From the Field
Death of General Robert E. Lee

By: Calvin E. Johnson, Jr.

The headline from a Richmond newspaper read, quote;

“News of the death of Robert E. Lee, beloved chieftain of the Southern army,
whose strategy mainly was responsible for the surprising fight staged by the
Confederacy, brought a two-day halt to Richmond's business activities.”

The United States flag, which Robert E. Lee had defended as a soldier, flew at
half mast in Lexington, Virginia and throughout the USA

General Lee died at his home at Lexington, Virginia at 9:30 AM on Wednesday,
October 12, 1870. His last great deed came after the War Between the States
when he accepted the presidency of Washington College, now Washington and
Lee University. He saved the financially troubled college and helped many
young folks further their education.

Some write that Robert E. Lee suffered a cerebral hemorrhage on September
28, 1870, but was thought to greatly improve until October 12th, when he took a
turn for the worse. His condition seemed more hopeless when his doctor told
him, "General you must make haste and get well---Traveller---has been
standing too long in his stable and needs exercise."

Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Cadet William Nalle said in a letter home to his
mother, dated October 16, 1870, quote;

“I suppose of course that you have all read full accounts of Gen Lee's death in
the papers. He died on the morning of the 12th at about half past nine. All
business was suspended at once all over the country and town, and all duties,
military and academic suspended at the Institute, and all the black crape and all
similar black material in Lexington, was used up at once, and they had to send
on to Lynchburg for more. Every cadet had black crape issued to him, and an
order was published at once requiring us to wear it as a badge of mourning for
six months.”

Read entire letter on Virginia Military Institute website at:

http://www.vmi.edu/archives.aspx?id=5517

The rains and flooding were the worse of Virginia's history on the day General
Lee died. On Wednesday, October 12, 1870, in the presence of his family, Lee
quietly passed away.

The church bells rang as the sad news passed through Washington College,
Virginia Military Institute, the town of Lexington and the nation. Cadets from
VMI College carried the remains of the old soldier to Lee Chapel where he laid
in state.

Memorial meetings were held throughout the South and as far North as New
York. At Washington College in Lexington eulogies were delivered by: Reverend
Pemberton, Reverend W.S. White--Stonewall Jackson's  Pastor and Reverend
J. William Jones. Former Confederate President Jefferson Davis brought the
eulogy in Richmond, Virginia. Lee was also eulogized in Great Britain.

When all settled down, Mrs. Robert E. Lee said, "If he had succeeded in gaining
by the sword all the South expected and hoped for, he could not have been more
honored and lamented."

Many thousands witnessed Lee's funeral procession marching through the
town of Lexington, Virginia, with muffled drums and the artillery firing as the
hearse was driven to the school's chapel where he was buried. US President
Dwight D. Eisenhower knew and appreciated our nation’s rich history.
President Eisenhower was criticized for displaying a portrait of Robert E. Lee in
his office. This was part of his response; quote

"Robert E. Lee was, in my estimation, one of the supremely gifted men
produced by this nation."
Robert E. Lee was the hero of the Southern people and admired both North and
South of the Mason-Dixon Line. This Christian- gentleman's last words were,
"Strike the Tent."

_____________________________________________________


Big Gun goes home - Cannon recovered from wreck of notorious Confederate
Sloop Alabama  The Post and Courier

_____________________________________________________

Field Report From The Armies of Tennessee Annual Meeting
------------------------------------------------------------------

On January 23rd, 2010 The Armies of Tennessee held it’s annual meeting in
historic Savannah, TN. Within ear shot of where the Battle of Shiloh took place,
The Armies of Tennessee set it’s 2010 agenda and discussed it’s role in the
150th cycle of Civil War events. There were forty AOT members and guest
attending with the states of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri and
Tennessee being represented.



After unit role call, each unit had the opportunity to speak on behalf of their up-
coming events. Three events held by associate and alliance members were also
included in the schedule.

Alabama Division Commander, Ken Sumner, also attended the annual AOT
meeting to renew the alliance between The Armies of Tennessee and the
Alabama Division. The new Western Alliance is called “The Armies of the
Heartland” which was a term used for the many armies that fought in the
Western Theatre. Other associated and affiliated organizations have expressed
high interest in being involved in this new alliance. An announcement time will
be set soon to provide details of the “Armies of the Heartland” Western Alliance.



Billy Altom

Adjutant

Armies of Tennessee


_____________________________________________________

Here is a photo of the naval cannon recovered from the wreckage of the CSS
Alabama.  It was recovered in 2003 as it lay off shore from Cherbourg, France.

The carriage was built by Mobile city employees from original plans.  However,
the metal work necessary to mount this gun was done by our 6th Alabama
Cavalry blacksmiths, Ed Miller, Jason Miller, and John Parks.  This cannon will
eventually be housed in the Museum of Mobile.  It will be situated in a room
reserved for the artifacts from the CSS Alabama.  

The techniques and materials used in the metal work are all period correct.  If
you will look closely at the trunnion cap you will begin to get an idea about the
scale of this work.  That trunnion cap was made from a piece of wrought iron ¾
of an inch thick and five inches wide.  It was heated and shaped around a
mandrel type form by hand, using brute strength and considerable cussing.  I do
not know how long it was but I do know when I tried to pick it up I was in a
serious strain.  

There are not a handful of people in our country capable of this caliber (literally
and figuratively) of work.  Our Civil War reenactment unit is blessed to have
members with such an impressive array of skills.

Curtis Makamson
News Articles about Events, the Alabama Division,
and Other Interesting Articles
The Cadet Rangers Ride Again

The First Annual Battle at Congaree Creek



On December 3, 2011, a unique historical event
occurred during the 1st annual Battle at Congaree
Creek.  The reenactment honored the memory of fifty
Citadel Cadets who resolved to take a stand for their
state and sacred principles, even at the risk of being
shot for desertion.  One hundred and fifty years ago to
the day cadets from the South Carolina Military
Academy left their posts and cannons at the Citadel to
form the 6th South Carolina Cavalry.  They called
themselves the Cadet Rangers.  They acquired and
rode the famous horses known as Marsh Tacky.  
Marsh Tackys are small horses with direct lineage to
Colonial Spanish horse which are found on the
offshore Islands of Carolina.  The 6th South Carolina
Cadet Rangers then offered their services to General
Wade Hampton and remained faithful to the cause until
the legion’s surrender.  After 150 years, the current
military cadets from the Citadel took to the saddle
again to honor the memory of those brave military
trainees and to pay homage to such a historical event.  
Mollie, the South Carolina heritage horse, was present
and bravely led the cadets into battle.  She is twenty-
three years old and won the horse race at Hilton Head’
s Coligny Beach.  Currently there are approximately
two hundred and fifty horses left in existence.  For
more information about Marsh Tacky, go to the
following website:  http://www.marshtacky.org/



The Battle at Congaree Creek was held on the
beautiful farm of John Culler located at Sandy Run
(mile marker 125 off Interstate 26).  The farm also
hosts the Battle for Columbia.  School Days offered
several stations and sutlers with their wares.  On
February 15, 1865, a four hour fight raged in an effort
to slow down Sherman’s march through South
Carolina.  Union’s Army of Tennessee under the
command of General Logan ironically went against
Confederate Army of Tennessee that was under the
command of General George Dibrell.  The battle
terminated with the Confederates burning the Old
State Road Bridge over Congaree Creek.  
Unfortunately for the rebels, the fire was extinguished
by the Federals, thus allowing Sherman’s army to
march on Columbia.



The battle scenario for the weekend was well
performed.  General Sumner (overall commander) held
the fortification as the federal forces advanced.  The
cavalry, under the command of Dan Gregory, were
superb in the execution of their duties. The cavalry
were up close and personal with the audience and on
two junctures, offered a battle in front and back of the
spectators.  The cannons’ bellowed and the infantry
offered stiff resistance to the blue tide that steady
advanced, challenging the ground.  The bummers
(Federal foragers and looters authorized to live off the
land) harassed the crowd but were finally dispersed by
the Confederate Cavalry.  The scenario was a haven
for reenactors.



Special thanks to the following Sutlers and
organizations who attended the event:  Regimental
Quartermaster, Medical Display by Colonel Eller and
Major Eller, Heirloom Emporium, A Timeless Grace,
The Paper Lady, Southern Family Impression, Rocky
Top Sutlery, Olde South Blacksmiths, Ole South
Cookery, ole Dock Bell, 1860 U.S. Army Forge
Wagon, Ferguson’s Battery with Lt. John Favors
station discussing artillery, Southern Kettle Corn,
Sandy Run Association, SCV Palmetto Camp #22,
UDC Mary A. Hunt #13, and a Sharpshooter’s display.  
General Hampton (Eddie Rogers), General Morgan
(Ken Sumner), General Stuart (Wayne Jones), General
Rains (Paul Jackson) and the old general were
present to meet and greet.  Unreconstructed
performed on Saturday, Saturday night at the ball, and
Sunday.  They will be hosting a living history at Fiddler’
s Green on May 5, 2012.  The contact information is as
follows:  ctdempsey.pv@calhoun.k12.al.us and http:
//unreconstructed.iuma.com.  Over 282
reenactors/living historians came to honor the memory
of the battle.  They came from South Carolina,
Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi,
North Carolina and Kentucky.  Friends in the
forthcoming years, let us rally to the cause of
preserving our history and heritage as we support yet
another event honoring our ancestors known as the
2nd Annual Battle at  Congaree Creek.  Next year’s
event will take place on December 1-2, 2012.  For
detailed information, go to the following website:  www.
battleatcongareecreek.com.