The Confederate Voice
April 2015
Arlington, TX
Vol. XVII I
Col. Middleton Tate Johnson Camp #1648
Issue # 4
Camp Report
Dear Members and friends, our meeting last month was another good one. We had a great program by James
Aldeman of the Col. E. W. Taylor camp who spoke on the history of the men who were in the room at Appomattox
at the time of Lee's surrender. His research and presentation were excellent and everyone enjoyed learning about
the men who were present at such a historic event.
This past month several of our members were recognized for their accomplishments. I would like to congratulate the following men:
1. Jim MacNabb for receiving his past Camp Commanders medal. Jim Macnabb served as our commander for
1 and a half years and had to retired due to health issues. He is recovering nicely and we look forward to seeing
him back in action.
2. Winfred McRee who recently joined our camp was given a ''Real Grandson" medal and certificate.
3. Michael Haymes has joined the Bonnie Blue Society for his publication of his book. He had written this
book several years ago and I don't know why I didn't bring this to his attention earlier.
Please note all of the upcoming activities in the next few months. I believe there is an SCV event almost every
weekend from now until the Division convention. I encourage you to get involved and attend some of these activities. I assure you that you will have a good time and pick something out that may interest you and join us.
I want to thank Wayne Pierce for the work he did over the last several months with our camp newsletter. He
had to resign due to health issues but we are fortunate to find a replacement in compatriot Frank Krawiec for taking over the newsletter. Frank like our past 2 editors, has no experience but is willing to step up and assist the
camp in providing our members in providing all the news of camp activities and other happenings in the area.
I hope to see everyone at our next camp meeting as we again will have a great program by Larry
and Pam Wilhoite of the O. M. Roberts camp of Waxahachie who is going to do a program on Confederate flags of Texas. We will also discuss the activities which are coming up in the area.
Respectfully, Kyle Sims
Col. M. T. Johnson camp #1648
REPORT FROM THE 2ND LT COMMANDER
JAMES ALDERMAN FROM THE COL. E.W.TAYLOR CAMP #1777 IN BEDFORD PRESENTED
THE MARCH PROGRAM. THE SUBJECT--WITNESSES TO THE SURRENDER AT APPOMATTOX. JAMES IS VERY GOOD AT PRESENTING PROGRAMS AND HE GAVE AN EXCELLENT DESCRIPTION OF WHAT HAPPENED ON APRIL 9, 1865. DURING HIS PROGRAM JAMES NAMED EACH PERSON PRESENT IN THE ROOM AT THE TIME OF THE
WE WILL HAVE JAMES AGAIN IN A FEW MONTHS FOR A PROGRAM ENTITLED "JACK
THE APPOMATTOX PROGRAM PAVED THE WAY FOR OUR UPCOMING FIELD TRIP ON
SATURDAY APRIL 11 TO THE CIVIL WAR MUSEUM. THE UNITED DAUGHTERS OF THE
CONFEDERACY WILL CONDUCT A 150TH MEMORIAL SERVICE ON THE FRONT LAWN
OF THE MUSEUM AT 10:00 AM FOLLOWING THIS SERVICE WE WILL HAVE TIME TO
VISIT THE MUSEUM PRIOR TO THE SHOWING OF THE MOVIE "APPOMATTOX" AT 2:00
PM. THE MUSEUM WILL HAVE ONE OF THE ORIGINAL COPIES OF LEE'S 9TH GENERAL
ORDER ON DISPLAY AS WELL AS SOME OTHER LETTERS SIGNED BY LEE. CINDY HAR-
DO NOT FORGET TO GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THE R.E. LEE CAMP #239 CONFEDERATE
HERITAGE CHARITY BAR-B-QUE TO BE HELD AT 7:00 PM ON APRIL 11 AT THE HAWAIIAN FALLS BANQUET ROOM IN WHITE SETTLEMENT. CONTACT INFORMATION IS
Respectfully, Joe Wade
2nd LT Commander
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2015 Gen. Granbury Parade
Jim McNabb Receives Past Camp Commanders Award
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Winfred McRee receiving his Real Grandson medal. He joined under his grandfather. C. R. McRee
who enlisted and mustered into service on 7/1/1861 as a Sergeant into "B" Co. AL 14th Infantry He was
surrendered on 4/9/1865 at Appomattox Court House, VA.
Michael Haymes receiving the Bonnie Blue Society certificate for his book ''Born to Blush Unseen". If you
write a book or a publication as an SCV member, you qualify for membership in the Bonnie Blue Society.
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Minutes of the March 2015 Camp Meeting
The meeting was brought to order by Comdr. John Oliver. The invocation
was given by Chaplin, Gary Jinks. Comdr. Olivier then introduced our
guests. All 3 pledges were lead by 2nd Lt., Comdr. Joe Wade. Comdr. Olivier then gave the 1906 charge.
2nd Comdr. Joe Wade introduced our speaker, James Alderman, who is the
adjutant at Taylor Camp 1777. His program was called “Witness to the
Surrender.” The program is about the soldiers that were in the McLean
house on April 9, 1865 to witness Lee’s surrender to Grant at Appomattox ,
Virginia.
Kyle Sims announced that four new members have joined our camp. 2nd
Lt. Comdr Joe Wade awarded a certificate and a past Comdr. Badge to Jim
McNabb, who then gave a short talk about what change really means. The
minutes of the February 2015 meeting were approved.
A Report from Comdr. John Oliver:
The Granbury Parade will be on 3-21-2015. He needs people to ride on
his trailer, with his cannon.
A member is needed to chair the Cemetery Committee, which can help
with historical preservation of various sites in cemeteries in Tarrant
County. County funds could be available for a project of this kind
for our camp.
A real need, at the present, is to take care of the M.T. Johnson gravesite
in Arlington, TX.
A Report from the Adjunct:
2nd. Lt. Comdr. Joe Wade gave the current report. We currently have 108
members. Last year we had 99. The bank balance is $1,688.91. Last year
the balance was $1,714.00.
Committee Reports:
None
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Old Business:
None
New Business:
1. There was a suggestion from the Suggestion Box that we start the
meetings at 7:00 p.m. A motion was by Joe Wade and 2nd by Kyle Sims.
The motion carried.
2. A new editor is needed for out newsletter. Wayne must step
down due to health issues.
Upcoming Events:
On 6-7-2015, which is Confederate Memorial Day, an event will be held at
the gravesite of M.T. Johnson. The site is on Arkansas Lane, East of
Cooper St. in Arlington, Texas,
On 9-7-15 there will be a Reunion in Temple, Texas. We have 11 votes and
need 11 delegates to utilize them.
On 4-11-2015 a Field Trip will be planned to the Texas Civil War Museum.
Need to meet at Ginger Brown’s at 8:00 a.m., and go to the museum at
9:30 a.m.
Show and Tell:
Pete Rainone brought a 50 caliber sniper rifle with a scope on it. It has a
weight of approximately 60 pounds and was made between the 1850’s
and 1860’s.
Door Prize Drawing:
Three door prizes were given. The winners were, Joe Wade, Wayne Pierce
and Charlie Jones.
A benediction was given by Chaplin, Gary Jinks and we were dismissed.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Johnson
3rd Lt Comdr.
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Confederate Ancestors of Famous Folk
Ken Curtis (July 2, 1916 – April 28, 1991) was an American singer and actor best known for his role as Festus
Haggen on the long-running CBS western television series Gunsmoke. Although he appeared on Gunsmoke in other roles he first appeared in his iconic role along with his well known mule, Ruth.
Though born Curtis Wain Gates in Lamar in Prowers County in southeastern Colorado, Curtis was reared west of
there in Las Animas, the seat of Bent County. His father, Dan Gates, was the Bent County sheriff. The family lived
above the jail and his mother, Nellie Sneed Gates, cooked for the prisoners. The jail is now located for historical
preservation purposes on the grounds of the Bent County courthouse in Las Animas.
Curtis played quarterback for his high school football team and attended Colorado College to study Medicine. During World War II, Curtis served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1945.
Curtis was a singer before moving into acting and combined both careers once he entered films, performing with the
popular Sons of the Pioneers from 1949 to 1953 as well as singing with the Tommy Dorsey band. Curtis replaced
Frank Sinatra as vocalist for the Dorsey band. He was with the Dorsey band in 1941, prior to Sinatra's departure,
and may have served simply as insurance against Sinatra's likely defection. Dick Haymes contractually replaced
Sinatra, in 1942. Curtis then joined Shep Fields and His New Music, an all-reeds band that dispensed with a brass
section.
Columbia Pictures signed Curtis to a contract in 1945. He starred in a series of musical westerns [5] with The Hoosier
Hot Shots, playing singing-cowboy romantic leads. For much of 1948, Curtis was a featured singer and host of the
long-running country music radio program WWVA Jamboree.
Ken Curtis joined the Sons of the Pioneers (the foremost western vocal group in history) as a lead singer from 1949
to 1952. Ken's big hits with the group included "Room Full of Roses" and "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky".
Through his first marriage, Curtis was a son-in-law of director John Ford. Curtis teamed with Ford and John Wayne
in Rio Grande,The Quiet Man, The Wings of Eagles, The Searchers, The Horse Soldiers, The Alamo and How The
West Was Won. Curtis also joined Ford, along with Henry Fonda, James Cagney, William Powell, and Jack Lemmon in the comedy Navy classic Mister Roberts. He was featured in all three of the only films produced by Cornelius
Vanderbilt Whitney's C. V. Whitney Pictures: The Searchers (1956); The Missouri Traveler (1958) with Brandon
deWilde and Lee Marvin; and The Young Land (1959) with Patrick Wayne and Dennis Hopper. 5 Steps to Danger
(1957 film) as FBI Agent Jim Anderson. Curtis also produced two extremely low-budget monster films, The Killer
Shrews and The Giant Gila Monster.
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Curtis guest-starred five times on the TV Series Western Have Gun Will Travel. He also guest-starred as circus
performer Tim Durant on an episode of Perry Mason, "The Case of the Clumsy Clown", which aired on November
5, 1960. Then he co-starred with Larry Pennell in the 1961–1963 syndicated television series Ripcord, a half-hour
adventure show about a skydiving service company. Curtis played the role of Jim Buckley and Pennell was his
young disciple Ted McKeever. This series helped generate interest in the sport of parachuting.
Curtis remains best known for his role as Festus, the scruffy, cantankerous, illiterate office and jail custodian in
Gunsmoke. While Marshal Matt Dillon had a total of five helpers over two decades, Festus held the role the longest
(11 years), in 239 episodes, and was the most colorful. Festus was patterned after "Cedar Jack", a man from Curtis'
Las Animas childhood. Cedar Jack, who lived about forty miles out of town, made a living cutting cedar fence posts.
Curtis observed the many times Jack would come to Las Animas, where he would usually end up drunk and in jail.
Festus' character was known, in part, for his nasally, twangy, rural accent which Curtis developed for the role, but
which did not reflect Curtis' actual voice.
Besides engaging in the usual personal appearances most television stars undertake to promote their program,
Curtis also traveled around the country performing a western-themed stage show at fairs, rodeos and other venues
when Gunsmoke wasn't in production, and even for some years after the show was canceled.
In two episodes of Gunsmoke, Carroll O'Connor was a guest-star; years later Curtis guest-starred as a retired police detective on O'Connor's NBC program In the Heat of the Night. He voiced Nutsy the vulture in Disney's 1973
animated film Robin Hood. A decade later, he returned to television in the short-lived western series The Yellow
Rose.
Confederate Ancestors of Ken Curtis
1. Great Grandfather - Sebren or Seaborn Sneed - Pvt. Co. ''A'' 17th Ark. Battn.. His
widow filed Ark. pension out of Carroll Co. Ark.
2. Great Uncle - Samuel S. Sneed - Pvt. Co. ''A'' 17th Ark. Battn. His widow filed for
pension in Carroll Co. Ark.
3. Great Uncle - Wilburn R. Sneed - Pvt in Co. ''A'' 17th Ark. Battn. His widow filed
for pension in Carroll Co. Ark.
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MARCH PROGRAM
Larry and Pam Wilhoite
Larry Wilhoite holds a BS degree in history from Stephen F. Austin State University and is an
avid student of the War Between the States. He is Commander, Texas Society, Military Order
of the Stars & Bars; Commander, Col. W. H. Parsons’ Chapter 273, MOS&B in Ennis; Commander of the O. M. Roberts Camp 178, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Waxahachie; and a
member of the Order of Southern Cross.
Pam Wilhoite, a retired CPA, is immediate past president of Parsons’ Rose #9 in Waxahachie
and currently coordinates the Waxahachie Daily Light’s “Spotlight on History” project. She is
the recipient of the Varina Howell Davis Award from the Military Order of the Stars and Bars,
the Lucy Pickens Award given by the Texas Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans and the
Jefferson Davis Historical Gold Medal from the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
Both Larry and Pam are members of a small group of Confederate History lovers who have
written and published more than 125 articles in the Sunday editions of the Waxahachie Daily
Light which was recently recognized as the best small daily newspaper in Texas. To date the
Wilhoites have authored 41 articles - all more than 1000 words in length.
Our program is titled “Texans and Their Confederate Flags.” The Wilhoites have worked for
over eighteen months to hand craft replicas of ten flags carried by Texans during the War Between the States. During the program, they will display their flags, indicate where and by
whom the flags were made, what unit used the flag, and a brief history of the unit’s military
service. Details of the flag’s design and construction techniques will be displayed along with
many interesting stories and legends.
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FIELD TRIP
SATURDAY, APRIL 11
TEXAS CIVIL WAR MUSEUM
760 LOOP 820 NORTH, EXIT 5A CLIFFORD ST. / EXIT 5B SILVER CREEK, 817-246-2323
We will meet for breakfast at 8:00 am at Ginger Brown’s Restaurant 6312 Jacksboro Hwy.
We will depart Ginger Brown’s around 9:30 and arrive at the museum about 9:45 am
At 10:00 am the United Daughters of the Confederacy will conduct a 150th Memorial Service on the front lawn of
the museum.
At 2:00 pm the sixty minute documentary film “Appomattox” will be shown in the museum’s theater. Before and
after the movie you will have an opportunity to view the new additions to the museum including the coat that
Grant wore when Lee surrendered as well as the new wing dedicated to the artillery pieces used in the War between the States.
The museum will also have one of only thirteen original copies of Robert E. Lee’s General Order #9, Farewell to the
Confederate Troops, issued the day after the surrender on display. This will be a great opportunity to view an original piece of history.
If you have never visited the Texas Civil War Museum, this will be a great opportunity for you to view a fantastic
collection of Civil War artifacts.
Cost for breakfast is dutch treat
Cost for the museum is $5.00 per person
For additional information call Joe Wade at 817-688-3867
SONS of CONFEDERATE VETERANS
Col. Middleton Tate Johnson Camp # 1648
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There will be homemade cookies and swamp water tea after the program.
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13
Texas Scottish Festival & Highland Games
MAY 8, 9, & 10, 2015
The skirl of the Pipes, the cheers of encouragement for the Athletic events, and the swirling of the Highland Dancers reminds all Scots of our rich and glorious heritage.
After years of enjoying our Scottish Heritage underneath the blazing Texas sun, we changed the
dates to a more "Scot-Friendly" environment. And you responded with a resounding YES with a
record-breaking attendance! Obviously, the cooler temperatures of early May are more to your
liking. So, we are making this a permanent change. This year, the annual Festival will be held on
I hope that you will join us again in 2015, and as always:
I bid you all CEUD MILE FAILTE, a 100,000 welcomes.
We are pleased to once again have the
"Quality Inn at Arlington Highlands"
as our official host hotel and festival HQ!
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150 Years
History, Heritage & Honor
Confederate Heritage Rally 2015
May 30th in Shreveport, La.
If you are Southern, you will be there!
Parade line up will start at 11:30am, you should be in place no later that
12:30pm. Starts at 1:00pm.
Dear Texas Compatriots, First let me congratulate the Texas Division on your pursuit if an SCV license plate. We all
look forward to a just ruling.
I hope that you are all aware of the upcoming SCV Sesquicentennial Event/Confederate Heritage Rally that will be
held May 30th at 1pm in Shreveport, La. This is the last of these events, but the first one to be held in the Army of
Trans-Mississippi! The website and email is at the bottom of this message.
Please allow me to make a personal request to my brothers in Texas. We need you ,in large numbers, to turn out for
this. The SCV and Confederate Heritage has been in the news a lot lately. This event gives us the chance to show
the public that we are still here and still care about our Heritage. We can make a statement that day.
Just like in the Red River Campaign of 1864, Louisiana needs their Texas brothers to show up in force and stand
with us. Please make your arrangements to be there. Also please get this message out to others.
Thanks you for your consideration, and I hope to see you there.
Deo Vindice
Chuck McMichael
Past Commander in Chief
Sons of Confederate Veterans.
HTTP://CONFEDERATE150.COM/2015.HTML
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[email protected]
2015 Camp Officers and Staff
Commander : John Olivier
1st Lt. Commander: Phillip Hearrean
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
(817) 556-0747
(817) 571-3501
2nd Lt. Commander : Joe Wade
3rd Lt. Commander : Bill Johnson
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
(817) 688-3867
(817) 492-4935
Adjutant: Allen Hearrean
Aide-to-Camp: Bill Johnson
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
(817) 821-8805
(817) 277-0077
Communications Officer:
Sergeant-at-Arms: Curtis Race
Email:
Email: [email protected]
(865) 274-8787
Color Sergeant : Jim Anderson
Chaplain : Gary Jinks
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
(214) 674-6394
(817) 277-0077
Editor: Frank Krawiec
Email: [email protected]
(940) 641-5480
CHARGE TO THE SONS
OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS
“To you, Sons of Confederate Veterans, we will commit the vindication of the cause for which we
fought. To your strength will be given the defense of the Confederate soldier's good name, the
guardianship of his history, the emulation of his virtues, the perpetuation of those principles which
he loved and which you love also, and those ideals which made him glorious and which you also
cherish.”
Lt. General Stephen Dill Lee
Commander-General
United Confederate Veterans
New Orleans, Louisiana 1906
Remember, it is our duty to see that the true history of the South is preserved and presented to future
generations.
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Upcoming Events
April 9 — Camp Meeting
April 11 — Confederate Heritage Charity BBQ White Settlement
May 8-9 — Chatfield Confederate Symposium
May 8-10 — Arlington Scottish Festival
May 10 — `150th Anniversary of Battle of Palo Alto Re-enactment
The Col. Middleton Tate Johnson Camp #1648
meets the second Thursday of each month at
the Division Street Diner, 1800 W. Division St. Arlington, TX
76012
Food is ready by 6:30 PM and the meeting
starts at 7:00 PM. The buffet is $15.00 plus tip
and is all you can eat.
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Honoring our Confederate Heroes.
Kyle Sims assisted in laying markers with Mike Patterson and the Col. E. W. Taylor camp.
Mike Patterson, Dan Hays, and Kyle Sims laying a marker at the McAdams cemetery at Possum Kingdom Lake.
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19
20
27
19
26
Confederate
Decoration Day
Ceremony San
Antonio
13
6
Monday
12
5
Confederate History Month- Official Texas
Sunday
28
San Jacinto Day
21
14
7
Tuesday
29
22
15
8
1
Wednesday
Apr-2015
30
23
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Division St. Diner
7:00 PM
9
2
Thursday
24
17
10
3
Friday
25
18
White Settlement BBQ
8905 Clifford St.
White Settlement
11
4
Saturday
20
11
10
31
25
24
Memorial Day
18
17
Confederate MemoBattle of
rial Day
Palo Alto
Re-enactment
Arlington
Scottish Festival
4
Monday
3
Sunday
26
19
12
5
Tuesday
27
20
13
6
Wednesday
May-2015
28
21
Division St. Diner
7:00 PM
14
7
Thursday
9
2
Saturday
29
22
15
Confederate Heritage Rally
Shreeveport
30
23
16
Chatfield Symposi- Chatfield Symum
posium
Arlington
Arlington
Scottish Festival Scottish Festival
8
1
Friday