The Seaboard Guard News
"The Guardian"
"News and Views from Camp #2022."
May 2004
|
|
|
The Hunley Funeral
by Nick Warren
Div. Commander
Colorado
Spring Mornings in Charleston South Carolina are not much different than
many locations in the South. A hint of the night chill remains, mist hangs
in the fields, the upcoming heat and humidity of the day seem to whisper
to
you. Walking down Meeting Street one generally can feel the "Old South"
hanging heavy in the air. April 17th was one such morning. As I
approached
the Battery area, the Old South no longer abstract or elusive, no longer a
memory . Companies of Confederate Infantry were in the process of morning
formation, Soldiers stood around leaning on muskets with fixed bayonets,
Officers hurried around or stood in small groups discussing the upcoming
days events. Women attired in black "widows weeds" and antebellum hoop
skirts were seen in small groups as well. The click of heel plates, the
clank of canteens and equipment could be heard amongst the bawl of
Sergeants. Bringing my small detachment of Infantrymen into the park at
the
Battery, I had to remind myself this was not 1864 but 2004. We were not
forming for battle, we were forming for the long March down Bay Street to
honor the Hunley's Brave Crew as they were laid to rest at Magnolia
Cemetery. Their last journey would be 140 years in the making. Their
courage
and commitment to the cause had remained as a blurb on the dusty pages of
history until the Hunleys resting place was discovered several years back.
After the Submarine was raised intact, the mystery of its demise has only
deepened. Their story has yet to be told in total , will there be an end
or
only a question ? Regardless, I had come to Charleston for a number of
reasons. The obvious one was to pay my respects to some very brave and
dedicated souls that had given THEIR last full measure in the defense of
the
South and its people. I had opportunity to speak with a number of
reenactors
and SCV members. Each had similar thoughts. One such was Mr. Troy Massey
of
Arkansas, Troy had taken time out of his busy schedule that now included
his
campaign for the Commander and Chief of the SCV in the upcoming elections.
Troy put it in very simple terms. " Yes we are still finding Confederates
and interring them with pomp and ceremony.Yet this will be the last
Confederate Funeral of scale and magnitude... As SCV, UDC and reenactors
we
tend to study the history of the Confederacy. Today we are participating
in
a new Chapter of it. Rest assured this funeral is a mile marker .. if you
will .. in OUR history. I wouldnt have missed this. Steve Quick of
Illinois
dressed in a Confederate Naval Uniform commented that he had spent a
number
of years studying the Hunley. He had given numerous lectures on the
Hunley
and Confederate History in a State that is often less than friendly to the
Southern Causse. "Most dont understand the dedication and courage that was
exhibited by the Hunley's Crew... I would not have missed this under any
circumstance". He agreed this was history in the making. As we staged for
the event, my mind wandered back to Febuary of 1864, what had caused the
Hunley to sink ? What had been its crews thoughts as they embarked from
Sullivan Island on that fateful evening ? Yes many questions. My thoughts
were interupted by a loud speaker which had blared intermittently through
the early morning. The event was starting. A number of speakers gave a few
thoughts and words regarding the Hunley and its crew. After a number of
speeches, drums started their staccato beat to announce the procession was
starting to move for the 6 mile march to Magnolia Cemetery. From my
position
about halfway down the column, I could see the lead elements heading out.
These included the Horse drawn Caissons carrying the caskets of the
Hunleys
crew on its final journey, the honor guards. Looking behind me, I could
see
the remainder of the column snaking off into the distance. My eyeball
estimate was that there had to be at least 6000 if not more in the
procession. After a bit of stop and go, we rounded the corner of the
battery
and started down bay street. This is a sight I will not soon forget. The
streets were absolutely packed with spectators. The majority were holding
small Confederate Flags to show their support. Above the streets, most of
the piazza's of Antebellum Homes were packed with onlookers. The
occasional
wave or nod from these. Glancing around, one could see Confederate Flags
of
every variety hung in the windows of business's. The crowd for the most
part
remained quiet and respectful. They realized that this was not a parade
but
a funeral. There were the occasional cheers from Southerners overcome with
pride. The occasional inquiry from the curious as to where specifics units
had traveled from to attend. Yet for the most part there was a respectful
quiet from the crowds. Looking into their faces I never once observed
hostility or anger. I saw only pride and friendliness. The occasional
smile
of gratitude. Small children stood wide eyed trying to take all of it in.
As
the morning wore on, Bay street became just a bit warm. In a full wool
uniform it was kind of like marching in a steam bath.
Another very touching memory along this procession was a young mother and
her children. They had formed a bucket brigade from their home to the
street. They busily were handing out water to the many in the column. As I
took a cup of water from a smiling little girl, I could only manage a
quick
thank you to her and her mother before moving on. I fought back tears,
realizing this family was spending their morning and resources to offer
their own form of support to the procession. Though they couldnt march
with
us, yet they, through their kind gesture were probably more help than they
will ever know. I thought back to my many ancestors that had suffered
through long hot marches in the Confederate Army. How many times had the
the local populace handed water out to the Soldiers as they marched by ?
Again the old South hung heavy in the air. I saw one old Fellow silently
holding up a framed picture of General R. E. Lee. He also held the tatters
of an old battleflag. Tears in his eyes, you could see he was overcome
with
emotions. I wondered if he was a late born son of a Confederate Veteran.
Our
eyes met in mutual respect and understanding. A nod. I noted a number of
young men holding up full size Confederate Flags. They smiled on in a
militant pride. Yes, the South had rose again ... at least for the day.
As
the procession grew nearer Magnolia Cemetery, the number of cases of heat
exhaustion rose. A number of "casualties", men and women sprawled under
the
shade of tree's. Charlestons paramedics viglilantly offering aid to the
more
serious cases. Once again we very shown the hospitality of Charlestons
citizenry. A woman ran up to one of my troops and handed him a cold bottle
of water she had just purchased. Her comment was "ya'all need this more
than
I do". The cold water made the rounds through our formation. Soon several
fellows toting an ice chest ducked in front of me. They offered a handful
ice cubes. They apparently were buying and shuttling ice out to the
procession as fast as they could. These folks will truly never know how
much
their gestures were appreciated by each of us. Shortly after noon, we
passed
through the gates of Magnolia Cemetery. The Cemetery was filled with a
melange of reenactors, SCV and UDC, not to mention numerous spectators.
Ocassionally a blue Federal Uniform was even seen amongst the sea of gray.
The local UDC handed out lemonade and cookies. The actual Funeral was
extremly well done and honored the brave crew of the Hunley. Full military
protocol was observed. Sad to say from my location I could only see bits
and
pieces of the ceremony. What I did observe was extremly moving. The crew
received a full salute from Artillery posted at the cemetery. Im sure Lt.
Dixon and his crew smiled down from fiddlers green. Their souls finally at
rest. Their long journey finally at an end. Though it took 140 years the
Sons and Daughters of the South were there to reaffirm that "old times are
not forgotten". We buried our dead and hopefully sent a message to the
world
that the South is still the South and regardless , we reamin a proud
people.
In closing, I would like to offer additional thanks to a number of folks
that made this equally memorable in the hospitality offered. My thanks
goes
out to SCV Camp 27 for their kindness. Likewise the 2nd South Carolina
Engineer Battalion for making many of us feel welcome. As I stated
earlier,
the many Citizens of Charleston that offered their kind support in both
word
and actions. I know there have been many opponents in our ranks as to the
way the Hunley Funeral was handled. Could it have been better, absolutely.
Could it have been worse .... well that goes without saying. Should we
grouse and complain over issues such as political influence, the US Flag
and many of the other inconsequential matters. Probably not. Outside of
the
overall pride I observed I think I will take away the words of Troy Massey
... " Yet this will be the last Confederate Funeral of scale and
magnitude... As SCV, UDC and reenactors we tend to study the history of
the
Confederacy. Today we are participating in a new Chapter of it. Rest
assured
this funeral is a mile marker .. if you will .. in OUR history. I wouldnt
have missed this." I will also never forget the valiant crew of the Hunley
and the sacrifice they made to our Cause.
|
|
The Seaboard Guard News
"News and Views from Camp #2022."
April 2004
|