Col RM Russell Camp 209

Confederate History & Heritage Month

They fought for the right.
They died for the country.
Cherish their memory.
Imitate their example.

Orange County, VA Confederate Monument

April 17, 1861...

"Your dispatch of 15th inst., informing me that Tennessee is called upon for two regiments of militia for immediate service, is received. Tennessee will not furnish a single man for purpose of coercion, but 50,000, if necessary, for the defense of our rights and those of our Southern brothers."

-Gov. Isham G. Harris in response to Lincoln’s call for troops, Apr. 17,1861
(Nashville Union & American newspaper)


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We are excited to announce this year's Confederate Memorial Day Service. It will take place on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 10:00am. Our main speaker will be Mr. James Patterson, Past TN Division Commander. The service will take place at the B.F. Collinsworth Cemetery, just outside of Humboldt, TN.

This is the Confederate History Month Commemoration in Fayetteville, TN on Saturday, April 13, 2024.

Saturday, April 13th in Fayetteville.

April is Confederate History & Heritage Month.

Pictured here is the Confederate Memorial that was erected in the 1880s to honor those Madison County men who served in the Confederate Army. This monument stands as a reminder to the sacrifice of the men who bravely defended their homes and families. This monument also reminds us of the very young age of some of the men who served with it's inscription that reads: "Madison County furnished the South more soldiers than she had voters."

This monuments proudly overlooks downtown Jackson, Tennessee.

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As we continue with our recognition of Confederate History & Heritage Month, we would like to share with you a photo of some of the "Ole Boys in Grey". This photo was made sometime before 1908 at the Union Passenger Station in Humboldt, Tennessee. These old soldiers posed for a photograph before leaving to attend a United Confederate Veterans Reunion.

Some of those pictured include: Capt. W.H. McKnight, H.C. Burnett, Calvin Ferrell, Andrew McLeary, Andy McLeary(black man), Mayor N.A. Senter and the Dunlap brothers.

I am sure they were looking forward to seeing many of their old comrads and sharing war stories. God Bless their memory.

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April is Confederate History & Heritage Month.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans organization is dedicated to sharing the story of the Confederate Soldier. We also care for their graves by providing training to our members and other organizations on how to safely clean headstones. The C.E.R.T. program teaches the proper methods to safely clean, care for, and restore gravestones. This method does no harm to the historic gravestones. After completion of several hours of training, an individual will receive a certification from the organization. This photo was taken at a recent workshop the SCV held in Humboldt, Tennessee.

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April is Confederate History & Heritage Month.

Here is a brief biography of Mr. William Houston Harris of Humboldt, Tennessee.

1st Lt. William Houston Harris, Co. I, 7th Tenn. Inf. Regt., CSA was originally from Wilson County, Tenn. He wore a Richmond Depot coat. He served under Brig. Gen. Robert Hatton and fought the entire war in Virginia.. He came to Humboldt about 1867. He built many local houses and buildings. He was a member of the Humboldt Methodist Church at 12th Avenue & Crenshaw. He was born May 6, 1830 in Gladeville, Wilson County, and died Aug. 2, 1918 in Humboldt, TN.

We remember Mr. Harris.

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April is Confederate History & Heritage Month.

This is the gravestone for Captain James Monroe Collinsworth in Crockett County, TN. His epitaph reads: My God - my wife, my children and my country. He sacrificed it all for them. Captain Collinsworth was a member of the 6th Tennessee Infantry Regiment, Company I (Gadsden Spartans) which was organized in Gadsden, TN. He died on September, 6 1861.

We remember him and will never forget him.

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April is Confederate History & Heritage Month.

There is still a generation of people that want to honor their ancestors. Our ancestors sacrifice matters and it should be remembered.

Pvt. James A. Bledsoe of the 12th Tennessee Infantry Regiment (CSA) died and was buried at Athens, Alabama in 1864. Pvt. Bledsoe was born in Gibson County, Tennessee.

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Remembering Shiloh… April 6 & 7, 1862

April is Confederate History & Heritage Month.

This quote from Tennessee Senator Edward Ward Carmack is still just as true today as it was in 1903.

"The Confederate soldiers were our kinfolk and our heroes. We testify to the country our enduring fidelity to their memory. We commemorate their valor and devotion. There were some things that were not surrendered at Appomattox. We did not surrender our rights in history, nor was it one of the conditions of surrender that unfriendly lips should be suffered to tell the story of that war or that unfriendly hands should write the epitaphs of the Confederate dead. We have a right to teach our children the true history of that war, the causes that led up to it, and the principles involved."

Tennessee Senator Edward W. Carmack, 1903

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April is Confederate History & Heritage Month.

Here is a biography of Col. Munson Rufus Hill of Trenton, TN. He is part of the namesake of the Hill-Freeman SCV Camp 1472 in Trenton, TN.

Col. M.R. Hill was born in Churchville, New York on May 4, 1821. He would make his way to Dyersburg by 1839. While in Dyersburg, he would study law and would begin a practice. He also joined the Masonic Lodge before moving to Trenton in 1849. He would reopen his law practice in Trenton and would marry Miss Elizabeth Hale. He served in the Tennessee State Legislature for a few years as well. He was not for secession at first, but later his viewpoint would change. He was elected to serve as Colonel of 47th Tennessee Infantry. He and his men arrived at the Battle of Shiloh on April 7, 1862, the only reinforcements the Confederates received. He resigned his colonelship on January 5, 1863 due to remittent fever and gastroenteritis. Later that year, he made a failed attempt at running for the Confederate Congress. Col. Hill would spend the next few years practicing law in Memphis and Trenton. After the war ended, against his family and friends recommendation, moved to Memphis to continue practicing law there. Shortly thereafter, he contracted yellow fever and died on October 25, 1867. His body was returned to Trenton and laid to rest in Oakland Cemetery.

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April is Confederate History & Heritage Month.

Here is a short biography of SCV Camp 209's namesake, Col. Robert Milton Russell.

The Secrets of Heroism – A Biography Col. Robert Milton Russell
(A portion of a biography by Brent A. Cox. Originally appeared Gibson in Grey Newsletter.)

Robert Milton Russell: Born December 15, 1825 and died May 5, 1893, aged 71 years.

Little is known of the history of Robert Russell and his ancestors, yet what is known yields a man of unselfish, devoted and unsurpassed character.

James Russell was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina on April 7, 1769. He was the son of John Russell. James served as a captain in the Revolutionary War, and was noted for his courage. Many of the Russells volunteered for service, fighting for the independence of the United States. Soldiery was tradition in the Russell family and their devotion to preservation of democracy was unending. After the war, James Russell moved to East Tennessee, marrying Mary Cowan of Virginia and seven fine children were born unto them. They included: Christina Jane, William Alexander, Sophronia M, Mary, John Cowan, James, and Robert Milton.

Robert was named after his great uncle Robert Russell of North Carolina. He was a brother to John Russell, Robert’s grandfather. Robert, our subject, was born near Fayetteville, Lincoln County, Tennessee. It is assumed that his father was given a land grant for his services rendered in the Revolution against England. In 1842 Robert’s father passed away. Mr. Russell was buried at the First Presbyterian Church Old Cemetery in Fayetteville. This loss was deeply emotional to Robert.

In June of 1844, at the age of eighteen and a half, Robert was appointed to West Point. On July 1, 1844 he was admitted into the Academy. While at the academy he received the sad news of the death of his older sister, Christina and then on December 18, 1847 his mother died.

After four hard years of training, Robert graduated on July 1, 1848 commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the 5th Infantry. His first expedition was to East Pascagoula, Mississippi. In 1850 he served on frontier duty in Benicia, California.

Robert’s brother, John Cowan has been in California since 1849, as a miner in Tuolumne County. The gold rush brought in migrators from everywhere. Robert also went after gold. He resigned from the Army on August 31, 1850 and went into the mining business with his brother. They were met with moderate success.

In 1852, Robert travelled to Kentucky, where he married Miss Fannie I. January. By 1853 their first child was born. They named him Whitfield. In the later part of 185, Russell and his new family moved to Austin, Texas, where he took up his father’s trade as a farmer. Their second child was born in 1854 and was named William Alexander. Robert and his family left Texas in 1855 and moved to Trenton, Tennessee. Between 1857 and 1864 they had three more children.

In 1861 Russell helped organize and raise Company H, the Gibson Stars of the 12th Tennessee Infantry Regiment. He was elected captain immediately and soon ten companies were activated and Russell was elected colonel of the regiment.

Russell and his men marched to Jackson and joined the Provisional Army of Tennessee. Soon they advanced to Union City joining the Confederate service. Colonel Russell and his regiment were placed in Polk’s Corps, and Russell was chosen to lead a brigade, leaving Lt. Colonel Tyree H. Bell in command of the 12th. Russell led the brigade at the Battle of Belmont, serving with distinction.

Russell commanded the 1st Brigade, Clark’s 1st Division, Polk’s Corps. At the Battle of Shiloh in 1862, he led his men with raw courage and held his lines like a wall of steel.

Soon, the 12th was consolidated and Russell was not re-elected at the reorganization. By order of General Polk, Russell was given permission to raise a regiment of cavalry, to join forces with Forrest. On February 5, 1864, it was activated as the 20th (Russell’s) Tennessee Cavalry Regiment, Bell’s Brigade, Forrest’s Division Cavalry. Russell served as Colonel of this regiment until the close of the war.

Russell fought through all of Forrest’s movements and battles from February 5th until the surrender. At the Battle of Harrisburg, in 1864, Colonel Russell was wounded in the arm, yet maintaining his command.

After the war, Robert journeyed back to Trenton to resume his life. In 1868, Fannie, their third daughter was born. The Russell’s at this time owned land all around Trenton. Russell had invested his money wisely. He now owned land in California, Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas. His brother James lived with him in Trenton, when they moved there in 1855, and was in on half of all the Russell wealth. He remained with Robert’s wife at Trenton, even after Robert had moved away.

In the early 1880’s, Colonel Russell was injured in a train accident, resulting in his poor health. He journeyed all over the south in hoped of gaining his health back. In 1888 he moved to Traver California, in residence with his brother John Cowan. Robert was well liked in Traver and also very well known.

On May 5, 1893 at 4:00 in the morning, Robert M. Russell died. His wife, Fannie; daughter Annie, son William Alexander, and brother John Cowan were present at his death. His death was a severe loss to humanity. He was noble, and always served his friends with kindness and responsibility. The funeral took place at 11:00, from the residence of John Cowan Russell. Internment took place at 3:00. As Russell’s body neared the Visilia Cemetery, the Methodist Episcopal Church South tolled their bell in honor of the great Colonel. Services were held by Rev. D.M. Edwards, pastor of the M.E. Church South.

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April is Confederate History & Heritage Month.

Pictured here is the Confederate Memorial in Humboldt that is dedicated to the memory of the Confederate Solders of Gibson County, Tennessee. This monument was constructed in 1914. The monument was originally in the center of Main Street at the intersection of Main Street and 18th Avenue. The State of Tennessee changed the configuration of the road and the monument was moved to Bailey Park in July of 1949. It stands as a memorial to "Our Southern Heroes" of Gibson County.

They will never be forgotten.

April is Confederate History & Heritage Month. This month is set aside every year to tell the story of the Confederate Soldier.

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Here are some comments about the SCV and the Haynes Monument Dedication from the SCV Commander-in-Chief, Jason Boshers.

Comments by SCV Commander-in-Chief Jason Boshers - 3/30/24 Landon Carter Haynes Monument Dedication Comments by SCV Commander-in-Chief Jason Boshers - 3/30/24 Landon Carter Haynes Monument Dedication

The SCV Tag is available to all Tennessee Residents. A porttion of the proceeds from the tags go to the TN Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

The Landon Cater Haynes Monument Dedication is Saturday, March 30th at 10am in Jackson at Riverside Cemetery.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy Confederate Flag Day!

We are planning our annual Confederate Memorial Day event. The date will be Saturday, June 1, 2024. We are working on the location and time. Mark your calendars and plan to be there.

Rev. William Thomas Bennett was born in southern Gibson County on October 4, 1836. He was the son of Willis & Rebecca Powell Bennett. Thomas enlisted on May 28, 1861 and was a Private in Company H of the 12th Tennessee Infantry Regiment (CSA). He was appointed as Chaplain of the 12th Tennessee on December 19, 1862 by Col. Tyree H. Bell (later General Bell). At the end of the War, he returned to Gibson County and married Miss Katie Price on June 25, 1865. They had at least two children. Rev. Bennett also served as the Pastor of First Baptist Church in Humboldt for a short time during the year of 1870. He passed away at the age of 42 on Monday, August 18, 1879 and was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery.

A GIBSON STAR FALLS AT SHILOH

Two notes in the military service record of Capt. Benjamin H. Sandeford reveal his fate at Shiloh on April 6, 1862: “Killed on the battle field” and “Effects in the hands of the enemy and not known.” Sandeford, who commanded a company in the 12th Tennessee Infantry, likely fell during the fighting in the vicinity of Rhea Field, east of Shiloh Church. He was about 32.

Sandeford joined the regiment in May 1861. He left his Gibson County farm, where his wife, daughter and six slaves resided, and joined the Gibson Stars, which became Company H of the 12th. He is pictured here wearing a militia eagle waist buckle, an 1851 C**t Navy revolver and a Model 1850 foot officer’s sword. The blade appears to be Southern manufactured, as evidenced by the presence of an unstopped fuller on the blade—possibly crafted by Boyle and Gamble, though others copied this pattern. He also wears a dark blue coat based on an unrecorded set of state uniform regulations.

Sandeford brought a college education to the regiment, graduating from Union University in Murfreesboro in 1852. He was also one of five charter members of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity on campus—and the only one of the group to die during the war.

This image was published in William A. Turner’s 1983 book, Even More Confederate Faces.

Sixth-plate ambrotype by an anonymous photographer. Daniel Taylor Collection.

This image appeared in the Winter 2020 issue of Military Images. For more, see "Tennesseans in Gray": https://www.militaryimagesmagazine-digital.com/2019/12/01/tennesseans-in-gray-winter-2020/