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PAGE FOUR
History of the Ladies Memorial Assoication
(Inez Wilkins Jones.)
Forgotten! No; We can not all forget,
As when we do, farewell to honor’s face,
io hope s sweet tendance, valor’s unpaid
debt,
And every noblest grace
Which moved .on love might still benignly
shine
Above a Nations’ tomb.”
Immediately after the fall of the Confed
eracy, the women of the South commenced
their memorial work. It is true that those
who have suffered defeat have never been
accorded memorial honors, btu the South has
made no such discrimination. She has woven
wreaths of Immortelles for all who died un
der her banner, and for nearly sixty years
the women of the South have cared for their
dead, built monuments, and with .rare de
votion celebrated each year with solemn
ceremonies *he decoration of the graves of
their hero**.
The th< ught of anr al memorial day was
conceived by Mrs. Charles J. Williams of Co
lumbus, suggested to her by her little daugh
ter. A letter was written asking all South
ern women in the city to a meeting, and
the first memorial association was formed. A
call to the women of the South to observe
such a day appeared in The Columbus Times,
March 12th. 1866. The 26th of April, the
anniversary of General Joseph E. Johnston’s
surrender, was suggested as an appropriate
day, because in the more Southernly states
flowers were in such profusion at that time.
In the early days of its work the organi
gation was imperfect and its membership
small, but the untiring zeal and patient and
persistent efforts of the few prevailed. The
brave and loyal women who had administered
so faithfully and enderly to the needs of
the living, both on the fields of battle and
in hospitals, could not fail in the crucial
hour of death and defeat, nor have the years
withered the ardor of their devotion to the
memories of the Southern cause, or their rev
erence for ‘‘the boys who wore the gray.”
The only object of jthe Association was the
care of the graves, and the one qualification
for membership was loyalty to the Southern
Confederacy. Later came the work of rescu
ing the bodies from battle fields and way
side graves, interring them properly, and
erecting monuments to their valor.
The years have brought many changes.
Time’s remorseless hand has taken many of
the brave, loyal women but their daughters
with equal devotion to the sacred cause have
taken their place. Not the least of the per
manent good accomplished by the Association
is the fostering of the spirit of loyalty to
the traditions of the past, and the trans
mission to their children of their faith in
the South and the purity of its ideals.
No son or daughter of the future must
doubt the nobility of purpose or the purity
of the motives of the gallant men, descend
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ants of the Cavaliers, who went so fearlessly
to their death in defense of justice and right.
‘‘The knightliest of a knightly race” by
their heroic courage and lofty self-sacrifice
commanded the admiration of the world, and
'it is the sacred legacy of the Memorial As
sociation to keep the sod green above their
graves, ‘‘to preserve the sacred dust of war
riors tried and true who bore the flag of
a nation’s trust an fell in a cause, though
lost, still ju it ,an(* died for me and you.”
In September, 1866 Mrs. Virginia Blount
Hodgers issued a call through the local pa
per to the women of Burke County to as
semble at the court house for the purpose of
organizing an association. A number re
sponded. Mrs. M. A. McKenzie was elected
president; Mrs. Ruth Harlow, treasurer, and
Mrs. Rodgers secretary. A vice-president
was taken from- each church in the county.
Immediately the work of gathering the re
mains of our soldiers from scattered graves
was started. From Walker’s Bridge. Old
Church and ‘‘Bellevue,” the Carswell plan
tation, they were removed and reinterred.
On April 26th, 1867, the Ladies’ Memorial
Association, school children and citizens met
around the graves and covered them with
flowers. From that day on no Memorial Bay
has come Without its proper observance. Only
twice in its history has it seemed that the
plans would fail —once, many years ago, when
the chosen orator was ill at the last mo
ment —then the school children. Tinder Prof.
J. H. Roberts, filled the gap. Many will re
member the reading of Rosa Rowland, now
Trs. Dwelle, and it was then for the first
time that ‘‘Scatter Lovely Flowers,” writ
ten bv Mrs. John G. Miller and set to music
by Nina Wilkins, now Mrs. Scudder. o
'thens, and Mamie Gresham, now Mpr. Mil
ledge, was sung. Again, this year, disap
pointment came, and again the school came
to our rescue. That the program was fine,
all will testify.
From the date of die organization inferest
never flagged. Twice some money was - in
hand for the monument, but by unfortunate
means was lost. On April 26th, 1876, Mrs.
Moselle Carswell Wilkins was elected presi
dent and continued in office until called to
her reward in 1898. Under her leadership
the monument was erected and unveiled in
1877. On January 15th, 1899, Mrs. E. F.
Lawson, the remaining officer, called the
Association to a meeting. Mrs. Lawson Was
elected president, Mrs. Inez Wilkins Jones,
first vice-president; Mrs. Walker McCathern
second vice-president; Mrs. F. B. Whitehead,
secretary, and Mrs. Munnerlyn, treasurer. It
was then decided to move the monument from
the old cemetery to the center of the city, at
the intersection of Peace and Liberty Streets.
Money was easily raised for this, and on
April 26th, 1899, the cornerstone was laid by
Hon. W. A. Davis, G. M., F. and l A. M. There
it stands, a monument to the valor of the
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men of the Confederacy and to the devotion
of its women. Upon the retirement from of
fice of Mrs. Lawson, Mrs. Inez Wilkins Jones
was elected president and still holds that
office. In the years since 1860 the Asso
ciation has had only four presidents. Few
of the original members are here, but the
fire of their devotion will light the flame
that will burn until time shall be no more.
The Confederate soldier has taken his
place in the Hall of Fame,
“And their deeds, proud deeds, shall remain
for us,
And their names, dear names, without stain
for us,
And the glories they won shall not t^ane
for us,
Jn legend and lay,
Our heroes in gray
Though dead, shall live over again for us.’
MOSELLE CARSWELL WILKINS.
Born at Brothersville, Ga., July 27th, 1839.
Died .Tune 16th, 1898, at Waynesboro, Ga.
Was the wife of Major Wiliam A. Wilkins.
In September, 1866, Mrs. Virginia Blount
Rodgers issued a call to the women of Burke
County to assemble for the purpotse of or
ganizing a Ladies’ Memorial Association. A
number responded and the third association
in the state was organized. Mrs. M. A. Mc-
Kenzie, president, Miss Ruth Harlow, treas
urer, and Mrs. Virginia Blount Rodgers
secretary. No time was lost in locating the
graves of twelve soldiers who had been buried
by the roadside where they were killed in a
skirmish with Kilpatrick’s Cavalry, between
Walker’s Bridge and OJd Church on the af
♦ernoon of November 24, 1864. These bodies
were moved to the cemetery at Waynesboro.
Several years later Major Wilkins came
from Louisville, Ga., to Waynesboro to live.
After memorial exercises at the soldiers’
section April 26, 1876, an election of officers
was held. Mrs. Wilkins was elected presi
dent; Mrs. E. F. Lawson, secretary and treas
urer. On January the cornerstone
of a Confederate monument was laid and on
the following Memorial Day the monument
was unveiled. The soldiers’ section was in
closed by a brick coping and each grave
marked with a marble headstone, with name
and command as far as obtainable. Seven
were marked unknown. Three other graves
of soldiers in private sections were marked.
The president selected the orator and ar
ranged the program for each Memorial Day
including the Veterans, Daughters of Con
federacy, the school children, local military,
the officials of the city and citizens.
Mrs. Wilkins continued in this labor of
love ably assisted by Mrs. Lawson, Mrs.
Munnerlyn and other faithful women until
she passed from earth to Heaven. Born of
noble lineage, richly endowed by nature in
intellect Mrs. Wilkins became a pioneer in
the work of woman in the church, civic and
patriotic endeavor.
THE TRUE CJTIZEN, SATURDAY, JUNE 7TH, 1H24
OUR DEAD
(Father Ryan)
Do we weep for the heroes that died
for us,
Who, living were true and tried for us ?
The martyr band j
That hallowed our land
With the blood they poured in a tide
for us.
■b« fearless in many days for us,
iiviy stood in the front of the fray
for us;
i 1 Fresh tears should fall,
1 Forever—O'er all
Who fell while wearing the grey for us.
How many a glorious name for us,
ihey left—would it net be a shame
for us
If their memory part
From our la,nd and heart
And a wrong to them and a blame to
us?
Xo, no, no, they were brave for us.
And bright were the lives they gave
for us
bhe land they struggled to save for us,
Cannot forget,
Its warriors yet,
A ho sleep—so many in a grave for us.
Xo, no, no, they were slain for us,
' J id their blood flowed out in a rain
for us;
And years may go,
But our tears will flow,
O’er the dead who died in va,in for us.
And their deeds—proud deeds shall
remain
And their names—dear najnes without
stain for us,
'Aid the glories they won shall not
wane for us,
In legend and lay,
Our heroes in grey,
ugh dead, shall live over again
for us.
The Confederate
Veteran
(Mrs. Luc; Jordan Blount.)
Something over three score years
ago a call came for the defense of our
beautiful Southland. Everyone is
familiar with the causes which brought
forth the summons. Was there any
hesitation to respond? Just turn back
the pages of history, and follow the
four weary years that mortal combat
was carried on “between the states”
and you will have the answer.
The flower of manhood donned the
armor of patriotism and went forth
to war with the star of hope shining
brightly before them. At first the
came days of depression and so on.
The heart of the nation fluctuated
with hope and discouragement, but
forward marched their sons of the
grand old South with never a thought
of their personal deprivation, in
spired with the thought to win.
Hungry and tired, barefooted, with
barely enough clothing to cover their
nakedness, on they trudged hoping
.gainst hope that victory might be
theirs. But fate and an overwhelm
ing army composed of Europe. Asia
and Africa decreed otherwise. How
prospect ahead was propitious; then
ever, the world has never known such
Sju army Humph small c) v-l could
compare with the army of the South
ern Confederacy in sacrifice and
valor. On April 9, 1865, with hearts
sad and torn with disappointment they
turned homeward to take up the brok
en threads of life. And truly it was
only a broken thread, that was all
that was left for with the same sp Tit
that spurred them on to face the ene
my, they faced the condition of the
reconstruction days. They worked,
hey toiled, they built and today the
South is a monument to
r courage. True patriotism was
eirs. They gave their all to their be
1 Southland without any expecta
tion of reward, only the ‘ conscious
ss of having done their duty.
The ranks on the other side of the
river are fast filling up. Very few of
the old soldiers are left. In the days that
■ main to them, may the wings of the
Most High shelter them from all harm
and the peace that passes all under
standing be theirs.
Honor to Whom Hon
-1 or Is Due
Through the courtesy of the Wav
nesboro True Citizen, and their pat
riotic and untiring love for the Con
federacy, has this special memorial
edition been made possible.
Mrs. S. B. Bates, Historian of the
Markafet Jones’ Chapter, U. D. C., her
splendid (committee land the True
Citizen, have been more than busy.
They have tried to interest the people
of Burke with Historic and Memorial
contributions from all parts of the
county, relating once again the truths
of Burke’s History. They have asked
you for help and appreciate all aid
given.
They are offering to you this issue
as a memorial edition to Jefferson
Davis, President of the Confederacy.
May we not accept it with the same
spirit, that of love and appreciation,
ior truly this has been an undertak
ing, yet a labor of love.
MRS. R. M. McMASTER,
Pres. Margaret Jones Chapter, U. D. C.
Defining Poetry
Here Is Stephane Mallarme’s reply
to a query made by Vogue In 1886 as
to the definition of poetry:
“Poetry is the expression in the lan
guage of mankind, brought back to
ita essential rhythm, of the mysterious
meaning of the aspects of existence;
it gives authenticity to our sojourn
on earth and constitutes Its sole spir
itual task.”
Jean Moreas replied to the inquiry
with twelve Interrogation marks, Pas
teur excused him* If, Joseph Caraguel
wrote that “poetry Is the art of say
ing banalities in nn eccentric way,”
and an unknown writer called poetry
“the attempt to express the Indefin
able,”—From Le Figaro, Paris.
At a Party
A man keeping open house an<!
showing unmistakable signs of it wai
introduced to a new arrival, a Mr. Lit
tlejohn.
“Glad to meet you, Mr. Demijohn.’
“Not Demijohn,” protested the oth
er. “Littlejohn—little—little— little.”
"Little? No, no. We’ll have s
whole lot.”—Louisville Courier-Jour ‘
nal.
Picture of the Veterans of Gordon Camp, U. 0. V., Confederate
Veterans Taken on Memorial Day, April 26,1907, at Monument
■■’¥■■•■' V ■-. ?■.!& S • '&•’ *: 4t«.. .: >•"•?■' ' K«■
jfHvilPljf llfr : **■•.'">£ ' jS-’?’; - '.' V:'
Gordon Camp No. 369, United Con
federate Veterans, of Burke county,
was examined and accepted by the
Southern Headuartqers of the organ
ization at New Orleans, La., on Au
gust 25th, 1893. General John B.
Gordon signed the Charter himself, as
General Commanding, and George O.
Moorman as Adjutant and Chief of
Staff. We could not get the list of
charter members, but a large number
of the Old Vets are shown in a pic
ture taken around the Confederate
monument in the city, on April 26,
1907, is published in this edition.
The list of the surviving members
are given below and a short sketch
of some of them are published below:
Elbert Powell, Girard, Ga., age 77
E. N. Skinner, Munnerlyn, Ga., Rt
>l, age 78.
W. H. Sikes, Alexander, Ga., age 70.
G. P. Lively, 1690 Jenkins St., Au
gusta, age 79.
E. N. Palmer, Greens Cut, Ga., 79
J. A. Gresham, Waynesboro, Ga. 80.
J. P. McFerrin, Waynesboro, 81
Thomas Preskitt, Mcßean, Ga. 81.
Janies Knight, Mcßean, Ga. 83.
G. D Roberts, Mcßean, Ga. 85.
G. O. Warnsck, Waynesboro, 82.
Allen F. Robinson, Waynesboro, 78
J. W. Sandefcrd,, Midville, Ga. 79.
Adam Wallace, Munnerlyn, Ga. 79
OUR SURVIVING HEROES.
We can not do much for them the most
of them are gone, but there are a few left
and this Chapter is going to be devoted ex
clusively to the history of these few. Not
many of them will perhaps live to see this
printed, but they will go away with their
names fresh on our lips. We hope that these
fe.w may live to attend the last reunion which
may come in 1922.
Job Anderson Gresham, born in Richmond
County, Ga., September 9, 1843, and moved
into Burke County October, 1843 enlisted in
ELIZABETH McKINNE WHITEHEAD
Mrs. Amos G. Whitehead lived on her plan
tation at Ivanhoe near Waynesboro render
ing beautiful service all during the War ,
home and at the Wayside Home at Millen
She was mother of William Whitehead, color
bearer of Company “A,’' Burke Sharpshoot
ers, Second Georgia Regiment, who was killed
on the field of battle at Malvern Hill near
Richmond, Ya„ and the first Burke County
soldier to give his life for his country, lii
an old scrap book, a newspaper clipping of
.Tune 14 1862, there appears the following
sketch of Mrs. Whitehead:
‘‘The report of the ‘Ladies’ Soldiers’ Re
bel Society,’ will he found in another col
umn. History has never recorded a more
persevering and untiring .energv, than has
been displayed by the ladies of old Burke
in behalf of the. soldiers during this war
and more especially Mrs, A. G. Whitehead;
she has taken the lead in nearly everv move
ment and is always present at'all the meet
ings, allowing no postponement on account
of weather, we have seen her in our village
attending their meetings when it was rain
ing; at the same time in such bad health
she should have been in her room to have
done .her justice, though it; seems that she
goes ahead traveling and working for the
soldiers, never thinking of anything else
not even the sacrifice of her own health. Such
genjr isity and patriotism deserves the com
mcndation of every one.”
WALKER McCAT HERN’S RECORD
AS A SOLDIER OF THE WS
The record of Mr. Walker McCath
ern, who escaped with Dan Tanner,
is given below. The story of his es
cape is published in another part of
this memorial edition and was writ
ten by Judge Henn.n H. Perry during
his lifetime, while he was editor of
The True Citizen. Mr. McCathern
was among the bravest soldiers of the
nfederacy, ps well as Judge Perry
the writer of the article.
A 3rd Ga. Regiment,
w£ ht w n *. a ? e l Principle battles, Gettvs
huig, I redericksburg, Malvern Hill The
M dderncss, Petersburg Mine. Chancellorsville
Mounded seven tunes, through and through,
two times swam Potomac, also Chesapeake
Bay to escape prison.
Under Lee, Jackson and Johnston, Armies
of Potomac. Enlisted at 19.
/
. c
“PRESCRIPTIONS FIRST”
*
Phone 36
v
I
COX’S DRUG STORE
\ A
6! 8 Liberty St. Waynesboro. Ga.
WHITMAN’S CANDIES NORRIS’ CANDIES
the war March 4, 1862 in the Burke Volun
teers, and served under Captain John Mar
low and was in the following battles: Seven
days! battle around Richmond, Second Ma
nassas, Sharpsburg, Gettysburg, and all of
the principal battles of the army of Northern
Virginia.
James Knight, born near Mcßean, Ga.,
1839; enlisted in the war in 1862, in Com
pany D. 48th Georgia Regiment, served un
der Captain John Marlow and fought in the
following battles: Battle of the Wilderness,
Petersburg.
G. D. Lively, born Burke County January
in Poythress Volunteers, Cobb’s Legions, with
Capt. W. S. C. Morris and fought in the fol
lowing battles: Seven Pines White Oak
Swamp, Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg, many
others. Was severely wounded.
John Porter McFerrin, corn in Williams
County, Tenn, February 24, 1843, and came
into Burke County in 1914 as pastor of the
Methodist Church at Waynesboro; enlisted
in the army April 10, 1861, C 2nd Tenn.
Regiment, remained in this company until
late in 1864, when made chaplain of the
regiment; served under Col. William P. Bate,
fought in Murfreesboro, Shiloh, Richmond,
Kentucky, Ferryville and Chickamauga.
Elbert Powell, born in Burke County, De
cember 24, 1846; enlisted in the war May
2, 1864, Company D, 27th Georgia Battalion,
*
Success to the Margaret Jones Chapter,
U. D. C., Waynesboro, Ga.
In theid laid able efforts for the Stone
Mountain Memorial Association
from their friends the
RICE & O’CONNOR SHOE CO.
AUGUSTA, GA.
i
Who enjoys and appreciates the splendid
trade from their Burke county friends
% * i
served under Capt. E. T. Miller, fought in
Averysboro and Bentonville, N. C.; also some
skirmishes.
Allen F. Robinson, born in South Carolina
May 3, 1848, moved into Burke County jn
1866, enlisted in the war February, 1862;
served under Tallofair, Evans, Hardee, John
son, fought in battles at Fort Johnson, Fort
Hampton, surrendered i i 1865.
John Wesley Sandeiord, born in Burke
County, March 5, 1847; enlisted in war
March 5, 1864, in Company A, Third Geor
gia Regiment (Burke Guards), served under
Lt. David Wright, fought in the following
battles: Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Spotsyl
vania, Petersburg.
Mr. Sandford says in relating an incident
about Burke soldiers: After the blow up
at Petersburg it was ray sad fortune to bury
my good comrades Bob Atkinson and Dave
Stone in the same grave who had been killed
in the battle. Six out of eighteen of our
company who fought in this battle were
killed. Our officers using bad judgment
marched us exposing our flank. Mart Her
rington, Jim Wooding, Mell Mines, Bill Saw
yer were killed with Bob Atkinson and Da
vid Stone.
Adam Wallace, born near Munnerlyn, Ga..
September 11, 1847. Enlisted July 27, 186
Co. E, 2nd Ga. Regiment, Ist Brigade. Served
under John Peed, Griffin. In battle of Honey
Hill, S. C.