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Shotguns and Bowie Knives
Newsletter of Terry’s Texas Rangers Camp #1937
Cleburne, Texas
Sons of Confederate Veterans
May 2015 – Number 169
Shootin' from the Hip
by Commander Bob Rubel
Fellow Members and Compatriots:
The Senate of the State of Texas, 76th Legislature, adopted Senate
Resolution No. 526, on March 30, 1999, declaring April as Confederate
History and Heritage Month in the State of Texas.
As has been the custom for many years, members of Terry’s Texas Rangers
Camp #1937 attended the monthly meeting of the Johnson County Historical
Commission on Monday, April 27, 2015. I had the honor of reading Senate
Resolution No. 526 to the officers and members of the Johnson County
Historical Commission as well as visitors who were in attendance.
Members of Terry’s Texas Rangers who attended were Bob Rubel, Wade
Chaney, Cecil Bonham, Ron Shultz, David Enos, Michael Simons, Randolph
Garner and Ken Richardson.
We, as members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, are charged with
honoring our Confederate Ancestors 365 days a year, not just the month of
April. We must continually tell the “real” story of the War of Northern
Aggression, every chance that we get.
Confederate of the Month
James Power Smith
Harrison, Ohio
In the spring of 1861, James Power Smith was a theological student at
Virginia’s Hampden-Sydney College. He enlisted in the Rockbridge Artillery,
a Confederate battery comprised of college and seminary students. The
battery fought at the First Battle of Manassas (Bull Run) where Smith
received his baptism of fire.
On September 7, 1862, Smith rode into Frederick, Maryland, to visit the
Presbyterian Church where his father had preached when James was a boy.
When he left the church, he discovered that his horse had been stolen.
Then he received another surprise. He was told to report to General Thomas
J. Jackson, the war’s most famous commander. He thought someone was
playing a trick on him, but he went. The general had met Smith three years
earlier at a wedding, and surprised the young corporal by inviting him to be
the aide-de-camp on his staff.
On the morning of December 11, 1862, General Burnside’s Union guns began
the bombardment of Fredericksburg. Smith spent most of the day carrying
messages between the Southern commanders. Early next morning he rode
with Jackson to the present Lee’s Hill, where Lee and Jackson conferred and
observed the battle. They watched the Yankees “coming handsomely” across
the river. However, by the end of the day the whole landscape was covered
with the bodies of many men in union blue.
On April 29, 1863, hundreds of Federal soldiers crossed the Rappahannock
River under the cover of heavy fog in the attack which led to the crucial
battle of Chancellorsville. When he received the news, General Jackson sent
Smith to inform General Lee of the attack. The next night Smith was sent
on an errand by Lee. When he returned, Lee was sleeping at the foot of a
tree and covered with his army cloak. He pulled Smith under his cloak and
asked him to give his report. Smith then made his own bed, and “with my
head in my saddle, near my horse’s feet, I was soon wrapped in the heavy
slumber of a weary soldier.”
Smith then became the only eye-witness to a great moment in American
history: “Sometime after midnight I was awakened by the chill of the early
morning hours, and turning over, caught a glimpse of a little flame on the
slope above me, and sitting up to see what it meant, I saw, bending over a
scant fire of twigs, two men seated on old cracker boxes and warming their
hands over a little fire. I had to rub my eyes and collect my wits to
recognize the figures of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. Who can tell
the story of that quiet council of war between two sleeping armies.”
Smith was one of the four litter-bearers who started to move General
Jackson after his wounding to a safer place on a stretcher. But one of the
bearers was shot, and he fell. The fire became heavier, so the litter was
placed in the middle of the road, and Smith shielded Jackson’s body with his
own. When the firing slackened, Smith helped Jackson up, put his arms
around him, and started to drag him to safety. More litter bearers arrived.
Again they started to carry him to safety.
After the war, Smith returned to Union Seminary, was ordained as a
Presbyterian minister, and on May 24, 1869, he was called to be the minister
of the Presbyterian Church of Fredericksburg, where he served for 23
years. He shared in dedicating the Jackson Monument in Richmond and the
Memorial Hall in Lexington. He dedicated the place on the Lacy farm at
“Ellwood” where Tucker Lacy had buried Jackson’s arm, and also indicated
the place by the brick wall in front of the Presbyterian Church where
Jackson had stood to “plan the Battle of Fredericksburg.”
He wrote extensively about his war experiences including “The Religious
Character of Stonewall Jackson,” “Jackson at Chancellorsville,” and “Lee at
Gettysburg.”
James Power Smith returned to Gettysburg in 1917 to pronounce the
invocation at the dedication of the Virginia State Monument at Seminary
Ridge. He died in 1923 at 86, and was the last surviving member of Stonewall
Jackson’s staff.
Members of the Terry’s Texas Rangers Camp 1937:
Ladies of the Rufus C. Burleson Chapter 2709, UDC are making these tiles as
a fundraiser, to raise money for our chapter flags. You can now purchase
one or more of these coasters at a time. You can pick and choose. They are
priced at $5.00 each. I will have some coasters with me at the next meeting
on May 11th. Please consider them for someone special.
Louann Rubel, President
Chaplain's Corner
Chaplain's Corner
Last month we celebrated our Confederate heroes. This month we
show our respect for all our Southern men and women who fought for our
freedoms under the American flag. Many a battle has been won by the blood
of Southern soldiers. It may have been a different history altogether if the
South have not been a part of the US forces that conquered the Kaiser and
Hitler's Axis. While good men from all states shared in those fights it may
have been the prowess and endurance of the Southern soldier that
congealed those forces. Indeed, how many Rebel yells were heard in those
battlefields, we will never know. That Southern bred soldier went on to
Korea, Viet Nam and the deserts of Afghanistan and Iraq. The lineage will
continue as long as the US stands. In time of national need, the sons of the
South will rise again to the challenge. We salute those who died and the flag
they died under.
Psa 16
5 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou
maintainest my lot.
6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly
heritage.
Johnny Reb
He struggles across the field
In his suit of butternut gray.
He's already wounded twice
But that won't keep him from the fray.
They call him Johnny Reb
And that's what he's proud to be.
He'll gladly give up his life
To keep his pride and liberty.
He stumbled and he fell
Yet rose again to climb the hill.
The courage within his heart
Is more abundant than the blood he'll spill.
He lets loose one last rebel yell
And falls upon his hated foe.
Another ball takes his life
But he won't go alone to that home of the soul.
Just like his rebel spirit
That rises to live again on high,
The South will rise once more
Because its spirit will never die.
Jul 26, 1994
One White Rose
On the day that he wed,
He gave her one white rose.
She placed it by their bed
Where, they laid in passion's throes.
When she bore their first child
He gave her one white rose.
It was pure and it was wild
Just the way that their love grows.
Before he said goodbye,
He gave her one white rose
And, he told her not to cry
For his love is where she goes.
Before she parted from his grave,
She gave him one white rose.
His memory was all she could save
From the hundreds of crosses in hundreds of rows.
May 24, 1972
LECTURE
May 21, 2015
6:30 pm
Texas Civil War Museum Theater
by Military Historian and Author, Greg Biggs
FROM SECESSION TO WAR - THE CONFEDERATE FLAGS OF 1861. From
the Fall of 1860 through November 1861, the Southern states created a
number of banners to reflect their feelings and thoughts on the issues of
the day. Often using old Revolutionary War symbols, the flags made in this
time frame were some of the most diverse that would be created during the
war era. State flags came into use as well as distinctive company level colors
as those units were raised. New regiments carried a variety of flags that
became more standardized when the Confederate States of America
created its first national flag. That banner often caused some identity
confusion on the battlefield and so the desire to create a “war flag” led to
the adoption of the first specific battle flag for a Confederate army.
Seating is limited to 85 people on a
first come first served
President of the Clarksville Civil War
Roundtable
President, Author, Editor, Researcher,
Tour Guide Civil War Preservation
Trust
Historian, Project Director and Lead
Author of Volunteer Banners
Associate Editor, Blue and Gray
Magazine
Advisory Board Center For the Study
of the Civil War
After Action Report
Terry’s Texas Rangers
SCV Camp 1937
Relay-for-Life
5-1-15
Terry’s Texas Rangers set up their wall tent and fly with banner and flags
for the Relay-for-Life fundraising event for the American Cancer Society
from 10:00 that morning until 12:00 midnight. Terry’s Rangers provided an
excellent color guard presentation to open the event. Many people wanted
their pictures taken with us. One lady said she was sending the picture of us
to Spain. She said they love Confederates in Spain because they know what
really happened in the war.
We drew a lot of attention all night with people coming by to discuss history,
what we do and their ancestors. One lady came by that was the decedent of
one of the veterans who Melvin Burt is the guardian for his grave in the
Cleburne Cemetery.
The Terry’s Rangers present were : Bob Rubel, Michael and Carolyn Smith,
Cecil & Theresa Bonham, Ron Shultz, David Enos, Bruce and Gloria Wilson,
Roy Williams and Melvin Burt.
Ride-To-Recovery 4-24-15
Terry’s Rangers provided a two shot cannon salute during the flag raising for
the wounded troops gathered in Keene on that Friday morning. The troops
were served breakfast after their ride from Cleburne. Terry’s Rangers
were also served breakfast. As usual our group was greeted openly and with
great appreciation for our part in the event. All of the troops had their
photo made with Terry’s Rangers and Adjutant Smith’s artillery piece and
limber. We talked to the Mayor, police chief and many spectators interested
in what we do. The Rangers present were: Bob & Louann Rubel, Michael
Smith, Melvin Burt, Robert McMinn, Cecil & Theresa Bonham, Bobby and
Janice Bonham, Wade Chaney, Ron Shultz, Charlie Baskett, David Enos, Bill
and Dean Hawkins and Roy Williams.
By Michael Smith
Texas Division Guardian Program
Terry’s Texas Rangers Camp Members Who Are Caring for Confederate
Veterans' Graves
Mike Smith - Guardian
Bob Rubel - Guardian
Wade Chaney - Guardian
Ben Davis - Guardian
Brian Rubel - Guardian
Kevin Rubel - Guardian
Melvin Burt - Guardian Pro Tem
Michael Simons - Guardian Pro Tem
These eight TTR members are caring for a total of 78 Confederate
Veteran’s Graves.
For more information about the Texas Division Guardian Program, contact
Bob Rubel, Commander, at (817) 483-6288 or (817) 929-5576.
CAMP CHATTER
On the afternoon of April 11th, Louann and Bob Rubel traveled to Temple to
visit with members of the Major Robert W. White Camp #1250. My
announcement of my intent to run for 2nd Lt. Commander of the Texas
Division was well received. Past Texas Division Commander, John Perry, a
member of the camp, was in attendance. We enjoyed our visit with fellow
compatriots.
Michael Hatch's 8th grade English class recently finished reading and
studying Gods and Generals. As they read the chapters depicting the
wounding of General Jackson, there were some students who were visibly
upset. When he died, there were a couple of young ladies who shed a tear,
especially with his last words.
On April 13th, Louann and Bob Rubel visited with members of the Rockwall
Calvary Camp #2203. I presented my program “Images of the Conflict – Art
of the War of Northern Aggression.” I also asked for the Camp’s support in
my bid for the office of 2nd Lt. Commander of the Texas Division. Gary
Bray, 2nd Lt. Commander, Texas Division, and his wife, Sissy, were in
attendance. Camp Commander Robert Bass was the winner of the drawing
for a limited edition print of General Robert E. Lee, donated by Old Glory
Prints, LLC.
Birthdays and Anniversaries: Melvin Burt 5-2, Bryan Tye 5-27
Quotable Confederates
"General Lee, this is no place for you. These men behind you are Georgians
and Virginians. They have never failed you and will not fail you here. Will you
boys? "
General John B. Gordon
"He walked with long, ungraceful strides, enormous feet adding to the
spectacle, and he sat a horse as if leaning into a strong wind."
- James Robertson Jr, describing the posture of Stonewall Jackson
"I have fought against the people of North because I believed they were
seeking to wrest from the South its dearest rights. But I have never
cherished toward them bitter or vindictive feelings, and I have never seen
the day I did not pray for them."
- Robert E Lee.
Terry’s Texas Rangers
Camp #1937, SCV
2015 Camp Officers
For contact information, visit the camp's website at:
www.scvcamp1937.org
Commander
1st Lt. Commander
2nd Lt. Commander
Adjutant
Chaplain
Color Sgt./Quartermaster
Camp Surgeon
Communications Officer
Judge Advocate
Historian
Newsletter Editor
Camp Secretary
Bob Rubel
Steve Wells
Vacant
Mike Smith
Ron Shultz
Cecil Bonham
Robert McMinn
Ron Shultz
Melvin Burt
Jerry Jetsel
Michael Hatch
Bill Hawkins
Committee Chairmen
Awards
Cemetery
Preservation/Heritage
Bob Rubel
Wade Chaney
Jerry Jetsel
PLEDGE TO THE TEXAS FLAG
“HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG, I PLEDGE
GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.”
ALLEGIANCE TO THEE,
SALUTE TO THE CONFEDERATE FLAG
“I SALUTE THE CONFEDERATE FLAG WITH
TEXAS,
ONE STATE UNDER
AFFECTION, REVERENCE, AND UNDYING
DEVOTION TO THE CAUSE FOR WHICH IT STANDS.”
THE SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS CHARGE
“TO YOU, SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS, WE SUBMIT 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 HE LOVED AND
WHICH MADE HIM GLORIOUS AND WHICH YOU ALSO CHERISH. REMEMBER IT IS YOUR DUTY
TO SEE THAT THE TRUE HISTORY OF THE SOUTH IS PRESENTED TO FUTURE GENERATIONS.”
LT. GEN. STEPHEN D LEE
SUGGESTED LINKS
SCV National Headquarters
www.scv.org
SCV Army of Trans-Mississippi
www.scv.atm.com
SCV Texas Division
www.scv.texas.org
SCV Terry’s Texas Rangers Camp 1937
www.scvcamp1937.org
SCV Terry’s Texas Rangers Camp 1937 Facebook
www.facebook.com/texasterrysrangers
SCV Texas Division email list- This is for official communications from Division
Command to the membership. Excellent for keeping abreast of current events within the
SCV.
http://www.scvtexas.org/Mailing_List.html