Shotguns and Bowie Knives

Newsletter of Terry’s Texas Rangers Camp #1937 Cleburne, Texas

Sons of Confederate Veterans August 2014 – Number 160

Shootin' from the Hip

by Commander Bob Rubel

Fellow Members and Compatriots:

I am going to begin my message this month with a Prayer.

A CONFEDERATE SOLDIER’S PRAYER

Author Unknown

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve;

I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health, that I might do greater things;

I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy;

I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men;

I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life;

I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for, but everything that I hoped for.

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am among all men most richly blessed.

As the soldier’s prayer states, I too consider myself to be richly

blessed. As a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans I have had the

opportunity to visit places that I probably would never have visited. I have

had the opportunity to meet hundreds of people that I probably never would

have met. I have had the opportunity to share with people the stories of

their Confederate ancestors. I have made friendships all over this country

that will last for a lifetime. How great it is to be a part of an organization

such as ours.

I am proud to be a member of Terry’s Texas Rangers Camp #1937. Each

and every one of you should be just as proud. Let us continue to honor our

Confederate ancestors and our Southern heritage.

Deo Vindice.

Notice of Upcoming Meetings and Topics

Here is the list for this summer:

August 11: Tom Clinkscales, Canton Flags of the Confederacy

Sept 8: Peggy Fox Michaels, Assoc. Member Texas Troops in the

Confederacy

Confederate of the Month General Josiah Gorges

Running Pumps, Pennsylvania

Josiah Gorgas, a career army officer and chief of the Confederate Bureau

of Ordnance, was born on July 1, 1818, in Running Pumps, Pennsylvania, the

son of Sophia Atkinson and Joseph Gorgas, a clock maker, farmer, innkeeper,

and mechanic. Josiah received little formal education until the age of 17,

when he went to live with an older sister and her family in Lyons, New York.

There a local congressman noticed Josiah and secured him an appointment to

the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.

Gorgas graduated sixth in his class in 1841 and chose to serve in the U.S.

Ordnance Corps. His first posting was at an arsenal in Watervliet, New York,

after which he transferred to an arsenal near Detroit, Michigan, and then

returned to the Watervliet arsenal.

Gorgas was ordered to New York to prepare ordnance for the siege train to

be shipped to Mexico when hostilities began. He sailed on the ordnance

vessel to Mexico in mid-January 1847 and joined the ordnance staff of

General Winfield Scott in Veracruz. While in Veracruz he contracted a mild

case of yellow fever. He reached Mexico City only after the fighting had

ended, and in July 1848 he returned with Scott's army to the United States.

The Gorgas family was living in Philadelphia when the first southern states

seceded in the winter of 1860–61. Josiah declined a commission in the

Confederate Army in February, but when he learned of a pending transfer

from his duties at Philadelphia's Frankford Arsenal to foundry duty under

Benjamin Huger, he resigned from the U.S. Army effective April 3, 1861. He

joined the Confederacy as a major in an artillery unit, and he became chief

of the Confederate Bureau of Ordnance on April 8, 1861. Gorgas's prior

army career had not been especially distinguished. His appointment as

ordnance chief has been called one of necessity, as he was the only

professional ordnance man available to the Confederacy after another

officer had refused the position.

In 1861 the South possessed little heavy industry capable of providing arms

and ammunition to the Confederacy. Gorgas embarked on a three-part plan

to provide the army with the hardware of war: scavenge arms from

battlefields, import arms and essential manufacturing supplies from Europe,

and build an industrial complex to manufacture what the army required. His

success was phenomenal, building a system that by 1864 produced vast

quantities of war materiel for large armies, despite the enormous handicaps

of an inferior southern rail system and self-interested southern governors

who hoarded supplies in their own states.

In the course of the war he rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel, then to

colonel, and finally on November 10, 1864, to brigadier general. Josiah fled

Richmond with the Confederate government in April 1865. Although the

Confederate Army was frequently short of food and clothing, Josiah

Gorgas's remarkable management of the ordnance bureau meant that the

army did not lack munitions. He was widely regarded as the most able

administrator in the Confederate government.

Chaplain's Corner

Lashon Hara is any derogatory or damaging statement against an individual.

In Hilchot Deot 7:5, Maimonides supplies a litmus test for determining

whether something is or isn't Lashon Hara:

Anything which, if it would be publicized, would cause the subject physical or

monetary damage, or would cause him anguish or fear, is Lashon Hara.

Deuteronomy 24:9, "Zachor et asher asa H' Elokeicha l'Miriam"

It's Lashon Hara EVEN IF:

•it's true

•a listener pressures the speaker to tell

•names are left out

•it's about the speaker's family

•the speaker includes himself in the derogatory description -

http://torah.org/learning/halashon/review1.html

Col_4:6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye

may know how ye ought to answer every man.

August was named for Caesar Augustus and while in some ways he was not an

august person in his actions he did have a dignity and majesty about him as

our word august means. I suspect that if someone in his court or entourage

would not have acted dignified or stately that person would have lost his

head. After all, he/she represented Caesar and he/she better present a

good image.

How much more so should we who represent the King of Kings and Lord of

Lords carry ourselves in a dignified way and most importantly in our speech,

especially when referring to others? We are to let our speech be gracious

even when the person(s) do not seem to deserve it. That is fitting as grace is

never deserved. It is given. Knowing we are in desperate need of daily grace

ourselves we should be very prone to extend it to others.

It is to be seasoned with salt. Salt can add a savory flavor to a meal that

without the salt might be bland or even undesirable. The right amount

matters as too much will make a person gag and not enough does not produce

the desired result. Yes, salt heals wounds, but it also burns and sufficient

salt can melt ice. We need to practice so that when we give an answer to

every man about our faith or even our heritage or other beliefs we might

create a thirst in them without overpowering them or throwing it in their

eyes. There may be wounds to be healed, but still the right amount does

make a difference.

Terry's Texas Rangers in Action

Terry’s Texas Rangers Adjutant, Michael Smith, presenting TTR Relay-for-

Life Team check to Relay-for-Life Treasure, Diane White on 7-29-14.

Terry’s Texas Rangers were presented an appreciation certificate for “Team

Participation” and also a certificate for the “Best Campsite” at the Relay-

for-Life American Cancer Society event on June 14, 2014 held at the

Cleburne High School. The check donated to Relay-for-Life was 100%

funded by personal donations from TTR camp members for that purpose.

Recruiting booth at the Cleburne Gun Show July 19th and 20th 2014. Other

TTR members rotated from the “Gone With the Wind Remembered” Museum

grand opening on the same date. Pictured above are from left to right: Ken

Richardson, Charlie Baskett, Wade Chaney, David Enos, Dick Glidewell,

Michael Smith and James Clinkscales. As well as our TTR banner and flags

we had on the table a 3 band Enfield musket, two 1860 colts one with

shoulder stock and our new cannon ball display.

Bob Rubel, Commander, and Michael Smith, Adjutant of Terry’s Texas

Rangers, SCV Camp 1937, present donation check to Buffalo Creek

Association President Joe Browder for construction of the General Pat

Cleburne Statue which is now underway.

“The Stainless Banner”

A free e-zine dedicated to the armies of the Confederacy. Articles and

features include battle analyses, regimental histories, biographies, letters

home and other articles written by the men who fought for the Stainless

Banner.

Subscription is free and a new issue arrives in your email inbox every month.

If interested, subscribe at www.thestainlessbanner.com.

"Texas Division Press Release”

Commander-in- Chief R. Michael Givens presents Commander Robert F.

Rubel, Terry's Texas Rangers Camp #1937, the Edward R. Darling Award

for being the Top Recruiter in the Confederation, 2013-2014, on July 18,

2014 during the National Reunion in Charleston, SC.

Bob also was given several other honors, including:

2013-2014 Dixie Club Gold Medal – This medal is given for recruiting 25 or

more members during the fiscal year. Bob, with the help of many others,

was responsible for completing the applications of 76 new members.

2013-2014 David O. Dodd Award and Silver Medal - This award is

presented to those individuals who contribute greatly to the SCV by

recruiting new members ages 18 and younger. Bob recruited 30 new

members between those ages.

2013-2014 Commendation Medal – This award is presented to members for

meritorious service or achievement at the Camp, Brigade or Division level.

2013-2014 Meritorious Service Medal – The Commander-in-Chief presents

this medal for outstanding service to the SCV. Recipients are nominated by

recommendation and are approved by the Commander-in-Chief.

Edward L. Darling Award – This award is presented annually to the

individual SCV member securing the most new members during the past

fiscal year. Bob commented to Commander-in-Chief R. Michael Givens

during the presentation of this award this was a team effort. These 76 new

members were the result of referrals from gun shows in Cleburne and Ennis,

SCV members in camps from Cleburne, Gainesville, Rockwall, DeLeon, Terrell,

Waxahachie, Victoria and various other sources. New members were placed

in camps in Texas, Tennessee and South Carolina.

Congratulations to Bob on these well-deserved honors.

In addition, the Texas Division received the General A.P. Hill Award for the

Division registering the greatest net gain in Camps (8) during the previous

year. Texas Division Commander Johnnie Holley accepted the award.

The Army of Trans-Mississippi received the General Albert Sidney

Johnston Award for registering the greatest net gain in Camps during the

previous year. Army Commander Todd Owens accepted the award.

Texas Division Guardian Program

Terry’s Texas Rangers Camp Members Who Are Caring for Confederate

Veterans' Graves

Mike Smith - Guardian

Bob Rubel - Guardian

Wade Chaney - Guardian

Ben Davis - Guardian

Brian Rubel - Guardian

Kevin Rubel - Guardian

Melvin Burt - Guardian Pro Tem

Michael Simons - Guardian Pro Tem

These eight TTR members are caring for a total of 78 Confederate

Veteran’s Graves.

For more information about the Texas Division Guardian Program, contact

Bob Rubel, Commander, at (817) 483-6288 or (817) 929-5576.

CAMP CHATTER

Bob and Louann Rubel attended the July 22nd meeting of the 2nd Texas

Frontier Camp #1904 in De Leon. Past Commander Charles Leatherwood

presented an excellent program, demonstrating the proper procedures to

use when preparing blank artillery charges. His program was well received

by everyone in attendance.

Pam and Jerry Jetsel recently went to Midland, Texas, and visited with

Pam's brother and his wife, Mark and Phyllis Jones. The Jones' are building

a new home and Pam and Phyllis got their heads together on some of the

decorating detail.

Michael Hatch recently accepted a position as a writer for the online hockey

journal, Along the Boards. If you like hockey, see his work at

www.alongtheboards.com.

Ronald Shultz was recently appointed to the board for Computers for the

Blind. Computers for the Blind (CFTB) is a volunteer organization devoted to

providing computers to persons who are blind or visually impaired. It is the

goal of the organization to help each person who is visually impaired

experience the information age in a positive and productive manner. They

believe technology opens new worlds and creates opportunity for greater

personal freedom. Congratulations to Ronald!

Happy Birthday to members of our camp: Cheryl Johnston 8-05, Travis

Morris 8-11, Alice Bonham 8-14, Cathy Gorman 8-15, Gary Meador 8-19,

Brian Rubel 8-30.

Anniversaries: Jerry & Pam Jetsel Aug 14, 1987, Harold & Cheryl Johnston

Aug 22, 1974

Quotable Confederates

"Our ancestors didn’t fight for what was in front of them. Our ancestors

fought for what they left behind."

Anonymous

"The Army of Northern Virginia was never defeated. It merely wore itself

out whipping the enemy."

Jubal Early

Terry’s Texas Rangers

Camp #1937, SCV

2014 Camp Officers

For contact information, visit the camp's website at:

www.scvcamp1937.org

Commander Bob Rubel

1st Lt. Commander Steve Wells

2nd Lt. Commander Dick Glidewell

Adjutant Mike Smith

Chaplain Ron Shultz

Color Sgt./Quartermaster Cecil Bonham

Camp Surgeon Robert McMinn

Communications Officer Ron Shultz

Judge Advocate Melvin Burt

Historian Jerry Jetsel

Newsletter Editor Michael Hatch

Camp Secretary Bill Hawkins

Committee Chairmen

Awards Bob Rubel

Cemetery Wade Chaney

Preservation/Heritage Jerry Jetsel

PLEDGE TO THE TEXAS FLAG

“HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER

GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.”

SALUTE TO THE CONFEDERATE FLAG

“I SALUTE THE CONFEDERATE FLAG WITH AFFECTION, REVERENCE, AND UNDYING

DEVOTION TO THE CAUSE FOR WHICH IT STANDS.”

THE SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS CHARGE

“TO YOU, SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS, WE SUBMIT THE VINDICATION OF THE CAUSE

FOR WHICH WE FOUGHT; TO YOUR STRENGTH WILL BE GIVEN THE DEFENSE OF THE

CONFEDERATE SOLDIER’S GOOD NAME, THE GUARDIANSHIP OF HIS HISTORY, THE

EMULATION OF HIS VIRTUES, THE PERPETUATION OF THOSE PRINCIPLES HE LOVED AND

WHICH MADE HIM GLORIOUS AND WHICH YOU ALSO CHERISH. REMEMBER IT IS YOUR DUTY

TO SEE THAT THE TRUE HISTORY OF THE SOUTH IS PRESENTED TO FUTURE GENERATIONS.”

LT. GEN. STEPHEN D LEE

SUGGESTED LINKS

SCV National Headquarters

www.scv.org

SCV Army of Trans-Mississippi

www.scv.atm.com

SCV Texas Division

www.scv.texas.org

SCV Terry’s Texas Rangers Camp 1937

www.scvcamp1937.org

SCV Terry’s Texas Rangers Camp 1937 Facebook

www.facebook.com/texasterrysrangers

SCV Texas Division email list- This is for official communications from Division

Command to the membership. Excellent for keeping abreast of current events within the

SCV.

http://www.scvtexas.org/Mailing_List.html