Author Archive: Calvin E. Johnson Jr.
Celebrating Black History Month in the South
The War Between the States was tragic but also an important time in America’s past. Young people once knew who Gen. Robert E. Lee and Gen. Joshua Chamberlain were and sang songs of the war that included Dixie and Goober Peas. It is very unfortunate that Dixie, the song loved by President’s Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln, has been banned by many institutions.
A Southern Black History Month Moment
A magazine article in 1989 caught my eye about a black child, a Confederate President’s First Lady and the Southern Presidential Family. The story was written by Gulfport, Mississippi freelance writer Mrs. Peggy Robbins and is entitled, “Jim Limber Davis.”
Robert E. Lee: Remembering an American Legend
During Robert E. Lee’s 100th birthday in 1907, Charles Francis Adams, Jr., a former Union Commander and grandson of US President John Quincy Adams, spoke in tribute to Robert E. Lee at Washington and Lee College’s Lee Chapel in Lexington, Virginia? His speech was printed in both Northern and Southern newspapers and is said to had lifted Lee to a renewed respect among the American people.
A Soldier’s True Spirit of Christmas
The year was 1919, one year after the end of World War I, and the people of Atlanta, Georgia were celebrating the Christmas Season. Many people attended Church and gave thanks to God for his many blessings. Folks, while shopping, were uplifted by sweet sounds of Christmas music played by the Salvation Army Band. There was a friendly and charitable atmosphere during this time of the year.
When ‘Gone with the Wind’ premiered in Atlanta
Friday, December 15, 1939, was an icy-cold day in Atlanta, Georgia but folks warmed to the great excitement surrounding the premiere of “Gone with the Wind” A Selznick International Pictures “Technicolor” Production of the Metro Goldwyn Mayer Release of Margaret Mitchell’s novel about the Old South at the Loews Grand Theater.
A Veterans Day Remembrance
We have, since World War II, seen prayer taken out of our schools and “Under God” in the pledge of allegiance under attack. Are we still a nation of God as we once were during the times of our founding fathers and mothers? With all that is happening in the world today, it seems like we need God more than ever.
Love Me Tender Premiered in New York
In 1956 Americans loved President Dwight Eisenhower, Fats Domino sang “I found my thrill on Blueberry Hill”, Buddy Holly and the Crickets appeared at New York’s Paramount Theater and “Love Me Tender” starring Richard Egan, Debra Paget and introducing Elvis Presley premiered at the Paramount Theater that is located at 43rd Street and Broadway in New York’s Times Square Theater District.
A Hispanic Month Tribute to Moses Ezekiel
Moses J. Ezekiel was born on October 28, 1844, in Richmond, Va. He was one of fourteen children born to Jacob and Catherine de Castro Ezekiel. He was born in a house on “Old Market Street” that is said to have been in the poorer side of town. His grandparents came to America from Holland in 1808, and were of Jewish-Spanish Heritage.
141st Anniversary of Robert E. Lee’s death
Do Americans know more about Fidel Castro and Che Guevara then they do about George Washington and Robert E. Lee? I have been told that some college students wear Che Guevara and Mao Tse Tung tee shirts but are not allowed to wear American History shirts depicting Robert E. Lee, George Washington, the United States flag or Confederate Battle flag.
Football, Cheerleaders and the Band Played Dixie
The Ole Miss Cheerleaders and school Mascot Colonel Reb lifted the spirit of fans who waved Confederate flags and cheered to the band playing Dixie? Today, however, Colonel Reb has been replaced and flag waving discouraged. Some call for sensitivity and understanding toward some people but apparently this respect does not apply toward Southern-American’s who love God and are proud of the old traditions of their native South land of which many books and movies are written about.
When Rucker called the roll – A Soldier’s Story
The Confederate flag, which continues to come under attack, was the proud banner of Black, White, Hispanic, Jewish and Native American sons and daughters of Dixie who stood nobly in defense of their homeland and way of life during the War Between the States. Once upon a time neither the Confederate nor the Union Veterans or their blood stained battle flag needed any defense.
The Gettysburg Reunion of 1913
From June 29 to July 4, 1913, 53,407 Confederate and Union Veterans of the War Between the States came to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania for a Reunion and encampment. Veterans came from 47 of the 48 states of the Union and the Chief Surgeon said of the event, quote “Never before in the world’s history had so great a number of men advanced in years been assembled under field conditions” unquote.
June 4, 1914 Dedication of Arlington Monument
The world famous Arlington National Cemetery is located in the shadow of the Custis-Lee Mansion (Arlington House) that was home to General Robert E. Lee and family until 1861 at the beginning of the War Between the States. This cemetery is on the Virginia side of the Potomac River across from the nation’s capital.
Memorial Day Remembrance of Last Confederate Widow
By Calvin E. Johnson, Jr.
In July of 1997 Mrs. Martin made a pleasant trip to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to a gathering of descendants of Confederate and Union soldiers. There, Mrs. Martin met Mrs. Daisy Anderson who was the last widow of a Black Union soldier. The two ladies had a good conversation at the historic Dobbs House. Mrs. Anderson passed away in 1998.
Old Times not forgotten in Dixie
By Calvin E. Johnson, Jr.
Tennessee Senator Edward Ward Carmack said in 1903, “These Confederate soldiers were our kinfolk and our heroes.” He also said, “The people of the South have the right to teach their children the true history of the War Between the States, the causes that led to it and the principles involved.”
America’s Great Locomotive Chase Story
By: Calvin E. Johnson, Jr.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011, marks the 149th anniversary of the “Great Locomotive Chase” that made “The General” famous. Jefferson Cain, an employee of the Western and Atlantic Railroad, was Engineer of The General. At 4:15 on the morning of April 12, 1862, Cain pushed the throttle of The General and drove the engine out of Atlanta, Georgia for Chattanooga, Tennessee as a cool spring rain fell on the city.
General Forrest License Plate in Mississippi
Forrest’s speech during a meeting of the “Jubilee of Pole Bearers” is a story that should be told. Gen. Forrest was the first white man to be invited by this group which was a forerunner of today’s Civil Right’s group. A reporter of the Memphis Avalanche newspaper was sent to cover the event that included a Southern barbeque supper.
Black History Month’s Forgotten Story
In 1989, a magazine article caught my eye which I had to read from beginning to end. This was not an ordinary story but about a black child, a Confederate President’s First Lady and the Southern Presidential Family. The story was written by Gulfport, Mississippi freelance writer Mrs. Peggy Robbin’s and is entitled, “Jim Limber Davis”.
Robert E. Lee: Remembering An American Legend
Robert E. Lee undoubtedly acquired his love of country from those who had lived during the American Revolution. His father, “Light Horse” Harry, was a hero of the revolution and served as Governor of Virginia and as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Members of his family also signed the Declaration of Independence.
A Soldier’s Story of Christmas Past
The aging veterans of the Confederate Soldier’s Home were proud men who had braved many a battle in the 1860s. One of these men was former Captain Thomas Yopp who saw battle in such places as Fredericksburg, Virginia where a cannon ball shell knocked him unconscious.
71st Anniversary of Gone With The Wind
The festivities surrounding the premiere of Gone with the Wind included a parade down Peachtree Street with over three-hundred thousand people cheering the playing of ” Dixie ,” waving Confederate flags and shouting Rebel Yells.
What does Veterans Day mean to you?
To me, Veterans Day is a special time to remember our Servicemen and women “living and dead” who for 234 years stood up in defense of this great nation. The Liberty Bell continues to ring because of people like: George Washington, Robert E. Lee, George S. Patton and the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II who supported the Constitution.
Wirz Memorial Set for Sunday, November 7th
The 35th annual Captain Henry Wirz Memorial Service (a tradition started by the Alexander H. Stephens Camp 78 Sons of Confederate Veterans and Americus Chapter United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1976) will take place on Sunday afternoon, November 7th at 3 PM in the town of Andersonville, Georgia.
140th Anniversary of Robert E. Lee’s death
General Lee died at his home at Lexington, Virginia at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, October 12, 1870. His last great deed came after the War Between the States when he accepted the presidency of Washington College, now Washington and Lee University. He saved the financially troubled college and helped many young people further their education.
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