COMMANDER’S CORNER
The thoughts of your commander, Farrell D. Cooley
Confederate Memorial
Day
By
Farrell D. Cooley
Introduction:
Gordon Bricken, Commander of the Captain James Iredell Waddell Camp
1770, Sons of Confederate Veterans,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
As we gather here today to remember our
ancestors, as well as the dedication and sacrifice of the Confederate Soldier,
I want to make a plea to all of you:
A plea that asks not only for your dedication
to honor our Confederate Dead, but a
A plea that asks for your support in defending
our heritage
A plea that asks for your undying loyalty to
our organization, the Sons, to which we belong and so cherish
A Plea
that asks for integrity, strength and determination to stand strong against our
enemies who would like to destroy our flags, our symbols and our heritage
We need you and you need us, together we find
strength and through perseverance, we will overcome the obstacles faced before
us. As was quoted by General Steven D.
Lee (1906), “It is our duty to see that the True History of the South is
presented to future generations.”
In the politically correct world we live in,
some things just do not seem fair and at times out and out discriminatory
against people like us who are trying to defend our heritage. In most of these cases, that average citizen
does not have a clue about the True History of the South. In fact, they usually do not have a clear
understanding of the world as it was in 1860, including the views of the
President of the
According to Dr. Boyd Cathey
(2005), who wrote an article in Southern Mercury Magazine, “Liberal historians
would have us believe that Southern history and the Southern way of life are
all wrapped up in the issue of race.
Slavery for them explains literally everything about the South and its
history” (p.
11). He goes on to say, that many of
our own people are apathetic and even hostile towards our Southern principles
and symbols. We have witnessed a
subversion of one if not two generations, via the internet, media and
educational systems that have tried to destroy our values and exiles our heritage, through a political system that is
intolerant of our beliefs.
The problems we face today in defense of our
heritage and symbols are largely culturally related, and center around the fact
that we are being singled out as the whipping boys of the nation. According to Frank Conner (2004) who also
writes for the Southern Mercury, “An
ideological war is being waged systematically against the traditional Christian
white South, to discredit everything we revere and to destroy us as a people”
(p. 5). It is Conner’s (2004) belief
that the American public is embracing socialism, and the average Southerner
does not or will not cooperate, therefore we are the enemies and must be
slandered and degraded by the media.
The liberals dominate that media, and the
entertainment industries, as well as the history profession. Let’s face it, the
opinion-shapers in
The Sons of Confederate Veterans is coming of
age, and we are beginning to be recognized as a full fledge heritage
organization. We are in a war to save our own history from being destroyed. We
need all of our brothers and sisters, and we must face the press with absolute
conviction in our beliefs to defend the good name of the Confederate Soldier,
and to defend the good name of your ancestors. “There lurks a viper’s nest of
increasing internationalist anti-Christian oligarchs, intent on securing wealth
and power for themselves” (Masters, 2003, p. 7).
As Michael Masters (2003) states in his
article, the media’s assault upon our heritage is nothing more than a
hypocritical campaign to glorify themselves as righteous and moral, all the
while convincing those who are in doubt about supporting their heritage, to
join forces with them and effectively creating an ethnic cleansing
process. For those of us who really
understand their motives it bears testimony to the fact that they support some
of the most unmoral issues (as most liberals do) and supported by corporate
I especially like the comments by Masters
(2003) when he says that in General Stephen D. Lee’s (1906) charge, “To you,
Sons of Confederate Veterans, we submit the vindication of the cause for which
we fought…” “The operant word is
vindication. Not a calling to pour over history books, or to polish headstones
though these activities are fine things to do, neither is sufficient in and of
itself to counter the excess of our adversaries. Rather, we must meet the
calling of
Ann Coulter (2004), a well-known author of
several books, makes some interesting points in regards to the liberal media,
liberal politicians and their accusations.
She says, “It is outrageous for the Northern liberals and race
demagogues to turn the Confederate Battleflag into a
badge of shame, in the process spitting on
We should be proud of our ancestors and their
mark in history; it is your duty and our obligation to defend our
heritage. Coulter (2004) pointed out
that many of our military bases in the
The South has a proud military heritage, with
Southerners over representing the
Lt.
General Chesty Puller, General Tommy Franks, and Audie
Murphy, just to name a few. She goes on
to say, that there is a remarkable loyalty towards home that is shown in this
Southern culture and points out that many Southern men who’ve fought in foreign
wars have also had a battleflag with them either
under their uniforms or in their packs. That love of home translates into a
virtual patriotism, not seen from other soldiers. And with that in mind, at
Ladies
and Gentlemen:
We must remember from where our homes used to
be, our history and the noble sacrifice our ancestors made in the War Between
the States. We must not let the liberal media have their way and manipulate the
true history of the South. It is up to us, individually to educate, to protest,
and join in celebration of our past. We must stand proud of our heritage and
not let anyone take that away from us.
It is
our right!
It is
our Duty!
And if
we don’t get involved, then over time we’ll loose the honor of our ancestors
and history will be forever changed!!!
[*In
closing, I will read a poem published in the 2004 fall issue of Confederate
Veteran Magazine (p. 53). References, p. 8.*]
“A CONFEDERATE SOLDIER’S
by Rosemary Duvall
Even Today, they continue their warfare
with lies, contention and strife:
I
wasn’t fighting to enslave any people
it was for preservation of my home and my life!
I can’t
believe what my tearful eyes are seeing
my ears hear propaganda from the opposing side’s mouth;
Oh, to
be there to tell the true story
of the war between the North and the South!
Your
children are hearing history taught by politicians
that never ever happened at all:
they aren’t told of the fine Southern soldiers
who bravely fought and answered the call!
It
hurts to listen to their brainwashing tactics
as they continue to defame our dear flag,
but what I find to be the most heartbreaking
is that our descendants no longer brag!
My
blood that spilled in battle so freely
is still running there today in your veins;
make me proud that you are of my lineage
for me, take hold of the reins!
Be
brave when you proclaim your heritage;
fly our flag in the face of intimidation and fear,
for although in body I am no longer with you,
my Confederate spirit will forever be near!
References
Cathey, B. D.
(2005). Principles and Priorities: The Sons of Confederate Veterans and the
Conner,
F. (2004). The
Enemy’s Strategy. Southern Mercury, 2(1), 5-7, 32-33.
Coulter,
A. (2004). From How To Talk To A Liberal, The Battleflag. Confederate Veteran,
62(6),
18-21, 57.
Duvall, R. (2004). A Confederate Soldiers Cry. Confederate Veteran. 62(6), 53.
Lee, S. D. (1906). The Charge. Founding Charter Speech. United Confederate
Veterans
Masters, M. (2003). Under Siege, Media Attacks on the Sons
of Confederate Veterans. Southern
Mercury, 1(2), 7-9.
****
Report to the Membership
By Farrell D. Cooley
Commander, General John Bell Hood Camp 1208
Sons of Confederate Veterans
Dear Compatriots:
I hope all of you had a fantastic Holiday Season, and I
sending my best wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year. During 2004, the
John Bell Hood Camp has kept up our traditions of leading by example. We’ve
made donations, recruited new members, written a number of letters in defense
of our heritage, and continued the good fight, with regular meetings, and guest
speakers. It has always been my desire that more of our men will seek us out
and become active, and I know we have many intelligent men in our camp that
could provide good leadership skill and set the example. Please participate and
take part in our camp, THE SOUTH NEEDS
In case you’re not aware, we have a lawyer in
Southern
Attn: Kirk Lyons, Esq.
REMEMBER TO REGISTER FOR THE
WHY NOT VACATION IN
THE SOUTHERN LUNCHEON:
The General John Bell Hood Camp 1208 of
DEADLINE FOR RESERVATION IS JAN. 12TH, 2005
Mail check for $25 per person, payable to the following:
Belle Boyd Chapter
c/o Betty Ollar-Mozisek
4332 San Pablo Circle
Yorba Linda, CA 92886-2350
714-993-7779
SATURDAY, JAN. 15TH, 2005,
FOUR POINTS SHERATON HOTEL
700 W. Huntington Dr.
Monrovia, CA
(exit 210 at W. Huntington Dr. just West of 605, Hotel visible from freeway)
GUEST SPEAKER: Susan Ogle, (our friend) Director of the Drum Barracks
Museum
or
Vegetable Lasagna with more goodies
(be sure and specify what you desire with your check)
OTHER ISSUES:
As
you may be aware, Miss Jacqueline was not allowed to attend her prom because of
her dress. (Her dress as a Battleflag, with the
crosses from each shoulder) Miss Jacqueline has retained a law firm to fight
for her first amendments rights and Southern heritage. A legal fund has been
established to assist in the cost of her legal battle. Please send donations
for the Jacqueline Duty legal fund to:
Kentucky Division,
Adjutant Bazz Childress, Attn. Prom Dress Legal Case
NEWSLETTERS:
I just want to go on record as saying THANK YOU AGAIN for another great year to
our Adjutant and Signal’s Officer, Vern Padgett, Ph.D. His dedication and
support to me is beyond the call of duty and he needs to be recognized;-)
THANK YOU VERN!!!
HERITAGE
DEFENSE: Please consider a donation the
JB Hood Heritage Defense Fund. All you need to do is send a check to our
Adjutant, earmarked for our defense fund. This money is earmarked for our most
important heritage issues and will be distributed upon request by the
membership or the suggestion of your commander.
THE
LOCAL NEWSPAPER: FYI—I was invited to be interviewed by the Orange County
Register Newspaper as part of the Blue Gray Project. Ref:
Below
will be a copy of my story that I submitted:
Hoggatt Clopton
shows up on an original United Confederate Veterans list for the Hi-Bledso UCV Camp #1201. The Hi-Bledso
Camp met in downtown
In all of our grave
research we CANNOT find Clopton’s grave. One list
from somewhere says he was buried in
Mr. Hoggatt Clopton is listed as a
Colonel of the Confederate Army after joining in
Colonel Clopton was educated at
What really sparked a
renewed interest in Mr. Hoggatt Clopton
for me was another reference I found to him in an unknowingly book on Patrick
Cleburne, by Howell and Elizabeth Purdue, A Definitive Biography, page 46.
There it mentions just what kind of man Mr. Clopton
was, as challenged to a duel and he won the duel, though not killing the man.
An onlooker encouraged him to finish off his opponent, but he refused saying,
“I won’t hurt him anymore than I have to.”
This man named James T. Crary went on to
become good friends with Hoggatt Clopton.
All of these men and their relatives went on to fight for the Confederate
forces in the WBTS, specifically for
So we know Hoggatt Clopton moved to
In closing, I’m saddened to report that some of our most
valuable members have failed to renew their dues, and I don’t know what to say.
This organization belongs to you. We work to defend the honor of our Ancestor’s
good name and keep their True History Alive. I don’t understand why men who
once had an interest in preserving our Heritage would suddenly drop off the face
of the planet, without any simple notification and respect for our friendship.
If you’re one of those of men who are now reading this newsletter, then By-God,
get back on board and do what we are supposed to do. I need you; the
organization needs you and let’s keeps up the SKEER!!!
Love
Always,
Yer Rebel,
Commander, Farrell D. Cooley
A SPEECH
DELIVERED ON CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL
“OUR
CONFEDERATE VETERANS”
Ladies and
Gentlemen:
We are gathered here today to
honor our CONFEDERATE DEAD, our ANCESTORS. The story of the Confederate Soldier
is one of extreme sacrifice and dedication. These are “OUR PEOPLE” and we are
proud of them. As well, we are proud of the UDC and
The South utilized over 600,000
men for the defense of the Southland. The North utilized almost 3 million. We
lost over 94,000 men in battle and over 26,000 men in Yankee prisons. The
sacrifice is just incredible--almost beyond belief. And these are “OUR PEOPLE”!
It is our duty to remember them and honor them and we can never let them be
forgotten.
The Southern Soldier (Confederate
Veteran) was usually a Christian man in most instances. He feared God and believed in the Bible. And
when he faced death, he found strength in his beliefs that would he would have
eternal life. His purpose was divine and without question his missions were
noble.
YET…
His faithfulness and dedication
was tested by the extreme hardships they encountered on a daily basis. Many men
nearly starved to death, and some resorted to eating Horse, Rodent, Weeds and
Grasses. Many men did not have shoes and marched barefooted leaving bloody
footprints in the snow. Some men resorted to skinning dead mules to make covers
for their feet. This kind of sacrifice is unimaginable by today’s standards.
And once again…these are “OUR PEOPLE”!
“OUR ANCESTORS” and we are
gathered her today to remember and honor them.
Traitors and rebels they were not.
They were truehearted patriots, worthy to rank with the noblest souls that ever
battled for freedom. They fought to maintain the fundamental principle of all
free government-----that the right to govern should be by the consent of the
people.
The defenders of the South were as
“true as tempered steel”. Self-sacrifice and self-denial along with devotion to
country and loyalty to duty, and their courage in the defense of their
homeland, make them HEROS. Our Ancestors, and Our
Confederate Veterans are all HEROS.
NOTE: Farrell’s address from 2003 follows:
By Farrell Cooley, Commander General John Bell Hood 1208
UDC-
Ladies and Gentlemen, when I think of our Confederate Veterans, I think of
the dedication and sacrifice of those men in an effort to defend the South’s
I think of the Courage and Honor of those men to fight so
hard with so little over 4 long hard years. I’m reminded that the Southern
people were doing what they felt was absolutely within their rights to defend
their homeland, just as the Colonists did against the British, 100 years
earlier.
When I think of our Confederate Veterans I think of
Pickett’s Charge, into the face of fire and death. I think of the sunken road
at
And, we cannot forget our guerrilla fighters in
I cannot help but think of the Confederate Prisoners in
Union Prisons. You know they prayed to be exchanged, and or for the South to
Win the War. Suffering in prison and refusing to sign an Oath of Allegiance,
certainly tells a story of their dedication to the South. Those my friends are
true confederate veterans.
Also I can’t help but think of the unknown confederate dead.
There are so many unknown headstones throughout the south. Places like
After the Battle of Shiloh, the dead were buried in trenches
like chord wood, with 600 to 800 men in each trench. Sometime later, the Union
soldiers were reentered near Pittsburgh Landing in what is now a well-kept
Behind me in this plot we have 38 Confederate Veterans, and
another 22 UDC wives and children. Within this cemetery are 13 more Confederate
Veterans. One man I’d like to mention is Capt. Erskine
Ross who served with
Right down the road at
In
Now, we are gathered here today to remember our own Ancestors
too, those who served suffered and died during this terrible time in American
History. This service is about you as much as it is our confederate veterans.
All across the South there are
In closing I’d like to read to you something that I know
most of you are familiar with. I think it says best what we need to be reminded
of. It is the charge of General Stephen D. Lee to the Sons in 1896.
TO YOU,
REMEMBER, IT IS YOUR DUTY TO
Dear Friends and Compatriots:
It is my pleasure to report to you that the Vista Reenactment was very special
and enjoyable to experience. This was my first year to attend this event and
I'm glad I made the effort to set up my table and antiques for the public to
see.
I talked to so many good people that it makes my heart warm just thinking about
all the interesting people who stop by and chit chat about their heritage or
history. I get thousands of positive comments about my antiques and my books.
Of course, few are actually interested in joining the
Some of these kids that stop by are doing class reports for extra credit. I
talked with an 11 year old who wanted to set me straight on our Confederate
History and it was a challenge to change his mind and see things differently
than what he has been taught in school. In the end, I think I won his approval
and sent him away with several flyers explaining parts of history that will
help him understand the big picture.
It was a pleasure to see so many friends that support the
I talked with
Let's keep up the good work, and I hope all of you will attend the
God Bless the South!
Always Yer Rebel,
Farrell Cooley
Lt. Cmdr.
January 11,
2004
Dear Friends and
Compatriots:
It is with great pleasure that I
report our Holiday Meeting at Tam O’Shanter Restaurant a huge success. I want
to thank the following people for attending and contributing to the success of
the meeting. If I miss someone, it is not intentional as we had 40 people in
attendance and I’m grateful to everyone for taking the time out of your Sunday
afternoon to spend with us. We awarded Judy Estes a ladies appreciation medal, sang
songs and listened to Lee Bishop give us an interesting presentation on UDC
medals.
Not in any particular
order I want to say THANK YOU to:
· Judy
Estes
· Lee
Bishop
·
· Donna
Mann Powell, President UDC Belle Boyd Chapter
· Cheryl
McMillan, President UDC Sally Tompkins Chapter
· Diane
Allen, President UDC M. Boykin Chestnut Chapter
· Linda
Day, President UDC Emma Sansom Chapter
· Chuck
Norred,
· Tim
Desmond,
· Ro
King and his wife Marilyn,
· Barbara
Bannister,
· John
Hasha and his wife Edith,
· Ernie
Powell and his wife Katherine, San Diego
· Steve
Smith and his girl Deanne Shearn, San Diego
· Wayne
Bibee,
· Johnny
Holland,
· Steve
White and his wife,
· Richard
Matthews,
If I forgot your name, please excuse me. I
know we had some people who drove considerable distance to attend and I hope it
was rewarding for you as it was for me. For those who couldn’t attend, you
missed a good one as we raffled off free holiday gifts, and everyone walked
away with something including a yellow rose for each lady.
Our next event is this coming
Saturday, Jan. 17th in
We are always open for suggestions
on how to manage the camp better, and I’m always looking for managerial
material in our men who can lead us whenever necessary.
The South needs all her
Always Yer Rebel,
Farrell D. Cooley
Commander