Volume X Issue 7 July 2017

ROUGH
S O N S O F C O N FE D E RAT E V E T E RAN S CAM P # 2 6 5
AND

READYS RANKIN DISPATCH

RANKIN

CAMP
265

N E W S LE TT E R O F T H E RAN K I N R O U G H & R EADYS

COMMANDERS QUOTE: If its important to you, youll find a way. If not- youll find an excuse.

COMMANDERS REPORT
Well, we have put another Relic Show In the
books. It takes a lot of people to make the Show
happen and I want to thank each and everyone of
you for your efforts and support! Our speaker this
month will be Mr. Grady Howell. He is one of the
foremost expert's in Genealogy, The Civil War, and
Mississippi history. If you have heard him before,
you know that you want to hear him again. If
you've never heard Mr. Howell speak before, you
won't want to miss it!

We have five new members to vote in, door prizes

to give away from the Relic Show, and much more.
So, come early, bring someone with you, and as
sure as Tide and Time wait for no man, I'll
probably see you at our next meeting at Penn's in
Brandon on July 1st at 7pm. The OCR meeting is
at 6:15pm

-Tim Cupit

MEETING AGENDA FOR JULY 1, 2017

Agenda for July 1, 2017 - Division Reunion Report by Charles Lewis
- Open with prayer at 7pm sharp - Rodney report by Chuck Gray
- Pledge of Allegiance to the US flag and salutes - Relic Show report
- Trivia by Ralph Smitherman
- Guest speaker- Grady Howell, Q&A New Business
- Door prize winners from Relic Show
Unfinished Business - Vote in new members
- Adopt Minutes from June 3rd meeting. - Did everyone sign in?
Motion, 2nd, Discussions, Vote. - Does everyone have a door prize ticket?
- www.scv265.com & Stats from Chris Merck - Door prizes
- 1st Thursday coin club meeting at Brandon library - Open floor
6:30pm - Close meeting with prayer at approximately 8:25pm
- OCR report by Brandi Gray - Please leave $1.00 for the girls who clean up behind
- Kroger card program us!
 CHAPLAINS REPORT
by Tom Fortenberry
Good Old Times
Now a days they dont teach a lot that we need in
schools. In fact, most schools dont teach much
except to go against what we try to teach in our
homes.
Southern life and culture is no different from
other cultures in that it involves a people, place,
and time. It is evident that most often the
misunderstanding of one culture is limited and
distorted by those have not lived in that culture.
Southern culture is Southern. I was born and
raised in the South with all of its hot summers and
humidity. Growing up on a farm and later having
the honor and duty to serve my country in peace
and war. No one asked me if I was Southern. I did
not have to wear a battle flag on my back or place
myself above another to show where I was from. I
was Southern because I was part of a people who
taught the Bible with a hearts desire to live it. I
was part of the Bible Belt, where places of
worship could be found at just about every cross
road and town. And I was part of a people moved
only by God who had set us free. Free to live our
lives.
Battle flag of Gettysburg Veterans, the 2nd Mississippi Infantry.
Old times there are not forgotten, look away, look
away, look away, Dixie land. And this is were I
will take my stand to live and die in Dixie.
One hundred and fifty some years ago our people
lived and died in the times they had not chosen.
They did not choose the place of their birth or the
name they were given. So it is today for each of
us who walk in their footsteps. And yet we are
joined together as one by the time, place, and
people that molds and shapes us to who we are.
The Good Old Times have not been forgotten. We
live them now, remembering those who came
before us and teaching our children who will
come after us. We are commanded to guard His
commandments just as we guard our Southern
heritage without fear and without hate.
May God Bless each of you in faith and life
through Jesus our Lord, Amen
Thomas Fortenberry, Chaplain. Camp 265
Several Southern Belles from the Mary Ann Forrest Chapter of the Order of Confederate Rose dressed in period-style attire and walked
among the visitors at the Civil War Relic Show.

ADJUTANTS REPORT
by Charles Lewis
"Get correct views of life, and learn to see the world in its
true light. It will enable you to live pleasantly, to do good,
and when summoned away, to leave without regret."
Robert E. Lee
We had a full house at the June meeting. An informative
meeting was enjoyed by all.
We added 2 new members in June. Welcome back James
Baker and welcome to our camp new member Thomas
Ramsey. It is a pleasure to see young men taking an active
part in our Confederate heritage. Thomas has been
reenacting for a while.
I am proud to announce Camp 265 Rough and Ready's won
2017 Camp of the Year!! Individual Commander awards
from Louis Foley went to James Cook and Chuck Gray.
Appreciation Awards from Commander Foley went to OCR
members Brandi Gray, Charla Lewis, and Robbie Lewis.
This years Relic Show brought in a record attendance. I
acquired a copy of a report compiled by the Brandon
mayor's office of a parking lot survey of license tags. The
survey was done at 11am, 1pm and 3pm on Saturday and
Sunday. A recap of it is as follows: the tri-county area tags
(Rankin, Hinds, & Madison) = 697, 38 other Mississippi
county tags = 248, 13 out of state tags = 323; totaling 1,268
vehicles.

The Division Reunion was held in Oxford, MS on June 11th Recruiting during the show resulted in 6 new members to
and 12th. Chuck Gray, Ian Powell, Rabbi Tom Fortenberry, our camp. Recruitment is the most important and necessary
Tal Floyd and I attended. I would personally like to thank task for the ongoing success of our organization, but DO
these men for stepping up and serving as delegates. NOT recruit members from other camps. Our job is to
Representing the camp's OCR (chapter #23) were Brandi recruit new members (new blood) to the SCV first, then our
Gray, Charla Lewis, Robbie Lewis, and Debby Warren. camp, or to a camp close to their home if the applicant
Reunion business included electing new Division and requests it.
Brigade officers. They are as follows:
REMEMBER- dues are due by July 31st! You will be
DIVISION: delinquent and required to pay reinstatement fees after
Commander- Jeff Barns August 31st.
Adjutant- Dan McCaskill
1st Lt. Commander- Connor Bond Remember, donations are needed to help purchase Sparky
2nd Lt. Commander- Carl Ford the Fire Dog a new uniform, and the Richland Police
Department breakfast (Breakfast with the Blue) is Thursday,
4TH BRIGADE: July 20th at 6:45 A.M. at the Richland Police Department.
Commander- Bill Hinson Please, show up and support our OCR ladies.
Councilman- Patrick Charlton
Charles Lewis
BEAUVOIR BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Adjutant
Jessie Sanford

BOARD OF TRUSTEES:
Bruce Warren
Jason Smith
2017 CIVIL WAR RELIC SHOW
The 2017 Civil War Relic Show held in Brandon, MS on
June 18th & 19th was a HUGE success! With 282 tables
sold and vendors from all over the country, it was a grand
sight to see! Signs were posted at every possible street
corner in the metro area, 120 thousand fliers were mailed to
the public, advertisements were printed in 14 newspapers,
and commercials were played on 8 radio stations around the
state! There were military antique dealers, historians, coin
experts, authors, period-style musicians, and genealogists
present. If you couldnt find something to pique your
Visitors at the Civil War Relic Show were greeted and recruited at the front door by members of Camp 265, The Rankin Rough & Readys.
interests, you shouldve just stayed at home! The guest
speaker for Saturday night was local Mississippi author, Al
Arnold. His book titled Robert E. Lees Orderly, A Modern
Black Mans Confederate Journey can be found here:
www.orderlyforlee.com
Thanks to all who attended and helped make this years
Relic Show another success! An extra special thanks to
Camp 265s fearless leader, Tim Cupit! Lets do it again
next year!
A History of Rodney, Mississippi
by John A. Limerick
Copied from http://jeffersoncountyms.org/Limerick.htm

The Town of Rodney Mississippi, named in honor of Judge

Rodney, was settled or laid out about the year 1826. The
locality was first known as far back as 1765 as "Little Gulf"
and afterwards as "Petit Gulf." Until about the year 1864, the
current of the Mississippi river ran in front of the town but
since then a bar has gradually formed until now the Town is
more than a mile and a half from the river. The country
surrounding the town is known as "Petit Gulf Hills" and at one
time the cotton raised in the vicinity was known as "petit gulf
cotton" commanding in the cotton market the highest price for
lint and seeds.

The Town was almost entirely consumed by fire in the year

1852, and again in 1869. The following description of the last
fire was given by the officers of the Steamer Richmond, as she
passed the Town during the fire:

Wednesday night, shortly after we left Vicksburg, a bright

lights was observed in the southern horizon. All manner of
speculation was rife on board concerning the cause and as the
light grew nearer and nearer the interest grew in proportion.
At last after several hours of eager watching we bore in sight
of the beautiful Town of Rodney and lo, we beheld it the object
of the wrath of the fire king. The whole village was wrapped in
a mantle of flames and as at two o'clock in the morning our
boat glided swiftly down along the other shore, the scene was
grand beyond description, lit up as it was by the lurid lights
from burning buildings, mingled with the moon's pale beams."

County Fairs were held in the Town of Rodney during the fall
of 1858, 1859, and 1860. No finer display of blooded stock
was ever presented at any fair in this state, than that shown at
the Rodney fairs. And no finer premiums were ever offered in
this state; they being solid silver, cups, vases &c. A number of
Mississippi raised horses taking premiums over blue ribbon
horses that had been brought from other states and from other
fairs. The visitors at these fairs were largely from New
Orleans, Vicksburg, Natchez, Port Gibson and neighboring
Louisiana Parishes.
During the latter part of the summer of 1863, Rev. Mr. Baker,
pastor of the Presbyterian Church, at Red Lick, (this Jefferson
County) being at heart a union man, resigned his pastorate,
and came to Rodney, to get transportation north. While here
awaiting a north bound boat, he was the guest of Acting
Master E. H. Fentress of the U.S.S. Rattler, lying off Rodney.
On the morning of September 12, 1863, [13-Sep-1863 sic]
Rev. Robt. Price, pastor of the Rodney Presbyterian Church,
invited Mr. Baker to come ashore and preach for him. Mr.
Baker accepted the invitation and at the same time extended
an invitation to the officers and men of the Steamer Rattler, to
go with him to the church and hear him preach. Acting Master
E. H. Fentress, Acting Ensign S. Strunk, and some eighteen or
twenty seamen accompanied him to the church, and just after
the services had begun, Lt. Allen, a Confederate scout and
some fifteen men surrounded the church and demanded the
surrender of the Federals. Instead of surrendering however the
Federals opened fire upon the Confederates in the church,
crowded mostly with women and children, but strange to say
although there was fifteen or twenty shots fired in and around
the church, no one was killed and only one seaman slightly
wounded. Acting Master E. H. Fentress and Ensign Strunk,
and fifteen seamen were captured. Before the congregation
had time to disperse the Steamer Rattler began shelling the
Town, one shell striking the Presbyterian church. After the
Confederates had retired to a place of safety with their
prisoners, the Federals came ashore and made an attempt to
burn the town. The citizens notified Lt. Allan of the fact and he
sent word to Federal Commander that if any house or property
was destroyed he would hang every prisoner in his charge.
This message had the proper effect and upon receipt of same
they returned to their boat and in a short time left for Natchez
to make report to the commander of the naval fleet of this
District.
 15th Annual Turkey Shoot Winner!
This years 15th Annual Turkey Shoot winner was 15 year old Peyton Thompson of Rankin County. After beating
out 82 other marksmen (and women), he snatched victory from the jaws of defeat! He attended our June 3rd
meeting, and was presented with his winning target, a certificate of appreciation, a personal letter of gratitude
from the camp commander, and a crisp new one hundred dollar bill! Thank you Mr. Thompson for participating
and we hope to see you become a part of our Camp 265 family one day!
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS - THEY SUPPORT US!
 The Sons of Confederate Veterans
Camp #265

THE RANKIN DISPATCH NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE PAID
317 Lake Heather Road BRANDON, MS
Brandon, MS 39047 PERMIT NO. 265

Our next meeting is July 1st

at Penns in Brandon at 7:00pm.
Come early!