It was not my intention to commence any discussion of the pros and cons of the Civil War; that war is long in the past. It was my intention to answer questions, one from this fine website, as to the true history of the banners, and to display the photo of the AR Confederate Veterans parade of 1911 in which there were NO battle flags to be seen. For that parade, see my website - www.DrakesBooks.com The battle flag was never a National flag of the Confederacy, and the people of the Old South - including my VA and NC ancestors and immediate family - did not ever use it as such. It was, instead, employed and designed to be a rallying point for men in actual combat because it was so very visible even through the smoke and haze of the battlefield. In the din of battle men become confused, turned around, and often lost within the foray. So it is that all men in all wars have had such a place of rally to which they might go. The flag which represented the Southern nation varied slightly, and there were three, the 1st - "Stars and Bars", the second "Stars and Bars revised", and the third National flag (a St. Andrews Cross on a field of white) ordained by the legislature very near the end of the war. Of those, the "Stars and Bars" was the most widely displayed by far, and it was the symbol of the Confederate States and known by all citizens and soldiers alike to be that. Unfortunately, though the battle flag was readily visible and so became a well-known rallying point for men engaged in actual combat, that once honorable symbol was seized upon for use by the Ku Klux Klan, and thus became a symbol of hate. It is that flag that is despised by many in our society, and in my view, since it never was displayed by MY Southern people other than in combat, it should not now be treated as though it did. Where are my loyalties? I am a charter member and past Commander of our "Sons of Confederate Veterans" (SCV) Post, and hold the combat medal of that organization for my own military service. Our post, as with many across the nation, adopted the "Stars and Bars" as our symbol, and we do not display the Battle flag without explanation as given here. Paul For those who would like to know more and see the flags, take a look at this URL http://worldatlas.com/webimage/flags/usa/confed.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: Sharon Disbennett To: [email protected] Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 10:50 PM Subject: [OHPICKAW] Southern "RedNecks" I am from the south; and I take offense in the comment that " rednecks and rabble rousers" thrust that battle symbol in the face of Afro-Americans and others sensitive to the evils that misunderstanding of the Southern cause brought about." Where I am from, an equal amount of "Afro-Americans also display this flag as part of our heritage. There is a new t-shirt that some of us have decided to start wearing for just this reason. It has the "Battle Flag" (as you call it ) on it with the simple words "If this flag offends you, You need a history lesson". I suppose the fact that we say "Ya'll" also offends you! ==== OHPICKAW Mailing List ==== OHGenWeb Pickaway County, Ohio Website: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohpickaw/ -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.3/173 - Release Date: 11/16/2005

Hey Paul, Simce you are in the book business, came you tel me where I can find the book, Tracks Along The Staunton by Diane Popek. Thanks Happy Hunting doc ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Drake" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, November 18, 2005 6:03 AM Subject: [VAROOTS] Explanation; history > It was not my intention to commence any discussion of the pros and cons of > the Civil War; that war is long in the past. It was my intention to > answer questions, one from this fine website, as to the true history of > the banners, and to display the photo of the AR Confederate Veterans > parade of 1911 in which there were NO battle flags to be seen. For that > parade, see my website - www.DrakesBooks.com > > The battle flag was never a National flag of the Confederacy, and the > people of the Old South - including my VA and NC ancestors and immediate > family - did not ever use it as such. It was, instead, employed and > designed to be a rallying point for men in actual combat because it was so > very visible even through the smoke and haze of the battlefield. In the > din of battle men become confused, turned around, and often lost within > the foray. So it is that all men in all wars have had such a place of > rally to which they might go. > > The flag which represented the Southern nation varied slightly, and there > were three, the 1st - "Stars and Bars", the second "Stars and Bars > revised", and the third National flag (a St. Andrews Cross on a field of > white) ordained by the legislature very near the end of the war. Of those, > the "Stars and Bars" was the most widely displayed by far, and it was the > symbol of the Confederate States and known by all citizens and soldiers > alike to be that. > > Unfortunately, though the battle flag was readily visible and so became a > well-known rallying point for men engaged in actual combat, that once > honorable symbol was seized upon for use by the Ku Klux Klan, and thus > became a symbol of hate. It is that flag that is despised by many in our > society, and in my view, since it never was displayed by MY Southern > people other than in combat, it should not now be treated as though it > did. > > Where are my loyalties? I am a charter member and past Commander of our > "Sons of Confederate Veterans" (SCV) Post, and hold the combat medal of > that organization for my own military service. Our post, as with many > across the nation, adopted the "Stars and Bars" as our symbol, and we do > not display the Battle flag without explanation as given here. > > Paul > > For those who would like to know more and see the flags, take a look at > this URL > http://worldatlas.com/webimage/flags/usa/confed.htm > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Sharon Disbennett > To: [email protected] > Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 10:50 PM > Subject: [OHPICKAW] Southern "RedNecks" > > > I am from the south; and I take offense in the comment that " rednecks > and > rabble rousers" thrust that battle symbol in the face of Afro-Americans > and > others sensitive to the evils that misunderstanding of the Southern cause > brought about." Where I am from, an equal amount of "Afro-Americans also > display this flag as part of our heritage. > There is a new t-shirt that some of us have decided to start wearing for > just this reason. It has the "Battle Flag" (as you call it ) on it with > the > simple words "If this flag offends you, You need a history lesson". > I suppose the fact that we say "Ya'll" also offends you! > > > ==== OHPICKAW Mailing List ==== > OHGenWeb Pickaway County, Ohio Website: > http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohpickaw/ > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.3/173 - Release Date: > 11/16/2005 > > > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx >

Thanks to Paul and Sharon whom in eclectic express information passed down to my grandmas from their grandfathers. As a curiosity, two years ago while searching for cemeteries in rural Arkansas I passed through several small communities all displaying one or two versions of the rebel flags. I didn't stop to ask anyone about why so many flags were displayed in a ten mile area, but evidently after 150 years sentiments for the southern cause still runs deep. It is curious however that in our Arkansas and Tennessee families, brothers fought on both sides. That is one of the downsides of any war on American soil. Don Kelly, direct descendent of ancestors and their brothers who were veterans active in Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas and Texas. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Drake" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, November 18, 2005 6:03 AM Subject: [VAROOTS] Explanation; history > It was not my intention to commence any discussion of the pros and cons of > the Civil War; that war is long in the past. It was my intention to > answer questions, one from this fine website, as to the true history of > the banners, and to display the photo of the AR Confederate Veterans > parade of 1911 in which there were NO battle flags to be seen. For that > parade, see my website - www.DrakesBooks.com > > The battle flag was never a National flag of the Confederacy, and the > people of the Old South - including my VA and NC ancestors and immediate > family - did not ever use it as such. It was, instead, employed and > designed to be a rallying point for men in actual combat because it was so > very visible even through the smoke and haze of the battlefield. In the > din of battle men become confused, turned around, and often lost within > the foray. So it is that all men in all wars have had such a place of > rally to which they might go. > > The flag which represented the Southern nation varied slightly, and there > were three, the 1st - "Stars and Bars", the second "Stars and Bars > revised", and the third National flag (a St. Andrews Cross on a field of > white) ordained by the legislature very near the end of the war. Of those, > the "Stars and Bars" was the most widely displayed by far, and it was the > symbol of the Confederate States and known by all citizens and soldiers > alike to be that. > > Unfortunately, though the battle flag was readily visible and so became a > well-known rallying point for men engaged in actual combat, that once > honorable symbol was seized upon for use by the Ku Klux Klan, and thus > became a symbol of hate. It is that flag that is despised by many in our > society, and in my view, since it never was displayed by MY Southern > people other than in combat, it should not now be treated as though it > did. > > Where are my loyalties? I am a charter member and past Commander of our > "Sons of Confederate Veterans" (SCV) Post, and hold the combat medal of > that organization for my own military service. Our post, as with many > across the nation, adopted the "Stars and Bars" as our symbol, and we do > not display the Battle flag without explanation as given here. > > Paul > > For those who would like to know more and see the flags, take a look at > this URL > http://worldatlas.com/webimage/flags/usa/confed.htm > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Sharon Disbennett > To: [email protected] > Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 10:50 PM > Subject: [OHPICKAW] Southern "RedNecks" > > > I am from the south; and I take offense in the comment that " rednecks > and > rabble rousers" thrust that battle symbol in the face of Afro-Americans > and > others sensitive to the evils that misunderstanding of the Southern cause > brought about." Where I am from, an equal amount of "Afro-Americans also > display this flag as part of our heritage. > There is a new t-shirt that some of us have decided to start wearing for > just this reason. It has the "Battle Flag" (as you call it ) on it with > the > simple words "If this flag offends you, You need a history lesson". > I suppose the fact that we say "Ya'll" also offends you! > > > ==== OHPICKAW Mailing List ==== > OHGenWeb Pickaway County, Ohio Website: > http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohpickaw/ > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.3/173 - Release Date: > 11/16/2005 > > > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx >

Good for them, and I hope they followed in the steps of those in that parade who truly knew what they stood for. It was NOT the Battle Flag that carried their affection. Paul Drake JD Genealogist & Author <www.DrakesBooks.com> 931-484-9129 ----- Original Message ----- From: Don Kelly To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, November 18, 2005 10:43 AM Subject: Re: [VAROOTS] Explanation; history Thanks to Paul and Sharon whom in eclectic express information passed down to my grandmas from their grandfathers. As a curiosity, two years ago while searching for cemeteries in rural Arkansas I passed through several small communities all displaying one or two versions of the rebel flags. I didn't stop to ask anyone about why so many flags were displayed in a ten mile area, but evidently after 150 years sentiments for the southern cause still runs deep. It is curious however that in our Arkansas and Tennessee families, brothers fought on both sides. That is one of the downsides of any war on American soil. Don Kelly, direct descendent of ancestors and their brothers who were veterans active in Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas and Texas. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Drake" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, November 18, 2005 6:03 AM Subject: [VAROOTS] Explanation; history > It was not my intention to commence any discussion of the pros and cons of > the Civil War; that war is long in the past. It was my intention to > answer questions, one from this fine website, as to the true history of > the banners, and to display the photo of the AR Confederate Veterans > parade of 1911 in which there were NO battle flags to be seen. For that > parade, see my website - www.DrakesBooks.com > > The battle flag was never a National flag of the Confederacy, and the > people of the Old South - including my VA and NC ancestors and immediate > family - did not ever use it as such. It was, instead, employed and > designed to be a rallying point for men in actual combat because it was so > very visible even through the smoke and haze of the battlefield. In the > din of battle men become confused, turned around, and often lost within > the foray. So it is that all men in all wars have had such a place of > rally to which they might go. > > The flag which represented the Southern nation varied slightly, and there > were three, the 1st - "Stars and Bars", the second "Stars and Bars > revised", and the third National flag (a St. Andrews Cross on a field of > white) ordained by the legislature very near the end of the war. Of those, > the "Stars and Bars" was the most widely displayed by far, and it was the > symbol of the Confederate States and known by all citizens and soldiers > alike to be that. > > Unfortunately, though the battle flag was readily visible and so became a > well-known rallying point for men engaged in actual combat, that once > honorable symbol was seized upon for use by the Ku Klux Klan, and thus > became a symbol of hate. It is that flag that is despised by many in our > society, and in my view, since it never was displayed by MY Southern > people other than in combat, it should not now be treated as though it > did. > > Where are my loyalties? I am a charter member and past Commander of our > "Sons of Confederate Veterans" (SCV) Post, and hold the combat medal of > that organization for my own military service. Our post, as with many > across the nation, adopted the "Stars and Bars" as our symbol, and we do > not display the Battle flag without explanation as given here. > > Paul > > For those who would like to know more and see the flags, take a look at > this URL > http://worldatlas.com/webimage/flags/usa/confed.htm > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Sharon Disbennett > To: [email protected] > Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 10:50 PM > Subject: [OHPICKAW] Southern "RedNecks" > > > I am from the south; and I take offense in the comment that " rednecks > and > rabble rousers" thrust that battle symbol in the face of Afro-Americans > and > others sensitive to the evils that misunderstanding of the Southern cause > brought about." Where I am from, an equal amount of "Afro-Americans also > display this flag as part of our heritage. > There is a new t-shirt that some of us have decided to start wearing for > just this reason. It has the "Battle Flag" (as you call it ) on it with > the > simple words "If this flag offends you, You need a history lesson". > I suppose the fact that we say "Ya'll" also offends you! > > > ==== OHPICKAW Mailing List ==== > OHGenWeb Pickaway County, Ohio Website: > http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohpickaw/ > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.3/173 - Release Date: > 11/16/2005 > > > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > ============================== Jumpstart your genealogy with OneWorldTree. Search not only for ancestors, but entire generations. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13972/rd.ashx -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.4/175 - Release Date: 11/18/2005