in the $6 admission.

February 2 - “LINCOLN’S EMANCIPATION OF A GEORGIA HOUSE SERVANT”
Join us at The Cannonball House as Miss Mia presents her program on how Abraham Lincoln’s emancipation proclamation affected the lives of slaves in the Deep South. Well versed in slave customs and practices of this era, Miss Mia will offer 21st Century insight into the lives of 19th Century servants. This program will begin at 2:00 p.m. and offers the chance to see The Cannonball House and one of Macon’s original servant’s structures for a only $6 admission.

CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL - We look forward to a productive Cherry Blossom Festival this year as The Cannonball House will have two of its regular attractions in place for our visitors entertainment.

Saturday March 16 - We will have Shelby West, a local potter, demonstrating his wonderful talent on a 19th Century style foot treadle turn table, in our backyard garden. Come out and see is beautiful work and learn how early potters plied their trade. Saturday March 23 - we will have Clark Powell and friends demonstrating the artistic talents of Black Smithing. See amazing pieces of jewelry made out of raw steel right before your eyes and learn how the tradition of this once thriving trade is carried on today. Both artists put on a captivating show and will both be in the back yard garden each Saturday all day for your review. Regular admission cost of $6 entitles you to a full tour of the property as well as the entertainment of these fine gentlemen.

March 30 - “MILITARY ARTIFACT IDENTIFICATION AND DISPLAY”
Join us at The Cannonball House as we welcome renowned specialist, Johnny Mack Nickles, who will have a portion of his Civil War artifact collection on display and will also be happy to identify artifacts that you may bring in. He has collected and studied military weapons and equipment his entire life and is well known in his field. This program will begin at 2:00 p.m. and offers a tour of The Cannonball House and its Military Museum for a $6 admission charge.

April 13, 2013- “TAKE A TOUR OF CIVIL WAR MACON”
We will offer a driving tour of Civil War Macon. Come along with us as we visit the places that were of particular interest to Macon during this great conflict. Learn of the role that Macon played in support of the war and see the evolution of some of the buildings that still exist today. Tours will leave from The Cannonball House at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. with each group limited to 25 people. In addition to the driving tour you will be offered a tour of The Cannonball House, its Military Museum, brick kitchen and servant’s quarters and 19th Century gardens. This is a one day opportunity, so please make your reservations in advance by calling 478-745-5982. Admission to include the driving tour will be $20 per person.

May 11 - “THE MYSTERIOUS MURDER OF WILLIAM MARTIN”
Help The Cannonball House in solving the mysterious murder of William Martin. Feel free to join our cast in period 1902 attire as we begin by hosting a Birthday Party which suddenly turns into a crime scene and help solve the murder of the poor soul who tragically dies on his birthday. This will be a one day event with two sessions offered, one at 6:00 p.m. and one at 8:00 p.m. with each group limited to 15 people. To secure your invitation to the party you must make your reservations early by calling 478-745-5982. Admission will be $10 per person