Camp Cresset Finley s Brigade Camp #1614 Havana, Florida Recipient 2011 and 2012 Dr. George R. Tabor Most Distinguished Camp Award "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 loved and which you love also, and those ideals which made him glorious and which you also cherish." Deborah Desilets to discuss the origin of the Old Dixie Highway Tallahassee Native, Deborah Desilets will share with Finley s Brigade at our February 9 th Camp meeting. Deborah is an architect and author and has designed projects associated with Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, Bethel AME Church, and several trendy nightclubs in Miami, Florida. She will share about the Old Dixie Highway system which stretched from Chicago, IL to Miami, FL and its impact on Tallahassee and tourism throughout Florida. She will talk about the Tin Can tourist movement of the early 20 th Century and highlight Gilbert S Chandler s tourist Camp in Tallahassee. Deborah earned her B.A. and B.S. degrees from FL A&M University. She moved to Miami and worked with two prestigious architect firms. She also paints, designs furniture, and has written two books: Ritz-Carlton South Beach (2006) and Morris Lapidus: Architecture of Joy. I promise that you will enjoy her presentation and learn a few things as well! This Month s meeting is dedicated to the honor and memory of: West Florida Seminary Cadet Edwin Myers Blake 1
Lee - Jackson 2016 a Rousing Success!!! The 24 th Annual Lee Jackson event hosted by Finley s Brigade and the Mary Ann Harvey- Black: Confederate Rose Society was better than ever. Each year we wonder how will we top this one. This year s event was no exception. Good food, fellowship, fun, and encouragem ent; were the order of the day. Dr Cecil Williamson gave us an encouraging message, for sure. A transcript is available upon request. Please make plans to attend next year s event. 2
Statue of General Edmund Kirby-Smith in danger of removal Florida Senate Bill 310 and its companion in the Florida House of Representatives (HB141) seeks to remove the Statue of Confederate General Edmund Kirby-Smith from the Statuary Hall in Washington DC. The Hose Bill, if passed, would also remove the statue of Dr John Gorrie of Apalachicola who is credited with inventing the first ice machine. General Smith s statue was placed in the Hall by Florida in 1922. Dr Gorrie s statue was placed there in 1914. Both bills are breezing through committees and could be voted on as early as this week. Please call Senator Bill Montford s office at 850-487-5003 and ask him to vote NO!. Also, Representative Alan Williams 850-717-5008, Rep Michelle Vasilinda at 850-717-5009, or Halsey Beshears at 850-717-5007. Save the Date! Confederate Memorial Day services for Finley s Brigade will be April 9, 2016 at Soldiers Cemetery in Quincy, Florida. This year s address will be given by Past Chaplain-in-Chief John Weaver. Chaplain Weaver is the author and voice of the popular CD The Truth About The Confederate Battle Flag. Soldiers Cemetery is the home field for Finley s Brigade. Located in Quincy s Eastern cemetery; a portion was set aside during the WBTS for soldiers stationed in and around Quincy, FL. It is estimated that 60-75 Confederates are buried in this sacred ground. Make plans to attend this memorial to our Confederate heroes. Show me the manner which a nation or a community cares for its dead and I will measure with mathematical exactness the tender sympathies of its people, their respect for the laws of the land and their loyalty to high ideals." Lord Gladstone 3
Items stolen from Compatriot Wayne Grissett s Grave About a week ago, some person(s) removed the US Flag, The Confederate Battle Flag, and a set of wind chimes from the gravesite of our friend and compatriot Wayne Grissett. Friends and Family have posted a reward for information leading to the arrest of the scoundrels responsible. Wayne is buried on private property, so the culprits were also trespassing. Please call the number posted if you hear of anything. Graves Committee cleans up two Cemeteries Since the Camp last meeting our Graves Committee has been busy. Assistant Chaplain Lamar Cox, 1LT Larry Thomas, Compatriot Joel Sapp, and friend of the Camp - Willie Carlisle visited the Iamonia Cemetery and the Bannerman Cemetery. Both cemeteries are located on the Riverview Plantation north of Tallahassee. Their visit was hastened by the Family members from out of town who wanted to visit their family cemeteries. It had been two years since we were granted access to these cemeteries, and were unsure of their condition. The Bannerman Cemetery was still in good shape from our last work there. However, many trees were down in the Iamonia Cemetery. These four men worked extremely hard to make these cemeteries presentable. On Saturday, January 23 rd (just hours before the Lee-Jackson event) Lamar Cox went with the Cromartie and Bannerman Families to visit both cemeteries. Let s just say that the families were extremely pleased and grateful for the work that Finley s Brigade has done. 4
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John David Cay John David Cay, the eldest son of Raymond Cay and Eliza A Stetson, died suddenly at his home in Tallahassee, Florida on the 3 rd of July, 1916. He was born September 17, 1840, in Liberty County Ga. He was a member of the Liberty Independent Troop, the next oldest military organization in the state of Georgia. When the War Between the States broke out, he volunteered with his company for six months, afterwards reenlisting for the war. On regimental formation his troop became Company G, 5 th Georgia Calvary, Anderson- Robertson Brigade, and Wheeler s Corps. He served with his command in the states of Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Virginia, North and South Carolina. He was captured a few days before the fall of Savannah, in December, 1864, and was a prisoner at Point Lookout until the following July. He served faithfully throughout the whole war, and the writer cannot recall that he was ever absent from his command by reason of sickness or any other cause. He was in every fight his command engaged in and was at all times a leader in all our efforts for attack or defense. The first to clear a road, repair a bridge, cross a stream, or swim a river, dig a rifle pit, build a breastwork, or construct a dugout; to find water and something for man and mount to feed on, yes for everything we all got in the habit of calling on Dave. Sometimes in the night after a hard days march, he would load himself with canteens and go off to find water for his tired companions, and the familiar cry out of the dark was often heard; Boys, has Dave come back with the water yet? During Wheeler s last great raid behind Sherman s army Corporal Cay was distinguished by two acts which deserve mention. He made and carried in his pockets horse shoe nails, which he used in re-shoeing many horses in his company, without which their riders would have been left dismounted on the sharp turnpikes of Tennessee and Virginia to fall prey to murderous bushwhackers or, what might have been worse, to land in a federal prison. This was done without a thought of pay or personal benefit, prompted solely by the nobility of the soul. The other deed was his tender care of Lieutenant Fleming, who fell ill of typhoid fever on his raid. Corporal Cay rode beside him in a buggy when he could no longer sit his horse, nursing him for days as though he had been his own brother; and as general Robertson was then covering from 40 to 60 miles of mountain road every twenty- four hours; his selfdenial can be better understood. He was captured while, single-handed, attempting to 6
save Lieutenant Stevens and his detachment, which had become entirely surrounded by a numerous enemy. Returning home at the end of his long walk from Richmond, he found his childhood home in ashes and poverty and desolation all about him. He went to work like other noble Southern boys and in time was able to see his scattered family reunited and a measure of prosperity restored to them. He married Miss Georgia Winn, a daughter of his first captain, Abial Winn. Mr. Cay worked as a turpentine operator and owner of a Tallahassee livery stable. John David Cay is buried in Tallahassee Old City Cemetery very near the Confederate section. Article Submitted by Compatriot William Wright of SCV Camp 2012 (Photos; Florida State Archives-Newspaper Ad- The Weekly True Democrat 1907) (Excerpt from; Confederate Veteran, 1917. Author- James O. Varnedoe, Valdosta, Ga.) 7
Help Wanted Newsletter editor and contributing writers, Contact Commander Crocker for details. Sam Davis Youth Camp Coordinator - Someone to help select and transport youth to the Camp. H. L Hunley JROTC Award Coordinator Someone to coordinate awards, presenters, photographers, with the local JROTC Units. First Lieutenant Commander Charles Smith has excepted this mission. 8
More Pictures from the 2016 Lee-Jackson Photo left: The Generals Table Photo below left: Don and Judy Harrell and MAHB CRS President Libby Smith 9
Photo left: Compatriot Cal Grissett bids on a framed print for our fundraiser. Photo left: Marshall Carroll and Jenna Moon conduct the door-prize drawing 10
Tallahassee Veterans Village Many thanks for all of your support for the Tallahassee Veterans Village. You have donated over 20 much needed blankets, and many clothing items. Laundry detergent is still our target item for this month. Several bottles have been donated, but the demand is great. Thank you again! Check out our web-site at: http://www.finleysbrigadescv.com/ Like us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/235023710735/ "History shapes culture. Culture makes greatness. Greatness attracts growth--which changes culture unless it is brought into history." Heritage Opportunities Feb 9 Regular Camp meeting Feb 12-14 Battle of Olustee weekend Feb 20 Finley s Adopt-a-Road clean-up 9am at Old Plank and Natural Bridge Roads Feb 27 Woodville Founders Day all day at the Leon County Library in Woodville, Florida March 4-6 Battle of Natural Bridge weekend March 12 Chaires Cemetery clean-up. Contact Lamar Cox at 508-5345 or Dan Fletcher at 408-9595 for details. This is on St Joe property and we will be escorted in. St Joe needs a headcount in advance. Apr 2 Confederate Memorial Day at Stone Mountain, Georgia April 9 Finley s Brigade Confederate Memorial Day Service at Soldier s Cemetery in Quincy, FL Guest Speaker Pastor John Weaver April 16 UDC Chapter 2469 Confederate Memorial Day Service 10am at Hudson Park, Crawfordville April 24 UDC Chapter 224 Confederate Memorial Day Service at Old City Cemetery, Tallahassee, FL For times, locations, and details for the following events please contact Commander Crocker at kvcroadking@yahoo.com or 850-339-3051. Our meetings are always held on the second Tuesday of each and every month at the Golden Corral restaurant on North Monroe Street across from Lake Ella. The program will start promptly at 6:45 so be sure to arrive early (6:00) to enjoy a fine meal and socialize before the meeting starts. The Camp Cresset Newsletter is the official publication of Camp 1614, Finley s Brigade Sons of Confederate Veterans. No content may be reproduced in part, or in whole, without the expressed written authorization from the Editor-in-Chief. All parts herein remain the sole property of SCV Camp 1614. 2015 11