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Volume 3, Issue 3<br />

March 2008<br />

The Bayonet<br />

<strong>Sons</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Confederate</strong> <strong>Veterans</strong><br />

<strong>Col</strong>. <strong>Isaac</strong> <strong>Williams</strong> Smith Camp #458<br />

Portland, Oregon<br />

Quote for the Month<br />

Not for fame or reward,<br />

Not for place or for rank,<br />

Not lured by ambition,<br />

Or goaded by necessity,<br />

But simple<br />

Obedience to Duty<br />

As they understood it,<br />

These men suffered all,<br />

Sacrificed all,<br />

Dared all -- and died.<br />

Inscription on <strong>Confederate</strong><br />

Memorial at Arlington<br />

National Cemetery<br />

Inside this issue:<br />

Commander Message 2<br />

Jeff Davis Park 3<br />

<strong>Confederate</strong> Hero 4<br />

Southern Cookin’ 5<br />

Northwest Veteran 6<br />

<strong>Confederate</strong> History 7<br />

Notices 8<br />

Camp Plants Trees At Jefferson Davis Park<br />

Members <strong>of</strong> Camp #458 met up at<br />

the new Jefferson Davis Park last<br />

Sunday afternoon to plant 32 small<br />

Douglas Firs along the back fenceline.<br />

The trees were barely a footand-a-half<br />

tall, but at only one dollar<br />

a piece for thirty trees and two trees<br />

for free, it was too good <strong>of</strong> a deal to<br />

pass up!<br />

Present for the tree planting were<br />

Norm, Erik, and Karl Ernst, Brent<br />

and Bryan Jacobs, and Bryan’s<br />

friend Shawn Waller who is currently<br />

researching his genealogy trying<br />

to find a <strong>Confederate</strong> ancestor.<br />

The trees are needed to provide a<br />

natural barrier between the park and<br />

the unsightly field behind the park,<br />

as well as the houses in the distance.<br />

The neighbors are very happy about<br />

the trees as well, since a few <strong>of</strong> them<br />

were a bit upset that we took out the Lt. Commander Ernst plants a little Doug Fir.<br />

ugly array <strong>of</strong> trees that used to be at<br />

the front edge <strong>of</strong> the park. The neighbors really just want to feel like they actually<br />

live in the country and liked having Interstate-5 obscured by the trees. Now this<br />

will happen, but unfortunately it will take<br />

4 or 5 years for the trees to be big enough!<br />

In the near future plans are to also put a<br />

magnolia or similar tree on the south-side<br />

<strong>of</strong> the park with a picnic table or two. As<br />

for the rest <strong>of</strong> the park, the memorial<br />

bricks should finally be here this week<br />

and the flagpoles were put in on Monday,<br />

March 24th! The main entrance sign for<br />

the park is being made right now, and all<br />

<strong>of</strong> the main items will be finished! All<br />

just in time for the grand opening! Whew.<br />

Bryan, Shawn, Norm and Erik hard at work.


Volume 3, Issue 3<br />

Commander’s Message<br />

Compatriots:<br />

Another month has flown by. I just don’t know where the time goes. April is<br />

upon us and it’s the busiest month for the entire Camp. Our meeting will be as<br />

usual in “The Wings <strong>of</strong> Freedom Hall “ at 11:00 AM on Saturday April 5th. This<br />

is a very important meeting, so don’t miss it.<br />

On the 18th,19th and 20th,we will have the recruiting booth for our Camp.<br />

Please let Norm know when you can help out . Doesn’t matter if it’s four hours or<br />

a whole day. Help is needed.<br />

April 26th is our Convention and Ball, the evening <strong>of</strong> the 25th we’ll be decorating<br />

our area. Come on over it’s fun and help will be needed. We still need items<br />

for our auction. Large or small. We need many items. Help out here if you can.<br />

Also, If you are attending and haven’t paid your fees, please try and do so now,<br />

just so we can be assured <strong>of</strong> paying all our bills before the event. It would be nice<br />

to have a cushion.<br />

On Sunday morning, April 27th, the dedication <strong>of</strong> the Jefferson Davis Memorial<br />

Park will take place. Please plan to attend. Great things have happened on that<br />

little plot <strong>of</strong> ground. Brent can give you the latest.<br />

We thank the Ernst Family for their recent donations and for going out on last<br />

Saturday and hauling plants for the park.<br />

And don’t f<strong>org</strong>et Oregon City, for those who can attend and help out at the<br />

Camp table.<br />

Looking forward to the meeting. Take Care and bring a guest,<br />

Glen Edens - Camp Commander<br />

Camp Announcements<br />

Next Camp Meeting:<br />

When: Saturday, April 5th<br />

Time: 11:00am<br />

Where: Wings <strong>of</strong> Freedom Hall at “The Bomber”<br />

The third Pacific-Northwest SCV Convention and Ball is right around the<br />

corner. The event will start at 10:00AM on Saturday, April 26, 2008. The<br />

Ball will be held that evening at 7:00PM. We have a great line-up <strong>of</strong> special<br />

guests: UDC President-General Janice Langston from Texas, Army <strong>of</strong> Trans-<br />

Mississippi Commander and our next Commander-in-Chief Chuck Norred,<br />

Army <strong>of</strong> Trans-Mississippi Newsletter Editor and our next ATM Commander<br />

Gary Ayres, Ed Funchess from Mississippi will speak on Beauvoir, and we are<br />

honored to have Ms. Karen Meador <strong>of</strong> the Pacific-Northwest Historian’s<br />

Guild.<br />

Bill and Carla <strong>Col</strong>eman <strong>of</strong> <strong>Col</strong>d Comfort Productions will present a nationally<br />

acclaimed program entitled The Haunting War, based on period letters<br />

and diaries, and the awesome bluegrass band Knock ‘Em Stiff will be playing<br />

period music for the Ball.<br />

Please register for the Convention and Ball now! Registration is $40.00 per<br />

person, which includes the full day’s activities and a luncheon. Ball tickets<br />

are $15.00 per person or $25.00 per couple. The following day, please remember<br />

to join us at the new Jefferson Davis Park for the dedication ceremonies<br />

and <strong>of</strong>ficial opening <strong>of</strong> the park.<br />

Please send Convention and Ball registrations to: NW SCV Convention<br />

11918 SE Division St. #193, Portland, OR 97266. Contact: Brent Jacobs at<br />

brent.a.jacobs@gmail.com or 971-340-9127.<br />

The Bayonet<br />

Camp Officers<br />

Commander Glen L. Edens<br />

grayghst145@yahoo.com<br />

Lt. Commander Norm Ernst<br />

schnitzellover@yahoo.com<br />

Adjutant Bryan Jacobs<br />

jubileetwist@gmail.com<br />

Treasurer Gary D. Johnson<br />

wrbranhamv@aol.com<br />

Chaplain Swede Workentine<br />

sworkentine@yahoo.com<br />

Secretary Karl Ernst<br />

impala_ss_lover@yahoo.com<br />

Historian & Newsletter<br />

Editor Brent A. Jacobs<br />

brent.a.jacobs@gmail.com<br />

Aide-de-Camp Thom Faller<br />

doc.faller@yahoo.com<br />

The Bayonet is a monthly<br />

publication <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Col</strong>. <strong>Isaac</strong><br />

W. Smith Camp #458, <strong>Sons</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>Confederate</strong> <strong>Veterans</strong>.<br />

Non-members may subscribe<br />

to The Bayonet for<br />

$10.00 per annum by<br />

contacting the Camp<br />

Adjutant at:<br />

scvportland@gmail.com<br />

Submissions to The Bayonet<br />

are needed and encouraged,<br />

and should be Camp<br />

and/or <strong>Confederate</strong> related.<br />

On odd months please send<br />

all stories, biographies,<br />

articles, etc, to<br />

brent.a.jacobs@gmail.com


Page 3<br />

Northwest News: Jefferson Davis Park Update<br />

The Bayonet<br />

View from across Interstate-5.<br />

The new flagpoles and base for the large granite historical plaque.<br />

The flagpoles are in! This amazing project is really coming together and the end is in sight! Now we just<br />

need to run up the flags! Marjorie-Ann Reeves is currently working hard on the park dedication agenda and<br />

program. There will be several special guests and groups represented at the ceremonies, including the UDC<br />

President-General Janice Langford and our own ATM Commander Chuck Norred, but interestingly one <strong>of</strong> the<br />

groups that will not be there are the Washington <strong>Confederate</strong> reenactors. They are scared <strong>of</strong> the possibility<br />

that members <strong>of</strong> the NAACP might protest our event. With “friends” like these, who needs enemies!<br />

Reflections: One on One With A Local <strong>Confederate</strong> Hero<br />

Sgt. Major David Emmons Johnston<br />

by Brent A. Jacobs<br />

The other day I was driving from Johnson Creek up to Gateway<br />

for an appointment, and I had some time to kill. I took the scenic<br />

route and found myself sauntering up Mt. Scott Blvd, so decided to<br />

roam around Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery. It was raining<br />

pretty steadily, but I remembered that there was at least one <strong>Confederate</strong><br />

veteran buried there and resolved myself to find him. I<br />

drove around for just a few minutes, and though it had been a couple<br />

<strong>of</strong> years since I had been there I found the Johnston family plot<br />

very easily. As soon as came to a stop the rain stopped. So I decided<br />

to get out <strong>of</strong> the car and pay my respects. I took a couple <strong>of</strong><br />

photos <strong>of</strong> the family marker and the personal gravestone and then<br />

paused for a minute to reflect…and right then the sun broke out. Wow, what timing. Laying at rest just a<br />

mere few feet from me were the remains <strong>of</strong> a true <strong>Confederate</strong> hero. David Emmons Johnston joined the army<br />

at the age <strong>of</strong> 15 in Virginia. At 17 he was elected Sgt. Major <strong>of</strong> his regiment and held that rank throughout the<br />

rest <strong>of</strong> the war. After the war he graduated from law school, had a<br />

law practice, became a State Representative, and was a US Representative<br />

from West Virginia. He later moved his practice to Portland<br />

and penned his memoirs here. I stood there for a minute in total awe<br />

<strong>of</strong> being in the presence <strong>of</strong> such a great man. Then I got back in the<br />

car, the sun went away, and I continued on my way. We should all<br />

remember to take the time to stop by and pay our respects to the <strong>Confederate</strong><br />

veterans scattered amongst us, and we should all hope to<br />

have that sense <strong>of</strong> pride and humility. It really felt good and fired me<br />

up to do even more to recognize these men and to honor their cause.<br />

Johnston Family Marker


Page 4<br />

A “Traitor” Finds a Measure <strong>of</strong> Dignity 147 years later…<br />

The Bayonet<br />

by Tom Dalton - The Salem News<br />

SALEM — The visitors from Virginia climbed the stairs <strong>of</strong> the Hawthorne Hotel and entered a<br />

sanctuary few have seen — the Salem Marine Society. Formed in 1766 by Salem sea captains,<br />

the world's third-oldest marine society still meets inside a replica ship's cabin on the hotel ro<strong>of</strong>.<br />

The visitors undoubtedly cast their eyes on the teak floor, the faux mast encircled by a rack <strong>of</strong><br />

wine glasses, portraits <strong>of</strong> old sea captains and, on the far wall, a painting <strong>of</strong> navigator Nathaniel<br />

Bowditch, a Salem legend. But its' not likely any <strong>of</strong> that caught their eye. What they saw, and<br />

may never f<strong>org</strong>et, was the portrait <strong>of</strong> Virginia native Matthew Fontaine Maury.<br />

It must have been, for them, a horrifying spectacle. Maury's picture was on the wall, but facing<br />

backward and hanging upside down. Next to it was a plaque with the word "traitor."<br />

"I felt sorry for him," said Rebecca Starling, who <strong>org</strong>anized the trip for members <strong>of</strong> the Mary<br />

Washington Branch <strong>of</strong> the Association for the Preservation <strong>of</strong> Virginia Antiquities, which is<br />

based in Maury's hometown <strong>of</strong> Fredericksburg, Va. "I felt sorry that after so long he couldn't<br />

have a little bit <strong>of</strong> respect." That moment in the fall <strong>of</strong> 2006 was something <strong>of</strong> an epiphany for<br />

the visitors from Virginia. It triggered a Maury research project by their <strong>org</strong>anization and a<br />

campaign to restore the "pathfinder <strong>of</strong> the seas" to some degree <strong>of</strong> dignity in Salem, a city<br />

where he was once revered and later stricken from the records.<br />

Although Maury is an obscure, neglected historical figure, even in his native South, make no<br />

Matthew Fontaine Maury<br />

mistake — he was once a hero <strong>of</strong> the first rank. There is a monument to him in Richmond, Va.,<br />

a large edifice in a row <strong>of</strong> monuments to the <strong>Confederate</strong> pantheon — Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson and Jeb<br />

Stuart. There were a school, street, stadium and Civil War Roundtable named for Maury in Fredericksburg. There is even a Maury<br />

Hall at the U.S. Naval Academy. Fittingly, he is buried between two presidents — James Monroe and James Tyler.<br />

"Arguably, he was one <strong>of</strong> the best-known Americans in the world," said G. Scott Walker, the research historian on the Maury<br />

project for the Virginia historical group. As far as anyone knows, Maury never visited Salem, but he was as important in this seafaring<br />

city as any ship's captain or owner, maybe even as important as Bowditch. Maury, a mathematical genius, was the first superintendent<br />

<strong>of</strong> the U.S. Navy Department <strong>of</strong> Charts, which became the U.S. Naval Observatory. In that role, he studied the dusty<br />

captains' logs that piled up over decades and were largely ignored. From that information, he published his own seminal works on<br />

navigation and sailing directions, along with charts on wind and ocean currents. His "Treatise on Navigation" replaced Bowditch's<br />

book as the U.S. Navy's bible. His work was shared with marine societies around the world. His findings revolutionized ocean<br />

travel, <strong>of</strong>ficials said, saving valuable days — and dollars — for merchant ships, along with countless lives. So revered was Maury<br />

that in 1859, the Salem Marine Society voted him its first honorary membership, an honor also bestowed just days earlier by the<br />

East India Marine Society, the forerunner <strong>of</strong> the Peabody Essex Museum.<br />

At the start <strong>of</strong> the Civil War, however, Maury fell from grace in the North. When Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861, its<br />

native son resigned his naval commission and joined the Confederacy. He was put in charge <strong>of</strong> harbor and river defenses, engineered<br />

the mining <strong>of</strong> Southern waterways, and designed small armed vessels known as "Maury boats." Later he was sent to England,<br />

where he acquired vessels that preyed on Union ships — including Salem vessels. "As much as Maury helped us make an<br />

awful lot <strong>of</strong> money, the <strong>Confederate</strong> raiders had a huge (role) in destroying us," said Allan Vaughan, clerk <strong>of</strong> the Salem Marine<br />

Society. On May 30, 1861, the Marine Society proclaimed Maury a traitor who had "deserted his post" and ordered that his picture<br />

"be reversed & that it be hung in our room head down." The East India Marine Society also revoked his membership and banished<br />

his portrait to "some obscure corner <strong>of</strong> the building," according to its records. Maury continued in that unflattering pose until the<br />

bicentennial <strong>of</strong> the Salem Marine Society in 1966. Noting that the Civil War had been over for a century, a member boldly called<br />

for Maury to be pardoned and his picture turned around. The member was shouted down. "The room instantaneously erupted into<br />

an uproar," according to a history <strong>of</strong> the Salem Marine Society. "Volatile expressions <strong>of</strong> indignant outrage. Sardonic laughter. Vitriolic<br />

explosions <strong>of</strong> wrath. Boos. Hisses. Bronx cheers. No! No! No! Never!"<br />

The controversy was laid to rest until now — until visitors from Virginia, staying at the Hawthorne Hotel, ventured to the ro<strong>of</strong><br />

and found their hero upside down. After months <strong>of</strong> research and correspondence with the Salem Marine Society, the Mary Washington<br />

Branch <strong>of</strong> the APVA <strong>of</strong>fered a compromise. Keep Maury as he is, but hang a second portrait and display a small exhibit<br />

detailing his accomplishments in navigation and science. On Jan. 31, the Salem Marine Society approved the proposal, giving<br />

Maury his first measure <strong>of</strong> dignity here in 147 years. But it was done with the clear understanding that the original action would<br />

not be rescinded.<br />

After all these years, there are still strong feelings. There will be no about-face on Mr. Maury. "If it does come up for a vote, I'm<br />

going to blackball him," Vaughan said. Two ceremonial events are scheduled this year to mark the Maury-torium. In two weeks,<br />

Vaughan and another <strong>of</strong>ficial from the Salem Marine Society will attend a reception in Fredericksburg. In October, representatives<br />

from the APVA will come to Salem to present the new Maury portrait and exhibit materials at the annual dinner <strong>of</strong> the Marine Society.<br />

And so, next fall, there will be two portraits <strong>of</strong> Maury at the Salem Marine Society — one hanging right-side-up and facing<br />

forward, and the other upside-down and backward. As much as the Virginia group wants Maury's good name restored, there appear<br />

to be no hard feelings that "the pathfinder <strong>of</strong> the seas" will remain upside down. Neither side, it seems, wants to tamper with history.<br />

"Our letter wasn't: 'Turn that damn thing back around, you Yankees!'" said Scott, the APVA's research historian. "It wasn't<br />

anything like that. It was: 'Keep the original turned around because it's a great story. My God, what a story!'"


Volume 3, Issue 3<br />

Page 5<br />

Southern Cookin’: Hoppin’ John<br />

In different parts <strong>of</strong> the South different beans will predominate the kitchen table. In many parts <strong>of</strong> the South blackeyed<br />

peas are a staple, though in some areas they’re just an annual tradition eaten on New Year’s Day. This same dish is<br />

commonly known as “Skippin’ Jenny” the day after New Years Day.<br />

Hoppin’ John<br />

• 1 pound dried black-eyed peas<br />

• 2 small smoked ham hocks or meaty ham bone<br />

• 2 medium onions, divided<br />

• 3 large cloves garlic, halved<br />

• 1 bay leaf<br />

• 1 cup long-grain white rice<br />

• 1 can (10 to 14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with<br />

chili peppers, juices reserved<br />

• 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped<br />

• 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped<br />

• 3 ribs celery, chopped<br />

• 1 jalapeno or serrano pepper, minced<br />

• 2 teaspoons Cajun or Creole seasoning<br />

• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves<br />

• 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin<br />

• 3/4 teaspoon salt<br />

• 4 Sliced green onions<br />

PREPARATION:<br />

In a large Dutch oven or kettle, combine the black-eyed peas, ham bone or ham hocks, and 6 cups water. Cut 1 <strong>of</strong> the onions in<br />

half and add it to the pot along with the garlic and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer gently<br />

until the beans are tender but not mushy, 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Remove the ham bone or hocks, cut <strong>of</strong>f the meat; dice and set aside.<br />

Drain the peas and set aside. Remove and discard the bay leaf, onion pieces, and garlic.<br />

Add 2 1/2 cups <strong>of</strong> water to the pot and bring to a boil. Add the rice, cover, and simmer until the rice is almost tender, about 10 to<br />

12 minutes.<br />

Mince the remaining onion then add to the rice along with the peas, tomatoes, and their juices, red and green bell pepper, celery,<br />

jalapeno pepper, Creole seasoning, thyme, cumin, and salt. Cook until the rice is tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the sliced green<br />

onions and the reserved diced ham. Serve with hot sauce and freshly baked cornbread.<br />

Hoppin' John is the Southern United States' version <strong>of</strong> the rice and beans dish traditional throughout the Caribbean. It consists<br />

<strong>of</strong> field peas or Crowder peas (black-eyed peas) and rice, with chopped onion and sliced bacon, seasoned with a bit <strong>of</strong><br />

salt. Some people substitute ham hock or fatback for the conventional bacon; a few use green peppers or vinegar and<br />

spices. Smaller than black-eyed peas, field peas are used in the Low Country <strong>of</strong> South Carolina and Ge<strong>org</strong>ia; black-eyed<br />

peas are the norm elsewhere. Throughout the coastal South, eating Hoppin' John on New Year's Day is thought to bring a<br />

year filled with luck, and it's eaten by everyone. The peas, or beans with little black “eyes,” signify coins. Fill your plate<br />

with them and your proverbial cup will runneth over. <strong>Col</strong>lard greens along with this dish is suppose to also add to the wealth<br />

since they are the color <strong>of</strong> money.<br />

Variations <strong>of</strong> this dish are seen throughout the American South and the Caribbean, and the dish is believed to have been<br />

typical slave food in early colonial times. The origins <strong>of</strong> the name are uncertain, one possibility is that the name is a corruption<br />

<strong>of</strong> the French Creole term for black-eyed peas: pois pigeons. Another explanation has it that a Ge<strong>org</strong>ia land owner's<br />

one-legged slave, John, hopped around the table as he served a meal <strong>of</strong> rice and black-eyed peas. The meal was so well<br />

liked that it was named after him. The OED's first reference to the dish is from Frederick Law Olmsted's 19th Century<br />

travelogue, A Journey in the Seaboard Slave States. "The greatest luxury with which they are acquainted is a stew <strong>of</strong> bacon<br />

and peas, with red pepper, which they call ‘Hopping John’." There is also a recipe for Hopping John in The Carolina Housewife<br />

by Sarah Rutledge, which was published in 1847.


Volume 3, Issue 3<br />

Northwest <strong>Confederate</strong> Veteran Pr<strong>of</strong>ile: William Robert Inge Dalton<br />

Born in Livingston, Alabama, December 6, 1841, William<br />

Robert Inge Dalton grew up in Mississippi. His family were<br />

friends with both the Davis and Lincoln families. In 1859 young<br />

Dalton received an appointment to the US Navy Academy and<br />

trained on the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides). On March 8,<br />

1861, Dalton resigned from the Naval Academy, and enlisted in<br />

the <strong>Confederate</strong> Navy as a Midshipman on June 12.<br />

Midshipman Dalton was assigned to the CSS Florida before<br />

spending most <strong>of</strong> 1862 on the CSS Nashville. He also served on<br />

the CSS Tennessee and was captured on the CSS Atlanta on June<br />

17, 1863, at Port Royal, South Carolina. After he was paroled,<br />

and after the blockades, he joined Lee’s army as a dispatch bearer<br />

taking messages back and forward to the <strong>Confederate</strong> ministers<br />

in London and Paris. He was promoted to Lieutenant June 2,<br />

1864. Towards the end <strong>of</strong> the war Dalton served with the James<br />

River batteries defending Richmond, and ended the war at Appomattox.<br />

Dalton graduated from St. Louis <strong>Col</strong>lege <strong>of</strong> Physicians<br />

and Surgeons in Missouri in 1884. He practiced in New York<br />

City until 1903 and wrote many articles on immunization and the<br />

use <strong>of</strong> vaccine virus, whereupon he moved to Seattle, Washington.<br />

His specialty was actually dermatology.<br />

Dr. Dalton was an active member <strong>of</strong> the John B. Gordon United<br />

<strong>Confederate</strong> <strong>Veterans</strong> Camp #1456 <strong>of</strong> Seattle, and in 1916 the<br />

Camp sent a letter to President Wilson <strong>of</strong>fering their services to<br />

the country during WWI. William Robert Inge Dalton became<br />

the only <strong>of</strong>ficer <strong>of</strong> the War <strong>of</strong> Rebellion who also served in<br />

World War I. After the war Dalton wrote his memoirs, primarily<br />

concerning his time in the <strong>Confederate</strong> Navy. They are now only<br />

available in archives. He died in Seattle on May 25, 1931.<br />

Featured Flags: CSS Navy Ensigns That Survived The War<br />

The Bayonet<br />

William R. I. Dalton in the <strong>Confederate</strong> Navy<br />

uniform <strong>of</strong> a Passed Midshipman.<br />

The CSS Alabama is one <strong>of</strong> the most famous ships in naval history. She<br />

sank 62 Yankee vessels in her short but very successful career! The ensign<br />

pictured below left is housed at the Maritime Museum <strong>of</strong> South Africa.<br />

The flag and a revolver were given<br />

to a local resident when the Alabama<br />

visited the western cape <strong>of</strong> South<br />

Africa in 1863. Both artifacts are<br />

currently on loan to the State <strong>of</strong> Alabama<br />

Archives. The flag pictured at<br />

the top right is another “Stainless<br />

Banner” pattern ensign, this one<br />

belonging to the CSS Atlanta, one<br />

<strong>of</strong> the most well known ironclads<br />

<strong>of</strong> the War. It measures 16-feet by 24-feet. The flag in the middle belonged<br />

to the CSS Tennessee, and under this ensign defiantly faced an<br />

entire US Navy fleet practically alone at the Battle <strong>of</strong> Mobile Bay. Both<br />

the Atlanta and the Tennessee were captured and used by the US Navy.


Page 7<br />

<strong>Confederate</strong> History: <strong>Confederate</strong> Privateer Jefferson Davis<br />

The Bayonet<br />

When the townspeople <strong>of</strong> St. Augustine awoke on August 17,<br />

1861, they saw "a black painted brig with dark canvas sails beating<br />

towards the harbor entrance". The ship was the Jefferson<br />

Davis, a <strong>Confederate</strong> privateer seeking food and water stores.<br />

This 187-ton brig was built in Baltimore in 1845 as a merchant<br />

vessel and was being illicitly operated as a slaver when she was<br />

captured <strong>of</strong>f Cuba in 1858 by USS Dolphin. The U.S. Government<br />

sold her to a Charleston shipping merchant in January 1859<br />

but with the outbreak <strong>of</strong> the Civil War she was soon granted a<br />

letter <strong>of</strong> marque by the <strong>Confederate</strong> government, designating her<br />

a privateer in the war on Union commerce. Despite her brief career,<br />

cut short by the shallow bars <strong>of</strong> St. Augustine's inlet, she<br />

Sketch <strong>of</strong> CSS Jeff Davis<br />

remained the most successful privateer <strong>of</strong> the Civil War.<br />

Built in Baltimore as the 187-ton merchant brig Putnam in 1845, she was renamed Echo, and was illegally<br />

used as a slaver. She was captured by USS<br />

Dolphin <strong>of</strong>f <strong>of</strong> Cuba in 1858; her cargo <strong>of</strong><br />

271 enslaved people was returned to Africa.<br />

The U.S. Government sold her to a Charleston<br />

shipping merchant in January 1859. At<br />

the outbreak <strong>of</strong> the War Between the States,<br />

the brig was granted a letter <strong>of</strong> marque<br />

signed by Jefferson Davis himself, designating<br />

her a privateer or privately operated<br />

commerce raider.<br />

Under Captain Coxetter <strong>of</strong> Jacksonville,<br />

Jefferson Davis' first raiding cruise, described<br />

as "the last truly classic cruise in the<br />

history <strong>of</strong> private-armed sea power," succeeded<br />

in capturing nine northern merchant<br />

vessels in just seven weeks <strong>of</strong>f the coast <strong>of</strong><br />

New England, making her the most successful<br />

<strong>Confederate</strong> privateer <strong>of</strong> the war. Needing<br />

water and supplies, she attempted to enter<br />

St. Augustine's inlet on August 17, 1861<br />

where she ran aground and was abandoned.<br />

Though she has never been located, her<br />

compliment <strong>of</strong> iron cannons will register as<br />

a distinctive target during planned magnetometer<br />

surveys <strong>of</strong> the old channel CSS Jefferson Davis, 1861<br />

entrance.<br />

<strong>Confederate</strong> Factoid: Lt. Simeon Cummings<br />

If you’re standing on the front steps <strong>of</strong> Elm Springs and look 90-degrees to the right you will see a very<br />

small cemetery. Immediately noticeable is the white marble <strong>Confederate</strong> headstone and iron Cross <strong>of</strong> Honor<br />

facing the old manor. For 131 years <strong>Confederate</strong> Navy Lieutenant Simeon W. Cummings held the distinction<br />

<strong>of</strong> being the only <strong>Confederate</strong> killed during the war and buried outside <strong>of</strong> the United States. On August 3,<br />

1863, a hunting party consisting <strong>of</strong> three <strong>of</strong>ficers was returning to the CSS Alabama from Saldanha Bay in<br />

South Africa. When re-boarding the Alabama that evening, Lt. Cummings’ loaded rifle caught on something<br />

and discharged, killing him. He was disinterred in 1994 and reburied with full military honors at Elm Springs.


Page 8<br />

The Back Page: Advertisements, notices, classifieds, and...<br />

“Warriors <strong>of</strong> Honor:<br />

The Faith and Legacies <strong>of</strong> Robert E. Lee<br />

and Stonewall Jackson” on DVD.<br />

“Superb”, “eye-opening”, rated 5 out <strong>of</strong> 5<br />

stars on “christianmovies.com”!<br />

If you order this DVD through the Camp,<br />

$10.00 goes to the Camp!<br />

Order your $20 copy today through<br />

Lt. Commander Norm Ernst at:<br />

schnitzellover@yahoo.com<br />

or (503)234-7930<br />

You NEED to see this DVD!<br />

The 100-year history <strong>of</strong> UDC Chapter 885 <strong>of</strong> Seattle,<br />

Washington, written by long-time SCV Camp<br />

458 friend and supporter Marjorie-Ann Reeves. “A<br />

Chapter in Pacific Northwest History” is a must for<br />

any <strong>Confederate</strong> library or student <strong>of</strong> northwest<br />

history. This book is full <strong>of</strong> informational tidbits on<br />

the Washington UCV and SCV Camps, as well.<br />

Order from Bryan at: scvportland@gmail.com<br />

The Bayonet<br />

TRUCK PARTS FOR SALE:<br />

GMC M211 Parts:<br />

-Fiberglass Cab Top $150<br />

-Front Fenders $75 each side<br />

-9.00x20 tires and wheels $20-$50 each<br />

-Intake Manifold $30<br />

Call Erik Ernst (503) 234-7930<br />

Books are $15.95, and $5.00 from the sale <strong>of</strong> each<br />

book goes to our Camp!<br />

Send in your classifieds to Erik Ernst at imbel308win@yahoo.com!<br />

CANOE FOR SALE:<br />

Banned by Wal-Mart and others<br />

because <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Confederate</strong> flag at<br />

his restaurants, and now on the<br />

label <strong>of</strong> every bottle <strong>of</strong> sauce,<br />

Maurice Bessinger’s Barbeque<br />

sauce is a wonderful mustard-based<br />

sauce from South Carolina. This is<br />

the golden "secret recipe" sauce<br />

everyone wants to<br />

copy. Great for pork,<br />

chicken or beef!<br />

——————————<br />

Check out<br />

www.mauricesbbq.com<br />

or call<br />

1-800-MAURICE<br />

to get a free catalog<br />

sent to you today!<br />

<strong>Col</strong>eman, RAM X-15(15 ft.) red with black trim. Have anchor, several<br />

flotation devices, fishing-pole attachment, motor mount,<br />

Minkota 6-volt electric motor, battery, and 2 paddles. This canoe<br />

has been wet only once, by previous owner. We never got it to the<br />

water. Fantastic condition, stored inside. $450.00.<br />

Contact: Glen Edens<br />

Remember to order your memorial<br />

bricks for the Jefferson Davis Park!<br />

You can now order on the website<br />

with a credit card!<br />

www.jeffersondavispark.<strong>org</strong>

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