RUCKER RANGERS. Newsletter Published Monthly December 2013 UPCOMING EVENTS. December

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1 RUCKER RANGERS Newsletter Published Monthly December 2013 Gen. Edmond Winchester Rucker Chapter 2534 United Daughters of the Confederacy Enterprise, Alabama NEXT MEETING: Thurs., December 12, 2013, 6:00 pm The Edberg Barn, New Brockton Annual Christmas Party UPCOMING EVENTS December Coffee County Rangers Camp #911 12th Ala. Inf. Regt., Co D Sons of Confederate Veterans Enterprise, Alabama NEXT MEETING: Thursday, December 12, 6:00 pm The Edberg Barn, New Brockton Annual Christmas Party DECEMBER 12 The Annual SCV/UDC Christmas Party 6:00 pm at the Edberg Barn in New Brockton We will have a covered dish supper and have a good time with Christmas and Alabama Day activities! December 14 ALABAMA DAY commemorating the admission of Alabama to the Union as the 22 nd state on December 14, December 14 Ozark Christmas Parade Line-up at 9:00 am on N. Union St., parade begins at 10:00 am. The SCV will participate with a float. For details, see Mack Lott.. OFFICERS UDC SCV President Pat Richter Commander Joe E. Clark, Jr. Vice President Holly Muller 2 nd Vice President Donna Clark Secretary Georgia Fleming 1 st Lt. Commander Mack Lott 2 nd Lt. Commander Daniel Larson Adjutant James E. Edberg VISIT OUR WEBSITES W Rucker 2534.html Camp 911 has a page on Facebook - Click on Ask to Join Group

2 DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES December 12, 1830 Brigadier General Joseph Orville Shelby born in Lexington, Kentucky December 6, 1889 Death of President Jefferson Davis in New Orleans December 10, 1861 Confederate Congress acts to admit Kentucky to the Confederacy as the 13 th state. December 13-14, 1862 Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia December 12, 1806 December 15-16, 1864 Battle of Nashville, Tennessee December 20, 1860 South Carolina secedes, the first state to do so. Brigadier General Stand Watie (Degataga) born in Oothcaloga, Cherokee Nation (now Calhoun, Georgia)

3 Enterprise Veterans Day Parade November 7 The Enterprise Veterans Day Parade gave special honor to Gulf War Veterans this year. Camp 911 participated with a float. (left) Deke Scott and Morgan Oglesby Local veterans rode on the Gen. E. W. Rucker Chapter float. (Right) An empty chair represented POW/MIAs.

4 Downtown Enterprise Christmas Parade December 3 Camp 911 s float showed two scenes: Union and Confederate soldiers exchanging supplies over a fence during a Christmas truce, and the Confederate soldier s family at home, reading a letter from him. (above) Deke and Amanda Scott and children, Gracie Rivera, and Tim and Bama Walton rode the float. New Brockton Christmas Parade December 7 (L-R) Deke Scott, Morgan Oglesby, and Stuart Mock Deke and Amanda Scott and Family

5 Christmas in the South December 7 The Children of the Confederacy presented their annual Christmas in the South program at Confederate Memorial Park on December 7. Attending from Gen. E. W. Rucker Chapter were Alabama Division President Donna Clark, Chapter President Pat Richter, and Chapter 3 rd Vice President Kim Larson, along with Rucker s Belles and Beaux 968, Children of the Confederacy members Cassidy and Landon Larson. Confederate Trivia by Georgia Fleming 1. Who commanded the Missouri cavalry unit known as the Iron Brigade? 2. What cadet, who later served the Confederate cause, participated in the Egg Nog Riot at West Point in December, 1826 (the outcome of a drunken Christmas party)? 3. What city served as the capital of the Confederate Government of Kentucky?. 4. The Palmetto Flag was adopted as a state flag by what Confederate state? (Hint: It is still that state s official flag) 5. What Confederate commander, at the Battle of Nashville, said to John Bell Hood: General Hood, if you give me one strong division of infantry with my cavalry, I will agree to flank the Federals from their works within two hours time? 6. Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside commanded the Union army at the Battle of Fredericksburg. Whom had he recently replaced as commander of the Army of the Potomac? 7. The star in the center of the Confederate Battle Flag represents what state? 8. What Union victory marked the end of large-scale fighting in the Western Theater of the war?. 9. Union losses were heavy after multiple assaults against what strongly fortified ridge just west of Fredericksburg? 10. Alabama became a state on December 14, Who served as the first governor of Alabama?

6 This poem was printed in the December 27, 1862 edition of The Southern Illustrated News Santa Claus by Mary A. M'Crimmon 'Twas colder than Zero on Christmas eve night, When far off in Lapland, the great "Northern Light" In streams of wild beauty illuminated the skies, Like joy when it sparkles from innocent eyes. Old Santa Claus, seeing the hour at hand When children get sleepy all over the land, Put eight tiny reindeer to one little sleigh, And seizing a bundle, he started away -- For over the mountain and over the snow, As light as a feather and swift as a roe. At last on our chimney he drew up his team, And stole out as silent and soft as a dream, Lest hearing the footsteps on top of the house, The children, all sleeping as "snug as a mouse," Might wake up and catch him with pockets and hat Stuffed full of nice candy, and much more than that -- Nuts, raisins and apples, and all sorts of toys -- Exactly the thing for the girls and the boys. As a light as a feather he came down the flue, That seemed to grow wider to let him get through; And there in the corner, all ranged in a row, Were four little stockings, as white as the snow. He smiled when he saw them, and winked his old eye, But waited a moment and then passed them by, To peep through the curtains of two little beds, Where, wrapped in sweet slumber, lay four little heads; And he read in the faces of each little pair, Who'd acted the wisest throughout the past year. If one had been naughty, and told a white fib -- Another got angry and tore up her bib -- If he had his parents neglected to mind, Or she to her playmates been rude or unkind, From them he'd have taken to give to the rest, For "Santa Claus" always gave most to the best. But these little fellows, it seems, had done well, For how much he gave them I hardly can tell -- To one he gave candy, a drum, and an apple;

7 Another a pony -- a beautiful dapple -- Birds, baskets and dollies, with sweet flaxen curls, Fruits, flowers and ribbons he left for the girls -- If either was slighted, I cannot tell which, For all received something -- and no one a switch. "Good night, little darlings," old Santa then said, And shaking with laughter, he turned from the bed, And mounting the chimney, he started to go Far over the mountain and over the snow. This happened one Christmas. I'm sorry to write, Our ports are blockaded, and Santa, to-night, Will hardly get down here; for if he should start, The Yankees would get him unless he was "smart." They beat all the men in creation to run And if they could get him, they'd think it fine fun To put him in prison, and steal the nice toys He started to bring to our girls and boys. But try not to mind it -- tell over your jokes -- Be gay and be cheerful, like other good folks; For if you remember to be good and kind, Old Santa next Christmas will bear it in mind. TRIVIA ANSWERS (1) Brig. Gen. Joseph O. Jo Shelby (when Shelby assumed division command, he was replaced by Brig. Gen. M. Jeff Thompson); (2) Jefferson Davis; (3) Bowling Green; (4) South Carolina; (5) Lt. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest; (6) Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan; (7) Kentucky; (8) The Battle of Nashville; (9) Marye s Heights; (10) William Wyatt Bibb. To you, Sons of Confederate Veterans we will commit the vindication of the cause for which we fought, to your strength will be given the defense of the Confederate soldier s good name, the guardianship of his history, the emulation of his virtues, the perpetuation of those principles which he loves and which you love also, and those ideals which made him glorious and which you also cherish. Lt. Gen. Stephen D. Lee Commander General United Confederate Veterans New Orleans, Louisiana Gen. Edmond Winchester Rucker members MEMBERSHIP REPORT Coffee County Rangers Camp members, 4 Cadets Rucker s Belles and Beaux 968, Children of the Confederacy 19 members

8 We, therefore, the People of South Carolina, by our delegates in Convention assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, have solemnly declared that the Union heretofore existing between this State and the other States of North America, is dissolved, and that the State of South Carolina has resumed her position among the nations of the world, as a separate and independent State; with full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent States may of right do. Adopted December 24, 1860 Important Reminders for the Christmas Party Everyone! Please bring single bills and quarters for our auction. The auction benefits both the conservation of the flag of the 26 th Alabama Infantry Regiment, and the Coffee County Confederate Veterans Monument Fund. We would like for everyone to bring a Christmas ornament and a small wrapped gift. These items will be auctioned. Ladies, the benevolence Committee is asking that we bring a small toy, crayons, coloring books, matchbox cars, hair ribbons, or other item that would fit in a stocking. These are for the Foster Child Christmas Party of the Coffee County Foster Care Program. Please help us make these kids Christmas merrier! Continue to bring the items we collect year-round: nonperishable foodstuffs; cancelled stamps; old pairs of spectacles; used cell phones (working or not); back issues of the UDC Magazine; toys, diapers and personal hygiene items for the House of Ruth; and aluminum can tabs. FLEMING MULTIMEDIA 122 S. Main St., Enterprise, AL Computer Sales & Service Brian Fleming, Owner To place an advertisement, greeting or memorial in the newsletter, contact Brian or Georgia Fleming at or Georgia hyacinth@ala.net or Brian mpegcd@yahoo.com