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Grimes County Greys

Monthly Newsletter - August 2006

Commander's Comments

The war had many causes, including slavery and tariffs.  In March of 1861 the U.S. Senate passed the Morrill tariff which immediately raised the average tariff rate from about 15 percent to 37.5 percent, but with a greatly expanded list of covered items. Soon thereafter a second tariff increase would increase the average rate to 47.06 percent. Lincoln hinted very strongly in his first inaugural address a military invasion was possible if the tripled tariff was not collected.  At that time the import-dependent South was paying as much as 80 percent of the tariff, while complaining bitterly that most of the revenues were being spent in the North

During the secession of states from the union, there was virtually no voice in Grimes county raised in opposition to the secessionist

.The referendum of February,1861 returned a majority of 907 to 9 in favor of secession. Over 1700 county residents volunteered for service in Confederate and state military units.  A munitions factory specializing in small armaments was constructed west of Anderson. The first telegraph lines in the county were strung through Navasota in 1862 for the benefit of the railroad and the Confederate government. General John B. Magruder established his headquarters at Piedmont Springs and the Piedmont hotel was converted into a military hospital. To circumvent the union blockade of the Texas coast, planters transported cotton to Mexico in trains of ox wagons. The cotton was exchanged for food and clothing which helped to mitigate the wartime privation suffered by Grimes County residents.”  

The wars casualties totaled approximately 970,000 or 14.4 percent of enrollees, a higher rate than all other wars combined.  Over 700 Confederate soldiers’ final resting place is in Grimes County. Political correctness aside, April is the time to reflect on our history and honor the southern soldier for answering his state's call to duty. Grimes County is rich in Confederate history and we encourage everyone to visit the Grimes County Greys, Sons of Confederate Veterans' Confederate Memorial Plaza in downtown Anderson." 

A BIT OF GRIMES COUNTY HISTORY

Included in our recognition of April as Confederate History and Heritage Month is our display at the Navasota Library (thanks to Fred McGilberry) and the passing of a proclamation by Commissioners’ Court which includes flying the First National Confederate Flag in front of the Courthouse.  Robert Smith is visiting the schools throughout the county and donating true history books on behalf of the Greys. Tommy Mayhood will be announcing next month the winners of the two $500 scholarships the Greys are awarding to deserving students. Also, the following is part of my article that included Texas Senate Resolution No. 526 recognizing this special month that was published in the April edition of the Grimes County Chamber of Commerce's newsletter:

 Museum Finds Home

A new Texas Civil war museum is being constructed in Fort Worth. This museum will house the largest Civil War collection this side of the Mississippi and is set to open in late summer. For more information or to make a donation, you may call (713)-656-3875. Museum is open to the public 9-5 Tuesdays thru Saturdays:  Group and Military discounts are available.  Children 6 and younger admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

The Confederate Soldier

  “The Confederate soldiers were our kinfolk and our heroes. We testify to the country our enduring fidelity to their memory. We commemorate their valor and devotion. There were some things that were not surrendered at Appomattox. We did not surrender our rights in history, nor was it one of the conditions of surrender that unfriendly lips should be suffered to tell the story of that war or that unfriendly hands should write the epitaphs of the Confederate dead. We have a right to teach our children the true history of that war, the causes that led up to it, and the principles involved.” 

Tennessee Senator Edward W. Carmack, 1903

BelleBoy Chapter 13

 Order of the Confederate Rose

 Membership in the O.C.R. is available to ladies and gentlemen who would like to participate in Grimes County Greys Camp. Members assist the camp in different aspects of our work and events. Danis Surface is the Chapter Rep, any questions please contact Ms. Surface. The O.C.R. also will be meeting in Temple in June.

“ Never do a wrong thing to make a friend or to keep one.”“ -- Robert E. Lee

"Boys, he's not much for looks, but if we'd had him we wouldn't be caught in this trap" -- A captured Union soldier described Stonewall Jackson in this way

Chaplain’s Corner

Stuart Hamblen wrote a number of gospel songs after his conversion to Jesus Christ in the 1947 Billy Graham Crusade in Los Angeles, among them were “How Big Is God?” and “It Is No Secret What God Can Do”. 

In 1960 he wrote the song “What Can I Do For My Country?” Part of the text of that song has a soldier in battle calling out for the Chaplain after being mortally wounded. The voice of another soldier calls back, “the Chaplain’s got himself killed. Pray for yourself”. The dying soldier does, “Now I lay myself down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul…” 

What can you do for your country? You can start by praying for yourself.

A Northerner’s Observation

For more than two years, Negroes had been extensively employed in belligerent operations by the Confederacy. They had been embodied and drilled as rebel soldiers and had paraded with white troops at a time when this would not have been tolerated in the armies of the Union.

Horace Greeley