Author: Branch

Don Blake visited Arlington Cemetery and tomb of Moses Ezekiel last January and will present a video and audio of history and status.

Kenneth Bage will be our guest speaker and he will be talking about Edmund Ruffin, Virginia Fire-eater.

On January 19^th at the Confederate War Memorial Chapel @ 1:30 the Lee-Jackson Camp #1 SCV ,in conjunction with the United Daughters of the Confederacy’ will hold our annual Robert E Lee Commemoration Service. 

Nora Brooks ,in costume will present MY PAPA as seen through the eyes of Miss Mildred Childe Lee “Precious Life”, the youngest daughter of Gen Lee. We will also present period music and other historical topics of the General.

This event is open to the general public.

There will be no speaker for our Christmas meeting.

Our speaker for the November meeting will be Dale Harter, president of the Richmond CWRT. He will speak of BG Raleigh Colston, CSA. French by birth but VMI grad and instructor and CSA BG. After the War he went to Egypt to lead troops there. Spent his last days at the OSH.

https://richmondcwrt.org

We recently had a meeting with the VMFA Director of Buildings & Ground on chapel maintenance.

The stained glass windows have been fitted with new exterior covers. These covers protect the windows from the elements and allow clear natural light to shine through so the windows remain as colorful and bright as they would have been without covers.

The handicap ramp is scheduled to be replaced with a more suitable version and work on that should begin in October.

            President Thomas Jefferson’s great-great nephew, Private Thomas Garland Jefferson, was mortally wounded as his Virginia Military Institute (VMI)  Cadet unit advanced against Union troops at the Battle of New Market on May 15, 1864. He was shot in the chest, and the bullet was removed from his back. His friend and officer, Moses Jacob Ezekiel, walked back to town, obtained a wagon, and carried Jefferson to the home of Eliza Clindinst. Despite the efforts, Jefferson literally died in Eliza’s arms. Ezekiel survived the war, and went to Italy, where he became a famous sculptor. Among his work was the Reconciliation Statue at Arlington Cemetery. You’ll hear all about Thomas, Moses, and Eliza on the October 25 Both Sides Tour to New Market. Be sure and contact Don to secure your seat!     

You Don’t want to miss this exciting excursion back in time to New Market on May 15, 1864!

BOTH SIDES TOUR

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2025

STONEWALL JACKSON’S VMI STATUE IS NOW IN NEW MARKET –

AND THE BOTH SIDES TOUR WILL VISIT IT,

TWO MUSEUMS AND THE BATTLEFIELD!

When you think about it, those at Virginia Military Institute who wanted to remove Stonewall Jackson’s statue from its Lexington campus paved the way for the likeness of the famed Confederate general to wind up in a more familiar and meaningful place as far as Civil War history is concerned.

Jackson now stands in front of the Virginia Museum of the Civil War in New Market, overlooking the terrain that figured prominently in his successful 1862 Valley Campaign. Jackson chased Union invaders north before joining Robert E. Lee’s effort to protect Richmond as part of the new commander’s successful Peninsula Campaign. 

The Both Sides Tour will visit Jackson at the Virginia Museum, the site formerly known as the VMI Hall of Valor Museum. Jackson has been there for several years, welcoming visitors interested in his Valley of Virginia and early Civil War exploits before he was mortally wounded at Chancellorsville in May 1863. The museum itself was taken over by the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2021 and state leaders made a place for one of Virginia’s most famous soldiers.

While in New Market, the Both Sides Tour also will visit the New Market Battlefield Military Museum, now operated by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation, as well as the actual battle site where cadets from VMI repelled a Union counterattack and saved the day for the Confederates. Don Hakenson and Ben Trittipoe will handle the military aspects of the battle, while Carl Sell will offer sidelights about the move of the statue and the mortal wounding of the great, great grandson of President Thomas Jefferson, a VMI cadet.

The cost of this tour will be $135. The slight increase is due to two separate museum admission fees and the added cost of lunch at the famous Southern Kitchen on Valley Pike. The restaurant is famous for its fried chicken and our meal also will include BBQ Beef Tips. Don and Ben have eaten there and say the quantity and quality is well worth the added price.

Tour leaves Franconia at 8:15 a.m. sharp. Park at the Olivet Church lot at the corner of Beulah Street and Franconia Road. The government center may not be open due to its relocation, so the bus will leave from Olivet. Make sure we have your e-mail and phone number for updates.

Bring your own coffee!  Doughnuts will be available on the bus. There will be a pick up and short pit stop at the Park and Ride lot next to Sheetz in Gainesville. Park and meet the bus there about 9:00 a.m. Let us know where you will join the tour. Using your money, Don will pay all the bills. All you have to do is enjoy the museums, food, battlefields and information!

BUS LEAVES FRANCONIA MUSEUM AT 8:15 A.M.

SPECIAL PICK-UP NEAR GAINESVILLE – Ask for details!

DON’T BE LATE!

Both Sides Tour – October 25, 2025 Registration Form

Contact Don Hakenson dhakenson@verizon.net

Carl Sell sellcarl@aol.com

Ben Trittipoe btritt1@gmail.com

Gentlemen of the Sons of Confederate Veterans,

As the Commander-in-Chief of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and in response to the tragic attack upon the First Amendment of the Constitution and the life of Charlie Kirk, I have ordered the flags of the Confederate States of America and the flag of the SCV to be flown at half-staff for the remainder of this month. Gentlemen, Mr. Kirk was a strong defender of traditional American values, which we in the SCV have long defended. I encourage each member to reflect upon Mr. Kirk’s positive effort to encourage dialogue among people of various viewpoints. 

As descendants of Confederate ancestors, Southerners, more than any other Americans, understand the need for civil discourse. We have seen our Southern history distorted and monuments to Southern heroes destroyed by those who do not wish to engage in dialogue, but rather force their radical views upon the South and all of America. Let us hope that Mr. Kirk’s tragic death will force those who hate traditional American values to rethink and change their less-than-civil attitude and discourse with their fellow Americans. 

Please follow the lead of General Robert E. Lee and interact with our detractors and Mr. Kirk’s detractors with Christian charity. Pray for Mr. Kirk’s family, these United States, and our beloved Southland.

Deo Vindice,

Walter D. “Donnie” Kennedy 

Commander-in-Chief, Sons of Confederate Veterans

Will you defend our Confederate ancestors? They fought for us, now it is our turn to fight for them and our future.

Currently the Strickland Amendment is working its way through Congress. This amendment to the NDAA 2026 military appropriations bill is totally anti-Confederate. We need to let our congressmen know that this anti-Confederate language must be removed from the bill.

This can be done by asking our congressmen to vote YES on any amendment that will remove anti-Confederate language from this bill.

Use this Link to tell your congressman to vote YES on any amendment that would remove the Strickland amendment from the NDAA 2026 bill.