Volume VIII, Issue 12 December 2015

Newsletter of the raNkiN rough & ready’s

RANKIN DISPATCHRANKIN DISPATCH

S O N S O F C O N F E D E R A T E V E T E R A N S c a m p # 2 6 5

Commander’s Report

2015 is almost over. I hope that you ate too much at Thanksgiving and I hope

everyone has a Merry Christmas. Our next meeting is a pot luck dinner. So, please

bring a covered dish, enjoy the live music, fellowship with friends, and support our

officers in my absence. I will be in Franklin, Tennessee trying to get vendors for our

Relic Show in Brandon. It will be a great meeting. Feel free to come early, bring a

friend, and as sure as ole times here are not forgotten, I’ll probably see at our

meeting in January.

Tim Cupit

-November Camp Meeting- Guest Speaker: Mr. David Harris

Chaplain’s Report By Tom Fortenberry

Confederate Christmas

At around the time of Thanksgiving many families will begin their time honored tradition of going

out in search of the perfect Christmas tree. Here in the United States there are many stories of the

where the first Christmas tree was cut down, decorated, and all depending on who you talk to and

what part of the country you live in.

In1842. A German professor Minnigerode met Judge Nathaniel Beverly Tucker, who was a professor

of law at William and Mary. The two men became friends; Tucker invited his new friend to share the

Christmas holiday with his family at Williamsburg. As a gift to Tucker’s children, Minnigerode

shared the history of the German tradition of decorating a Christmas tree. He selected a small ever-

green and had it cut and brought into the Tucker residence. Minnigerode helped the young Tuckers

string popcorn and colorful paper decorations on the tree and joined in songs and games with the

Tucker children. And as the story goes the tradition spread

In 1846, Minnigerode was ordained as a deacon and then later into the Episcopal priesthood. Both

services took place at Williamsburg’s historic Burton Parish Church. After serving a number of par-

ishes, the Pastor Minnigerode was called to St. Paul’s in Richmond in 1856. He would serve there as

pastor for 33 years — until 1889.

It was at St. Paul’s that Minnigerode’s impact on American history was joined with Confederate sol-

diers. Here he preached to the Prince of Wales, baptized many in the Confederate leadership, presid-

ed over J.E.B. Stuart’s funeral and eulogized President Monroe at his grave site in Richmond’s Hol-

lywood Cemetery.

It was during the War of Northern Aggression that Pastor Minnigerode became known as the

“Father Confessor of the Secession,” “Father Confessor of the Confederacy” and the “Rebel Pastor.”

The constant stream of Confederate officers, soldiers and government officials into St. Paul’s earned

it the name, “Cathedral of the Confederacy.”

Minnigerode’s relationship with President Davis became very close as he wrote about Davis saying,

“He spoke very earnestly and most humbly of needing the power of the Holy Spirit; but in the con-

sciousness of his insufficiency felt some doubt … but soon it settled this question with a man so reso-

lute in doing what he thought was his duty.” Pastor spent many Christmas evenings in the Davis

home.

As the war came to a close, President Davis after being captured was held in solitary confinement at

Fort Monroe, Va. Davis would not be forgotten by his pastor. Pastor Minnigerode was the first civil-

ian allowed to visit President Davis and Minnigerode would say later that “those were the most sol-

emn communions of which I ever partook.” Upon being released, Davis would tell his Christian

friend: “You have been with me in my sufferings, and comforted and strengthened me with your

prayers, is it right that we now once more should kneel down together and return thanks?” As it was

for them, May this Christmas Season be one of thankfulness and prayer for you and your family.

God Bless

Thomas Fortenberry, Chaplain Camp 265

<< The winner of the

Turkey Shoot booth held at

Beauvoir October 2015:

Rivers Dronet

<< Please welcome our newest

member: Mr . Damen Tackett

Winner of the $1,000

Confederate Bond we drew

for at our November

meet ing, Mr. Johnny

Wooten & his wife , Cathy,

a long with Commander

Tim Cupit . >>

Camp

Happenings. .

Brandon Museum Painting Day

On The Lighter Side…

2016 Relic Show Update

We sold several tables in October.

We put 25 gallons of paint on the Rankin County

Museum on November 21st, 2015.

We are mailing Christmas cards to 500 potential

vendors along with a vendor registration form.

Money is raised by selling ads in our newsletter or

soliciting donations. Any help with this endeavor

would be greatly appreciated by all of us at Camp

#265.

Remember: If you ask you may be told no, but if

you don’t ask you’ll never be told no!

>>

2016

Rel ic Show

Table Sales

Goal Tracker

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

BRANDON, MS

PERMIT NO. 265

THE RANKIN DISPATCH

317 LAKE HEATHER ROAD

BRANDON, MS 39047

**Our next meeting is December

5th at Penn’s in Brandon at

7:00pm. Come early!

SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS

CAMP #265