October p6

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News, discussions and announcements from the SCV listservers

The "TRUE" charge ~

Compatriots:
We continue to practice REVISIONISM on our own people AND their greatest words. I have published The Charge of Lt. Gen. Stephen Dill Lee AS IT APPEARS in the Confederate Veteran of 1906 at page 254-255. This was reproduced in the 2001 General Convention Program. Yet, as it continues to be given, the TRUE WORDS are being IGNORED. Does anyone dare to dispute the account by Sumner Archibald Cunningham, Editor of the Confederate Veteran, 1893-1932. The Charge is produced again below.

E.O. Cailleteau - Dreux Camp 110 - Louisiana

"To you, Sons of Confederate Veterans, we will commit 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 which he loved and which you love also, and those ideals which made him glorious and which you also cherish. Are you also ready to die for your country? Is your life worthy to be remembered along with theirs? Do you choose for yourself this greatness of soul?"

- Lt. Gen. S.D. Lee

Brother Cailleteau:
Do you have any idea where that last line in the revised version came from? The one that reads: "Remember, it is your duty to see that the true history of the South is presented to future generations." A noble sentiment indeed, but not in S.D. Lee's original charge.

Denne A. Sweeney - Lt CIC, SCV - ltcic@scv.org

Vanderbilt reverses 1989 position on "Confederate" name ~
I have a copy of the letter Vanderbilt Chancellor Joe B. Wyatt wrote to Ross Massey on February 1, 1989: It reads, in pertinent part:

"It appears that the mutual intent [of the UDC and Peabody College] was to honor Confederate war dead and their descendants. It also appears to me that the building would not have been constructed had it not been for the important financial commitment of the Tennessee Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, a commitment that was fulfilled during the depression years.

"Based on the history of the building as currently available to me, and the absence of any indication that the naming of Confederate Memorial Hall by George Peabody College for teachers was in any sense intended to support either slavery or any other form of prejudice toward Blacks, I am not inclined to recommend a change in the name to Vanderbilt's Board of Trust."

This letter is interesting because it refers to a "mutual intent," which became an important ingredient of the contract between the UDC and Peabody, and which ingredient is both reflected and memorialized in writing: The words "Confederate Memorial" are carved in stone!

This letter is also interesting because then-Chancellor Wyatt opines that there is nothing inherently offensive underlying the dormitory's name.

I think the UDC has the standing to maintain an action against Vanderbilt on a contract theory, and several equitable theories, and I think it can be won (if Vanderbilt's absurd decision is not first won in the court of public opinion).
Dick Knight - Camp 28 - Nashville

Correspondence received ~

Dillard-Judd Camp:
You are publishing a fine newsletter - I enjoy them. Keep
up the good work. I truly appreciate all you are doing for the "cause" of our Confederate Fathers. God Bless.

George M. Church, Past Commander
Army of Tennessee

Compatriot Daniels:
Thank you very much for the copy of your camp newsletter. I found Dick Knight's article about Granbury's Lunette to be particularly enjoyable. Unless I am sadly mistaken, after Lucius (not Leonidas) Polk was severely wounded in the Atlanta campaign, his brigade was broken up, and the 35th Tennessee found itself in Granbury's brigade with a bunch of dismounted Texas Cavalry. The reason I know this is that four Trapps served in the 35th Tennessee, and only two came home. One fell at Perryville and another at Ringgold Gap. They were from DeKalb County, Tn, which is not far from you. As a matter of fact, my great-great grandfather was the first school superintendent of DeKalb Co., and his picture hangs in the county courthouse. Well, enough of my family history; I just wanted you to know that I enjoyed the newsletter. Also, I have added you to my AOT Commander list server. You won't get a bunch of posts, just news and announcements from me.

With kindest regards,
Allen Trapp, Commander - Army of Tennessee

(Permission has been granted by the listmasters and/or authors to reprint and publish)