NC Society Dedicates Marker at Bennett Place,More Are Planned

Meeting of the Generals marker at Bennett Place.

A weekend of special events and lectures marking the 147th Anniversary of the largest surrender of the War Between the States and the 50th Anniversary of the Bennett Place State Historical Park, was observed on Saturday and Sunday, April 28th and 29th.

On Sunday afternoon under clear sunny skies at 1:30 p.m., the North Carolina Society of the Military Order of the Stars and Bars was privileged and honored to present our contribution to this most eventful weekend. The Wayside Marker “Meeting of the Generals” was dedicated.Mrs. Karen Edwards, President of the Bennett Place Support Group, opened the proceedings after which Mr. Dale Coats, Assistant Director, North Carolina State Historic Sites, gave brief remarks. Larry Beeson, North Carolina MOSB Sesquicentennial Committeeman, brought greetings from the Order and introduced our State Commander Rodney Williams for his remarks. Commander Williams touched on the events of the War starting at Bentonville which led up to the surrender at Bennett Place. Our marker

was then uncovered so the public at large would be able to follow the events as they unfolded on the grounds and at the Bennett’s farm house on April 17, 1865.The Society, in honoring our Confederate ancestors, has been working closely with our North Carolina Historical Sites Director, Keith A. Hardison, in providing the means to erect new Wayside Markers at four different historical sites. The “Meeting of the Generals” at Bennett Place was the first Wayside Marker to be recognized and dedicated. Others will follow at the Zebulon Vance Farmstead, the Lighthouse at Fort Fisher, and Battery B at Fort Anderson near Wilmington. All of this has been a concerted effort of our Order to recognize the 150 th

Anniversary of the War Between the States. Larry Beeson

Larry Beeson and Rodney Williams unveil the marker.

Lower right-hand corner of marker.

Farthest to the Front 1 Summer 2012

Farthest to the FrontThe Official Newsletter of the North Carolina Society

Military Order of Stars & Bars(Winner of the Best Society Newsletter 2006)

Spring 2012

MOSB Jr. Reserves Color Guard Performs atFirst Major Event

Eric, Joseph, Weston, & Patrick.

The NC MOSB Junior Reserve Color Guard forms up just prior to the unveiling of the Wayside Marker (Meeting of the Generals) at the Bennett Place Historical Site in Durham.

The Color Guard was a hit with the public. Hundreds of photos were taken of the Color Guard by the general public and by MOSB, SCV, and UDC members.

Poor Attendance at 2012 NC Society Convention Prevents

Business MeetingBecause only three Chapters were represented at the NC Society meeting in Wadesboro, on May 5th, a quorum was not available and no business was conducted. The three chapters attending were Captain Henry C. Grady Chapter 296 (Anson, Union, & Mecklenburg Counties), Garnett-Pettigrew Chapter 67 (Greensboro), and Major Absalom Knox Simonton Chapter 152 (Statesville).

The Society Officers present were Commander Rodney Williams, Lt. Commander Dave Edwards, Color Sergeant Patrick Williams, and Sgt. at Arms John Williams.

The State Convention was held at the Ladybug Restaurant in Wadesboro and was hosted by the Capt. Henry C. Grady Chapter 296.After a very short business session in the morning followed by lunch, a wreath laying ceremony was held at the Confederate Monument in front of the recently refurbished Anson County Courthouse.The model for the monument was Sgt. Richardson of Ansonville, one of the few monuments in the country where a local soldier was the actual model.Society Lt. Commander Dave Edwards led a brief walking tour which described the March 1865 raids by Kilpatrick on Wadesboro. which was one of the six designated cotton depots in the state of North Carolina during the war, and also the site of the Arnold & Cooley Sword Factories.The group then walked a couple of blocks and placed flags on Confederate Congressman Samuel Ashe and United Confederate Veteran General Smith’s graves at Eastview Cemetery. Several other Confederate officers are buried there also.

Dave Edwards, Society Lt. Commander

Garnett-Pettigrew Chapter Hosted 2011 NC Society

ConventionThe Garnett-Pettigrew Chapter (Greensboro) was pleased to host the 2011 NC Society, MOSB Convention at the Monticello Club House located in Browns Summit. During the meeting, the Society decided to purchase four wayside markers (with the help of the national MOSB) and re-elected all Society Officers.Lunch was served following the meeting.After lunch, the Garnett-Pettigrew Chapter held its regular meeting with many Society members remaining for that meeting. During that meeting, a special CSA memorial tribute was preformed to honor the late Commander Ken Patterson.

Farthest to the Front 2 Summer 2012

Lt. Thomas D. Lattimore Chapter Formed

The Lt. Thomas D. Lattimore Chapter 304 of Rutherfordton, NC, was officially chartered by the General Society on December 4, 2011. The chapter was formed by his descendants and relations to honor his commitment to the Confederacy and his role as a historian and supporter of commemorative events following the War Between the States.“We are very pleased to join the other MOSB Chapters in North Carolina,” said Chapter Commander, Robin S. Lattimore. “Our chapter is committed to preserving and protecting the heritage of our Confederate ancestors in ways that promote scholarship, patriotism, and Southern pride.”Lt. Thomas D. Lattimore wrote the official history of the 34th N.C. Regiment for inclusion in Clark’s History of the Civil War. After the war Lattimore served as Clerk of Superior Court of Cleveland County for 22 years. During that time he was the leader/planner of many Confederate veterans’ reunions in Shelby and around the state.The members of the Lt. Thomas D. Lattimore Chapter placed wreaths on the graves of Thomas and Matilda Beam Lattimore, located in the Sunset Cemetery in Shelby, NC, during the Christmas season 2011. The chapter also placed a wreath on the grave of Judge G.W. Logan, a member of the Confederate Congress. Logan’s grave is located in the Rutherfordton City Cemetery. His gravestone is damaged due to age and is in need of repair. Members of the chapter are currently raising funds to restore the monument.In addition to regular spring and fall cleaning days, the chapter plans to place wreaths on the couple's graves each Christmas season.Also, the chapter plans to care for Judge Logan's grave and to place a holiday wreath on it each December.The Lattimore Chapter plans to meet quarterly at various local restaurants. Meetings will be scheduled at various times and dates to

accommodate the schedules of the members. Robin S. Lattimore. Commander

James Waddell Chapter Celebrates Robert E. Lee's Birthday for the 23rd Year

d 20Jan Johnsson and Ellis Selph provide music.

The 23rd Annual Robert E. Lee Birthday Celebration was held in the historic House Chambers of the NC State Capitol in Raleigh on Saturday, January 21, 2012. The celebration was sponsored by the Capt. James I. Waddell Chapter MOSB, Raleigh; the Capt. Samuel A. Ashe Chapter UDC, Raleigh; and the 47th Regiment NC Troops Camp SCV, Wake Forest.The Stars & Bars flew over the Capitol during the ceremony. Frank B. Powell, III, Commander of the Capt. Waddell Chapter, served as the master of ceremonies. Greetings were brought from the following organizations: NC SCV Commander Tom Smith; Capt. Samuel Ashe Chapter UDC President Carolina Cooper; NC MOSB Commander Rodney Williams; and the NC Children of the Confederacy 2nd Vice President Michelle Powers.SCV Lt. Commander-in-Chief Kelly Barrow of Grifton, GA, gave the keynote address on Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. Members of the Confederate States Marines posted and retired the colors, and Ellis Selph and Jan

Farthest to the Front 3 Summer 2012

Johnsson provided music throughout the service including Dixie.

Byron Brady, Adjutant

Lee's HQ Flag Flies at Randolph County

Courthouse

Dwain Roberts (Past Commander and current Lt. Commander of the Garnett-Pettigrew Chapter) received permission to fly the Lee Headquarters Flag at the Randolph County courthouse on January 19th in honor of General Robert E. Lee’s birthday.

Garnett-Pettigrew Honors Confederate Officers With

Grave-Size FlagsJust prior to his death, Garnett-Pettigrew Chapter Commander Kenneth Patterson authorized Past Chapter Commander Rodney Williams to purchase 48 grave-size Confederate flags. Wentworth United Methodist Church in Rockingham County holds the remains of 20 Confederate soldiers, 7 of them being officers. On the afternoon of Sunday, February 13, 2011 around 2 PM, Commander Kenneth Patterson and former Chapter Commanders Larry Brown, Rodney Williams, and Darrell Wilson replaced 20 tattered and faded 1st

National Flags with brand new ones. The new

flags were placed military style at each soldier’s headstone and each soldier’s grave was saluted. Ten iron UDC Southern Crosses of Honor (grave crosses) were repainted in Wentworth and Reidsville. The old flags were disposed of later per the respected method.As soon as the flags were placed Past Commander Williams gave Ken, Larry, and Darrell a quick history lesson on Wentworth United Methodist Church. Rodney took them to the edge of the church property to show them the Civil War Trails Wayside Marker located there. Rodney then went to the Rockingham County Veterans' Park, where he cleaned up around the Confederate War Dead Monument, blowing and raking away fallen leaves and acorns. Less than three days later, Garnett-Pettigrew Commander Kenneth Patterson passed away. Darrell, Larry, and Rodney will always remember their last great outing with Commander Ken.

Rodney Williams

Farthest to the Front 4 Summer 2012

Kenneth Patterson, CommanderGarnett-Pettigrew Chapter

1936 - 2011

From the Commander's Desk

Dear Members of the North Carolina Society,Much has happened since the last publication of “Farthest to the Front”.A new Chapter has formed in Rutherfordton, NC (Lt. Thomas D. Lattimore

Chapter 304) and a new chapter is set to form in Wilmington before the end of the year. The NC Society is also proud to announce that we have groups working to form chapters in King and Wilson, NC. The Waddell Chapter in Raleigh helped sponsor The Robert E. Lee Birthday Celebration and Confederate Flag Day Commemoration in the old House Chambers again this year. The Garnett- Pettigrew Chapter in Greensboro still has it annual monument sites clean-ups at Gettysburg twice a year. Seven of Garnett-Pettigrew’s members man “Patterson’s Battery” a MOSB Memorial Cannon Crew, named in honor of its Past Commander, the late Ken Patterson. Ken was a founding member of the crew. They have provided military honors six times in the last year with several more events and services planned through the end of the year. As far as we know, they are the only all MOSB-member Memorial Cannon Crew in the Confederation.I am also proud to say the NC Society Junior Reserve Color Guard has been active since it was formed at the 2011 Convention. So far they have been at five events, including being at the unveiling of the NC Society’s “Meeting of the Generals” wayside marker at the Bennett Place NC Historical Site, the 2012 NC Society convention, and the 2012 Guilford Chapter 301 UDC (Greensboro) annual Memorial Service where they posted the Colors.I would like to extend thanks to the members

of the Capt. Henry C. Grady Chapter 296 for hosting our 2012 Convention in Wadesboro, and to the members of the Maj. Absalom Knox Simonton Chapter 152 in Statesville for being the host chapter for our 2013 State Convention.Gentlemen, the NC Society is active, but we could do more, we can always do more. I challenge each and everyone of you to recruit one new member this year and for each of you to adopt a Confederate Officer or Statesman’s grave and maintain it, hold annual Confederate Memorial Services, or assist other UDC, DCS and SCV Chapters with their memorial services or events. As my last year as Society Commander draws nearer, I thank each and everyone of you for your support over the last 3 years as your NC Society Commander. Thank You,

Rodney P. WilliamsNC Society Commander

Annie CarterLee's

Gravesite Following the Robert E. Lee Birthday Celebration, a memorial wreath furnished by the NC UDC was placed on the grave of Annie Carter Lee which is located near Warrenton, NC.

Farthest to the Front 5 Summer 2012

The Kepi Is Now “Official” Uniform of NC Society

In keeping with some of the customs of the American Legion, VFW, and DAV, the North Carolina Society adopted at it's convention on April 2, 2011 a new official custom. The N.C. Society now has official headwear, "The Confederate kepi". When chapter members, society officers, or rank-and-file members meet in convention, regular meetings, memorial services, funerals, etc., they should wear the Confederate kepi. All NC Society members are urged to wear the Confederate kepi as the American Legion, VFW, and DAV do with their garrison caps at their meetings. Since the UCV did have uniforms and hats as part of the UCV wardrobe at times, we (the NC Society) see no reason not to continue this and start using this new and modified tradition of wearing the kepi at our MOSB functions.Society members are urged to wear the gray Confederate officers kepi with the highest rank of their ancestor. Members are urged to wear rank no higher than that of the highest ranking member in their family line. Any branch of service may be used, artillery,

cavalry, infantry, navy, or marines. Members joining on civil officials may wear up to the rank of Captain. The Current NC Society Commander or any Past NC Society Commander may wear up to the rank of Brig. General as long as they have completed one full term as Society Commander. The Current NC Society Lt. Commander or any Past NC Society Lt. Commander may wear up to the rank of Colonel as long as they have completed one full term. This ranking system will not apply if one of their ancestors held a higher rank; if so, they may wear a higher ranking kepi. Any current or Past Commanders General living or visiting in NC, may wear the kepi bearing the highest rank of General to any NC MOSB function.Members may wear any Confederate kepi to any MOSB meetings they may attend, even if it is not an officer's kepi. Any kepi from any Branch of Confederate service is allowed. Gray is suggested, but not required. All of us are good looking men, but this will make us look even better! NOTE: This tradition is non-binding; no one will be forced to buy or wear a kepi if they don't want to. I do, however, urge everyone to do so using the guidelines above. The Confederate Officers of North Carolina Society is on the move, and let's look good doing it!!I remain in your service and in the service of the Order,

Rodney WilliamsNC Society Commander

Farthest to the Front 6 Summer 2012

I am a Confederate.If found lost or unconscious,

please hide me from the Yankees, revive me with mint

juleps, and assist me in returning to my beloved

Dixieland.

Robert E. Lee Tintype Fetches $23,001 for Charity

NASHVILLE, Tenn. A Goodwill Industries worker who spotted a photograph of Confederate General Robert E. Lee has helped the charity make $23,001 in an online auction. The tintype photograph was in a bin, about to be shipped out to an outlet store, when a worker grabbed it and sent it to the charity's local online department. The item was put up for auction. Bidding started at $4 and closed at $23,001."It would have gone to our outlet store where everything is sold by the pound," Goodwill spokeswoman Suzanne Kay-Pittman said Thursday. She estimated the tintype would have fetched a dollar and change based on its weight.The sale was a record for Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee. The previous record was an early 1900s watercolor that sold for $7,500 in 2009 to a museum in New Orleans,The newspaper said that the tintype had some intriguing aspects: It wasn't an original photograph but a tintype made of another picture, and it was a view of Lee that collectors had not seen.Kay-Pittman said Thursday that the successful bidder lives in Virginia but officials didn't immediately know his name."We're doing a happy dance," she said. "We're beyond thrilled."

The Tennessean

Newest Life Member:George Harris

Commanader Williams presents a Life Membership Certificate to George Harris, while Patrick Williams stands honor guard. Mr. Harris was to be a charter

member of the chapter in Wilmington. Sadly, he died before the chapter was formed.

Jackson Monument Benediction

"...and Thou knowest O Lord, that when Thou didst decide that the Confederacy should not succeed, Thou hadst first to

remove Thy servant, Stonewall Jackson."Benediction by Father Hubert, of Hay's Brigade, at the

unveiling of the Jackson Monument in New Orleans, 1881. Quoted in Jeff Shaara's Gods and Generals.

Submitted by Ed Burgess

Bill Bunting displays the MOSB Flag beside the monument of Capt. Samuel Ashe, the first Vice

Commander General of the MOSB.

Farthest to the Front 7 Summer 2012

“Meeting of the Generals” at the Bennett house.

Farthest to the Frontis the official newsletter of

the NC Society, MOSBStaff

Charles Hawks, EditorGeorge Long, Proofreader

ContributorsLarry BeesonByron BradyEd Burgess

Dave EdwardsJohn Guss

Robin LattimoreEd Martin

George PearsonRon Perdue

Frank PowellJim & Marty Rogers

Rodney WilliamsReaders are encouraged to submit

photos, events, & articles for publication.

Farthest to the Front 8 Summer 2012

Garnett-Pettigrew's “Patterson's Battery”40th NC Orange Light Artillery, MOSB

Fires at Salisbury Prison.