Moving the capital from Montgomery to Richmond

Montgomery, Alabama was the first capital of the Confederate States of America. When Virginia joined the Lower South States in the Confederacy the capital was moved to Richmond. What most people are probably unaware of is the politics that lay behind that move and how it was achieved over the strong protests of many Lower South leaders. One of those who opposed the move was Robert Barwell Rhett, the Father of Secession who had spent the previous three decades of his life promoting Southern nationalism. Rhett, a South Carolinian from the Lowcountry region, did all he could to defeat the measure. Ultimately he and his allies in the Confederate Congress were essentially out-maneuvered. There was more to Rhett’s opposition than loyalty to the Lower South. He felt moving the capital was a signal that conservative elements which were not truly Southern nationalist were regaining influence and would thrive in the less radical environment of Virginia. This was essentially a continuation of the old battle Rhett had waged for decades against the conservative elements that dominated Southern politics. Of course, those conservative elements, including President Jefferson Davis and Vice President Alexander Stephens (both of whom had opposed Southern independence), dominated the government of the new Confederacy. Author and professor William C Davis describes the political fight over moving the capital on pages 472-473 of his book Rhett: The Turbulent Life and Times of a Fire-Eater:

As early as May 10 a motion came to the floor to move the Confederate capital to Richmond when they next convened. It had been part of the bargain worked when Virginia seceded, and it made every sense militarily and politically; and yet there were good-faith reasons to oppose the move as well. Rhett thought it would arouse more bellicosity in the North thanks to Richmond being threateningly close to Washington, which was sound enough. In the Confederacy he saw it drawing strength from the center of the nation [sic] to what was nearly its frontier, which was certainly true, but he overlooked the undeniable fact that if the Yankees invaded in the east, they would do it through Virginia, which contained much of the South’s vital industrial, financial, and transportation facilities. Virginia had to be protected, and it would be hard to manage that defense from a capital almost seven hundred miles away. Rhett opposed the motion by trying to postpone consideration but failed; he then unsuccessfully voted against the resolution itself.

President Jefferson Davis vetoed this bill, believing it to be unconstitutional.

Montgomery, Alabama – the first capital of the Confederate States – in 1861

The measure came up again on May 21, the final day of the session, and despite changes to win Davis’ approval, the bill seemed destined for defeat by 2 P.M. when they adjourned until later that afternoon. Since all that seemed to remain were some signing formalities on bills already passed, Rhett and a number of others boarded afternoon trains for home. When the congress reassembled, the removal resolution was reintroduced and quickly passed with most of its opposition gone, and Davis signed it that same day. Rhett was not yet home the next morning when he got word of the passage. It reeked of the sort of close dealing and corruption that had tainted Washington, and he suspected without real foundation that it had been planned thus all along in order to get past opponents like himself. Worse, he saw in the move to Richmond the shadow of the ever-dreaded reconstruction. Most of the Virginia delegates to the congress had been cooperationists in the old days, and now he even suspected his onetime associate Hunter of favoring reconstruction. The move to Richmond put the government on the soil and seemingly in the clutches of people Rhett firmly believed did not wish to see a permanently independent Confederacy. He saw the same design in the passive waiting policy of the administration too. They should be aggressively taking the war to the enemy, he thought. “Fighting exasperates, and exasperation is the probable defeat of reconstruction.”

The American Revolution & the Golden Circle By Michael

As we have discussed at length on SNN, the civilisations of the Caribbean and the Lower South were basically the same. The Lower South was geographically, socially, politically, economically and demographically the northern-most reaches of the Caribbean. South Carolina was settled (and ruled for the first several decades) by Barbadian colonists who brought their culture and values with them to the mainland. Settlers moved west from Carolina, spreading out across the Lower South. By the 1820s, only a few decades after seceding along with the New England and Mid-Atlantic British colonies and joining them in a common Union, some Southerners (especially in the Lower South) regretted ever leaving the British Empire. Their continual (and ultimately doomed) struggle with New England over the direction of the United States revealed the stark divide between the two great civilisations of the Union. In the end, of course, over half a million people lost their lives and the Southern economy and civilisation was almost completely destroyed when the two distinct civilisations met on the battlefield in a fight to the death in the 1860s.

Did all of this have to happen? Was struggle and war between the two ‘sections’ (as they were then known) of the United States inevitable? Increasingly, historians these days are going back a century or more before Lincoln’s war against the South to answer these questions. The US focus on ‘unity’ and the similarities of the seceded British colonies fades away the more one digs into the colonial world. What is revealed is the fact that half of the Caribbean civilisation seceded from the British Empire in 1770s and joined with the New England civilisation in an ill-advised Union that was to ultimately lead to their conquest and destruction. The other half of the Caribbean civilisation refused to secede, despite its many strong ties to the Lower South, and was thus saved the wrath of Lincoln’s armies in the 1860s. This revisionist look at our history, as it gains more ground, is sure to shape the way future generations of Southerners (and especially Southern nationalists) view the 1770s and early US history.

Andrew J. O’Shaughnessy, Associate Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh, writes about this issue in his 2000 book An Empire Divided: The American Revolution and the British Caribbean. A review of the professor’s book for the University of Pennsylvania Press sums up things nicely:

There were 26—not 13—British colonies in America in 1776. Of these, the six colonies in the Caribbean—Jamaica, Barbados, the Leeward Islands, Grenada and Tobago, St. Vincent, and Dominica—were among the wealthiest. These island colonies were closely related to the mainland by social ties and tightly connected by trade. In a period when most British colonists in North America lived less than 200 miles inland and the major cities were all situated along the coast, the ocean often acted as a highway between islands and mainland rather than a barrier.

The plantation system of the islands was so similar to that of the southern mainland colonies that these regions had more in common with each other, some historians argue, than either had with New England. Political developments in all the colonies moved along parallel tracks, with elected assemblies in the Caribbean, like their mainland counterparts, seeking to increase their authority at the expense of colonial executives. Yet when revolution came, the majority of the white island colonists did not side with their compatriots on the mainland.

A major contribution to the history of the American Revolution, An Empire Divided traces a split in the politics of the mainland and island colonies after the Stamp Act Crisis of 1765-66, when the colonists on the islands chose not to emulate the resistance of the patriots on the mainland. Once war came, it was increasingly unpopular in the British Caribbean; nonetheless, the white colonists cooperated with the British in defense of their islands. O’Shaughnessy decisively refutes the widespread belief that there was broad backing among the Caribbean colonists for the American Revolution and deftly reconstructs the history of how the island colonies followed an increasingly divergent course from the former colonies to the north.

Confederates buried in Jefferson County, Ohio

By Michael

An SNN reader recently went to Jefferson County, Ohio, the site of a famous Confederate raid back in 1863. He visited a cemetery with some Confederate graves and wanted to share the pictures with our readers. It is certainly nice to see our people remembered and our flags and other symbols there honouring those who died fighting for Southern independence.

Justin writes:

Confederate General John Hunt Morgan came through Jefferson County in July 1863. He had a skirmish with some Yankees in the Northwest part of the county on July 26, 1863. Right below the cemetery is where these two men were killed and then brought up the hill to be buried. One man is named John Miller and the other was a mere boy as the pictures state. They were part of Company E 2 KY Cavalry.

Confederate remembrances held Saturday

Confederate remembrances held Saturday

by JB Clark/NEMS Daily Journal

Nicole Byrd places a wreath beside the headstone of 2nd Lt. William N. Cox as Cliff Richey stands by during a dedication ceremony at the Battle of Harrisburg National Park site in Tupelo on Saturday. (DESTE LEE | DAILY JOURNAL)

Rannie Gillentine sprays bleach on a row of headstones at the Okolona Confederate Cemetery on Saturday. (DESTE LEE | DAILY JOURNAL)

Saturday was a day of Civil War remembrance in Northeast Mississippi.

Volunteers with the Okolona Cemetery Restoration and Re-enactment Project began bleaching the 800 headstones of Confederate soldiers in the Okolona’s Confederate cemetery.

The group is preparing the cemetery for the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Okolona, in February 2014. Martha Gordon, of the restoration committee, said when completed, there will be a flag flying for every state that has a soldier buried there.

The graveyard is home to many soldiers who were wounded or killed at the Battle of Shiloh and brought to the hospital in Okolona by train. Many of the soldiers’ identities are still unknown.

Also on Saturday, new headstones were placed on unmarked Confederate graves in Tupelo. The Sons of Confederate Veterans Harrisburg Camp No. 645 dedicated two headstones in the Battle of Harrisburg National Park to mark the 148th anniversary of the battle.

“I thank the men of Harrisburg Camp for placing these stones,” said Edwina Carpenter, director of Mississippi’s Final Stands Interpretive Center. “When a person gives all for his beliefs, he has recorded his name in the archives of heaven, it is right that we should remember.”

The two headstones are in memory of 1st Lt. John J. Stone, of Company H of the Coonewah Rifles 2nd Mississippi Infantry, and 2nd Lt. William N. Cox, of Company A of the 8th Mississippi Cavalry.

The two Confederate officers were buried in the Old Harrisburg Cemetery, on the grounds of the Battle of Harrisburg.

Stone was born in Alabama in 1811 and came to Mississippi around 1851. He enlisted in the Confederate Army at age 50 and retired the next year due to ailing health. Stone died in 1866.

Cox enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1963 and died in the Battle of Harrisburg in 1864 at age 28.

Kevin Thornton, communications officer for the Harrisburg Camp, said installing the headstones at the battlefield has been a project of theirs for 10 years.

A re-enactment of the battle at Old Town Creek, an encampment and a skirmish was slated for Saturday night on Mount Vernon Road, but it had to be canceled because of rain.

Read more: djournal.com - Confederate remembrances held Saturday 

From Columbia, SC Confederate Memorial Day.

From Columbia, SC Confederate Memorial Day.

 from Carl W. Roden

Confederate Memorial Day Observance and Parade in Columbia, South Carolina on May 5, 2012. It was a lovely sunny day in Dixie with fairly moderate temperatures for this time of year in South Carolina, about the lower 80s F. South Carolina honors Confederate Memorial Day State Holiday on May 10th every year. Every year on first Saturday of May, the South Carolina Divisions of the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) and the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) hold two memorial services and a parade in honor of the 26,600 men and boys of the Palmetto State who gave their lives in defense of Southern Independence during the War Between The States (American Civil War, War for Southern Independence) 1861-1865. This celebration in honor of the Southern dead actually begins the night before with volunteers taking turns reading the names of the honored dead starting at sunset and going throughout the night. The next morning volunteers of the UDC and SCV arrive early to Columbia's Historic Elmwood Cemetery to decorate the graves at the Confederate section with battle flags and to raise each of the Confederate national flags and South Carolina State flag on poles at the site. In a show of Southern hospitality, the graves of Union soldiers at the site are likewise decorated with US flags....never let it be said Southerners are unkind to guests, even the uninvited ones (LOL!) The UDC Memorial Service for the Elmwood Cemetery dead begins around 10 AM with the arrival of Confederate Reenactors of the South Carolina Palmetto Battalion and the posting of the colors: The United States Flag, the South Carolina State Flag, and the Confederate Battle Flag Army of Northern Virginia. After an opening prayer and the salutes to each of the flags, the service continues with music and with speakers who talk about the dead buried beneath them, these speakers include the heads of the SC Divisions of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Children of the Confederacy, Military Order of the Stars and Bars, and the Order of the Confederate Rose. After this the representatives place a wreath Magnolia leaves at the grave of an Unknown Confederate Soldier. The Palmetto Battalion then fires three volleys over the graves, and a bugler plays "Taps" in honor of the Confederate dead. Following the Elmwood service, the Palmetto Battalion and representatives of the SCV and UDC and others, including guests, march from Elmwood Cemetery three miles through downtown Columbia, up Main Street to the South Carolina State Capitol for the SCV Memorial Service. This is usually led by the 16th SC Regiment Color Guard. The SCV service takes place in front of the Confederate Soldiers Monument on the South side of the State Capitol, which is likewise decorated with flags and flowers, and begins with the posting of the SC Divisions various Camp Colors and an opening prayer followed again by the salutes to the National, State and Confederate colors. Speakers from the SCV and others talk about the men who died and the virtues of their service in the honorable defense of their homes. The services conclude with the Palmetto Battalion firing another three shots into the air and more reenactors with period artillery pieces firing yet another three shots in memory of the dead. A closing prayer concludes the services. Every year since I have become a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans (12 years to date) I have never failed to attend this service, feeling it is my duty to attend and to take part. More than just a duty though, it is a pleasure to attend and to meet others who share my love for our common Confederate ancestry. Over the years I have meet many different people, of all races, faiths, and sometimes from outside America, who share our love for the best of our Southern heritage. God Bless all of those who attended this year! Deo Vindice!

Από: Carl W. Roden

Commander Arthur Sinclair, CSN

Arthur Sinclair had served in the Union Navy but at the out break of war resigned his commission and 'went South' like many other Southern officers in the Union forces refusing to raise their swords against their own States. This is such a long story that I will move to the end of the war and relate how Arthur met his demise. In late 1864 the war was going badly for the Confederacy, and Stephen Mallory the Secretary of the Confederate Navy issued an order to Admiral Sam Barron the flag officer in Paris instructing him to return all officers who are not considered to be essential, home by what ever means available - and to hand over his duties to commander James Dunwoody Bulloch in Liverpool. Sinclair had not been earmarked for any special duties and so made his way to Liverpool to obtain transport back to the South. It was whilst he was in Liverpool he became aware of the newly built, steel blockade-runner built by W. C. Miller of Toxteth for Crenshaw and Co. This he decided, would be the ideal way to get back home. The vessel was subsequently launched as the Lelia, named after his wife. Loaded with mainly coal and lead, she was destined for Nassau where Sinclair would then take command of the ship and run her through the blockade. The vessel had a number of other 'passengers' aboard, referred to as super cargo, amongst these was Thomas Miller the son of William Cowley Miller the builder of the Lelia. He was there to see that everything was as it should be but he was due to leave the vessel at Queenstown (Cork) Ireland. The trick that was most often used by the captains of blockade runners was to run out on dark stormy nights which would afford the most advantageous cover for their escape from Union blockading ships. Once at sea they, would then use their inbuilt speed to elude their pursuers. On 14th January 1865, Sinclair was aware of the urgent need for lead to make bullets and the coal to use in the furnaces to produce the ammunitions for the army fighting a rearguard action against overwhelming odds, so the decision was made to run the Lelia out of the river Mersey, despite the 'glass' falling rapidly. In heavy rain she made her way into Liverpool Bay heading for open waters where she could then ride out the worst of the weather. She headed for the Irish Sea but only got as far as the Great Orm's Head when the wheelmen reported the vessel as not answering the helm and being hard to steer. The huge waves which had been crashing over the vessel poured water into the forward cabins. With this extra weight in the cabins the ship began sinking bow first and her captain gave the order to turn back for Liverpool. As she raced as fast as she could to reach the shelter of the river Mersey, all the while getting harder to steer, another ship signaled that she was coming to her aid; but as the Lelia was doing 18 knots there was no way she could be caught and so the chase was aborted. When the Lelia was off Prestatyn the order was given to lower the first two lifeboats but these were overturned by the back wash from the sides of the ship. The occupants scrambled back on board before the third and fourth boats were lowered. This time they both got away and rowed for the northwest lightship. As the third boat neared the lightship two men decided to try and swim for the vessel and the boat overturned and all were swept away and lost. The last boat got close enough before overturning and the occupants swam for the ropes that were thrown over the sides to aid the men to get aboard. One man got his arms through a lifebelt that was thrown over to help him keep afloat. As Thomas Miller reached him he was told to hang onto this man as he would never pull him out of the lifebelt. Miller clung on in an exhausted state until a drowning man grabbed his leg and he was unable to hold on any longer and he was swept away and drowned also. The last that was seen of Commander Sinclair, was of him kneeling on the bridge in prayer. Only 12 of the 47 people on board the Lelia were saved, added to this was the loss of life of the crew of the Liverpool lifeboat. Only five of the 12 man crew were rescued when this boat overturned after a severe blow from a giant wave smashed the port side. Non of the men had donned their cork life jackets. On 31 st May the remains of Commander Arthur Sinclair were hauled up in fishing nets 10 miles off the coast at Fleetwood. The skeleton was still fully dressed and it was eventually identified as that of Sinclair the gold watch in his pocket had stopped at 4-10, about the time the Lelia had sunk. The inquest into this drowning was held at The Steamer Hotel in Fleetwood, and Sinclair was buried in the council cemetery. This is of course a potted history of the tale of this man buried in Fleetwood almost 150 years ago but the story continues.                                                                             Sinclair's great/great/grand-daughter and her son from Tennessee, visited the grave for the first time this year. On seeing the site and placing a full sized copy of the ships bell there, Lelia Sinclair Dickey Baldasari was emotionally moved and most grateful for being able to see her ancestor's final resting place; and the way it has been attended to by Fleetwood's cemetery department. After placing the two flags on the grave, the next visit was to The Steamer Hotel in Fleetwood to see where the inquest was held, and see the room which has been designated, the 'Sinclair Room'.   We are indebited to Bob Jones, 290 Member, Liverpool for this article and acknowledge his vital role in ensuring Lelia's visit was such a success!

https://sites.google.com/site/290foundation/ancestors-page/commander-arthur-sinclair-csn

Neo-Confederate

Neo-Confederate is a term used by some academics and political activists to describe the views of various groups and individuals who have a positive belief system concerning the historical experience of the Confederate States of America, the Southern secession, and the Southern United States.

Summary of neo-Confederate beliefs

• Honor of the Confederacy and its veterans — Much of the Neo-Confederate movement is concerned with giving the proper due honor to the Confederacy itself, to the veterans of the Confederacy and Confederate veterans' cemeteries, to the various flags of the Confederacy, and to cultural Southern identity.^[1]

• Economics — neo-Confederates usually advocate a free market economy which engages in significantly less taxation than currently found in the United States, and which does not revolve around fiat currencies such as the United States Dollar.^[2]

• History — many neo-Confederates are openly critical of the presidency of Abraham Lincoln to varied degrees, and of the history of Reconstruction. Various authors have written critiques of Lincoln and the Union. Slavery is almost never defended, but it is usually denied as a primary cause of the American Civil War. Critics often accuse Neo-Confederates of "revisionism" and of acting as "apologists".^[3]

• The Civil Rights Movement — Neo-Confederates used the history of the Confederacy to justify their opposition to the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s. ^[4] Historian David Blight writes that current neo-Confederates are “ driven largely by the desire of current white supremacists to re-legitimize the Confederacy, while they tacitly reject the victories of the modern civil rights movement.^[5]

• Culture — many neo-Confederates promote an unabashed Christian culture. They support, for example, public displays of Christianity, such as "Ten Commandments" monuments and displays of the Christian cross.^[6] Almost all Neo-Confederates strongly support the right to keep and bear arms, present in both the United States Constitution and the Confederate States Constitution. Generally they oppose unmitigated illegal immigration of foreign nationals into Southern states.^[7]Some Neo-Confederates view the Civil War as a conflict between a secular North and a Christian South.^[8] Certain Neo-Confederates believe in an Anglo-Celtic identity theory for residents of the South.^[9]

• Secession — many neo-Confederates openly advocate the resecession of the Southern states and territories which comprised the old Confederate States of America. The League of the South, for example, promotes the "independence of the Southern people" from the "American empire".^[2]Most neo-Confederate groups do not seek violent revolution, but rather an orderly separation, such as was done in the division of Czechoslovakia.^{[citation needed]} Many Neo-Confederate groups have prepared for what they view as a possible collapse of the federal United States into its 50 separate states, much like the Soviet Union collapsed, and believe the Confederacy can be resurrected at that time.

Though outsiders often see neo-Confederacy as "rebellion", the Neo-Confederates themselves generally believe that the federal government of the United States has strayed from its original intent, and that the Confederate States of America was both the lawful and logical successor of the original government which formed out of the American Revolution.^{[citation needed]}

The term "neo-Confederate" is considered by many people a pejorative political epithet and its application to specific groups and individuals has caused controversy. Not everyone, however, avoids the term. Al Benson, Jr., head of the former Southern Independence Party declares, "I am part of whatMorris Dees calls the 'Neo-Confederate Movement'".^[10]

CONFEDERATE STAMP ALLIANCE

9 JUN 2012 -- The 2012 CONFEDERATE STAMP ALLIANCE Convention was held 1 - 3 JUN 2012 in Tysons Corner, Va in conjunction with NAPEX 2012 stamp show.   The 67th Southern Supper was held Friday 1 JUN 2012 with about 70 members and guests in attendance and with President Richard Murphy presiding. Thanks go to the convention host, Tom Lera, for planning and coordinating the convention. Various CSA dealers in attendance including Phil Warman, John Kimbrough, Schuyler Rumsey, Stanley Piller, Patricia A. Kaufmann, and Charles Hanselmann also helped sponsor the event. The following awards were presented:

• The CSA Trophy was presented to David Canestro for his exhibit "How the Southern States Continued Mail Service During the American Civil War."
• The Haydn-Meyer Award for Service was presented to Frank Crown.
• The CP Writer's Award and the August Dietz Award were presented to Bruce Roberts for his five part research article on CSA Arkansas Postal History.

CSA members exhibiting at the convention received the following awards:

• "How the Souther States Continued Mail Service During the Amwerican Civil War" -- David Canestro -- CSA Trophy, APS Vermeil Medal.
• "Building Confederate Unity: The Important Role of Flag Covers" (one frame) -- Randy Smith -- CSA President's Trophy, APS Vermeil Medal, AAPE Novice Exhibitor Award.
• "Confederate Postal History of the Virginia Peninsula" -- Rick Calhoun -- CSA Trustees' Research Trophy, APS Vermeil Medal, Virginia Postal History Society Award.
• "Confederate Postmaster Provisionals" -- Peter Powell -- CSA Generals Award, APS Silver Medal
• "Three Cent Star Die Envelope - Domestic Use" (one frame) -- David W. Snow -- CSA Robert A. Siegel Memorial Award, APS Silver Medal.
• "The Louisa and Virginia Central Railroads: The Mails - Inception through 1865" (one frame) -- Louis Hannon -- CSA Brian and Maria Green Award, APS Silver Medal.
• "The CSA Nitre and Mining Bureau" (one frame) -- Thomas Lera -- CSA Conrad L, Bush  Award, APS Non-Competitive.
• "West Virginia Postal History: The Civil War and Early Statehood" -- Wayne Farley -- CSA William G. Bogg Memorial Award, APS Vermeil Medal.

Many thanks go to the CSA judges for the event -- Randy Neil, Larry Baum, Deane Briggs MD.

Philatelic Literature Awards:

• Collector's Guide to Confederate Philately Second Edition -- John L. Kimbrough MD and Conrad L. Bush -- Gold Medal and NAPEX Literature Grand Award.
• Confederate Philatelist -- Randy L. Neil Editor-- Gold Medal and NAPEX Journal Reserve Grand Award.

Excellent presentations on Confederate related topics were give by the following members:

• James L. D. Monroe -- "The Confederate Navy."
• Kevin Andersen -- "Richmond to Columbia: The Trail of Frank Baptist."
• Harry Brittain -- "Forensic Analysis of CSA Stamps."
• James Milgram MD -- "Federal Civil War Postal History."

CSA Generals in Attendance -- Gen Frank Crown, Gen Jerry Palazolo, Gen Trish Kaufmann, Gen James Monroe,Gen John Kimbrough, Gen Dan Warren, Gen Peter Powell, Gen Rick Calhoun and two newly promoted generals -- Gen Van Koppersmith and Gen Rex Felton.

Long time member Col James W. Bowman was granted Honorary Life Membership.

The Annual General Membership Business Meeting was held Saturday 2 JUN 2012 with President Richard Murphy presiding. The Alliance is strong financially. The Diamond Anniversary Endowment Fund has exceeded all expectations and will be closed on 1 JUL 2012. Work on the new Confederate States Catalog is still progressing with a projected completion date still not firm but hopefully by the end of the year. Sites of future meetings and conventions were announced with details to follow as they become available. The full report of the General Membership Meeting will appear in the next issue of the Confederate Philatelist in accordance with the By-Laws.

South Carolina to Get Its Own Currency?

(NEWSER) – South Carolina may soon have its own currency, if one state senator has his way. Republican Lee Bright introduced legislation that would back the creation of such a currency, because, “If folks lose faith in the dollar, we need to have some kind of backup,” he tells the Spartanburg Herald-Journal. His resolution calls for a study on the subject, and argues that a state currency could protect South Carolina if the strained Fed breaks down. Talking Points Memo notes that South Carolinians have asserted independence from the federal government in other ways over the last two years. The legislation asserts that creating its own currency (which could consist of “gold or silver, or both”) is a right afforded to the states by the Constitution and Supreme Court rulings, and claims that “many widely recognized experts predict the inevitable destruction of the Federal Reserve System's currency through hyperinflation in the foreseeable future.” But the director of the state Senate Democratic Caucus says the bill is just “a waste of time; it's a waste of resources. I mean who's paying for this study? Will they be paid in actual dollars or gold doubloons?”

The Impeachment of Mr. Maus and Mr. Patterson

IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

FOR THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA

CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, Ex rel Case No. 2012-3
Plaintiff, Chief Justice James Everett

Vs

Craig Maus
William F. Patterson
Defendants


OPINION & JUDGMENT


OPINION
(1). A former Constitutional Court OPINION dated February 05, 2012 [EXHIBIT "A"] provided that:
Neither the Executive Branch; the Security Council nor the Secretary of State have authority under the 1861 Constitution
for the Confederate States of America to dismiss the Legislative Branch or the Constitutional Court. Neither is there found any guidance in the Mission Statement of the Security Council or the Plan of Liberation restoration agenda to do so; or to summarily re-write governmental structure. A document entitled Notice of Dismissal, on behalf of the Security Council, was communicated by William Patterson, Secretary of State [dated 01-31-2012]. This summary, Star Chamber, ex parte document entitled Notice of Dismissal is void ab initio, invalid, without jurisdiction or authority and has rightfully been rejected both officially by the Constitutional Court and personally by State Citizens.
(2). The February 05, 2012 OPINION further stated that:
Confederate States of America Constitutional Court communication officially rejected Defendants Notice of Dismissal, dated 01-31-2012; and the Response of Douglas McPherson to Notice of Dismissal dated 02-01-2012, communicated personal point-by-point rebuttal. This communication served upon the Security Council and Secretary of State has not been officially responded to of record. Yet another communication entitled Regrettable Concerns from Within, Part I — Regarding William Patterson, and Part II — Recent events within the Confederate States of America Provincial Government, also remains un-responded to by the Security Council even though it is a function and duty required of that governmental office because serious concerns have been brought to their attention. [EXHIBIT "B"].
(3). This Constitutional Court for the Confederate States of America responded most appropriately by taking action ex rel in the interest of the Confederate Citizens within confines of enumerated authority under our 1861 Constitution for the Confederate States of America. On February 22, 2012, a COMPLAINT [EXHIBIT "C"] was served upon Defendants Craig Maus and William Patterson addressing issues found in the February 05, 2012 OPINION. This case involves both constitutional issues and violations of public and private laws and statutes of the Confederate States of America.
(4). Defendants Craig Maus and William Patterson are both in default for not having responded to the February 22, 2012 COMPLAINT of charges and SUMMONS served upon them.
(5). As to the First and Second Cause of Action it is the opinion of The Constitutional Court, Chief Justice James Everett presiding, in concurrence with 99% of the State Citizens voting as jury have found that Mr. Craig Maus acted knowingly, and in concert with Mr. William Patterson, without Jurisdiction of either the Security Council, the Security Council Chairman, or the Secretary of State, on issuance of said vaguely worded document entitled Notice of Dismissal, [dated 01-31-2012] in a coupe attempt to gain control of the CSA Central Provisional government, and assume dictatorial powers, in violation of the Structure of the CSA Provisional governments structure, and, the Constitution for the Confederate States of America.
(6). For these egregious actions it is the opinion of The Constitutional Court, Chief Justice James Everett presiding, in concurrence with 99% of the State Citizens voting as jury have found that in Case No. 2012-1 Mr. Craig Maus did knowingly act in Concert with Secretary of State William Patterson, to assume dictatorial powers to themselves and the Security Council, acting as the Executive Department of the CSA Provisional government. Therefore it is the opinion of The Constitutional Court, Chief Justice James Everett presiding, in concurrence with 99% of the State Citizens voting as jury have found that that Mr. Maus should be removed from any and all offices that he may hold within the CSA Provisional government, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATLY.
(7). As to the Third Cause of Action, it is the opinion of The Constitutional Court, Chief Justice James Everett presiding, in concurrence with 99% of the State Citizens voting as jury have found that Mr. Craig Maus was involved with, and acted in concert and conspired with William Patterson to disruption of the official line of communication (CSAgov.org), by deleting Constitutional Court agenda and denying the appointed Webmaster/Editor working access to the official website.
Mr. Craig Maus was fully aware of this communiqué, and included as a witness from Secretary of State Mr. William Patterson, acting on behalf of all officers within the CSA central Provisional government, and the CSA citizenry as communications liaison to Net Perspective and as funds coordinator…..
Dear Carol Paul,
If we must continue paying for these other domains that you host for the remainder of this year, please make sure that only James Everett is the webmaster for each and that no one else will be able to access or control these sites without the knowledge and approval of all the people mentioned herein: Dennis Joyce, James Everett, Craig Maus, and William Patterson. This is for security purposes.
Again thank you.
Bill Patterson

(8). Mr. Craig Maus, and Mr. William Patterson, took control of the official line of communication (CSAgov.org) and its sites, without knowledge, and APPROVAL of all the people mentioned. Therefore, The Constitutional Court, Chief Justice James Everett presiding, in concurrence with 99% of the State Citizens voting as jury, have found that that Mr. Maus should be removed from any and all offices that he may hold within the CSA Provisional government, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATLY.
(9). As to the Fourth Cause of Action, it is the opinion of The Constitutional Court, Chief Justice James Everett presiding, in concurrence with 99% of the State Citizens voting as jury has found that Mr. Craig Maus has been derelict in his duties as Security council Chairman to address these concerns, which have not as of April 16, 2012 been addressed by Chairman Maus, or any officer of the Security Council. Therefore, The Constitutional Court, Chief Justice James Everett presiding, in concurrence with 99% of the State Citizens voting as jury has found that Mr. Maus shall be removed from any and all offices that he may hold within the CSA Provisional government, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATLY.
(10). As to the Fifth Cause of Action, it is the opinion of The Constitutional Court, Chief Justice James Everett presiding, in concurrence with 99% of the State Citizens voting as jury have found, that Mr. Craig Maus has exceeded his term of office on the Security Council as directed by the Security Council Mission Statement which reads….
The Chairman will act as the chief executive of the security council and thus of the CSA, recognizing that he is subject to the oversight of the Constitutional Court and not free to establish or determine official positions or opinions, or to launch ideas and actions without prior approval of the Court nor without the majority approval of the Security Council. The Chairman shall act as chairman assigning committees for projects, coordinating committees of the Security Council by phone and email. The term of service of the Chairman is limited to 6 months during which time he shall serve at the pleasure of the Constitutional Court and the Office of Registration. His term may be extended for one extra term in succession by vote of the Security Council. The Chairman may resign, but with notice in writing to both the Office of Registration and the Security Council giving at least 30 days for a replacement and in resigning or finishing a term he will tender documents in his possession that will be needed by the replacement Chairman.


JUDGMENT
(11). Therefore it is the opinion of this Court that Mr. Craig Maus shall be removed from any and all offices that he may hold within the CSA Provisional government, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, and that all acts of appointment by him after his term limit had expired shall be NULL and VOID Effective immediately.
(12). Therefore it is also the opinion of this Court that Mr. William Patterson shall be removed as a Member of the Security Council and from the Office of Secretary of State and National Registrar that he holds within the CSA Provisional government, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.


DONE AND ORDERED this 10th day of May, 2012

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Hon. James Everett, Chief Justice


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Hon. Dennis Joyce, Justice


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Hon. Douglas McPherson, Justice

191st Birthday Tribute to General Forrest

- Calvin E. Johnson Jr.  Friday, July 13, 2012

191st Birthday Tribute to General Forrest - Calvin E. Johnson Jr. Friday, July 13, 2012 (1) Comments | Print friendly | Email Us 20 Nelson W. Winbush, a Black and respected member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, as a child accompanied his grandfather Louis Napoleon Nelson to United Confederate Veteran Reunions. Private Nelson was a Black Confederate who saw service during the War Between the States Battles of Shiloh, Lookout Mountain, Brice’s Crossroads and Vicksburg—as a soldier and served as chaplain in the 7th Tennessee Cavalry, under Lt. General Nathan Bedford Forrest. It should be also noted that after the War Between the States, Bedford Forrest returned home with the ‘free’ black men who fought with him. Sixty-five black troopers were with the General when he surrendered his command in May 1865. Forrest said of these black soldiers, “No finer Confederates ever fought.” In 2011, a Memorial was held at Forrest Park in Memphis, Tennessee, commemorating the 106th anniversary of the dedication of the Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest statue where Forrest and his wife are buried. The headline of a news story reads: Memphis: Forrest: A Confederate figure who still divides, And the first paragraph begins the story with, “Gray-uniformed soldier re-enactors fired long-barreled muskets in salute and United Daughters of the Confederacy in ankle-length dresses set wreaths before the towering statue of Nathan Bedford Forest in Memphis, paying tribute to a Confederate cavalryman whose exploits still divide Americans today.” Some people believe Forrest to have been a controversial Confederate Cavalry Officer but by definition the word “controversial” can refer to anyone or anything some folks don’t understand. Some people disapprove of the sex, violence or excessive language in some Hollywood movies but movies are seldom referred to as controversial. The word controversial, however, is often used to describe some American and World Leaders and events of the past and present but this apparently doesn’t apply to those who are “PC” Politically Correct in their reasoning and actions. Why do some people criticize men like General Nathan Bedford Forrest, General Robert E. Lee and President Jefferson Davis who stood honorably for the Southern cause of Independence, 1861-1865? The men and women of the Old South believed they were standing for the same principles as did their Fathers and Grandfathers during the American Revolution of 1776! Why is the Confederate Battle flag, the banner of many brave soldiers, also under attack? There is much written about the War Between the States but very little about the relentless and unprecedented destruction suffered by the civilians of a free and sovereign nation, the Confederate States of America. There also seems today to be complacency about the history of the destruction of the American-Indian and his way of life. Do you know which Union Commander said “the only good Indian is a dead Indian?”…Or is this too un-politically correct or controversial a topic to discuss with our young people? Union Gen. William T. Sherman said of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, “After all, I think Forrest as the most remarkable man our ‘Civil War’ produced on either side.” This came from a man who was once a foe of Forrest on the field of battle. Nathan Bedford was born on July 13, 1821, in Chapel Hill, Tennessee. Some folks continue to criticize General Forrest for leading the first Ku Klux Klan. It is, however, written that Forrest denied this and more importantly was responsible for disbanding the Klan after only two years of operation, but…. What about the original Ku Klux Klan? The original Klan was formed during the dark days of the so-called reconstruction period that lasted from the end of the War Between the States in 1865 until 1870. During this time the South went through a relentless-merciless Carpetbagger rule where Southerners had no vote or say and could not defend themselves. Black and White women of all classes were not safe on the streets. Southern People were not even allowed to hold memorial services for their war dead, display the Confederate flag or criticize the Commanders of the occupying Yankee forces. And some criticize General Forrest for the March 16, 1864, so-called massacre during the War Between the States “Battle of Fort Pillow”, but he was exonerated by Northern officials of wrong doing. This was during a time when the Confederate President Jefferson Davis served two years in prison and some wanted to put him on trial and hang him for treason. Cooler heads seemed to prevail, however, as some felt this might have more legitimized the late cause of the Southern Confederacy. Confederate Captain Henry Wirz, however, was hung for so-called war crimes as Commandant of Andersonville Prison and some wanted the same punishment for Gen. Robert E. Lee and other political and military leaders of Dixie. Why have we forgotten or just never knew about a dark episode of the nation’s history where Mary Surratt, a Southerner, was the first woman ever hung on July 7, 1865? She was among those who were found guilty in the so-called conspiracy to assassinate Abraham Lincoln, however, she continued to deny her involvement. Forrest might have been given the same punishment with the attitude in post-war Washington, D.C. Some people have called General Forrest an early advocate for Civil Rights. Forrest’s speech during a meeting of the “Jubilee of Pole Bearers” is a story that should be told. Gen. Forrest was the first white man to be invited by this group which was a forerunner of today’s Civil Rights group. A reporter of the Memphis Avalanche newspaper was sent to cover the event that included a Southern barbeque supper. Miss Lou Lewis, daughter of a Pole Bearer member, was introduced to Forrest and she presented the former general a bouquet of flowers as a token of reconciliation, peace and good will. On July 5, 1875, Nathan Bedford Forrest delivered this speech: “Ladies and Gentlemen, I accept the flowers as a memento of reconciliation between the white and colored races of the Southern states. I accept it more particularly as it comes from a colored lady, for if there is any one on God’s earth who loves the ladies I believe it is myself. (Immense applause and laughter.) I came here with the jeers of some white people, who think that I am doing wrong. I believe I can exert some influence, and do much to assist the people in strengthening fraternal relations, and shall do all in my power to elevate every man, to depress none. (Applause.) I want to elevate you to take positions in law offices, in stores, on farms, and wherever you are capable of going. I have not said anything about politics today. I don’t propose to say anything about politics. You have a right to elect whom you please; vote for the man you think best, and I think, when that is done, you and I are freemen. Do as you consider right and honest in electing men for office. I did not come here to make you a long speech, although invited to do so by you. I am not much of a speaker, and my business prevented me from preparing myself. I came to meet you as friends, and welcome you to the white people. I want you to come nearer to us. When I can serve you I will do so. We have but one flag, one country; let us stand together. We may differ in color, but not in sentiment. Many things have been said about me which are wrong, and which white and black persons here, who stood by me through the war, can contradict. Go to work, be industrious, live honestly and act truly, and when you are oppressed I’ll come to your relief. I thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for this opportunity you have afforded me to be with you, and to assure you that I am with you in heart and in hand.” (Prolonged applause.) End of speech. Nathan Bedford Forrest again thanked Miss Lewis for the bouquet and then gave her a kiss on the cheek. Such a kiss was unheard of in the society of those days, in 1875, but it showed a token of respect and friendship between the general and the black community and did much to promote harmony among the citizens of Memphis. This year, 2012, is the 107th anniversary of the dedication of a General Forrest Statue in Memphis, Tennessee. In the year of our Lord 1887, efforts were begun to raise the necessary funds to erect a statue to honor Forrest. In 1891, The “Forrest Monument Association” was formed in Memphis. The ladies Auxiliary was formed to help this committee and the United Confederate Veterans helped to raise money. Politician and business folks were the backbone of this committee. The “Who’s-Who” of Memphis served on that committee. The price of the statue to General Forrest was the huge sum of $32,359.53. It should be noted that the ladies auxiliary worked hard to raise $3,000, which was a great deal of money in those days. In 1901, during the United Confederate Veterans convention in Memphis, the cornerstone of the monument was dedicated. During August of that year Charles H. Nichaus was given the contract to build a bronze casting of the statue. The statue was produced in Paris, France, and was shipped to New York, then to Savannah, Georgia, and finally by rail to Memphis, Tennessee. In 1904, the son of General Forrest, Captain William Montgomery Forrest, gave the Forrest Monument Association permission to re-inter the remains of his father Nathan and mother Mary at Forrest Park where the statue would be dedicated the following year. There was a full moon on Monday, May 15, and on Tuesday, May 16, 1905, over 30,000 people congregated at Forrest Park in Memphis to take part in the statue dedication. The memorial began at 2:30PM with many speeches of tribute to the general and was finalized with General Forrest’s granddaughter pulling the cord that unveiled the larger-than-life statue. This was preceded by the reverent playing of everyone’s favorite song from North and South “Dixie.” Wonderful words are inscribed on the Forrest monument that was written by Mrs. Virginia Frazer Boyer, “Those hoof beats upon crimson’s sod, but will ring through her song and her story; He fought like a Titan and struck like a god, and his dust is our ashes of glory.” The War Between the States Sesquicentennial, 150th Anniversary, runs 2011 through 2015. The Georgia Division Sons of Confederate Veterans joins the nation in remembering this historic time in our nation’s history. See information at: 150wbts.org/ God Bless America and Have a Dixie Day!