We love heroes, don't we? One of my favorites, as I have written before, is T.J. "Stonewall" Jackson. When he died by friendly fire, Gen. Robert E. Lee said, "I have lost my right arm".
When I googled Confederate Heroes, I read that 70 Southern Generals died during the War. Think of it: 70!
Men like Jeb Stuart, A.P. Hill, Albert Sydney Johnston, Pelham, Pender, Pettigrew, John Hunt Morgan and so many more.
They died in places like Shiloh, Spotsylvania, Antietam, New Market, Vicksburg, Yellow Pines, Petersburg, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Chickamauga, Seven Pines, Atlanta, and even Appomattox.
In McWhiney's book which I have mentioned before, Attack And Die, McWhiney quotes Confederate Colonel W.C.P. Breckinridge: "it was the fate of Southern armies to confront armies larger, better equipped and admirably supplied. Unless we could by activity, audacity, aggressiveness and skill overcome these advantages it was a mere matter of time as to the certain result."
The quote continues "It was therefore the first requisite of a Confederate general that he should be willing to meet his antagonist on these unequal terms, and on such terms make fight. He must of necessity take great risks and assume grave responsibilities"
This being said, it is no wonder that the Confederacy lost so many of these able and much needed Generals. Truly, as one of the Yankee Generals said "war...is all hell"
.
But let me ask you - is it a "man thing"? I just don't see women wanting to go to war, although I know some do. Is it wrong to say "I'd rather bake a casserole?" Its a lot more rewarding if you ask me!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Descendants of Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis had only two siblings who left descendants named Davis beyond one generation, namely Samuel A. Davis and Lucinda (Davis) Davis. And as you know Jefferson and Varina's only child to marry and have children was Margaret who married Joel Addison Hayes, Jr.
Margaret and Joel had four children, two daughters and two sons. One daughter, Varina Howell Davis Hayes married Gerald Bertram Webb. they had four children The second daughter, Lucy White Hayes married George B. Young and they had five children.
Jefferson Addison Hayes-Davis, Margaret and Joel's oldest son, married Doree Dewitt. Jefferson had his name legally changed to Hayes-Davis so that the Davis name could continue.They had two children, Addison Hayes-Davis and Adele Hayes-Davis.
The fourth child and second son, William Davis Hayes married Elizabeth M. Davis. They had one daughter, Elise Hayes. I read that only four of Jefferson Davis' grandchildren survived to marry and have children. Thus, descendants of Jefferson Davis are a rare commodity.
We are so fortunate to know Jefferson's great-great grandson, Bertram Hayes-Davis, and his wife Carole. They have been wonderful friends to us at the First White House of the Confederacy. We always enjoy and appreciate their support. Bert was our special guest for our Spring Gala last April. He signed prints of the First White House which we sold as part of our fundraiser. We still have a few in our Gift Shop if you want to purchase one for yourself or as a gift for a Confederate aficionado. Contact us at 334-242-1861 to place an order.
Margaret and Joel had four children, two daughters and two sons. One daughter, Varina Howell Davis Hayes married Gerald Bertram Webb. they had four children The second daughter, Lucy White Hayes married George B. Young and they had five children.
Jefferson Addison Hayes-Davis, Margaret and Joel's oldest son, married Doree Dewitt. Jefferson had his name legally changed to Hayes-Davis so that the Davis name could continue.They had two children, Addison Hayes-Davis and Adele Hayes-Davis.
The fourth child and second son, William Davis Hayes married Elizabeth M. Davis. They had one daughter, Elise Hayes. I read that only four of Jefferson Davis' grandchildren survived to marry and have children. Thus, descendants of Jefferson Davis are a rare commodity.
We are so fortunate to know Jefferson's great-great grandson, Bertram Hayes-Davis, and his wife Carole. They have been wonderful friends to us at the First White House of the Confederacy. We always enjoy and appreciate their support. Bert was our special guest for our Spring Gala last April. He signed prints of the First White House which we sold as part of our fundraiser. We still have a few in our Gift Shop if you want to purchase one for yourself or as a gift for a Confederate aficionado. Contact us at 334-242-1861 to place an order.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Alabama Shakespeare Festival Presents Two Civil War Plays
Alabama Shakespeare Festival in partnership with the Alabama Department of Tourism is presenting two World Premier Plays marking the sesquicentennial of the Civil War.
The Flagmaker of Market Street will run Feb 4-March 19. The story line is this: Montgomery store owner George Cowles walks a fine line catering to the Confederacy while holding secret Unionist meetings in his back room. When asked to create the first Confederate flag he has to make a choice between upholding his convictions and living a lie.
Blood Divided, showing Feb 18 - March 20, is about fifteen-year old Willie Baldwin, who is enchanted by secessionist William Lowndes Yancey. The young man is disgusted by his father's moderate views about war. As tension grows between Willie, his family and freeman James Hale, Willie's rash behavior has unforeseen consequences.
ASF is celebrating its 25th season. Don't miss these two plays, as well as the Spring Repertory Season. Outstanding stuff, this Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Montgomery is very, very fortunate to have a first-class theatre, actors and staff,like we have at ASF, especially for a city the size of ours.
The Flagmaker of Market Street will run Feb 4-March 19. The story line is this: Montgomery store owner George Cowles walks a fine line catering to the Confederacy while holding secret Unionist meetings in his back room. When asked to create the first Confederate flag he has to make a choice between upholding his convictions and living a lie.
Blood Divided, showing Feb 18 - March 20, is about fifteen-year old Willie Baldwin, who is enchanted by secessionist William Lowndes Yancey. The young man is disgusted by his father's moderate views about war. As tension grows between Willie, his family and freeman James Hale, Willie's rash behavior has unforeseen consequences.
ASF is celebrating its 25th season. Don't miss these two plays, as well as the Spring Repertory Season. Outstanding stuff, this Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Montgomery is very, very fortunate to have a first-class theatre, actors and staff,like we have at ASF, especially for a city the size of ours.
Friday, January 7, 2011
A House Is Never Finished
The First White House was built between 1832-1835. On Feb 21, 1861 the Provisional Confederate Congress authorized the leasing of an Executive Mansion foe $5000.00 a year (approx $ 65,000 today).
Mrs. Davis arrived by riverboat on March 4, 1861, the same day Letitia Tyler raised the first governmental flag of the Confederacy, the "Stars and Bars" at the State Capitol. After declaring the House "suitable as a Gentleman's residence" and making arrangements for minor renovations, she returned to Brierfield, their plantation near Vicksburg near Vicksburg.
Varina returned to Montgomery with their three children, Margaret, Jeff Junior and Little Joe, and a few personal possessions and the Davis family moved into the First White House of the Confederacy and lived there during the spring of our independence until the mother state, Virgina seceded and the capital of the Confederacy moved to Richmond, Virginia.
More tomorrow!!!
Mrs. Davis arrived by riverboat on March 4, 1861, the same day Letitia Tyler raised the first governmental flag of the Confederacy, the "Stars and Bars" at the State Capitol. After declaring the House "suitable as a Gentleman's residence" and making arrangements for minor renovations, she returned to Brierfield, their plantation near Vicksburg near Vicksburg.
Varina returned to Montgomery with their three children, Margaret, Jeff Junior and Little Joe, and a few personal possessions and the Davis family moved into the First White House of the Confederacy and lived there during the spring of our independence until the mother state, Virgina seceded and the capital of the Confederacy moved to Richmond, Virginia.
More tomorrow!!!
Jefferson Davis Even After A Century Of Rest
According to an article in the Civil War Times, Sept/Oct 1994, Jefferson Davis never seemed more alive than he does today. This was after a visit to Beauvoir where the writer, Brad Austin, was introduced to a Jeff Davis he did not expect to meet.
It seems Davis was not the serious, somber soul one had read about. Austin recollects being told that the President filled the pockets of his dressing gown with ears of corn to feed his peacocks! One of these stately birds learned to mimic Davis when the President took his daily exercise on the veranda of the library where he wrote his memoirs.
Can't you just see him now, gazing out to sea as he wrote? I am so glad Beauvoir survived the ravages of Hurricane Katrina, aren't you? I hope to get down there this spring. As Austin writes, "history can be very much alive when you find out where it lives".
It seems Davis was not the serious, somber soul one had read about. Austin recollects being told that the President filled the pockets of his dressing gown with ears of corn to feed his peacocks! One of these stately birds learned to mimic Davis when the President took his daily exercise on the veranda of the library where he wrote his memoirs.
Can't you just see him now, gazing out to sea as he wrote? I am so glad Beauvoir survived the ravages of Hurricane Katrina, aren't you? I hope to get down there this spring. As Austin writes, "history can be very much alive when you find out where it lives".
Monday, January 3, 2011
Negotiations Last, Bullets First
My friend Richard has mused that after reading Grady McWinney's book called Attack or Die, he believes if Beauregard could have held out in SC and if the first Confederate Congress could have taken a bit more time, we might have pulled off secession without firing a shot.
But, Richard points out, us Rebels are descended from the Celts, who don't take kindly to being told what to do!
I have just ordered McWinney's book and can't wait to read it. More reading and less TV for me this year!!! Resolution # ???
Richard says that Mass. and several other New England states discussed secession during the War of 1812, to which they did not send soldiers, and during the Mexican War, which they felt was a non-necessary war. So the concept of secession started much earlier and in the eastern states.
Then he says that when John C. Calhoun tried it in SC in the late 1820's, Andrew Jackson put 20,000 troops on the NC, SC border and Calhoun "rethought" his position. To quote Richard again, "he did it under a doctrine called interposition!!! Ain't history grand?!"
And to quote my friend again "hindsight is always 20/20"!!!
But, Richard points out, us Rebels are descended from the Celts, who don't take kindly to being told what to do!
I have just ordered McWinney's book and can't wait to read it. More reading and less TV for me this year!!! Resolution # ???
Richard says that Mass. and several other New England states discussed secession during the War of 1812, to which they did not send soldiers, and during the Mexican War, which they felt was a non-necessary war. So the concept of secession started much earlier and in the eastern states.
Then he says that when John C. Calhoun tried it in SC in the late 1820's, Andrew Jackson put 20,000 troops on the NC, SC border and Calhoun "rethought" his position. To quote Richard again, "he did it under a doctrine called interposition!!! Ain't history grand?!"
And to quote my friend again "hindsight is always 20/20"!!!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year From The First White House of the Confederacy
Happy New Year! The Davis family was not yet in the First White House as you know, in January of 1861. But Alabama seceded on January 11, 1861. South Carolina had gone first, on Dec. 20 1860. And when Mississippi seceded Jefferson Davis resigned his seat in the U.S. senate and returned to his plantation in Brierfield (January 21).
The States that had seceded met in Montgomery on February 4, and adopted a Provisional Constitution, then on Feb 8 chose Jefferson Davis as Provisional President and Alexander Stephens as Vice President. The Confederate states were thus born before Lincoln took office as President of the United States in March.
Davis received word of his election on February 10 and after accepting reluctantly he journey to Montgomery by riverboat and train, arriving on the 16th. He was inaugurated on the front portico of the Capitol on the 18th at 1:00 as Provisional President of the Confederate Stats of America.
On February 21, 1861 the Provisional Congress authorised the leasing of an Executive Mansion which we call today the First White House of the Confederacy..
2011 begins the Sesquicentennial of the War Between the States as you know if you have been reading this blog. You can read all about it in William C. Davis' book, "A Government of Our Own".
The States that had seceded met in Montgomery on February 4, and adopted a Provisional Constitution, then on Feb 8 chose Jefferson Davis as Provisional President and Alexander Stephens as Vice President. The Confederate states were thus born before Lincoln took office as President of the United States in March.
Davis received word of his election on February 10 and after accepting reluctantly he journey to Montgomery by riverboat and train, arriving on the 16th. He was inaugurated on the front portico of the Capitol on the 18th at 1:00 as Provisional President of the Confederate Stats of America.
On February 21, 1861 the Provisional Congress authorised the leasing of an Executive Mansion which we call today the First White House of the Confederacy..
2011 begins the Sesquicentennial of the War Between the States as you know if you have been reading this blog. You can read all about it in William C. Davis' book, "A Government of Our Own".
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