Southern Herald May

8/17/2019 Southern Herald May

1/41

Southern erald

ROBERT E LEE Camp #1589 Newsletter

And Journal of Unreconstructed Confederate Thought

This month’s meeting features: May 1

This month’s meeting features:

Speaker Randy Watkins

Topic "National Park Service and Historical Interpretation"

COMMANDER- KEN NORMAN

[email protected]

LT COMMANDER- PAUL COLEMAN

[email protected]

2ND LT COMMANDER-BILL [email protected]

ADJ/TREASURER -BARRY ISENHOUR

[email protected]

CHAPLAIN- JOHN HENRY TAYLOR

[email protected]

JUDGE ADVOCATE- TOMMY CLINGER

[email protected]


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CO mmander’s Report

ompatriots,

I hope everyone is doing well this month and enjoying this weather as spring is in full affect. We have

d a busy month with the monthly meeting and 57th ANV convention in Short Pump with many other

remonies honoring our ancestors and advancing the cause. Thank you to Ms. Theresa for a wonderful

esentation this month, it is always good to learn about the many aspects of the time period to include every

rspective of life. We started the convention weekend by attending the DEC meeting on Friday afternoon; i

tendance were Bill, Barry, John Henry, Tommy, and myself. Nothing monumental came out of the meetin

cept the fact that the minutes of the last DEC meeting were not posted and they glossed over the reason the

ld the Oakwood workday without posting it or including others. Saturday’s convention was held with a

uorum of camps and we were able to vote on amendments and hold elections.

The elections did not go well as all of our candidates were defeated in what appeared to be a definite

buke on any one that has a different opinion then those on the DEC or had any affiliation to the Flaggers oy other organization they oppose. The voting on amendments were fast in comparison to the elections as th

ly agreed with on amendment that they proposed and quickly defeated the ones our camp put forward. The

ly good thing that did come out was the passing of an amendment that rescinded the DEC’s r esolution tha

ndemned any other organization but them; this most surprised and confused the DEC. We were presented

e outstanding camp award for 2015, and that is a testament of our camps outstanding dedication and

mmitment by our members! Hats off to ya’ll.

The dinner was nice and the company was better as Tommy and John Henry both had their wives with

em. The night’s entertainment was very interesting as they had a young man that portrayed Confederate Lt

py Benjamin Franklin Stringfellow. He did a first person rendition and made the evening enjoyable.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the next monthly meeting on May the 3rd

at Dolce Vida restauran

m with meeting to start at 7pm.

Commander

Ken Norman


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“In all my perplexities and distresses, the

Bible has never failed to give me light and

strength.”

― Robert E. Lee

Compatriots,

We are all glad to see our Compatriot Roy Brooks back in the fold with us. We have missed our smiling “greet

and it is a joy to have his smiling face back at out camp meetings.

Compatriot Hugh C. Hawthorne Sr. continues to deal with the inconvenience of carpal tunnel syndrome which

greatly limited his mobility and his use of his walker. When I last spoke with Hugh, he reported that his family

aking good care of him.

Compatriot George Winn Jr. has greatly improved and both of his eyes have been successfully operated on for

cataracts. George has been having some issues with medication and hopes to have that straightened out soon.

Compatriot Oren Kevin Mowels is continuing with the radiation and chemo therapy. As most of you

know, these cancer treatments really drain you of your energy and make you weak. Please keep Kevin in your

houghts and prayers.

Lisa Marie Clinger successfully underwent major surgery to correct a hip defect. She will be laid up at home f

quite a few months but is being well cared for by her family. Please pray for a quick healing for Marie and her

o college.

On the good news side – Compatriot Marion Jefferson Humphreys III is now the proud step Dad of a brand ne

MasterMason – MacKenzie Humphreys Knight was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on April 27t

will be graduating from High School on June 25th, 2016 and expects to be going into the U.S. Navy sometime i

January.

Respectfully submitted,

John Henry TaylorChaplainGen. Robert E. Lee Camp # 1589Sons of Confederate VeteransMidlothian, VA.

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/41991.Robert_E_Leehttp://www.goodreads.com/author/show/41991.Robert_E_Leehttp://www.goodreads.com/author/show/41991.Robert_E_Leehttp://www.goodreads.com/author/show/41991.Robert_E_Lee


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General Robert E Lee SCV Camp #1589 April 5, 2016

Adjutant Camp Minutes

Members Present: 20 Guest: 12

Commander Norman ordered meeting open @ 7:05pmChaplain Taylor open with prayer, and asked for prayers for Tommy Clinger's Daughter Lisa Marie,Hugh Hawthorne, George Winn. Roy Brooks.2nd Lt Cmdr Brown read The Charge

2 nd Lt Cmdr Brown read The Pledges Adjutant Isenhour read Minutes from last Camp meeting, current Bank Bal. was annouced

Old Business

Our Camp's members, Blair Perrow, Brent Tyree & Barry Isenhour are on the Board of The Chesterfield Historical Society and asked the Camp their wishes on projects we are voting onn next CHS meeting. Their wish is not to support upcoming vote on Points of Rocks Monument.Reported on Raffle Tickets sales. Collected another $265

2nd Brigade Cmdr Les Updike gave his report on March 15th SCV Va State Convention andhis Term as 2nd Brigade Cmdr and his future not to run again in that position, but rather

asked the Camp for Their support for his run to be next Inspector General of DEC. Byvoice vote The Camp, (John Henry Taylor First, Barry Isenhour Seconded) unanimouslyto support him.Proposal for Quartermaster Clinger to spend $900 for Camp Merchandise for Camp's Tent atFestivals to sell. (First John Henry Taylor, Eric Richardson Seconded), passed by unanimousvote.

Swore in new member, John Beasley

Reminder to present Camp's Wreath at Veterans Memorial Service @ Virginia War Memorial onMay 30. Dennis Marshall & Bill Brown agreed to present Wreath.

Speaker: Ms Teresa Roane, The Women of The Confederacy

Camp 50/50 collected $54.00 Darlene Taylor won & donated back to Camp $20 Dennis Marshall bought idem for last Month's Auction for $15.00 Chaplain Taylor closing prayer Cmdr Norman adjourned meeting @8:39pm

Barry F Isenhour

Adjutant Treasurer


5/41

Confederate Memorial Day Service at Oakwood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia, Saturday, M

7, 2016, 11:00 a.m.

In 2014, the Virginia Flaggers revived a grand tradition of holding a Confederate Memorial DayService at Oakwood Cemetery in Richmond. This year, they are once again holding a ceremonyinvite all to attend.

We are thrilled to have Pastor John Weaver, of "The Truth About the Confederate Battle Flag" asKeynote speaker, and the service will include a processional, music by Pipe Major David Hinton,Confederate Color and Honor Guard, other special guests, and a wreath laying ceremony. Our Cwill be presenting a wreath.

Attendees in period attire wishing to participate in the processional through the cemetery, please

arrive by 10:30 a.m. FREE to the public, free parking, all are welcome.

06/04/16 - The Jefferson Davis Memorial Committee will conduct the annual birthday ceremofor our first and only Southern President on Saturday, June 4th, 2016, at 9:00 am, at HollywoCemetery. The keynote speaker will be Ms. Teresa Roane, and the topic will be 'The JeffersoDavis family, and the contributions by People Of Color'. We will have the usual honor guardsof colorful flags, light refreshments, portable toilets, wreath presentations and a great rifle salA few limited "Presidential Flags", with certificate, will be available for a donation to JDMC.Please contact Everette Ellis at [email protected] or Jimmy [email protected] to present a wreath.

https://www.facebook.com/Pipe-Major-David-Hinton-202265476465170/https://www.facebook.com/Pipe-Major-David-Hinton-202265476465170/https://www.facebook.com/Pipe-Major-David-Hinton-202265476465170/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.facebook.com/Pipe-Major-David-Hinton-202265476465170/


6/41

PLEASE REMEMBER TO SELL THE CAMP RAFFLE TICKETS

CONTACT TOMMY CLINGER FOR MORE DETAILS [email protected], 804-317-2736____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA

CONTACT BARRY ISENHOUR FOR DETAILS

___________________________________________________________________________________

QUARTERMASTER INVENTORY

THE CAMP HAS HATS, FLAGS, STICKERS ETC AVAILABLE

CONTACT TOMMY CLINGER FOR MORE DETAILS [email protected], 804-317-2736


7/41

News

Camp members continue to protest the atrocities at the Confederate Chapel, and pthe Monuments in Richmond to prevent vandalism.

Compatriots Confederate Heritage Month Ceremony On Saturday, April 9 When the Chester Station #1503 Sons of

Confederate Veterans celebrated Confederate History month in Virginia with a flag Ceremony at the Confederate

Monument on the historic 1917 Chesterfield Courthouse Green. In addition to Chester Station members, people of

Confederate heritage from General Robert E. Lee SCV, Edmund Ruffin SCV, Elliot Grays United Daughters of the

Confederacy, Captain Sally Tompkins Order of the Confederate Rose, the Virginia Flaggers, and the Mechanized

Cavalry


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Welcome our newest member John Beasley

Many Thanks to MS. Teresa Roane for a Greatpresentation on "Women During The War" , At theApril meeting


9/41

Whether you’re an longtime member, a new or prospective

member, or simply an interested citizen of the public, you’llbe warmly welcomed at our meetings.

Please Join Us For Dinner and Meeting on May 3,2016

Members (and their guests) are invited to come out for ourinformal pre-meeting dinner and Meeting. We meet at Dolc

Vita Italian Restaurant located at2401 Colony Crossing PlaMidlothian, VA 23112,Dinner 6pm Meeting 7pm the firstTuesday of every month except July. The pre-meeting dinneis an excellent way to meet members, welcome newcomersand renew old friendships.

Featured Speaker

Speaker Randy Watkins

Topic "National Park Service and Historical Interpretation


10/41

Important Dates in The Confederate States of AmericaMay

1 1863 The Second National Flag "Stainless Banner" is officially adopted by the

Confederate Congress.

1 1807 General John B. Magruder’s birthday.

1-4 1863 Battle of Chancellorsvilles, VA

3 1863 Battle at Fredricksburg, VA

4 1863 Battle of Salem Church, VA

5 1862 Battle of Williamsburg, VA

5 1863 in the middle of the night a company of US troops barged into politician

Clement Vallandigham's Ohio home, broke down the door, and dragged him from h

bed. He was hurried off to Cincinnati to be tried for sedition.

5-6 1864 Battle of the Wilderness, VA

6 1861 Arkansas and Tennessee secede

7 1861 Virginia admitted into the Confederacy


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7 1865 Governor Brown surrenders the Georgia State Line Troops and the Georgia

Militia to Union General James H. Wilson

7 1865 Major Henry Wirz arrested at Andersonville, GA on order of US General Wils

9-19 1864 Battles around Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA8 1862 Battle of McDowell, VA

9-12 1864 Battle of Rocky Face Ridge, GA

9 1864 Fighting at Snake Creek Gap near Resaca, GA

10 1861 General Lee assigned command of Confederate Forces in Virginia.

10 1863 Lt. General Thomas J. Jackson dies of wounds from the Battle of

Chancellorsville, VA

10 1865 President Jefferson Davis captured by yankee cavalry at Irwinville, GA

11 1864 Battle of Yellow Tavern, VA

11 1867 President Davis released from prison on $100,000 bond provided by prominNortherners, among them old abolitionists Gerrit Smith and Horace Greely. Althoug

still scheduled to be tried for charges of treason, he would never be tried.

12 1862 Georgia Railroad Bridge Guard begins duty under Captain E.M. Gault.

12 1864 General J.E.B. Stuart dies from wounds received at the Battle of Yellow Tav

VA


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12 1865 Brigadier General W.T. Wofford surrenders Confederate forces in North

Georgia at Kingston, GA

12-13 1865 Battle of Palmitto Ranch, TX, (last battle of the war)

13 1861 Brigadier Geneeral Benjamin McCulloch is appointed to the command of th

district embracing the Indian Territory lying west of Arkansas and south of Kansas. C

Major Douglas H. Cooper, of the Choctaw Nation is authorized to raise a mounted

regiment of Choctaw and Chickasaw Indians.

13-15 1864 Battle of Resaca, GA

15 1802 General Isaac Trimble’s birthday

15 1864 Battle of New Market, VA

16 1824 General Edmund Kirby Smith’s birthday

16 1861 Tennessee officially admitted to the Confederacy

17 1863 Battle of Big Black River Bridge, MS

18 1863 The Siege of Vicksburg begins

18 1864 Battle of Cassville, GA

19 1864 General Johnston faces Sherman's invading armies at Cassville, GA

19 1865 CSS Stonewall lowers Confederate banner in Cuba.


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20 1861 North Carolina secedes

20 1861 Confederate States capital moved from Montgomery, AL to Richmond, VA

21 1822 General Dabney H. Maury’s (also founder of the Southern Historical Society

birthday

22 1865 President Davis is imprisoned at Fort Monroe, VA

23-27 1864 Battle of North Anna River, VA

24 1861 yankee troops occupy Alexandria, VA

25 1816 General Henry H. Sibley’s birthday

25 1864 Battle of New Hope Church, Dallas, GA

26 1865 General Simon B. Buckner surrenders the Army of Trans-Mississippi

27 1864 Battle of Pickett’s Mill, GA

28 1818 General P.G.T. Beauregard’s birthday

28 1864 Battle of Dallas, GA

30 1864 Skirmish at Greenville, TN

31-1 1862 Battle of Seven Pines, VA


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History of Oakwood Cemetery Richmond , Virginia

Oakwood’s progression through the War Of Northern Aggression can be

traced via newspaper articles and records noting a soldier’s resting place

After the outbreak of war in

1861 and through its first months, Oakwood had 540 Confederates burie

there. The numbers increased exponentially from 1862 through 1863.

September 1861-62 Oakwood saw a total of 4,882 soldiers buried, and

from September 1862 until the beginning of 1863 another 2,237 soldiers

were interred.

As the war grew closer to Richmond in the final days of theConfederacy, one can extrapolate that Oakwood continued to receive asteady feed of Confederate dead until

1865. By war’s end the Confederate section of Oakwood Cemetery coverapproximately

7.5 acres and contained more than 12,000 dead. Extrapolating from the l

newspaper accounts of 1863, around 9,000 more Confederate bodies wo

be interred in the grounds of Oakwood. Besides the thousands ofConfederate soldiers being buried in Oakwood, normal burials continued

albeit at a slower rate. The Daily Dispatch commented on

Oakwood’s final quarter of 1862 as having 23 white and 18 African

American burials.25 It is interesting that African American burials

continued to occur, even though African Americans were buried apart

from other races in the North.

Buried within the corner-stone of the Confederate Soldiers’ Monument iOakwood

Cemetery lays a small box containing remnants of the Southern Soldier’s

Cause. Relics pertaining to Confederate leaders, Confederate imagery, an

other historical legacies have remained undisturbed, since 1871, within

imposing stone monument. In this time capsule lies the legacy of Oakwoo

Cemetery: a list of all Confederate soldiers buried in this once thriving bu


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now overlooked cemetery. Oakwood, while containing several thousand

Confederate soldiers, has become a discounted landmark of Richmond.

What should have been a glorious resting place for the South’s soldiers, h

turned into a nondescript field, devoid of proper grave markers. Oakwoo

and its early history, lay hidden much like the tin box buried within themonument. The foundation of this cemetery in the 1850s was primarily

of necessity, but the War severely changed the landscape and purpose of

the cemetery, much as it did to Richmond and the rest of America’s South

After the war,

Oakwood was in a perpetual state of flux and struggled to find its purpos

and identity. The cemetery, initially meant to be municipal, became a

hybrid in the city, as it accommodated thousands of soldiers, white and

African Americans, religious groups, and the normal citizenry of

Richmond’s East End.

The aftermath of the war and formation of the Ladies Memorial Associat

tracked the progress of the cemetery until 1891, as Oakwood celebrated

25th Memorial Day Anniversary. The Memorial Day was chosen as an

ending point because it marked the heyday of post-bellum support for thcemetery. Up until this point, Oakwood had gone through several cycles

positive and negative press and growth, and the 25th anniversary marke

an equilibrium point in the history of the cemetery.

A full study of Oakwood’s history in this century is needed to describe an

analyze the role of Oakwood Restoration Committee of the Virginia

Division Sons of Confederate Veterans ,Richmond City and DHR in themaintenance of the grounds, as well as the actions of modern Confederat

memorial groups.

To fully appreciate and understand the context of this narrative, it is

necessary to understand how Oakwood looks today. Oakwood Cemetery

located in Richmond’s East End with a main entrance off Nine Mile Road

and a back entrance at Oakwood Avenue. The cemetery is still in use tod


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and has extensive land to expand upon. Stony Run Creek splits the

cemetery into a new and old section, with the older part of the grounds i

the eastern half. Oakwood is well-laid out into sections corresponding to

letter followed by a specific number. Visitors wishing to seek out loved o

have much trouble finding gravesites as the list at the cemetery areincorrect. There are a small number of crypts and mausoleums in the old

section. Roads are marked with street names and are easily accessible, fo

the most part. Some sections of the Confederate area have overgrown ro

that are inaccessible. In the regular sections, plots are well-arranged but

seem to be overgrown and untended in places. The old section is home t

two unique areas: the Hebrew Cemetery and the Confederate Section. Th

Hebrew Section is well maintained but very small. The graves and stones

are extremely close together and cramped, reminiscent of Sir Moses

Montefiore Cemetery, a short drive away.

Finally, the Confederate Section is clearly distinguished by the memorial

placed in the middle of section A. Very small and worn markers are locat

at precise intervals marking a specific subsection, not individual gravesi

however. A few markers from the Civil War pertaining to specific

individuals exist but are in poor condition. Very few newer stones have

been placed by individuals. Flags are interspersed next to the small

markers to distinguish the legacy of the deceased.


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With a clear picture of Oakwood in mind, the early history of the cemetecan be unraveled in context to Richmond’s other cemeteries. Richmond iknown for its history. Museums and monuments can shed important lighon these events that filled our past, but the cemetery is an overlookedlocale for viewing change over time. Richmond’s early cemeteries includShockoe Hill Burying-Ground, Hebrew Cemetery, as well as theRevolutionary era St. John’s Churchyard. Shockoe Hill, home to Chief JustJohn Marshall and other local celebrities, was the place for white citizensthe city to be buried early in the nineteenth century. By mid-century, it wdeemed necessary to investigate other locales in the area for a newburying-ground, as Shockoe was quickly filling up. The first mention ofwhat would be Oakwood, was in late 1852 in The Daily Dispatch when th

committee for cemeteries came across the need to take over pieces of lanin Henrico county, condemned some years since for a burying ground, nethe eastern limits of the city

The deal to buy this land did not go through for two years until 1854 wit

the purchase of Shore’s farm to establish what was originally known as t

Eastern Burying Ground. The name “Oakwood” was not applied to this n

burying-ground until the end of 1854 with a “keeper” being appointed tomanage and care for the land. Oakwood was finally established, run by M

John Redford, and prepared for its first residents. Richmonders had long

been seeking burial in Shockoe Hill Burying-Ground, Hebrew Cemetery,

and the long-standing St. John’s burial ground, all nearing capacity. Mid-

century brought the establishment of Oakwood as well as its more famou

contemporary, Hollywood Cemetery, and with them space for tens of

thousands of future interments. Hollywood was the first rural cemetery its kind in Richmond, Oakwood as the city’s alternative to Hollywood. It

interesting to note the development of both Oakwood and Hollywood fro

their establishments, through the War, and how they survived afterward

Both were established around the same time, for the same purpose, and

the same style. So why didn’t Oakwood end up as the East End’s Hollywo

instead of it's poor stepsister?


18/41

The War certainly had an immense impact on both cemeteries futures

well as location. While Oakwood lacked the cachet of a James River view

it was surrounded by attractive countryside with views of Stony Ru

Valley.

The connection between Oakwood and Hollywood again emerges in t

1860s and 1870s as memorial associations spring up around Richmo

following the War. Most histories of Oakwood Cemetery establish the fi

burial as occurring in 1855, even as late as 1856.

As the Eastern Burying Ground had been established briefly before the

name change, it is possible that pauper burials occurred on the original

piece of land purchased. However, formal plots were not established unt1855, which the committee on cemeteries commented on in November

1854, and the city did not sell areas inside the cemetery until formal

sections were created.

Oakwood was unique in that it was being groomed to become a new,

municipal cemetery for the people of Richmond’s East End but was alsoreadily used throughout the nineteenth century as the burying place for

city’s paupers, here specifically “colored paupers.” It is very possible tha

the Eastern

Burying Ground, or Oakwood late in 1854, was used as a resting place fo

the city’s poor before 1855. These claims cannot be substantiated withou

further research and explorat ion of the city’s records. The end of the

1850s marked the first five to six years, depending on the establishment

date, of Oakwood. The cemetery was very much in its infancy and had

quite a ways to go. Growth was promising, as efforts to establish a Sailor

Burying-Ground was put forth in the middle of 1859.Individual intermen

slowly crept forward in the 1850s, with probably no more than 10 to 15

interments per quarter. These small numbers did not mean the cemetery


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was failing in anyway. The low numbers indicated in the late 1850s for

Oakwood suggest a growing acceptance for new cemeteries in Richmond

with the possibility of creating a new popular place to be laid to rest.

Oakwood continued to steadily increase its population through the late

1850s and into the early 1860s shortly before the maelstrom that was thWar of Northern Aggression.

Before war erupted in 1861, Oakwood began to gain its legs and take its

role as the city’s next popular cemetery. The Dispatch writes, “Shockoe H

Burying-Ground is rapidly filling up, and in the course of a few years

another cemetery will be brought in to general use. – Oakwood may answ

for years to come, and is beautifully located for the resting place of thedead.”

Oakwood had finally taken hold of its purpose and was poised to become

the next great burial ground for Richmond. The years,1860 and 1861,

directly before the war, continued to see growing numbers of interments

with 5 white and 15 African American interments in the second quarter

1860 and 10 of each in the final quarter of 1860. However, this paled incomparison to almost 200 burials in Shockoe Hill.

The whites being buried in Oakwood at this time were most likely the fir

to purchase sectioned plots and thus were of a wealthier social stature. T

African American interments were certainly black paupers from the city

almshouse. Oakwood on the eve of the War can be characterized as a mu

use, suburban cemetery steadily growing and with a defined future ahea

The War hit the nation harder than most imagined. Instead of a few sma

engagements and quick victories, both sides soon realized the conflict w

much more complicated and would cost more than regional pride.

Richmond, as the capital of the Confederacy, was an important staging

ground for troops from all over the South, as well as the headquarters fo

Southern political and military leadership. In addition to being the politi


20/41

rallying point of the South, Richmond became the nexus for the healing a

treating of wounded and dying soldiers. At its zenith, the city had over a

dozen hospitals spread throughout its perimeter. The two largest

compounds were Winder in the west and the enormous Chimborazo to t

east.

Soldiers soon streamed into the various hospitals surrounding the cente

of Richmond befalling several fates: healing quickly and returning to dut

requiring a longer stay in a hospital, or succumbing to disease or wound

Chimborazo at this time has been noted as being the Confederacy’s large

hospit al, if not the world’s largest at the time, and handled the majority o

wounded and sick soldiers. A general consensus among similar historiesand research concludes that soldiers who died at Chimborazo another

eastern hospitals were eventually buried in Oakwood. There does not

appear to have been any special dividing point that dictated whether a

body went to Oakwood or Hollywood. But in a general sense that unoffic

line appears to have been at about 18th street. In any case, it can be

concluded that the primary resting places for Confederate soldiers were

both Oakwood and Hollywood.

From the War until the turn of the century, Oakwood appeared to have a

skeleton crew. Mr. John Redford was the keeper from Oakwood’s foundin

until the early 1870s. Alongside Redford, at least during the War, were tw

African American gravediggers, Redford’s slaves, named Wesley and

Ellyson. Redford took out an ad in The Daily Dispatch concerning their

escape and hopeful capture. Redford stated, “I expect that they have bee

pressed in some hospital as nurses…The men are grave diggers, and thei

services are very much needed. Throughout the rest of the century, a ver

limited number of gravediggers were mentioned as staff for Oakwood. A

Redford notes in his ad, Oakwood had become overburdened with buria

and the loss of these workers was detrimental to his business and the

welfare of the bodies being delivered daily from local hospitals. In additi


21/41

to Redford being concerned with the state of his cemetery, local citizens

began to show their disdain for the care given to Confederate bodies and

the overall state of Oakwood. The middle of 1862 stands out as a

particularly rough period for the cemetery. Numerous accounts describe

horrible conditions of burial and maintenance of bodies. A particularlyghastly account, in The Daily Dispatch, described that, “Anxiety for the

living swallows up respect for the dead, and the remains of the latter are

often hurried too precipitately to the place of interment.”The article

continues on describing two separate instances in which still living soldi

were removed from their coffins. However, this particular notion of bury

Confederate soldiers alive was retracted soon after with The Daily

Dispatch writing, “that no soldiers were ever buried alive in the

cemeteries near this city.”This same article also described enormous

numbers of men flowing into the hospitals and that “Oakwood cemetery

filling up.”

By all accounts, Oakwood, and presumably Hollywood, were overrun wi

burials to process leading to an overworked keeper and diggers who we

doing all they could. This, however, seems to be a situation that could be

remedied with the appointment of others to help. Redford and his worke

besides being charged with live burial, were criticized for leaving coffins

the open for too long and not burying soldiers quickly enough. The Daily

Dispatch took it upon itself to call out Oakwood for neglecting the dead,

writing, “We again call attention to the numbers of unburied dead that li

about Oakwood Cemetery…Surely enough hands can be obtained toperform the rite of sepulture – the last testimonial of respect which can b

rendered to the unfortunate men who have fallen in the defense of our

country.”This sentiment is repeated throughout various news agencies a

local citizens, suggesting it was a common sight at the cemetery. The

Dispatch noted later in July of 1862 that “For some days past details from

the darkeys captured with the Yankees have been made, and sent out


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under guard to Oakwood Cemetery and other spots used as places of

interment, and have been made to render considerable assistance…”

Oakwood seemed to be trying anything in order to keep up with the risin

demand for decent burials, including using captured Union soldiers. The

question remains, how decent were these burials? Soldier accounts andnewspaper narratives paint an image of how burials were conducted for

soldiers in Oakwood.

Soldiers deserved proper burial and rites performed at the gravesite.

Individual graves were most likely dug early in the war, when the numbe

of casualties was still relatively low. However, with the war in full swing 1862, Oakwood adapted and according to the Enquirer “A plan had been

since adopted, of digging trenches, which was performed more easily, an

the burials were now conducted as expeditiously as might be desired.”

One can envision Oakwood lined with rows upon rows of trenches, wait

to hold the bodies of Confederate dead. Although Oakwood may have beshort on gravediggers, they remedied this through mass burial technique

However, shortly after this article, the Richmond Examiner wrote, “We

have it on the authority of a gentleman, an officer of the army, who has

visited Oakwood Cemetery, that the coffins are often piled, in two and

three deep, in one excavation and thus covered up, of course rendering i

out of the question for an enquiring relative to recognize and reclaim a

corpse.”Locating and retrieving loved ones from burial places throughouthe South would become a major issue in post-war environment. Soldier

were marked mostly with wooden boards with names, ranks, and

regiments painted on them with the occasional soldiers receiving a lastin

stone tablet.


23/41

Confederate soldiers were treated with as much respect and care as

possible given the circumstances at Oakwood. Unfortunately, horrible

instances of multiple bodies in a grave emerged, but this was not the nor

One final aspect of War burials in Oakwood to examine, briefly, is thecontroversial notion of black Confederate soldiers and the questions

regarding Union burials in Oakwood. African American troops were in

service on both sides during the War.

Almost twenty years ago, a local historian and activist, Veronica Davis,

inspected an old map of Oakwood Cemetery and saw the words “Colored

Confederates” in a now overgrown and neglected portion of the cemeterUnfortunately, this map never resurfaced after her encounter with it. Th

area in question is, today, quite overgrown and is actually not even listed

part of Oakwood Cemetery. The property, as confirmed through two map

Figures 2 and 3, is part of Oakwood and contains around 10 acres of land

bordering on Evergreen Cemetery. Directly above this property is the

Colored Paupers’ Section of Oakwood, also not listed as part of Oakwoodthe current map. Davis states that the area of Colored Confederate grave

near the crossing of Stony Creek Road and East Richmond Road. This

is an area of Richmond history that needs further research and possibleexcavation to prove conclusive.


24/41

The War left a lasting impression on the South, Richmond, and everywhe

its fire burned. This included Oakwood Cemetery, whose future and

direction was changed completely because of this conflict. Oakwood,

throughout the war, was hopelessly understaffed to provide an adequatepace for burials. Coffins and their remains were a common sight on the

grounds, as diggers prepared trenches to place the awaiting bodies. In di

circumstances, it seems multiple soldiers were placed in the same grave

Space was limited at Oakwood for Confederates, as only about 7 acres

contain the bodies of soldiers. The purpose and reputation of Oakwood w

forever changed to that of a Confederate burial ground that had been

mismanaged during the war.

The end of the War brought a period of rebuilding and remembrance

throughout the country but particularly in the South. Substantial parts o

Richmond had been destroyed by fire, and families all across the city

mourned the loss of sons, brothers, fathers, and friends. Very quickly,

however, groups of people, most notably women, sprang up all over the

South to commemorate the loss of life and the Southern cause. Oakwoodreceived ladies of its own to support and take care of the Confederate

section of the cemetery. This Ladies’

Memorial Association for Oakwood first met on April 9, 1866 and

decided upon a day to memorialize the dead buried at Oakwood. They

chose the tenth of May, also Stonewall Jackson’s death date, as a

memorial day for Oakwood. The day would consist of a procession to thecemetery, speeches by notable citizens, and the placing of flowers on

Confederate graves.

This first Oakwood Memorial Day would certainly not be the last, as

the tradition continued into the this century by the Virginia Flaggers.

The Ladies were formally incorporated by the General Assembly of

Virginia in February the following year.


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Class issues and wealth seemed to distinguish the cemeteries future in th

past and still today. The Soldiers at Oakwood are still not being honored

Elites' within the Virginia Division Sons of Confederate Veterans, are mo

concerned with power and special projects than properly marking and

performing services for the fallen heroes of the Confederacy buried inOakwood. Nevertheless, organizations such as the Virginia Flaggers, Arm

of Northern Virginia mechanized Calvary and the order of the Confedera

Rose are continuing to perform the actions the Ladies Memorial

Association sought.

Oakwood Ladies would continue to play an instrumental role in

celebrating Oakwood, maintaining its grounds, and keeping the memorythe Confederacy alive in the hearts of Richmonders.

A theme for Oakwood in the 1870s is one of rebuilding, much like the r

of the country. Renovations and improvements to the grounds wer

constant refrain, as well as calls to make sure the grounds did not fall i

disrepair. An interesting letter remains from 1870 which does an excell

job of painting a vivid picture of what Oakwood looked like a few yeafter the War. Dated May 11, 1870 and addressed only to “My dear Will

the letter appears to be from a foreign visitor to the United States, possi

from Scotland or England as the top of the stationary reads “Church H

Edinburgh.”

The beginning of the letter provides a detailed description of a visit to th

Petersburg battlefield, the battle that raged there for months, and includa nice map of the battleground. Following this and some unreadable line

mentioning Richmond, the writer comes to a section in which he explicit

talks about Oakwood Cemetery. The letter reads as follows: But the most

impressive sight we have yet seen in America, we saw yesterday – [?] the

Confederate Soldiers Cemetery called Oakwood. It contains 10,000 grave

each is a mound[?] – all in rows, as when an army is drawn up for review

and at the head of each grave, a thick plank of wood stands – painted wh


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– rounded in the head, with name and regiment of each soldiers in black

letters – here and[?] there are[?] marked unknown.

This paragraph is followed by a crude drawing of what Oakwood lookedlike to the viewer in 1870. This resource provides an excellent descriptio

of the state of Oakwood, how soldiers’ graves were usually marked, and

rough number of soldiers buried there. For the writer to state that

Oakwood is “the most impressive sight…in America” the cemetery must

have been in fairly good condition.

This is remarkable given the short span of time since the War.

Additionally, the way soldiers’ graves were marked and even the kind of

marker is clearly stated and described.

Finally, the writer provides a rough estimate for the soldiers buried theraround 10,000.

Now this may be just a figure of speech for saying that there were anenormous number of graves, but it confirms that not every soldier

received a grave marker.The number of Confederate burials in Oakwood is still contested to this

day. Estimates range from as low as 10,000 up to 20,000. Contemporary

research estimates that there are only around 11-13,000 Confederates

buried there. This estimate is based on the number of markers set up,

corresponding to multiple bodies, as well as the limited space available f

Confederate burials. No matter the inferences drawn, this unique letter

provides a good starting point to discuss the rest of this important decad

1871 appeared to be quite an important year for Oakwood, for several

reasons.

The grounds received significant appropriations from the city to improv

the cemetery, often specifically allocated to the soldiers’ section, a new

Keeper was appointed amid a scandal with the current superintendent


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and the symbol of Oakwood today, the ,Confederate Soldiers’ Monumen

was begun on Oakwood Memorial Day. Oakwood received two sizeabl

funds, of $2,500 and $600, The Daily State Journal reported, “to renovat

Oakwood cemetery” and “to clean up that portion of Oakwood cemetery

devoted to soldiers’ graves” respectively.

The city was concerned with the appearance of its cemeteries, and these

allocations suggest a specific focus on the Confederate section. Although

the war may have been over, Richmond would not easily let go of its

Southern heritage. On the topic of money and funding, an interesting

article appeared in The Daily State Journal in August of 1871. The article

began with Oakwood’s election of its keeper, a Lieutenant William L.Smith. What had happened to the steadfast Mr. Redford, the keeper since

Oakwood’s inception? The Journal reports, “The ‘late keeper,’ a Mr.

Redford, collected money from citizens for purchase of lots, and never

accounted for it…How much money was thus filched from the people, ha

not appeared.”Redford was apparently “let off” and nothing more of the

matter was spoken of. The owners of these plots were eventually given tdeeds to the plots they had purchased. A scandal like this was probably

not good for business. Wealthy citizens who were victims of this

embezzlement might have spoken to their friends, and the story may hav

circulated throughout the upper rungs of Richmond society.

Oakwood was not new to scandal, shown through the treatment osolider burials, nor would it be Oakwood’s last time in negative light. A

today Funds are not accounted for, and misuse of monies are a everyday

occurrence.


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However, the rest of the 1870s showed promise and growth for the

cemetery, including the building of the Confederate Soldiers’ Monument

noted earlier, 1866 was the first Memorial Day at Oakwood, hosted by th

Oakwood Ladies’ Memorial Association. In this interim, both Hollywood

and Oakwood’s Memorial Associations began to grow and make decisive actions towards caring for Confederate graves. Hollywood tookthe lead on this and constructed their “granite pyramid” in 1869.

Oakwood soon followed and began campaigns to raise funds for amemorial of their own.

Oakwood Ladies’ asked each southern state and even the Virginia

legislature for funding for a Confederate monument.1871 marked the fif

anniversary of this tradition and with it the foundation for a spectacular

monument was laid. The Daily State Journal wrote, “On the

10thof May next, the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of a monumenthe Confederate dead will take place in Oakwood Cemetery…”Originally,association had planned to construct a marble memorial to perhaps outd

Hollywood, however “a cornerstone for a twenty-five foot granite (notmarble) shaft” was laid “and the monument was officially dedicated in M1872.”Many local organizations were present at the event, and it was sura turning point for the Confederate section of Oakwood. The remainder othe decade proceeded smoothly with no significant events arising. TheMemorial Day for Oakwood continued as scheduled, with similar servicetaking place at Hollywood and Hebrew Cemetery. The attention bestoweon Oakwood by the Ladies’ Memorial Association no doubt had a positiv

impact and influence on the cemeteries reputation, but it seemed thegrounds nevertheless fell into disrepair at this time. The Daily State Jourtakes note of Oakwood in May and September of 1873 and commented oits need for repairs. It wrote, “Oakwood cemetery needs some attention the hands of our city authorities, as well as our citizens generally…It hasbeen much improved by…Lieutenant William L. Smith…”Oakwood shoulbe taken care of not only by the city, but by residents of the city,

presumably residents near Oakwood. Oakwood is also compared to


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Hollywood as the Journal writes, “It [Oakwood] is larger by nearly thirtyacres than Hollywood, and, while less beautiful and pretentious, it isnevertheless capable of being made a most charming and attractivecemetery.

1880 started off the decade with a huge scandal in Oakwood that led to t

dismissal of its keeper, William Smith. The Staunton Spectator was one o

several state news sources that broke the story, writing, “that within the

past month about 40 graves in the pauper section of Oakwood Cemetery

the property of Richmond city,…have been robbed of the bodies buried t

rein.”The article continues discussing that most likely the bodies were seto various medical institutions across the country, including the Medical

College of Virginia. The scandal took up most of the first half of 1880 and

will be generally summarized here, as a complete detailed account would

require another work on its own. The thefts in question were from the

Colored Paupers’ Section of Oakwood, an overlooked and disregarded

portion of the cemetery, most likely its oldest section, with the bodies

being of African Americans. Initial reports claimed that the current keepWilliam Smith, knew about these incidents and was secretly allowing

medical staff from the college to exhume bodies for anatomy specimens.

Smith continually denied any involvement in the thefts and claimed he h

communicated with the Committee on Cemeteries about the issue, which

was refuted multiple times. By late January, Smith, however, was dismiss

from his position as keeper, and a Mr. William A. Dickerson was elected i

his stead shortly after. Efforts continued until April to try to reverse the

Committee’s decision on Smith but this was overturned. This was obviou

not the right way to begin the decade, but Oakwood showed promising

signs of growth and development until the end of the decade when

negative light would again be shed upon this cemetery. Oakwood

continued to be led by Mr. Dickerson throughout the 1880s, although his

name is often reported as Dickinson. Dickerson, as keeper, unfortunately


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had bad precedents set for his office, as the past two keepers were

removed due to scandals. He retained his position throughout the 1880s

and appears to have done an excellent job maintaining the grounds as

Oakwood was reported in the papers “to be found in beautiful condition”

and that “This sacred place showed every evidence of the care andattention that is bestowed upon it by its keeper.”Dickerson and the city

made several changes to the cemetery during this decade to improve the

upkeep and overall appearance of the grounds. In an effort to combat the

War-era issue of manpower and lack thereof, local prisoners were used t

maintain the Confederate sections of both Hollywood and Oakwood. Thi

harkens back to the policy of using captured Union soldiers for burial de

at Oakwood during the War. Physical additions to Oakwood took the for

of moving the current barn and stables to a place where it would not be

the public eye as well as the construction of a new stone gate.

These improvements to Oakwood no doubt made it a more attractive

location for the people of Richmond to bury their loved ones. Oakwood

received hundreds and hundreds of new burials during the 1880s. Local

papers published interment data on the various cemeteries in the city,

usually on the first of the New Year. Newspaper articles that could be fou

containing this data provide a window into the busy day-to-day operatio

of Oakwood. Oakwood in 1880 reported 673 interments, with almost 10

more African American than white burials. Burials in 1883 and 1884

numbered 594 and 590, respectively, with these years showing similarit

in terms of race to 1880.The burial statistic article for 1887 reported 623interments in 1885 and 615 in 1886. Finally, interments for 1888 and 18

were 713 and 650 respectively. Throughout all articles found, Oakwood

was continually seen to have the highest number of burials out of any

cemetery reported. Hollywood, while seen as the prime place for the

wealthy to be buried, lagged behind Oakwood by several hundred burial

each year. Another interesting note is that Oakwood was the only cemete

to report African American burials. Some of these cemeteries may have


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prohibited African American burials, which may account for this, or they

may not have delineated burials by race. The African American intermen

for Oakwood are most likely for paupers and their children. This is most

likely so because, as

The Daily Times reports, “The first section ever sold to a colored personwas bought a few

days ago by Jane Wilson…and is not near the other section.”There is a

mention of a notable African American man by the name of Charles Lewi

being buried in Oakwood in 1884. His burial is notable first of all becaus

was in the newspaper, and secondly because his funeral was attended by

only white citizens. Mr. Lewis may have been a long-time servant of a

family in the area. Race and class divisions were quite clear at Oakwood,

with African Americans most likely being the first to be buried there. Cla

also became an issue in the 1880s as people began to take issue with how

the poor were being treated after death.

Treatment of the poor became a brief issue at Oakwood in the late 1880

Since its inception, Oakwood had been burying the majority, if not all, th

city’s poor, as Shockoe Hill’s Pauper Burying-Ground had long filled tocapacity. If Oakwood was handling a large volume of interments, how we

burials conducted and were they respectful of the dead? The answer at

least up until 1888 was no. 1886 is the first mention of any issue with

pauper burials with The Richmond Dispatch reporting on measures to

regulate and improve burial conditions for the poor. These measures

included installing and using a phone to connect the almshouse andOakwood so that proper notification could be given to gravediggers and

that bodies could only remain at the almshouse for a certain length of tim

These measures indicated a need to expedite these burials so that bodies

were interred in the ground in a timely fashion. It seems these measures

were not taken to heart as another article appears in 1888 written by a

concerned Council member. He described the conditions of these pauper

burials in a very negative manner which seemed to resemble the way


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soldiers’ during the War were buried in Oakwood, especially when large

numbers of dead arrived. Bodies were piled into carriages from the

almshouse and brought to Oakwood without notice to the gravediggers,

thus leading to bodies sitting in the open for hours if not days at a time. T

negative environment in the cemetery did not seem to arouse much pubanger in comparison to the controversy brewing over the condition of th

Confederate section, especially in regards to the headboards in place.

Over the course of 1887 and 1888, the city ran into great opposition witthe Ladies’ Memorial Association over the deterioration and subsequent

removal of old Confederate headboards. Beginning in 1887, the city counproposed that the rotted headboards marking Confederate graves inOakwood be removed and the sections leveled and smoothed over. Thissuggestion from the city did not sit well with the Ladies’ as they continurejected the proposal. The Daily Times described the Confederate sectioquite negatively writing that “The headboards are worm-eaten and brokdown and the graves sunken.”The situation became so dire and distressthat the council decided to remove the headboards regardless of theLadies’ decision and to go ahead and landscape the area.

It seemed that while the Confederate section of Oakwood fell intodisrepair and neglect during the 1880s, the rest of the cemetery wasthriving. Interments for each year were most likely all above 500,including a quickly filling paupers’ cemetery. The Confederate sectionhad once been a hallmark of Oakwood, bringing in hundreds of visitorseach May to celebrate its honored dead. Oakwood, led by William

Dickerson, seemed to instead focus on its future instead of its past,leaving the Confederates grounds in the hands of the Ladies’

Memorial Association. This section would get face-lift in the 1890s but it

seems its glory days were well in the past. The final years of Oakwood to

examined were relatively quiet but left the cemetery in a state of hope an

remembrance after several uneasy cycles of gain and loss. 1891 brought

resurgence in the Confederate Memorial Day with the 25thAnniversary o

Memorial Day at Oakwood. The Dispatch featured a prominent and lengt


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article on the event, noting that “The crowd that witnessed the ceremoni

demonstrated that interest in these occasions is by no means on the wan

There were people there from all classes in all parts of the city.”It seeme

that a surge of pride and emphasis on heritage was flowing through

Richmond. A year after this ceremony the Dispatch commented that “Thsoldiers’ section in this cemetery is one of the prettiest in the country. It

been recently been put in perfect order and is now being re-turfed."

Perhaps the Memorial Day encouraged local citizens and the city to

remember their Confederate past one more time and present its heroes

the best way possible. Today the Virginia Flaggers carry on the tradition

celebrating Confederate Memorial Day in Oakwood Cemetery to honor th

fallen heroes.

Oakwood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia on the surface seems like a

ordinary burial ground, with an older section as well as a new, currentl

in use one. Old monuments and obelisks dot the older section much lik

contemporary cemeteries throughout the city.

Oakwood’s unique identifier, the Confederate Soldiers’ Monument, is a

relatively plain and unobtrusive monument to the deceased soldiers bur

around the granite. However, beneath the surface of Oakwood’s veneer o

normalcy, is a world of question, scandal, and cycles of boom and bust.

Questions abound regarding the burials of several groups of people

including Union soldiers and possible black Confederate soldiers. Maps a

the best piece of information for these types of inquiries; however, no

wartime maps survive. Land, supposedly part of Oakwood, is not

acknowledged today and is just an overgrown forest. No one knows who

buried there. Scandal also rocked Oakwood several times throughout its

history in the nineteenth century. Two keepers were removed within ab

10 years of each other due to issues involving finances and the theft of

paupers’ bodies. The Pauper section of Oakwood is a very ambiguous pla


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and is not well-defined. Finally, the cemetery went through cycles of grea

improvement and promise to nadirs of rotting headboards and overgrow

plots. At its inception Oakwood was poised to become a great new city

cemetery with a promising future.

Over 150 years later, the majority of Confederate Soldiers buried inOakwood Cemetery are still unmarked, In 2009 the City of Richmondpawned the care and maintenance of the Confederate section off to theInternational Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Virginia Division of tSons of Confederate Veterans with a written Memorandum of AgreemenBy and between The City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation a

Community Facilities And The Sons of Confederate Veterans — VirginiaDivision and the International Sons of Confederate VeteransConcerning The Operation and Maintenance of the Confederate section oOakwood Cemetery. " Oakwood Cemetery Confederate Plots Thisagreement, regarding Oakwood Cemetery’s Confederate Section,hereinafter “Confederate Plots”, made this day of , 2009, by and betweenDepartment of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, of the City ofRichmond, a municipal corporation of the Commonwealth of Virginia,

hereinafter called “City” and The Virginia Division of the Sons ofConfederate Veterans and the International Sons of Confederate Veteranboth nonprofit historical, heritage and educational organizations, hereafcollectively called “Sons”.

WHEREAS, the City has owned, operated and maintained OakwoodCemetery, including the Confederate Plots, for many years; and

WHEREAS, there are over 17,000 Confederate serviceman buried in theConfederate Plots: and

WHEREAS, the Sons desire increased general maintenance, improvedturf maintenance, protection of graves, and to make and implement adefined program of capital improvements in the Confederate Plots of

Oakwood Cemetery; and


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WHEREAS, The Sons and the City wish to cooperate in a program torenovate and improve the Confederate Plots as defined and shown onExhibit A under the terms and conditions herein, as well as gain additionprivate funding there for.

NOW THEREFORE WITNESSETH;That for and in consideration of the mutual undertakings of the parties athis agreement, the City and Sons hereby covenant and agree, each with other, as follows:

1. Effectiveness of Agreement. Before this agreement can take effect, the

City and Sons shall agree on the Confederate Plots boundaries. The Sonsshall, for and on behalf of the City, maintain and improve the ConfederatPlots of Oakwood Cemetery in the manner specified in Section 2 of thisagreement. Any available maps, plats or other public and private recordsthat shall be made available to the Sons as a part of this agreement, to asidentifying the boundaries of the Confederate Plots.

2. Duties of the Sons. The Sons shall be responsible for the improvement

and maintenance of the Confederate Plots as provided herein. This shallinclude:

a. The grounds maintenance of the Confederate Plots shall include butnot be limited to mowing and seeding of grass, tree, limb and leafy debriremoval and pruning, as well as the care of any ornamental plantings.Mowing shall be conducted not less than bi- monthly (14 day cycle) durithe growing season. The Growing Season shall be defined as March 1 to

October 30th annually.

b. Grounds Maintenance of the be assumed by the Sons from _______ 2009. Any grounds by the Sons prior to 1, permission of the City.

Confederate Plots shall the City not laterthan maintenance done 2009, shall be donewith


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c. The City, through its Department of Parks, Recreation and CommunityFacilities’ Cemeteries Operation shall have final authority over any capitimprovements within the Oakwood Cemetery Confederate Plots. Any growishing to improve, alter or eliminate an existing building, monument,fence, or other memorial within the Confederate Plots shall first obtain aprior agreement from the Director of the Department of Parks, Recreatioand Community Facilities’ or his/her designee.

d. The Sons shall be responsible for any clean-up of any debris created btheir grounds maintenance of the Oakwood Cemetery Confederate Plots

e. The Sons shall at all times maintain the Confederate Plots and improvements therein to the reasonable satisfaction of the City and masuch improvements in accordance City Code and with all plans approvby the City.

3. Reports. The Sons shall report annually by the 15th of January to thCity’s Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities or his/hedesignee and copy the Chief Administrative Officer on their prior year

work at the Confederate Plots, including the annual financial statementreported on by the independent certified public accountant of the Sonon all expenditures or funds advanced, whether public or private, foimprovement and maintenance thereof.

4. The books of the Sons relative to the Confederate Plots shall be opto inspection and audit by the City at reasonable times and at reasonabplaces upon written request of the Director of Parks, Recreation a

Community Facilities or his/her designee.

5. Powers of the Sons. In carrying out these duties, the Sons may actthrough its officers, employees, or agents and such persons shall notthereby be deemed to be employees of the City. The Sons may also contras an independent agent with third parties for goods and services inconnection with the discharge of their duties, and the City shall not there

become the principal under such contract, but shall be only a third party


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beneficiary hereunder. Third party agents shall provide proof of insuranand proof of adherence to applicable city, state, and federal health,employment and safety regulations.

6. The City shall be responsible for the overall

admission to Oakwood of public visitors and shall giveappropriate advice and assistance to visitors seekingaccess to the Confederate Plots.

7. Ceremonies.- The Sons may, from time to time, conduct respectfulmemorial ceremonies in the Confederate section at reasonable hours upthirty (30) days prior notice to the City in writing. Such ceremonies shall

consistent with commemoration of the Confederates buried therein.Nothing contained herein shall operate to transfer or diminish the powethe City to enforce needed rules and regulations for the order and safetyOakwood Cemetery. The Sons shall be responsible for clean-up of groundand removal of items associated with any ceremonies.

8. Funds. The City may from time to time appropriate such funds, as it

desires to improve and maintain the Confederate Plots if funds areavailable for such purpose. The Sons may apply for federal, state, andprivate funds for such above purposes. The City shall cooperate in any suapplication whenever feasible. The Sons shall use all funds for themaintenance and improvement of the Oakwood Confederate Plots. TheSons shall maintain an “Oakwood Cemetery Confederate Plots” endowmwith the initial funding totaling $50000, and continued annual fundingfrom the General Assembly.

The City may make available on an annual basis the interest proceeds onof the Oakwood Confederate Plots Trust. The Sons may act through itsofficers, employees, or agents to request an annual payment of theseinterest proceeds via an annual invoice to the City requesting a release othese funds. Any request to release these funds must include a letter ofcertification from the Sons that these funds will be used exclusively for t

maintenance and upkeep of the Confederate Plots at Oakwood Cemetery


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9. Plans. The Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities othe City may assist the Sons in the plans for execution of this agreementwhere feasible. All plans for the physical development of the ConfederatePlots shall be preapproved by the City and be in accordance with

applicable ordinances and state law and shall be submitted to the CityPlanning Commission for review if necessary.

10. Storage. The City hereby agrees to allow the Sons to place a smallapproved design storage building at a mutually agreed upon unobtrusivelocation in Oakwood Cemetery for the storage of certain personal properof the Sons, such as equipment and other materials necessary for the

proper maintenance and development of the Confederate Plots. The Cityshall bear no liability for theft, damage, or personal injury hereunder.

11. City Responsibility. The City shall be responsible for any existingroads within the Confederate Plots in terms of routine maintenance. TheSons are responsible for the disposal of any refuse and constructionmaterials relating to their work at the Oakwood Cemetery ConfederatePlots.

12. Term of Agreement. Unless otherwise terminated as provided hereithis agreement shall continue until it automatically terminates on _______I, 2010. Thereafter, this agreement, upon the mutual consent of bothparties in writing, shall automatically renew for annually for five one (1)year terms unless either party objects thereto.

13. Termination by City.

The agreement may be terminated by the City for any reason if the Sonsfail in the performance of their duties under this agreement at any timeupon 180 days written notice. Such termination shall be effective upon tend of such 180 days period, unless the Sons have cured the allegedmisfeasance or nonfeasance.


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14. Effect of Termination.

In the event of termination, all funds advanced to the Sons forimprovement, operation and maintenance of the Confederate Plots and ndisbursed by the Sons for the benefit of the Confederate Plots shall be

returned by the Sons to the City and the Commonwealth of Virginia with60 days of the event of termination. Other such funds, whether public orprivate, shall be handled in accordance with any applicable terms orconditions set by the entity or person by which they were advanced. In thevent of Termination, the Sons shall remove their property/equipmentfrom the City’s property no later than 10 day after the agreement isterminated

15. Non assignability and Severability.

This agreement is not assignable by the Sons. The provisions of thisagreement are severable; the invalidity of any provision hereof shall notaffect the validity of any other provision contained in the contract.

16. Maintenance and repair of facilities,The Sons shall at all times maintain Oakwood Cemetery ConfederatePlots and improvements thereon to the reasonable satisfaction of theCity’s Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities and/or his designee and makesuch repairs in accordance with plans approved by him/her.

17. Insurance.

(a) The Sons will insure its liability in connection with the construction oimprovements, repair, maintenance and operation of the Confederate Ploproviding indemnities of not less than $1,000,000 for bodily injury to anone person in any one occurrence and of not less than $1,000,000 forproperty damage. The City shall be named an additional insured partyunder the insurance contract. The Sons shall keep the insurance, with

appropriate limits and coverage, in full force and effect at all times durin


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the term of the agreement. The Sons shall provide the City with a certificof such insurance which shall contain a statement that the insurance isprovided to enable the Sons to perform its obligations under thisagreement and that the insurance will not lapse or otherwise expire prioto 180 days written notice given by the Son’s insurance carrier to the

Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities and/or his/herdesignee, anything in such insurance contract to the contrarynotwithstanding.

18. Notices. Any notice required under this agreement shall be given inwriting via first class mail, hand delivery, or express service. In the caseof the City, such notice shall be given to the Director of Parks, Recreationand Community Facilities and/or his/her designee. In the case of theSons, such notice shall be given to each Commander thereof. Any suchnotice shall be sent to the current address for receipt ofthe same.

The parties shall inform one another of appropriate current addresses o

any changes thereto.

IN WITNESS THEREOF, the parties, being authorized to do so, haveexecuted this agreement this dayof , 2009 "

A simple FOIA request will show no written extension was performed af

this agreement and the agreement is invalid after 2010, per section 12. TVirginia Division has continued their operations long past the expirationthe agreement and continues to today. In March of 2016 the OakwoodRestoration Committee of the Virginia Division Sons of ConfederateVeterans placed three headstones improperly, one on the grave of anothsoldier, and two in the middle of soldiers graves , possibly invading thesoldier's remains.


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History certainly shows Oakwood Cemetery in Richmond Virginia has

had its share of incompetence and corruption over the years. Having the

knowledge of the1887 removal of rotted headboards marking

Confederate graves in Oakwood and the leveling of the Confederate

section, the responsible and correct next step should be ground

penetrating radar and archeological study before performing any grave

markings or structural improvements.

Documents

Southern Herald May