The Telegraph Key -.... / -..-... --..-..-.--.... / -.-. -.-- THE OFFICIAL DISPATCH FOR THE MAJOR THOMAS J. KEY CAMP #1920 KANSAS DIVISION, SCV JOHNSON COUNTY, KANSAS VOL. 17, NO. 10 Major Thomas J. Key Camp Officers The Commander s Corner Thomas J. Key Camp Commander, Jim Thornton Commander James D. Thornton 1st Lt. Commander John Weir 2nd Lt. Commander James L. Speicher Adjutant Steven Crawford Communications Officer Steven Crawford Historian and Scrapbook Dan Peterson Web Master John Weir Newsletter Editor John Kirchmeyer, Jr. Camp Chaplain Carl Linck Cadet Member Coordinator Lee Crutchfield Time Travel. What If. If I could only go back in time and change this, then everything would be alright. How many times have we all thought about this scenario of changing an event in history? Don t deny it. We ve all considered the possibility when reading about battles and events that took place during the War of Northern Aggression. For me, two events stand out that I have always dreamed about changing. The first would be, What if General Lee s Special Order 191 had not been lost and then discovered by the Union? The second event would be, What if General Stonewall Jackson had not been killed and his guidance lost to General Lee? Would the reversal of these two events lead to changing the outcome of the war? Isn t it amazing how so much can be impacted by one tiny, little event? Even something as www.majorkey1920ksscv.org insignificant as the placement of a single artillery battery can affect history. Many authors and historical researchers have dedicated themselves to analyzing alternative scenarios and time lines. There have been many great books and research articles written on this subject. Two of my favorites are What If? Eminent Historians Imagine What Might Have Been compiled by Robert Cowley (which includes Lee s lost order alternative scenario); and 11/22/63 written by Stephen King. They provide fascinating looks into what our world would be like today should certain historical events have been changed, even so slightly. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. My point is, even though many of us dream about the possibility of a world where the Confederate States of America won the war and continues to exist and thrive today, we have to consider other ramifications of changing events in history. You or I may never have been born. In my case, should Special Order 191 have not been lost, Lee would have potentially dominated the Battle of Continued on Page 2
The Commander s Corner Continued from page 1 Next Camp Meeting: December 1, 2016 The Key Camp will meet on Thursday, December 1, at Zarda Bar B-Q on the southwest corner of 87th and Quivira in Lenexa, Kansas at 6 p.m. for dinner and conversation with the official meeting at 7 p.m. Join us for camaraderie, dinner, and education. As always, your wife or significant other is welcome. Don t forget to bring a prospective recruit! Sharpsburg. This would impact subsequent battles, potentially including Vicksburg a year later. If the course of Vicksburg were changed, that would have impacted my 3rd Great-Grandfather. And if his life was impacted and the course of his events changed, what happens to my family tree? Mind boggling, isn t it? There s a phrase I ve heard: the fabric of time. Making a change to one tiny, seemingly insignificant event in history can be compared to pulling a loose thread on a knitted sweater. The whole thing can unravel and be destroyed. So, if given the opportunity, would you pull on that thread? Would you make the small change, knowing how huge an impact it could potentially have not just on history, but on you personally? Although I still dream of travelling back in time, I don t think I could bring myself to change the course of events. The risk of making today worse at the risk of completely changing (or obliterating) my own family tree is too great. I don t wish to take that risk or make that bet. We live in, and enjoy, a great nation with our wonderful families today, but a Confederate State of America victory is nice to dream about and wonder WHAT IF? 2 www.majorkey1920ksscv.org
Auction Items and Donations Requested Lee-Jackson Banquet Scheduled for January 28, 2017 The Lee-Jackson Banquet is coming up on January 28, 2017. The banquet not only serves as an opportunity for us to gather in a formal setting, it also serves as the ONLY fundraiser for the Major Thomas J. Key Camp. Our fundraiser takes the form of an auction and in order to have an auction, you have to have items to sell. Guess what? It s up to us to provide those items. So, start cleaning out your closets, garage, basement, storage lockers anywhere you ve stashed items no longer used or for which you no longer have a purpose. Donated items don t have to be related to the Confederacy or the War of Northern Aggression. Anything you feel someone else could make use of or that someone else would value can be donated. In years past, we ve had compatriots donate a garden trellis, wine decanters and glasses, World War II ammo boxes, etc. Other great auction items to consider: Fishing gear Guitars and other musical instruments Tools Signed memorabilia (helmet, jersey, balls, gloves, practice gear, bats, hats, towels) Concert/sports tickets Paintings Framed photography Winemaker tour & tasting Timeshares Services Gift cards So start searching through your stuff and consider donations to the Key Camp Fund Raising Auction. To make arrangements for your donation, please contact a member of our Auction Committee. Committee members and their email address are: Scott Lalumondier s.lalumondier@yahoo.com Walt McKenzie mounthaskins@kc.surewest.net Matt Sewell matthew@seboservices.com www.majorkey1920ksscv.org 3
Battle of Athens Most Northerly of Civil War Battles Fought West of the Mississippi The Battle of Athens was but a skirmish, yet a number of lives were lost. In the State of Missouri, both Union and Confederate recruits were being enlisted, for the Missourians were pretty well divided on the questions of the war. Sesesh was the popular name for the Confederate sympathists, because they favored secession. Because both the Union and Confederates had fervent support in Missouri, collisions between armed bodies of men were frequent. About twenty miles northwest of Keokuk, Iowa, on the right bank of the Des Moines River in Clarke County, Missouri, is the town of Athens. Here, in July and August, 1861, was Colonel David Moore with about five hundred volunteers mostly the Unionsupporting 1st Northeast Missouri Regiment of Volunteer Home Guards. The Sesesh had quarters at the town of Cahoka, about ten miles south of Athens. A number of skirmishes had occurred between recruiting details, and between detachments enlisted on the two sides. Home guards had been formed on either side of the boundary line between Iowa and Missouri. On August 1, 35 tons of provisions were sent to Athens on the Des Moines Valley Railroad, and at the same time a quantity of muskets and ammunition. The Confederates heard of this, and determined to attack Athens and capture the supplies. On the next day, two messengers arrived at Athens, bringing news of the plans of the Sesesh and on the evening of August 4, another messenger came with word that the onslaught was to be made the next day. While Colonel Moore prepared for a Confederate raid, much excitement was occasioned in Iowa, for if Athens was taken, the Confederates might cross the river and pillage the country. The report got abroad that the Confederates were determined to attack and sack Keokuk itself. In Farmington, Keokuk, and the other towns in Lee and Van Buren counties in Iowa, there was scurrying to be ready to repel invasion. On the Iowa side of the Des Moines River from Athens was the town of Croton, where the bluff furnished a natural amphitheater from which the Unionists could observe. The Confederate-supporting 1st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Division, Missouri State Guard was led by Colonel Martin E. Green. As most of the soldiers on either side were Missourians, and recruited from northern Missouri, families were divided; brother against brother, father against son. In fact, serving under Colonel Green was Captain Moore, the son of Colonel Moore of the Union volunteers. While the Confederates were on the march, an officer remarked (within earshot of Captain Moore): Oh, we ll take Athens easy enough. Old Moore won t fight. to which his son replied, Don t you fool yourself. I know dad, and he ll give you all the fighting you want. Colonel Green planted two cannons on the bluff behind Athens, and at 5:30 on the morning of August 5 they opened fire, while the infantry attacked the Moore forces. However, the cannon balls flew too high; instead of hitting the enemy, they passed over the heads of the Union soldiers, crossed the river, and struck the Croton bluff. The greater part of the fighting took place in the cornfields around Athens. Under Colonel Moore were 40 sharpshooters from Farmington. At the depot in Croton, a body of Home Guards and Keokuk volunteers had been stationed. During the battle these troops marched into a sugar camp on the river bank; from this they fired across the river into the Confederates in a cornfield, and inflicted considerable loss. Colonel Green had promised his men: We breakfast in Athens, dine in Croton, and sup in Farmington. But they didn t for an hour and a half they were defeated and retreating. The Union troops pursued them a short distance, and then returned Continued on Page 5 4 www.majorkey1920ksscv.org
Battle of Athens Continued from page 4 to Athens. The secessionists in Athens had prepared to welcome Colonel Green s command. Chickens had been roasted, and pies and cakes baked. These with other goodies had been laid away in the cellars until the victory had been won. But Colonel Green s men did not stay. Instead, the home guards, sharpshooters, and volunteers celebrated; Colonel Green and force were heading in the wrong direction. While the Union loss in the battle of Athens was three killed; three wounded badly; 20 wounded slightly, the Confederate loss was much more: estimated at 31 killed and wounded. In addition, Colonel Moore captured 30 horses, and a cannon left behind in the bushes. While the struggle was in progress a number of frightened and wounded Unionists fled across the river. Some of them so demoralized that they cried to all they met: Look out, the rebels are coming! The rebels are coming! A few ran clear to Keokuk and Montrose, spreading confusion by passing along to bystanders that Colonel Moore had been defeated, and the Confederates were right at their heels. Excerpts taken from Anders, Leslie, Farthest North The Historian and the Battle of Athens., Missouri Historical Review, January 1975. The True History of the Thanksgiving Holiday Jefferson Davis Proclamation of Thanksgiving Given in 1861 During the Thanksgiving season we often hear that the first national Thanksgiving Proclamation was given by Abraham Lincoln in Washington, D.C. on October 3, 1863. What the history books (written by Northerners) fail to mention is that Lincoln, bowing to political pressure, copied the President of the Confederate States of America. Jefferson Davis actually had made the first national Proclamation of Thanksgiving two years earlier in Richmond, Virginia: Proclamation of Thanksgiving, 1861 by President Jefferson Davis WHEREAS, it hath pleased Almighty God, the Sovereign Disposer of events, to protect and defend us hitherto in our conflicts with our enemies as to be unto them a shield. And whereas, with grateful thanks we recognize His hand and acknowledge that not unto us, but unto Him, belongeth the victory, and in humble dependence upon His almighty strength, and trusting in the justness of our purpose, we appeal to Him that He may set at naught the efforts of our enemies, and humble them to confusion and shame. Now therefore, I, Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States, in view of impending conflict, do hereby set apart Friday, the 15th day of November, as a day of national humiliation and prayer, and do hereby invite the reverend clergy and the people of these Confederate States to repair on that day to their homes and usual places of public worship, and to implore blessing of Almighty God upon our people, that he may give us victory over our enemies, preserve our homes and altars from pollution, and secure to us the restoration of peace and prosperity. Given under hand and seal of the Confederate States at Richmond, this the 31st day of October, year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty one. www.majorkey1920ksscv.org 5
Programs Committee Formed Compatriots Step Up to Assist Wanted: Male Descendants of Confederate Soldiers The Key Camp is currently recruiting new members to honor and affectionately memorialize our Southern ancestors and their brave deeds. We are making progress, but we must always be thinking of recruiting. Our camp actively recruits at events in which we participate. If you know of someone who may be interested in defending his ancestor s good name and heritage, talk to him about the Sons of Confederate Veterans. It has become increasingly difficult to find and schedule speakers and programs for the Key Camp monthly meetings. Because of this, Commander Jim Thornton has formed a Programs Committee. The task of this committee is to research, contact, and schedule speakers and programs for each of our camp meetings. Commander Thornton has reached out to Compatriots Dennis Garstang, Lane Smith, and Jim Hoss Tucker to serve as members of this committee. Each of these men, through their involvement in other heritage and historical organizations (such as the Civil War Roundtable, Sons of Union Veterans, and the Westerners), bring unique perspectives and potentially new contacts for presentations. Dennis, Lane, and Hoss have all graciously agreed to this assignment. As part of his duties as 1st Lt. Commander, John Weir shall serve as the chairman of the committee and coordinate the final scheduling. Although we now have a committee, it will still take all of us to keep our monthly meetings vibrant and interesting. Each of us has contacts or knows someone who could either provide a speaker or put us in contact with a potential speaker. It s up to each of us to get that contact information and forward it to a member of the Key Camp Programs Committee. If any of you have a topic you would like to present, by all means volunteer to speak and provide a program at a meeting. Below is the email contact for each of our Program Committee members. John Weir (Chairman) weirami@gmail.com Dennis Garstang dgarstang@kc.rr.com Lane Smith lane@smithinsurancegroupinc.com Jim Hoss Tucker hosstucker@msn.com Please forward any and all potential speaker information along with their contact information to one or all of these committee members. 6 www.majorkey1920ksscv.org
Upcoming Events Saturday, January 28, 2017 Shawnee Mission, KS» Lee-Jackson Banquet Abdallah Shrine Temple 5300 Metcalf Shawnee Mission, KS 66202 The 2017 Lee-Jackson Banquet will once again be held at the Abdallah Shrine Temple. Please plan on attending and keep a lookout for items or artifacts we may be able to use for the auction. The Telegraph Key The Telegraph Key is a newsletter published for the Major Thomas Key Camp #1920 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV). The SCV is a non-profit organization with a patriotic, historical, and genealogical orientation and is not affiliated with any other organization. Opinions in this newsletter reflect the views of the writers and are not necessarily a statement of the views of the SCV, the Kansas Division, the Kansas Brigades, nor any other camp. Comments and articles are solicited. Email comments, article ideas, and suggestions to John Kirchmeyer at kirch16@hotmail.com. Key Camp Website Resources Key Camp: www.majorkey1920ksscv.org SCV National: www.scv.org SAVE THE DATE: February 2017 Knoxville, TN» Stephen Dill Lee Institute Reconstruction The Stephen Dill Lee Institute will be held in Knoxville, Tennessee in February 2017. More information will be available at a later date by visiting www.stephendleeinstitute.com/events.html. SAVE THE DATE: June 2017 Emporia, KS» Annual Kansas Division Reunion SAVE THE DATE: July 18-13, 2016 Memphis, TN» Annual National SCV Reunion Memphis Cook Convention Center 255 N. Main St. Memphis, TN 38103 For more information, including registration details, lodging, and event schedule, visit http://scvmemphis2017.org. www.majorkey1920ksscv.org 7