EDITORIALS AND OPINION

The new year of 2009 shows that much work is left to be done, but we are off to a great start. Our efforts to mark the 16 Civil War Trees in Capitol Park has been an outstanding success. When the State was unable to finance the project, Bob Bundy of the UVU and Chuck Davis of the Elk Grove CWRT provided the funding while Steve Von Bima-Past National Commander of the UVU designed and built the new markers. The Elk Grove Civil War Round Table then ran a raffle and raised over $300 for the project. In February of this year, the new markers were placed beside these historic trees.

In addition, Mr. Bundy and Mr. Davis wrote and published a 48 page booklet called "A Brief History of the Civil War Memorial Grove." (See Old Eli Publishing)

Next up is the Memorial Day tour of Historic City Cemetery on Monday, May 25 at 10 am followed by a tour of the Civil War Memorial Grove in Capitol Park at Noon that same day.

We have also just began work on a walking tour of Civil War Sites in Sacramento which will be published early this summer.

Plans are also under way for the 120th Anniversary of the dedication of the Grand Army of the Republic Monument in Historic City Cemetery. September 6th is the likely date. We hope to have the band there to play for us, just as they did ten years ago when we sat in the darkness listening to the music of the Civil War beside "Old Eli" as he continues to guard the graves of Union soldiers at Plot #1.

The Union Veterans Union continues to work with the Elk Grove CWRT in promoting our Civil War history and I thank everyone for their efforts!

MEMORIAL DAY

For many years, we have led Memorial Day events at the city cemetery. Again this year, we will be there to honor the men in blue and remember their deeds. We also pay our respects to those men in gray in rest in the cemetery. We don't do this because we agreed with the cause for which they fought. We certainly do not. However, we do believe that on Memorial Day, politics should be put aside. The past few years have shown us that there is a declining interest in the deeds of those who rest here. Picnics are more important. Going to the movies is a better escape. We hope that you don't feel that way. When we do our tours this month on May 25th, we hope we have a large turnout. We hope every citizen and Civil War group attends regardless of their politics or persuasion. Bring the kids and take a walk through history. Remember what they fought for and hear their stories. Join us as we walk among the famed trees of battlefields long forgotten by many. Reflect on their sacrifices.

And if no one shows up at Historic City Cemetery or Capitol Park to walk with us, we'll be disappointed, of course. But we'll be there honoring these gallant veterans. And that will be enough.

NEO-CONFEDERATE HYPOCRISY

For the past several years and longer, the neo-Confederate movement has taken on a life of its own. These groups of Southern Apologists have no problem in spreading lies, half-truths and attacking anyone or anything that does not conform with their twisted sense of history. They are a disgrace to their ancestors. And they have no one to blame but themselves for their disgraceful actions.

We at the Union Veterans Union always show the source of our information. We do not rewrite history. We report it. We don't make up stories and we don't tell lies. We tell it the way it was. And, unlike many neo-Confederates, we back it up with FACTS! We back it up with DOCUMENTATION!

The problem with many people is that they accept what they see at face value. They assume if it is in print somewhere, it is true. They fail to do their own research to find out if what they are reading is true or not. So we urge all of you, when reading our material, to do your own research. Don't take our word for it. Check our sources. We, unlike the neo-Confederate movement, have nothing to hide.

GENERAL PALMER STANDS UP TO THE REBEL FLAG! -Philadelphia Inquirer Nov. 11, 1891

GENERAL ORDER #1 (NATIONAL GENERAL ORDER #2)

The Union Veterans Union has always opposed the improper use of the United States Flag as well as the Rebel Flag. Many people have attacked our stand on the Rebel Flag because they don't take the time to understand the order. It is their contention that the Rebel Flag must be honored whenever and wherever it flies. So if the Klan walks down the street waving that flag, it is OK with the flags defenders! It is not OK with us. What Neo-Confederates don't understand is that this is the reason that flag has become a symbol of hatred around the world. The UVU issued a general order which shows very clearly our position on the Rebel Flag. It belongs at Memorial Services, in Museums and at reenactments. It does not belong on public buildings, at rallies by White Supremecist groups like the Klan, the Council of Conservative Citizens and the League of the South (LOSers). It does not belong on beach towels or lunch pails. This is disrespectful. We stand by our order. So a note to all you rebels out there who are criticizing our stand. You keep complaining and whining about how the Rebel Flag is being viewed and we'll keep fighting to get that flag out of the hands of the bigots and racists who have stolen it. And a note to the Sons of Confederate Veterans who are removing the Pledge of Allegience and the United States Flags from your meetings. We are going to continue to challenge you too! You're always crying about the lack of respect for your "monuments" but you attack and oppose Union Monuments. That is called hypocrisy!

JOESPH WHEELER AND THE MARCH TO THE SEA

(With the continued attacks on General Sherman's good name, we are publishing a series of articles to document the conduct of Confederate troops during Sherman's final campaign. It is often overlooked and ignored by those who wish to only show one side of the story. We hope these articles will bring a little balance to this "discussion".

[From Charleston Mercury]

Lower Three Runs, Barnwell District, S.C. December 31, 1864

To Hon. J. A. Seddon, Secretary of War, Richmond, VA

"I cannot forbear appealing to you in behalf of the producing population of the States of Georgia and South Carolina for protection against the destructive lawlessness of members of General Wheeler's command. From Augusta to Hardeevill, the road is now strewn with corn left on the ground unconsumed. Beeves have been shot down in the fields, one-quarter taken off, and the balance left for buzzards. Horses are stolen out of wagons on the road abd by wholesale out of stables at night. The writer saw an order from General Wheeler authorizing search to be made in his command for thirty-seven animals stolen from Mr. Fitzpatrick's plantation in Twiggs County, Georgia, only four of which had up to a few days ago been recovered. Within a few miles of this neighborhood Wheeler's men tried to rob a young lady of a horse while she was on a visit to a neighbor's, but for the timely arrival of a citizen, who prevented the outrage being perptrated. It is no unusual thing to see these men ride into camp with all sorts of plunder. Private houses are visited, carpets, blankets, and other furniture they can lay their hands on are taken by force, in the presence of the owners."

Now isn't this an interesting letter? Why don't the neo-Confederates who are rewriting history ever mention the outrages by General Wheeler and his band of cuthroats and murderers?

As General Sherman began his march to the sea, Joe Wheeler's Confederate Cavalry began their own campaign of terror against the population of Georgia and the Carolina's. Wheeler's Cavalry began scouring the countryside looking for any males they could find, regardless of age, and forced them to serve. Old men and young boys were goobled up, given weapons, and were sent to their deaths against the veterans of Sherman's Army. (Miles-"To The Sea"-p. 148)

A Savannah newspaper wrote that Wheeler's Cavalry was more feared by Georgians than Sherman. The soldiers and officers of Wheeler's command freely looted, stating that if they didn't take everything that came in their way, Sherman certainly would! John Bell Hood, rather then returning to Georgia to defend its population, chose to invade Tennessee instead. However, he gave specific orders to Wheeler to destroy all things in his front that might be useful to Sherman. Wheeler did his job well, burning and looting and blaming everyone but himself for his actions.

This is where the neo-Confederates run into a problem. As we all know, when a army is on the march, there are always those ruthless, unscrupulous "soldiers" who operate on the edges. They disregard orders, avoid real fighting, rob and plunder at will. They are nothing but outlaws. These types certainly operated on the fringes of Sherman's army. Neo-Confederates argue that General Sherman, as army commander, was responsible for these ruffians. That is fine. We agree that the army commander must accept a certain amount of responsibility for this type of problem. However, the neo-Confederates never extend this theory to their own commanders. If Sherman is responsible, than Joesph Wheeler, Joe Johnston, John Bell Hood, Bedford Forrest and Robert E. Lee all bear equal responsiblity for those operating on the fringes of their armies as well. You can't have it both ways. During the Gettysburg Campaign, ruffians operating on the fringes of the Army of Northern Virginia, spread out far and wide in search of escaped slaves. But they did not stop there. They seized free men as well. They also looted homes and farms. In 1864, Confederate Cavalry operating with Jubal Early's troops burned the town of Chambersburg, Pennsyslvania. Neo-Confederates always say that they were justified in doing this because Union troops were doing the same in the South. In other words, its wrong when Union troops do it but it is fine when Confederate troops do it. (Two wrongs make a right?) It's time to take a look at what Confederate troops actually did. No whitewash. Just the facts. It's time for some honesty.

John Bell Hood called Sherman a criminal for firing artillery into Atlanta. But he never blamed himself for the Confederate lines that were dug through residential areas puting civilians in danger. Hood has no one to blame but himself and the Confederate officers who designed the earthworks at Atlanta. It was a cowardly act by these officers to do so.

Charleston Mercury-January 14, 1865-A letter from a private citizen to Secretary of War Seddon described how Wheeler's men "ride into camp with all sorts of plunder. Private houses are visited, carpets, blankets and other furniture they can lay their hands on are taken by force in the presence of their owners.

Robert Toombs, in a letter to Vice President Stephens, wrote; "I hope to God he (Wheeler) will never get back to Georgia....His band consumes more than the whole army beside and will accelerate the evil day". Often the bummers were confused with the bands of Southern freebooters, deserters, liberated convicts and drifters who, posing as Wheeler's cavalry, raided the same countryside. That the latter were as destructive as Union foragers was widely charged by responsible Georgians, Governor Brown and Beauregard criticizing their depredations.(Lewis 454)

February 1, 1865-"We hear that Wheeler has ordered that all supplies in the country be taken (by his own men) or destroyed excepting twelve days rations for the people". Wheeler had repeatedly been ordered to destroy all supplies ahead of the Federals' advance---by Beauregard and Bragg on November 18 and 25.(Osborn 93)

"To General Sherman in Raleigh came petitions from North Carolinians asking for protection against Confederate Soldiers--chiefly paroled men from Lee's Army--who were wandering through the country. Swain wrote him that Wheeler's men were "denuding" the land and that women and childen would soon starve" (Lewis p. 573)

In Mark Bradley's book, "This Astounding Close", Bradley relates story after story of these "gallant Southerners". "To the east, Joe Wheeler's cavalry rode through Raleigh---albeit notquickly enough for some residents. Among Southern civilians, "Wheeler's men" had almost as unsavory a reputation as Sherman's dresded bummers--s reputation sometimes deserved. Mrs. J. L. Pennington, the wife of the editor of the Raleigh Progress, complained that a handful of Wheeler's troopers had dug up her garden in a vain search for ther silverware and had left only because of a warning that Sherman's army was on the outskirts of town. The villainous stereotype of Wheeler's men proved difficult to overcome..... The wild and profoundly unmilitary character of Wheeler's cavalry made a lasting impression on the many residents of the capital." (Bradley 116-117)