The Governor, of the great sovereign state of Alabama, for the fourth
year, has issued a proclamation declaring April as Confederate History
and Heritage Month. He realizes the importance of remembering our
heritage and our gallant Confederate veterans. We are proud to have a governor,
with such a dedication to preserving the "true" history of the South and
we salute him for his efforts.
The Elizabeth Cain Musgrove Chapter, #1929 United Daughters of the Confederacy, dedicate this page, as a TRIBUTE, to our brave Confederate ancestors. Men who fought gallantly for the South, to preserve our State Rights. To the women, like Mrs. Musgrove, who under tremendous hardships, remained behind their men on the battlefield, supporting them with their prayers and whatever they could put together in the form or food and medical supplies. Women who did, with what they could, to keep home and family together as the war raged at their door steps. These were the "Soldiers of the Home front" and we salute them also, they fought The War Between The States in their own way.
Our small town of Jasper, in the central part of this great state, had 1,900 men who served in the service of the Confederate States of America. We are rich in Confederate history and are proud of our heritage. The beautiful monument, that graces our town square, was donated by the "Jasper Chapter, #925 UDC, under the leadership of Mrs. Elizabeth Cain Musgrove. The dedication service was held on May 2, 1908, with between three and five thousand attending. The Confederate "Stars and Bars" decorated nearly every building, and Confederate banners were visible on all sides of the street. There were 75 Confederate veterans on the platform with other dignitaries, for this great day in the history of Walker County. The following is an excerpt from the acceptance speech given by Mr. Davis.
"Walker County did not hesitate to do her
part. with 600 voters, she
did wonderful work. She furnished 1,900 men. Even the boys went. You
couldn't
keep them away. What did this mean?...Patriotism and devotion to duty does
not express it. Did they fight for what they thought was right? No; more.
They fought for what they knew was right, under the constitution. They
were not rebels; they were Patriots."
Another to speak that day was destined to be great in the history of these United States of America, the future Speaker of the House of Representatives, William B. Bankhead. The following is an excerpt of his speech on that grand day.
"I thank God that I am a son of a Confederate soldier. Though my father has been honored by the suffrage of the people of Alabama as a United States Senator, for which I am deeply grateful, but before God, this day, I had rather he hand me down as a heritage his sword as a Confederate soldier than his commission as United States Senator....."
We, the members of the Elizabeth Cain Musgrove Chapter, are wearing red ribbons, during the month of April, as a remembrance for our Confederate ancestors. More people have ask us what is the meaning of the ribbon, this gives us the opportunity to share our pride in our Confederate history and the history of Walker County. We speak in schools on Confederate history and each year more schools are added, as the word gets around concerning the program. It is up to us, the descendants of these brave men, to carry their banner high and to properly portray the history of the Confederate States of America. They gave their all for us, can we do any less for them?
Lest
We All Forget
None of the above poems may be used without the permission of the author.