Deo adjuvanti non timindin (With God’s help, we must not fear)

THE DIXON BLUE LIGHT NEWSLt. George E. Dixon Camp #1962

Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV)www.scvcamp1962.org

Editor: Lady Sharon Red, Cell 618-622-8949

June 2014

Camp Dixon OfficersCommander Johnny Kicklighter 618-257-90791Lt Commander John Fulton Cell 618-795-63682Lt Commander Ron Lakin Cell 618-420-63583Lt Commander Chris Rutledge Cell 618-719-9019Adjutant Gale Red Cell 618-622-8949Chaplain Billy Altman Cell 618-960-3416Sgt of Arms Michael Pierpoint 618-697-4472Squad Sgt Phil Tate 618-210-7987Squad Sgt, KofGC Chris Rutledge Cell 618-719-9019Matriarch, LofGC VacantSquadEast Sgt Pat Booth Cell 618-367-5571

From the CommanderFirst, thank you for supporting Camp Dixon in the last two

months. I realize it was a very busy time for our camp members

and appreciate Don Carnley, Jim Conn, Walter Hall, 2d Lt Ron

Lakin, David McAuley, Adjutant Gale Red, Squad Sgt Phil Tate, and

Bobby Samuel for attending the Illinois Division Convention. I was

very pleased with the outcome, and, no doubt, their presence

helped make the convention end with positive results.

Second, many thanks for everyone’s participation at the several

memorial services. Please know your support is always appreciated

in commemorating and paying tribute to the Veterans who paid the

ultimate price in service to our country.

Lastly, summertime has finally arrived, and it means good fun

with family, friends, and camp togetherness, but also a

commitment by you, our camp members, to share time and

participate in the homecoming parades. In advance, thank you for

energizing your support. I know you won’t let the camp down, but

will take an active role in firing your muskets, marching or riding

on our float, and/or waving/throwing candy to the children.

Remember, have fun but be safe this summer. God Bless You All!

Confederately,

Johnny Kicklighter

TABLE OF CONTENTSPAGE

From the Commander 1“Mary Todd Lincoln” by Mary Kay 1Alton Confederate Memorial Service 2DAR Memorial for Col John Thomas 3Memorial Day at Prairie du Rocher 3SCV AFJROTC High School Awards 4-5Prestigious Award to Gregory Carter 6News from Around the Camp 6Calendar of Events and June Birthdays 7Squad East Meeting Minutes 7Camp Dixon Meeting Minutes 8-9Memorial Day at Jefferson Barracks

& Mark Morgan’s Heritage Musings 10

* * * Next Camp Meeting * * *Thursday, June 5, 2014 ~ 6:30 p.m.

SWIC Senior Citizen Center201 North Church Street, Belleville

Location: Corner of East B & North Church StreetsParking Available Across the Street

Presentation: “War Comes to the Kingdom of Callaway”by Pastor Joe Marting

Refreshments: Billy AltmanPlease check with the receptionist about our room location.

Questions? Call Adjutant Gale Red, Cell 618-622-8949.

MARY TODD LINCOLN

May 1, 2014. Mary Todd Lincoln, the wife of President

Abraham Lincoln, came to life at Camp Dixon’s monthly

meeting, thanks to a wonderful presenter by the name of

Barbara Kay. Realistically portraying Mrs. Lincoln, Barbara

displayed the life and times with the President. Everyone

extremely enjoyed her presentation.

God took the strength of a mountain, the majesty of a tree,The warmth of a summer sun, the calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature, the comforting arm of night,The wisdom of the ages, the power of an eagle’s flight,

The joy of a morning in spring, the faith of a mustard seed,The patience of eternity, the depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities, when there was nothing more to add.He knew His masterpiece was complete, and so He called it Dad.Congratulations, Fathers, Grandfathers, and Fathers-To-Be!

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ALTON CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL SERVICEMAY 17

A Memorial to a VeteranIf we didn’t give you honor while you were here to hear the praiseThen at least let’s give you homage at the ending of your days.

You didn’t do much talking—you didn’t ask for praiseBut the war really happened so thanks for the service that you gave.

You held no dreams of fortune vast nor sought undying fame.You did not ask when life was past that many know your name.

Oh, gentle loving soldier so humble in nature,In your quiet way you did your best to be kind with every gesture.Now God looked around his garden and found an empty place.

He then looked down upon the earth and saw this soldier’s tired face.He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest.

God’s garden must be beautiful—He always takes the best.He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb.

So he closed this soldier’s tired eyes and whispered “Peace Be Thine.”It broke our hearts to lose you but you didn’t go alone

For part of us went with you the day God called you home.May we always remember and never forget!

(Above) (L-R) Ron Lakin, Lady Chris Kicklighter asour Confederate Widow, Commander Kicklighter, andFritz Mihelcic delivering the keynote address.

(Above) Lady Helen Altman read a poem entitledThe Thin Gray Line.

GROUP PHOTO (Above) (L-R) Fritz Mihelcic(Keynote Speaker and State VFW Commander), 1st

Lt Cdr Ron Lakin, Commander Johnny Kicklighter,Lee Wallace (Adjutant of VFW Caseyville Post1117), Chris Armstrong, Earl Armstrong Jim Lumma,Confederate Widow--Lady Chris Kicklighter, WalterHall, Jim Fulton, Lady Helen Altman, Don Carnley,Linda Halemeyer, Ralph Oelschlager, DaleHalemeyer, Zelma Kay Halemeyer, Squad Sgt PhilTate, and Chaplain Billy Altman. It was perfectweather to honor more than 1,534 Confederate deadat the Annual Alton Confederate MemorialObservance at the North Alton ConfederateCemetery. Highlights of the program includedCommander Kicklighter’s welcome, ChaplainAltman’s invocation, Lady Kicklighter’s widowportrayal, Lady Altman’s reading, Mr. Mihelcic’skeynote address, and Chris Armstrong’s bugle taps.

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DAR MEMORIAL FOR COLONEL JOHN THOMASSHILOH VALLEY CEMETERY

MAY 24Members/Guests of Camp Dixon (Commander Johnny Kicklighter, John & JoAnn Gideon,Jacob Kicklighter, John & Jane McKee, Layne Morris, Adjutant Gale Red, and Squad SgtPhil Tate) joined the event host, the Belleville Chapter of the Daughters of the AmericanRevolution, plus the Sons of the American Revolution, Society of 1812, and the Sons ofUnion Veterans to dedicate a monument to Colonel John Thomas, Jr. on Saturday morning.The ceremony also included re-enactors in Revolutionary and Civil War uniforms as colorguard with flags from various eras and a seven-gun black power salute. Gail Evans, the DARregent, said, “In remembering the past, we honor the men and women who gave their livesfor the preservation of our freedoms and our future…in honoring Colonel Thomas, we alsopay tribute to all men and women who have served our country with integrity and devotion.”

MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE AT PRAIRIE DU ROCHERMAY 26

Members of Camp Dixon (1st Lt Cmdr Ron Lakin, David McAuley, Adjutant Gale Red, andSquad Sgt Phil Tate) observed Memorial Day with the town of Prairie du Rocher. As always,they received a warm welcome.

Both Union and Confederate Sons of Veterans stand atattention while representing the Honor Guard for ColonelThomas.

(L-R) Philip Feldman of Indianapolis; his daughter Gwyn Downeyand her husband Franklin Downey. Stephen Korte is the EagleScout.

(L-R) In this Kodak moment are Gale Red, RonLakin, Phil Tate, and David McAuley.

Bob Blanchard from the Sons of the AmericanRevolution was the keynote speaker.

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AFJROTC HIGH SCHOOL AWARDS

May 3, 2014, O’Fallon IL. (Left) After Adjutant Gale Red pinned on the SCV JROTC H. L. Hunley Award medal,

he posed with Cadet 2nd Lt. Amanda Horsey from O’Fallon Township High School. (Right) Adjutant Red posed

with the Horsey family, Michael (her father), Cadet Horsey, and Deanne (her mother). Congratulations, Cadet

Horsey, on receiving the award plus the happy announcement of your promotion to Cadet Captain.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans of the Civil War Award(The SCV JROTC Horace L. Hunley Award Medal with Service Ribbon)

was presented to the AFJROTC Cadets who displayed a high degree of patriotism and demonstrated a high degree ofacademic excellence, leadership ability, and the core values—honor, courage, and, in particular, commitment to his/herunit--during the 2013-2014 school year. These were the same values exhibited by the last Hunley crew commanded by Lt.George E. Dixon, who made the commitment to honorably risk, and ultimately give their lives, in defense of their countryand the city of Charleston, after two crews had already suffered tremendous loss in previous training exercises.

May 8, 2014, Mascoutah IL. (Left) Adjutant Gale Red presented the SCV JROTC H. L. Hunley Award to Cadet 1st

Lt Keith Little, Mascoutah High School. (Right) Adjutant Red, Cadet Little, and Colonel Randall Lanning (USAF

Retired), Senior Aerospace Science Instructor. Colonel Lanning was very proud to say the Mascoutah JROTC IL-

20083 class was the best cadet unit in his 11-year history. They received distinguished award for the 6th year in a

row, a true testament to superb cadet leadership. Congratulations to all, especially Cadet Little!

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May 10, 2014, Dupo IL. (Left) Adjutant Gale Red presented the SCV JROTC H. L. Hunley Award to Cadet TSgt Taylor L.

Winkler, a junior at Dupo High School. (Right) (L-R) Adjutant Red, Jeanie Loyal-Cordevant (Cadet Winkler’s mother), Cadet

Winkler, and Major Michael Conley, Aerospace Science Instructor. In May 2014, Cadet Winkler will enter basic training in the

US Army National Guard, then return in September 2014 to complete her senior year at Dupo. Major Conley proudly

announced this was his largest number of cadets (156) and even prouder that they were awarded Distinguished Unit with Merit.

This speaks highly of cadet integrity and professionalism. Congratulations, Major Conley, and good luck, Cadet Winkler!

May 8, 2014, Mascoutah IL. (Above) CMSgt Charles Lee, USAF Retired (and SCV Compatriot) presented the Air Force

Association Award (the highest award) to Cadet Lt. Col. Veronica (Nikki) Gomez. She will become the Cadet Colonel

commanding the unit next year. Good job, Charles, and congratulations, Cadet Gomez!

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News from around the camp

Don Carnley is healing nicely from his right hand surgery thanks to your prayers.

Ron Doran is continuing to improve in better health and appreciates your thoughts and prayers.He hopes to march/attend the homecoming parades. He misses you as much as you miss him!

Michael Pierpoint is not doing well in his recovery process. Complications have increased sincehis knee surgery, and he would appreciate your prayers to get better real soon.

Laverne Jarvis (Lady Helen Altman’s sister) passed away onMay 10, 2014 at Atrium Healthcare. Our deepest sympathy toHelen, Billy, and their family.

Gregory Matthew Carter, Recipient of the 2014 Annual Rev. Thomas J. Blum, OFM,Award for Outstanding New Scholarship in History

April 26, 2014. Greg received this well-deserved awardfollowing much competition and hard work. Every year, a jointconference is held by Quincy University, Culver-StocktonCollege and Hannibal-LaGrange University for all seniorhistory students to present their final research papers. Gregpresented his 30-page thesis on “Micro-Sectionalism andConfederate Defeat at New Orleans, 1862,” which examinedthe factors that caused the loss of New Orleans to theConfederacy, particularly the civilian population and theircontributions. On April 26, Greg appeared before a panel offellow history majors, six university professors, and the CivilWar women’s historian, Dr. Victoria Bynum. He received thehighest senior thesis grade in the entire history of QuincyUniversity and will soon receive two prize awards for it. Hissuccess resulted in his nomination to the national honorsociety for education students.

Congratulations, Greg. We are so proud of you!

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JUNE Birthdays

Kevin Monroe 2Sgt of Arms Michael Pierpoint 6Roger Heinrich 15Stephen Wilson 20Aaron Leonard 25

SQUAD EAST MEETNG MINUTES ~ May 19, 2014 MusterThe monthly meeting of Squad East was called to order at 6:30 p.m. at Anthony’s Wild West Restaurant in Flora IL.

INVOCATION delivered by Sam Booth.

PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS. Pat Booth led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance to the U. S. flag and the Salute to

the Confederate flag.

ROLL CALL was taken with the following members present: David Ash, Pat Booth, Sam Booth, Vernon DeSelms, Walter Hall,

Ann Leonard (guest), Carson Leonard, Phil Leonard, Dr. Robert Marley, Adjutant Gale Red, and John Winterfield.

PROCEDURAL BUSINESS

APRIL MINUTES. Reviewed/approved as reported in last newsletter.

NEW MEMBER INTRODUCED: David Ash.

GUEST NOTED: Ann Leonard.

OLD BUSINESS.

- It was voted unanimously to continue having our regular meetings throughout the summer months.

- Flag Committee. Dr. Marley and Vernon DeSelms reported they got eight graves at six cemeteries – still one to get in Stiff

Cemetery south of Oskaloosa -- road was flooded and could not reach -- will attempt to get before Memorial Day. Philip

Leonard and Larry Weber reported they got five graves at four cemeteries.

- Alton Confederate Memorial was recently completed according to Gale Red – a fair turnout, good weather, and an excellent

speaker. He would like to have a similar ceremony at Small Pox Island.

NEW BUSINESS.

- Gale Red: In the Prairie du Rocher Memorial Day Parade on May 26 2014. 9:30 a.m. is show time for potential attendees.

– Gale Red: On 24 May, there will be a DAR event for Col Thomas, a revolutionary soldier at the Shiloh Valley Cemetery.

- Future Membership by Gale Red: If any current members have additional relatives, we need to get the word out seeking

membership. A lot of individuals do not know about their family history and if they are informed, they might join. This idea

will create an evolving list of prospective members to continually update.

- Division Update by Gale Red: It is important to continually seek new members and stay active as a member. Due to limited

funds, the Division did not pay its annual dues to the state-level organization.

FORMAL PRESENTATION. Vernon DeSelms and Philip Leonard presented the first half of the 2nd Battle of Franklin TN.

BENEDICTION. Chaplain Sam Booth provided the closing prayer.

ADJOURNMENT. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

NEXT MEETING. Monday, June 16, 2014, 6:30 p.m., same location.

Respectfully submitted,

Aaron K. Leonard

2014 CALENDAR OF EVENTSJune3 Jefferson Davis’ Birthday5 6:30 Camp Meeting14 Mound City Memorial16 6:30 Squad East Meeting in FloraJuly3 6:30 Camp Meeting19-20 Bunker Hill--no coolers/lawn chairs21 6:30 Squad East Meeting in Flora26 Smithton Homecoming/ParadeAugust2 Mascoutah Homecoming/Parade7 6:30 Camp Meeting16 Freeburg Homecoming/Parade18 6:30 Squad East Meeting in FloraSeptember4 6:30 Camp Meeting15 6:30 Squad East Meeting in Flora19-21 Belleville 200th Anniversary EventOctober2 6:30 Camp Meeting20 6:30 Squad East Meeting in Flora

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CAMP DIXON MEETING MINUTES ~ May 1, 2014 MusterThe members and friends of the Lt. George E. Dixon Camp #1962, SCV, conducted their monthly muster at 6:30

p.m. on May 1, 2014 at the SWIC Senior Citizen Center, 201 North Church Street, Belleville IL, this being the 5th

Muster of the year for 2014.

CALL TO ORDER. 2d Lt Commander Lakin called the meeting to order.

INVOCATION was given by Chaplain Billy Altman.

PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS. All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the U. S. flag and saluted

the Confederate flag, which were properly displayed at the meeting.

COMMANDER’S WELCOME by Commander Johnny Kicklighter.

PROCEDURAL BUSINESS

APRIL MINUTES. Motion was made to accept the minutes by Billy Altman, seconded by Jim Lumma. Motion carried.

FINANCIAL REPORT by Adjutant Gale Red and he stated $3,940.34 was the present balance. A motion was made

by Dwight Moore to accept the report, and Earl Armstrong seconded the motion. It was passed unanimously.

ROLL CALL. Billy Altman, Earl Armstrong, Bill and Janice Beasley, Mike Blair (guest and member of Camp James

Morgan Utz #1815 in St. Peters), Bill Boyd, Cassandra and Kaitlyn Broomfield, Jim Fulton, J. C. and JoAnn Gideon,

Walter Hall, Robert Hardy, James Hess, Barbara Kay (guest presenter), Johnny Kicklighter, Ron Lakin, Jim Lumma,

David McAuley, John and Jane McKee, Dwight Moore, Ralph Oelschlager, Gale and Sharon Red, Dale Rice, Charles

Sheeler, Tom Sheeler, Phil Tate, Elaine Thebus (guest), and Stephen and Mary Wilson.

COMMUNICATIONS.

- Mark Morgan will not be with us since he is making an emergency drive to Maryland because his mother may be

dying.

- Jim Conn and Chris Frey are not here tonight because of other commitments.

- 2d Lt Commander Ron Lakin was happy to report that Ron Doran has made an improvement in his health. He is

expected to depart Memorial Care Center and go home on May 6, 2014.

- Adjutant Red advised that Joe Starek sent thanks for those who came to Judy’s wake and for the floral.

- Adjutant Red reported Michael Pierpoint had knee surgery and is suffering from complications.

- In addition to the usual birthday cards, Lady Sharon Red reported she made/sent greeting cards to:

-- (Get Well) Janice Beasley, Don Carnley, Ron Doran, Michael Pierpoint, and Dennis Headlee.

-- (Congratulations) Doug and Betty Lawrence (34th Wedding Anniversary), Arthur Tulak (retirement),

and Dwight Moore (retirement).

OLD BUSINESS.

- Still need another squad sergeant -- (Johnny Kicklighter).

- The Illinois Division Convention was held April 26 in

Springfield. Commander Kicklighter reported attendance

included only two Div officers (Robert Mestas & Jim Barr),

nine from Camp Dixon, three from Camp Douglas, zero

from Rock Island Camp, and zero from the John Kempshall

Camp (see group photo at right). The Div needs five camps

in Illinois to meet constitution requirements but only two

are functional. Rock Island dropped down to six members,

and Camp Douglas is on life support. Constitution was

amended to temporarily set aside the provision for quorum

requirements ~ allowed quorum to constitute those present

in order to expedite/carry on business. A parliamentary

rule passed to suspend yearly Div dues (almost $500 this

year for Camp Dixon). Motion passed with a revisit later.

April 26, 2014, Springfield IL. (L-R) Gale Red,Johnny Kicklighter, Jim Conn, Jim Barr, Don Carnley,Ron Lakin, Walter Hall, Dr. Jeff Sheay, DavidMcAuley, Robert Mestas, and Bobby Samuel.

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-- Robert (Rob) Mestas accepted command of

Division (see photo at right). His first order of

business is to open communication and visit all

camps. Adjutant Red has offered his expertise,

experience, and advice to produce positive

results. Adjutant Red was elected 1st Lt

Commander of the Division to support Rob.

- Alton Confederate Memorial, May 17 at 11:00 a.m.

(Show time is NLT 10:30 a.m.) Keynote speaker is

Mr. Fritz Mihelcic, the VFW state commander.

- DAR Memorial of Col John Thomas at the Shiloh

Methodist Church, May 24, at 11:00 a.m. (Show

time is NLT 10:30 a.m.) Uniforms and muskets are

encouraged. Four Honor Guards will be present

(reps from SAR & 1812, Union, and the

Confederacy).

- Memorial Day ceremony at Prairie du Rocher City Cemetery, May 26. Parade starts at 10:00 a.m. (Show

time at the American Legion building is 9:30 a.m.) Can bring weapons but not fire them.

NEW BUSINESS.

- H. L. Hunley Vessel. Adjutant Red reported the conservation lab is draining the pool where the vessel sits,

reducing saline from the steel, and chiseling off the skin to reveal what happened to the Hunley.

- SCV Junior AFROTC Awards to High School Honorees. Adjutant Red advised Camp Dixon has benefitted in

this endeavor and received positive community media in the last 5 years for making presentations to

Mascoutah, Dupo, and O’Fallon High School recipients. We have been able to visit with the cadets and staffs.

In addition to the cadets being versed in aerospace science, they also grow in responsibility for themselves

and become an integral part of the community. They are Top Flight students. Junior AFROTCs include

>100 from Mascoutah, >200 from O’Fallon, and 156 from Dupo. This year the winners will receive a

ribbon, medal and certificate/letter. Cost of each medal is $30 but very worthwhile. Dates of presentation by

Adjutant Red are: O’Fallon (May 3), Mascoutah (May 8), and Dupo (May 10). Photos will be included in

the newsletter. For next year’s presentation, Adjutant Red will obtain a list of other high schools in the area

to participate in the program.

- Representation at SCV National Convention in Charleston, South Carolina, July 16-19 (Johnny Kicklighter).

Commander Kicklighter said he and Chris will vacation in Charleston. He plans to attend the business

meeting and apply the camp’s 10 votes wisely.

- Illinois Division Scholarship ($1,000) Fund Contribution (Johnny Kicklighter). Motion to contribute $400 to

the Scholarship Fund made by Earl Armstrong, seconded by Billy Altman.

FORMAL PRESENTATION. Barbara Kay presented an outstanding briefing on Mary Todd Lincoln.

REFRESHMENTS were provided by John and Jane McKee.

BENEDICTION was delivered by Chaplain Altman.

ADJOURNMENT was at 8:30 p.m.

NEXT MEETING. Thursday, June 5, 2014, 6:30 p.m., same location. Chaplain Billy Altman will bring

refreshments.

Respectfully submitted,

Gale F. Red, Adjutant

April 26, 2014, Springfield IL. (R-L) New IllinoisDivision Commander Robert Mestas, and new 1st

Lt Commander Gale Red hold the Division flag.

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HERITAGE MUSINGS BY COMMANDER EMERITUS MARK MORGANCompatriots – Last month’s column noted a reference to the spring of 1864 as “the final spring campaign” of the war, the campaign executed byLt Gen U.S. Grant to bring Gen Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia to ground. Another description is also used, that of “TheOverland Campaign.” Highly descriptive and highly appropriate; as Lee and his brave Southerners were finding out, Grant kept the Army of thePotomac coming, moving overland either to the left or the right, no matter the outcome of the various battles.

MEMORIAL DAY AT JEFFERSON BARRACKS NATIONAL CEMETERYMAY 26

Compatriot Mark Morgan represented Camp Dixon at the annual Memorial Day commemoration including placingConfederate flags on graves and activities at the Union and Confederate monuments. Tom Kennedy, Commander of theSterling Price Camp, presented remarks and expressed his appreciation to all the attendees.

Despite regular pronouncements by Southern politicians, in several of the Southern papers and evenperiodically from Richmond, it was now painfully apparent the Confederate States of America was mortallywounded as a nation. Grant’s success at Vicksburg in July 1863 (immediately followed by the Confederatesurrender at Port Hudson a few days later) split the young nation in two. Two very large, well-equippedand battle-hardened Union armies were pointed at the heart of the South and moving forward, both innorthern Virginia and in northern Georgia.

To be sure, the South still recorded occasional victories. On 2 June 1864, Brig Gen Samuel D. Sturgissortied from Memphis with 8500 soldiers and cavalry and specific orders to find and destroy Lt Gen NathanBedford Forrest’s cavalry corps. Forrest and his 2000 men were doing their usual thing: running aroundTennessee and northern Mississippi, tearing up railroads, knocking off Yankee outposts and severelyimpacting Maj Gen William T. Sherman’s supply lines.

The two sides collided mid-morning on the 10th, when a brigade of Col Ben Grierson’s cavalry divisionstruck one of Forrest’s brigades. The two forces fought back and forth until 1:30, when the Union infantryarrived…at which point, Forrest hit both the ends of the Union line, including a very close-range artilleryattack. At 3:30 PM, the 2nd Tennessee Cavalry, CSA, attacked a bridge at the rear of the Union forces andSturgis ordered a retreat, which immediately degenerated into your standard headlong route. Forrest’s menwound up seizing several hundred prisoners and a large amount of stores and supplies; back in Memphis,Sturgis received an immediate demotion and was sent west to keep an eye on the Indians. Sherman, uponreceiving word of Sturgis’s route, wired Secretary of War Edwin Stanton: “…Forrest is the verydevil…there will never be peace in Tennessee until Forrest is dead.”

Way down South, Gen Joe Johnston spent the month drawing his lines back in the face of Sherman’s threecorps. Tragedy occurred on 14 June at Pine Mountain near Marietta, when Johnston’s deputy, Lt GenLeonidas Polk, was killed by a direct hit by an artillery shell. Said writer Thomas Connelly, “The army hadsuffered a severe loss…Polk was the army’s most beloved general, a representative of that intangibleidentification of the army with Tennessee.”

On 22 June, Maj Gens Joe Hooker and John Schofield turned back an unplanned and unauthorized attackby Lt Gen John B. Hood at Kolb’s Farm, southwest of Marietta. Poor terrain and steady Union artillery fireforced Hood’s valiant men back with heavy losses, but the dustup gave Johnston more time to entrench andfortify Kennesaw Mountain, to the north.

Convinced that Johnston’s forces were strung out, on Sherman ordered an attack on Johnston’s lines forthe 27th. In what Sherman later termed “…the hardest fight of the campaign to date,” the Southernerssuccessfully defended the mountain and forced the Yankees back with some 3000 losses. Johnston’svictory against superior forces bought both the Army of Tennessee and Atlanta just a little more time andbrought the South some good news, particularly following the 19 June loss of the legendary CSS Alabamato USS Kearsarge off Cherbourg, France.

Up north, the other two major armies duked it out at the crossroads of Cold Harbor, VA, northeast ofRichmond. Starting on 31 May with a cavalry action by Maj Gen Phil Sheridan against Confederateinfantry, the next two weeks saw both sides throw in increasing numbers of forces. The repeated Northernassaults resulted in wholesale slaughter and drove many in the north – with a presidential election looming– to question Grant’s leadership and willingness to sustain losses. On 15 June, Grant pulled back, turnedand headed for Petersburg to join up with Union troops already in contact.

The initial Battle of Petersburg had taken place on 15 June, when Major Generals William F. “Sooey” Smith (XVIII Corps) and Winfield ScottHancock (II Corps) and 30,000 men assaulted a grand total of 5400 Southern defenders of the Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginiaunder Gen PGT Beauregard. Initially driven back under the combined weight of the two Yankee corps, Beauregard’s men managed to dig in whileLee rushed reinforcements from the Army of Northern Virginia. On 18 June, the newly reinforced Confederate defenders repelled an assault bythree corps: II , IX (Maj Gen Ambrose Burnside) and V (Maj Gen Gouverneur Warren).

The Confederate defenses had held…General Lee and the entire Army of Northern Virginia were now in place…and the Siege of Petersburg hadbegun.