The Men and Women of Confederate History Month – Commentary by Calvin E. Johnson, Jr.

Georgia Senator Jeff Mullis is sponsoring Senate Bill No. 283 that would make April, Confederate History and Heritage Month in the State of Georgia. This is a good bill that should be passed (as is).

Why have we forgotten our nation's history?

Once our young people were taught, from history books, about the month of April when the War Between the States began (1861) and ended (1865.) Grandparents told the children stories that included "The Great Locomotive Chase" of April 12, 1862.

April is recognized, in many states, as Confederate History Month.

This is a time to remember great Americans like Lizzie Rutherford of Columbus, Georgia who on a cold January day worked to clean the graves of Confederate soldiers. She and the members of the Ladies Memorial Association of Columbus lead in efforts to take care of Southern soldiers' graves and get Confederate Memorial Day recognized throughout the South. [ Confederate Memorial Day in Georgia ]

Did you know that the Congress of the United States, in past years, recognized America's war of 1861-1865, as the "War Between the States"? After the war the men of Union Blue and Confederate Gray came together in great reunions with their families and war stories.

Southerner's were once a proud people who knew who they were....But, now, how can we expect our children to know about their heritage when school bands no longer play Dixie?

Once upon a time the South's businesses and schools closed in reverent observance of Confederate Memorial Day. This was a special time for parades and memorial speeches at the local soldiers' cemetery. Tens of thousands of people made their way to the local Confederate cemetery where children delighted in catching a glimpse of a Confederate Veteran.

When the War Between the States ended, women of the North and South formed memorial organizations. They made sure that the soldiers got a Christian burial and were remembered. Great monuments were erected to the soldiers of Blue and Gray that still can be seen in many town squares and soldier cemeteries.

For over 100 years the people of the Ladies' Memorial Association, United Daughters of the Confederacy and Sons of Confederate Veterans have continued the tradition of Confederate Memorial Day in April. Other states recognize Confederate Memorial Day on May 10th and June 3rd. June 3rd is the birthday of Confederate President Jefferson Davis whose 200th birthday will be observed in 2008.

It is written that the first Confederate Memorial day was held in Columbus, Georgia. Some say it was the idea of Lizzie Rutherford, President of the Columbus Chapter of the Ladies Memorial Association, and their secretary Mrs. Charles J. Williams. Mrs. William's husband served as Colonel of the 1st Georgia Regiment, CSA during the War Between the States. He died of disease in 1862 and was buried in his home town of Columbus. Disease killed more soldiers during the war than did the battles.

Mrs. Williams and her daughter visited his grave often and cleared the weeds and leaves from it, then placed flowers on it. Her daughter also pulled the weeds from other soldiers graves near her father. It saddened the little girl that many graves were unmarked. With tears of pride she said to her mother, "These are my soldiers graves." The little girl became ill and passed away in her childhood. Mrs. William's grief was almost unbearable.

One day, while visiting the graves of her husband and daughter, Mrs. Williams looked at all of the unkept soldiers' graves and remembered the words her daughter had told her. She knew what she had to do.

With permission from Lizzie Rutherford, President of the Ladies' Memorial Association, Williams wrote a letter that was published in many Southern newspapers asking the women of Dixie for help. She asked that organizations be formed in taking care of the thousands of Confederate graves from the Potomac River to the Rio Grande. She also asked state legislatures to set aside an April day to remember the men of gray.

With her leadership many Southern states adopted April 26th, as Confederate Memorial Day. Mrs. Williams died in 1874, but lived to see her native Georgia adopt April 26th as Confederate Memorial Day. Today, it is still a legal holiday.

The men and women who served the South during the War Between the States came from many races and religions. There was Irish born Gen. Patrick R. Cleburne, Black Southerner Amos Rucker, whose grave was remarked in 2006 by the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Jewish born Judah P. Benjamin, Mexican born Colonel Santos Benavides and Native American Gen. Stand Watie.

Please visit http://confederateheritagemonth.com and ask your local historical group, business and government organization what they are planning during April 2007, for Confederate History Month.

Let's not forget the history of our nation!!!!

A native of Georgia, Calvin Johnson lives near the historic town of Kennesaw, home of the locomotive "The General" from the War Between the States. He is the author of When America Stood for God, Family and Country. His email is: cjohnson1861@bellsouth.net.

Related Links
Confederate History Month Series -- Calvin Johnson

January 19, 2007, will the 200th birthday of General Robert E. Lee -- Calvin Johnson

Robert E. Lee remembered in Atlanta 2006 -- Calvin Johnson

The Spirit of J.B. Gordon -- by Calvin Johnson

A Georgia Hero explains the War Between the States - Steve Scroggins

When Governors Had Honor - Steve Scroggins

References and Publications on Gordon

Gordon's autobiography "Reminiscences of the Civil War" is online (and free)
[if you read nothing else, read the introduction by Gen. Stephen D. Lee.]

Statue of Gordon at the Georgia Capitol