THE DIXON BLUE LIGHT NEWS - George E. Dixon · presentation. The program w a s i n t e r e s t i n...

Deo adjuvanti non timindin ~ With God’s help, we must not fear

The Dixon Blue Light News, 40 Christine Dr., Belleville, Illinois 62221 | 618-767-6778 | scvcamp1962.org

BLUE LIGHT NEWSNovember 2012

Private William Wilson, CSA1844 ~ 1880

William Wilson was born September 2nd, 1844 in Bennett’s Bayou, Fulton County, Arkansas. He was the son of Jacob and Lydia Wilson. When the War Between the States came along, William’s father, Jacob Wilson, joined with a band of Confederate “Irregulars” while Jacob’s brother, Joshua Wilson, was a strong Unionist. On February 8, 1862, 16-year-old William and his brother, Joseph, who was 18, along with 8 to ten cousins, travelled to Howell County, Missouri and enlisted in Company C of the 4th Missouri Infantry, Confederate Forces.

After the war, William moved to Coffeen in Montgomery County, Illinois. In December of 1870 in Sharon, Fayette County, Illinois, he married Jane Browning. They were the parents of four children, two sons and two daughters. Just ten years after being married, William died on July 8, 1880 from a carbuncle. He was buried in the Browning Cemetery at Shafter.

William was much more than just a soldier in the war. He was a farmer, a husband, a father, a member of the community, and a good Christian man. He served for the Cause of the South, but went on with life. While we honor his service today as an American veteran, we also honor him for his life and the legacy he left for his posterity.

scvcamp1962.org

THE VOICE OF THE

LT. GEORGE E. DIXON CAMP # 1962S o n s o f t h e

C o n f e d e r a t e V e t e r a n s

Dr. Robert Marley at Pvt. Wilson's grave

THE DIXON

LEE JACKSONDINNER BALL

SaturdayJanuary 26, 2013Bellecourt Manor

Belleville, IL

THE DIXON BLUE LIGHT NEWS! PAGE2


Private William Wilson, CSA1844 ~ 1880



BILLY ALTMAN JOINS THE CAVALRYOct. 20, 2012 Compatriot Billy Altman

was sworn into the S.C.V. Mechanized Cavalry in Paducah, KY. by Captain Craig Cain, inside the Tilghman House and Museum.

The group picture is of Billy and some of the members of the General Lloyd Tilghman Camp 1495 Mechanized Cavalry

Their moto is "RIDE AS YOU WOULD WITH FORREST."

JUDY STAREKJudy was finally released from the Dr. at

SLU. The Dr. said it would be 8-9 months before she will be at full recovery. She is healing nicely, but is still using a cane for stability. Judy thank's everyone for the cards, visits, and above all the Prayers.

NEWS FROM BRIAN KAESSMy mom Mary Ellen Dawson Kaess

(1945-2012) died on around October 1st from a massive heart attack. her last residence was Columbus Park Nursing Center in Chicago. I hope you can keep me in your prayers. Also, Dr. Donald Gradeless of SR Illinois (Sons of the Revolution) lost a Cousin Steve in a fatal car accident on I 30. Donald was working on my SR application when tragedy struck his family.

On a brighter note, I got published. My Kaess/Ochiltree/Swartz Family History made it to the shelf of the Allen County Public Library (ACPL) in Ft Wayne, Indiana, and also to the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS)

Library shelf. Only 21 pages, but a gem for my family.

Thnak you for your friendship in the past year.

Best Wishes, Brian Kaess

OUR NEXT MEETINGOur speaker for the

November 1, 2012 will be Compatriot Charles E. Knight of the Sterling Price Camp in St. Louis. He will present a program he calls, Confederate Sea Raiders.

I t i s t h e a l m o s t unbel ievable and nearly forgotten story of the handful of bold ships and the daring men, who captured, burned and otherwise drove the Union’s merchant marine off the high seas. He will take An Overall look at the Whole Confederate States Navy, talk about All the Raiders and Details on Some of the Famous Ones, The Effectiveness of the Sea Raiders, The Lingering Aftermath, and the Roll of the CSS Alabama. Come learn about the Confederate Navy.

Adjutant Gale Red

HAPPY DIXIE BIRTHDAYS!1-Nov Booth, Marcus Patrick3-Nov Smith, Auston Eugene8-Nov Sheeler, Franklin D.9-Nov Young, Reagan Harris11-Nov Carnley, Donald J.13-Nov Halemeyer, Dale R.30-Nov Wheat, Stephen

News from around the camp

Ride as you would with Forrest



Minutes of the 4 October 2012 Muster

The members and friends of the Lt. George E. Dixon Camp # 1962, S.C.V., conducted their monthly Muster at 1830 hours on 4 October 2012 at the SWIC PSOP Center, 201 North Church Street, Belleville, IL, this being the 10th Muster of the year 2012.

CALL TO ORDER: Lt Cmdr Billy Altman called the meeting to order.

INVOCATION: Chaplain Johnny Kicklighter provided the invocation.

PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS: The Colors were properly displayed and presented by the Honor Guard under the leadership of the Sgt. of Arms. All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States and the salute to the Confederate Flag.

COMMANDER’S WELCOME: Lt Cmdr Billy Altman welcomed the Camp’s members, several guests and members of Camp East.

SWEARING IN: Stephen Wheat, Smithton. Ancestor: Sgt marble C. Wheat, Co. D, 3rd KY Cav.; John M. McKee, Shiloh. Ancestor: Pvt. Archibald F. Ritter, Co. I, 11th AR,

Inf. Former Commander John Merritt read the charge.

ROLL CALL: Those present included: Billy & Helen Altman, John Merritt, Bill & Janice Beasley, James Conn, Ron Doran, Ron Lakin, Joe & Judy Starek, Walter Hall, John Fulton, JC Gideon, Steve Wheat, Mike Maurer, Ralph Oelschlager, Robert Mosley, Johnny Kicklighter, Charles & Tom Sheeler, Tom Prince, Earl Armstrong, Phil Tate, Steve Wheat, Christopher Frey, Robert Hardy, John Massey, Gale & Sharon Red, Steve Wilson, Cassandra Broomfield, Chris Rutledge, and John & Jane McKee.

PROCEDURAL BUSINESS: Nearly all members have paid their dues. The camp has g rown considerably and we need to consider the future of doing refreshments and if so, to what degree. Motion for the camp to vote on the issue was made by Tom Prince; Billy Altman seconded the motion. Vote taken to simply serve drinks alone (17), drinks and snacks (6), or discontinue altogether (1).

MINUTES: The September minutes were approved by voice vote. Motion to accept by Tom Prince and seconded by Joe Starek.

FINANCIAL REPORT: $3684.24 in checkbook. We made a $400 down payment for Lee/Jackson Ball .

Motion was made motion to accept by Billy Altman and seconded by Ron Doran. Approved by voice vote.

COMMUNICATIONS: We received an invitation from the Hecker Camp, Commander Gary Ladd, to attend their annual dinner Nov 17 at 6 PM, Schiappa's Italian Restaurant in O’Fallon. Steve Wheat will provide the presentation. Doug & Betty Lawrence sent an email thanking us for our prayers and requested we continue in pray for her father. Member Jim Benedict of Jerseyville is still in critical condition due to a motorcycle accident. He has currently undergone 5 surgeries but needs 5 more. Judy Starek has recovered from her injuries and is back in attendance. John Fulton’s mother is in rehab due to a broken ankle. Dennis Headly of the East camp recently lost his father. Dennis is also recovering from eye surgery.

OLD BUSINESS: Victorian Days in Highland was cancelled due to the weather.

NEW BUSINESS:

Upcoming events:-- October 6-7 – Gun Show at

Belle Clair Fairgrounds- October 20 – Pvt. William T.

Wilson, the great uncle of Bob Marley,

Minutes of the Dixon CampOCTOBER 4, 2012

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CB0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.schiappas.com%2F&ei=Ao9wUJyMGYLKqgHzuID4Dg&usg=AFQjCNEiixCVBSxEQdTc3vUJTtdtENawIg&sig2=9h4-myaN3PTcaNoY2vNQnQ

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CB0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.schiappas.com%2F&ei=Ao9wUJyMGYLKqgHzuID4Dg&usg=AFQjCNEiixCVBSxEQdTc3vUJTtdtENawIg&sig2=9h4-myaN3PTcaNoY2vNQnQ



Memorial Ceremony at Browning Cemetery, Shafter, IL.

- October 27 – Presentation to Kappa Alpha order, University of Science & Technology, Rolla, MO

- Ja nu a r y 2 6 , 2 0 1 3 – Annual Lee/Jackson Grand Ball, Bellecourt Manor, 225 East “A” Street. There was some discussion regarding the venue for the Ball and if the membership had discussed alternative facilities.

- Judy Starek discussed several Civil War events planned at the Chester Public Library coming up in October and November.

FORMAL PRESENTATION: Compatriot Stephen Wheat gave a

presentation on “Topographical Mapping Service during the War Between the States.”

REFRESHMENTS: T he refreshments were furnished by the Sheeler brothers. Mark Morgan will bring drinks for November and Billy Altman for December.

NEXT MEETING: Thursday, November 1st, 6:30 pm, same location.

BENEDICTION: Chaplain Johnny Kicklighter provided the benediction.

A D J O U R N M E N T: T h e meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.

Minutes of the Dixon CampOCTOBER 4, 2012

New members: John M. McKee and Steve Wheat

Ja m e s " J i m " H e n r y Benedict, from Jerseyville, died on October 27, 2012 at Barnes Hospital where he has been since his t e r r i b l e m o t o r c yc l e accident in early July.

Jim underwent a number of surgeries trying to put

him back together, but ultimately he was not able to overcome all the many problems that he faced. He lost his wife two years ago after a long battle of illness. Jim leaves behind two daughters and a son.

Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly. Please pray for his family.



Minutes October 15, 2012 Squad East, George E Dixon Camp 1962

The October meeting of Squad East was called to order at 6:40 pm by Squad Commander Sgt. Marcus Pat Booth at Anthony’s Wild West Restaurant in Flora, Illinois. Chaplin Sam Booth provided the invocation. Pat Booth led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance and Salute to the Confederate Flag.

Roll was taken with the following

members and guests present: Pat Booth, Sam Booth, Dennis Headlee, Vernon DeSelmes, Robert Marley, Gale Red, Walter Hall, Anthony Booth, and Calvin Booth.

Old Business: Although not really old business, except it had been brought up at an earlier meeting, Gale Red reminded those in attendance of

the upcoming Lee/ Jackson Ball set for Saturday, January 26, 2013 beginning at 6 pm . The event will be held in Bellecourt Manor located on the first floor of the Belleville Masonic Temple . The street address is 225 E. “A” Street.

Tonight’s Program was presented by Dr. Vernon DeSelmes. The topic was The Battle of First Manassas. The Speaker provided maps of the geography of the area as well as m a p s d e m o n s t r a t i n g t ro o p

movements during the battle. Dr. DeSelmes encouraged group discussion during his presentation. The program w a s i n t e r e s t i n g a n d informative. After the program the topic of discussion became the planned memorial service for Pvt . Wi l l i am Wi l son , 4 th Mo. Volunteers, Co C. on Saturday, October 20th at 1:00 pm at the Browning Cemetery, Fayette

County, Illinois. Pvt. Wilson is the great, great uncle of SCV member Robert Marley. Dennis Headlee will be bringing his UTV type vehicle and trailer to get the vehicle there. Anthony Booth volunteered the use of his similar UTV. After some discussion it was decided both UTVs could ride on the same trailer to the location in Fayette County. The memorial

attendees need to gather at the Bethel Baptist Church (just off of IL Hwy 185) between 12 noon and 12:30 with the idea of carpooling to the cemetery grounds. After the memorial service attendees are to return to the Church’s communi ty bu i ld ing fo r l i gh t refreshments.

New Business: Next meeting,

Squad Eas t , w i l l be Monday, November 19th at Anthony’s Wild West Restaurant at 6:30. Next month’s program will be Habeas Corpus by Roy Dent, Attorney at Law from Charleston, Illinois.

The meeting was closed at 8:30 with a prayer delivered by Chaplin Sam Booth.

Robert Marley

Minutes of the Squad EastOCTOBER 15, 2012



Compatriots – Compared to the previous two

m o n t h s - w i t h i t s B a t t l e s o f Sharpsburg/Antietam, Corinth and Perryv i l l e - November proved somewhat quieter for the two warring nations (although “quieter” was obviously a relative term if you were in fact involved in one of the smaller fracases which took place during the month.)

On 7 November 1862, in response to a third request by his commander- in-chie f, Maj Gen Ambrose E. Burnside, the pride of Liberty, Indiana, agreed to assume command of the Army of the Potomac, replacing Maj Gen George B. McClelland. President Lincoln ordered the relief of McClellan primarily over the general’s failure to pursue Lee’s battered Army of Northern Virginia following the Battle of Sharpsburg; however, McClellan’s regular comments to the press about the, uh, “poor quality” of the civilian leadership in the District of Columbia also played a role in his early retirement. With his relief, General McClellan left military service, although he’d return to the national s cene in Augus t 1864 a s the Democratic Party’s nominee for president of the United States.

Burnside graduated from the US Military Academy in 1847, ranked 18 out 38 and gained an initial assignment to the 2nd US Artillery,

performing occupation duties in Veracruz, Mexico. He subsequently served with the 3rd US Artillery under Capt Braxton Bragg in the southwest and was seriously wounded in a fight with Apache near Las Vegas, New Mexico Territory, in 1849. In 1853, following a period of recuperation at Fort Adams, providence, Rhode Island, Burnside left military service in order to go into business.

Interestingly enough, Burnside developed a pretty slick carbine which the Ar my ordered in volume. However, he reportedly ran afoul of then Secretary of War John B. Floyd (later a Confederate general, of Fort Donelson infamy), who took a $10,000 bribe to kill the contract for the Burnside carbine in favor of another manufacturer. Between the stress of a failed Rhode Island congressional race and the loss of his business, Burnside moved west to become treasurer for the Illinois Central Railroad. There, he became friends with the railroad’s president, another young, former Army officer named George B. McClellan.

After Fort Sumter Burnside, a brigadier in the Rhode Island Militia, raised the 1st Rhode Island Infantry, followed by a quick promotion to brigade command and combat at the First Manassas. From late 1861 through July 1862, commanded the North Carolina Expeditionary Force - later the Army of the Potomac’s IX

Corps - and won battles at Roanoke Island and New Bern, NC. Based on these v ic tor ies and Bur ns ide’s competent behavior in the field, Pres ident Lincoln first of fered command of the Army of the Potomac in mid-1862. Burnside declined, partly because he’d have to relieve his friend McClellan and partly because he knew he had no experience in commanding entire armies. He finally agreed to the promotion after the Battle of Sharpsburg, where he commanded IX Corps at the famous bridge which later bore his name.

Notably, during this period two other generals died while another made a name for himself in the field. On 6 November, Brig Gen Charles D. Jameson, USA, died of “camp fever,” contracted during the Battle of Fair Oaks in the Seven Days Campaign. Only 35, he was home in Maine at the time of his death.

On 9 November, Brig Gen Bordenave Villepigue, CSA, died at Port Hudson, Louisiana at age 32. A proud native of Camden, South Carolina, Villepigue attended the Citadel before joining the class of 1854 at West Point with post-graduation assignment to the 2nd Dragoons. Stationed in Utah at the time of secession, he resigned his commission and moved east, quickly becoming colonel of the 36th Georgia and gaining the attention of Gen Braxton Bragg during the defense of Pensacola

NOVEMBER PROVED SOMEWHAT QUIETER FOR THE TWO WARRING NATIONS

COMMANDER’S DISPATCH ~ BY COMMANDER MARK MORGAN



and the Gulf Coast. After command of Fort Pillow and of a brigade at the Second Corinth, he too came down with a fever and ultimately died of pneumonia. He’s buried Old Quaker Cemetery in Camden, SC near the graves of Confederate Generals Joseph B. Kershaw and John D. Ke n n e d y, t h e “A n g e l o f M a r y ’ s Heights” (Fredericksburg), Sgt Richard R. Kirkland and a descendent, World War I Medal of Honor recipient Cpl John C. Villepigue, 118th Infantry/30th Division.

Thursday, 13 November, saw the return of Maj Gen Earl Van Dorn to Southern front pages. Leading three brigades of cavalry, the general fell on the massive Union depot at Holly Springs, Mississippi, and proceeded to do a fine job of destroying everything that couldn’t get hauled away by the Southerners. His troops then spent about two weeks wreaking havoc in the region, cutting rail and telegraph lines and skirmishing with Yankees. The highly successful raid not only ended Maj Gen U.S. Grant’s initial overland thrust towards Vicksburg, it also went a long way to restore Van Dorn’s somewhat tarnished reputation. He’d led poorly at the Battles of Pea Ridge and First Corinth and, according to one source, was best known “…for his drunkness and tendency to cavort with prostitutes.”

The week of 17 November saw the resignation of Confederate Secretary of War George W. Randolph, primarily due to clashes with the President Jefferson Davis and the effects of the tuberculosis which would ultimately kill him. A Confederate brigadier general, Randolph followed Judah P. Benjamin in office on 24 March 1862 when Benjamine became the third Confederate Secretary of State. James Seddon, a lawyer and former U.S.

representative from Virginia, in turn relieved Randolph.

That same week, Gen Braxton Bragg merged his Army of Mississippi with Edmund Kirby Smith’s Army of Kentucky to form the legendary Army of Tennessee, the other big Confederate field army. Bragg had assumed command of the Army of Mississippi - which fought at Shiloh and Perryville - from Gen PGT Beauregard in April 1862. Kirby Smith led the Army of Kentucky from its creation in August 1862 (his division commanders were Henry Heth, Pat Cleburne, Thomas Churchill and Carter L. Stevenson) with two cavalry brigades commanded by John Hunt Morgan and John Scott. Following the merger, Smith m o v e d w e s t t o a s s u m e command of the Department of Trans-Mississippi.

Again, the month ended relatively quietly, although in the eastern theater things were about to pick up again. After receiving mid-month authorization from President Lincoln for yet another attack on Richmond, Maj Gen Ambrose Burnside started the Army of the Potomac south, looking for Bobby Lee. This set the stage for another major battle between the two primary armies of the east.

Commander Mark Morgan

Reservation Form for SCV Lee/Jackson Grand Ball, January 26, 2013Make check payable to: Lt. George E. Dixon Camp #1962Due: January 12, 2013 (no extensions or refunds after this date)Name (please print): _________________________________________________________Name (please print): _________________________________________________________Address (please print): _______________________________________________________Cell/Phone Number: _______________________________________________________Number Attending: _______ @ $30.00/person. Payment for $____________ enclosed.

Please mail reservation form/payment to: Adjutant Gale Red5 Hunters Pt

O'Fallon IL 62269-3133

THE DIXON BLUE LIGHT NEWS

Contacts

Mark MorganCommander

[email protected]

Gale RedAdjutant

[email protected]

John FultonAssistant Adjutant

[email protected]

Johnny Kicklighter Web Master

[email protected]

THE VOICE OF THELT. GEORGE E. DIXON CAMP # 1962S o n s o f t h eC o n f e d e r a t e V e t e r a n s

Lt. George E. Dixon

OUR NEXT MEETING, NOVEMBER 1, 2012

The monthly meeting of the Lt. George E. Dixon Camp #1962, SCV will be held at 6:30 pm on Thursday

evening October 4, 2012. The meeting will be held at the SWIC Senior Citizen Center on the corner of East B and North Church Streets, in Belleville. Parking is available immediately across the street from the building. The

building is located at 201 North Church, just three blocks east of North Illinois on East B. To get to the

auditorium where we will have the meeting, ask the gentleman at the desk what room we are in. If you have any questions, call Gale Red for directions at 618-622-8949.

Our guest speaker will be Charles Knight, Confederate Sea Raiders

mailto:[email protected]








THE DIXON BLUE LIGHT NEWS - George E. Dixon · presentation. The program w a s i n t e r e s t i n...

Documents

Transcript of THE DIXON BLUE LIGHT NEWS - George E. Dixon · presentation. The program w a s i n t e r e s t i n...