Why The South Seceded and Fought For Her Independence       By Charles Long   This address of why the South seceded and fought for her independence was given by Dr. Randolph McKim, at the United Confederate Veterans Reunion in June 1904, in Nashville, Tennessee. The full address was published in the “Confederate Veteran” magazine, Vol. 13, No. 3, March, 1905. Dr. McKim was a native of Baltimore who was in seminary school in the Shenandoah when the war began, and whose Unionis

TORPEDO BOATMEN MEMORIAL CHARLESTON, SC   By: Mike Thomas   We all know and recognize the “Defenders” monument on Charleston’s Battery. However, another Confederate-themed monument in White Point Gardens is less recognized the Torpedo Boatmen Memorial. It has long been overlooked and rarely noted in recent years but should remain an inspiration to all.   The Charleston Evening Post [January 11, 1899] reported the United Daughters of the Confederacy had petitioned the City of

THE DISTORTED STORY OF THE USS PONTIAC   By: Mike Thomas   Historians seek to understand and establish the facts of the topics being studied. Often the details are elusive or in conflict making their work far more difficult and their findings inconclusive or subject to speculation. In today’s world, many factual matters are being distorted by author carelessness or by pseudo-historians bending to their prejudices and biases. The history of the USS Pontiac is a prime example.

Battle of Secessionville, June 16, 1862 158th Anniversary     Battle of Secessionville, June 16, 1862 By Gene Kizer, Jr. |   [Publisher’s Note: It is a great honor to give the address for the Battle of Secessionville Commemoration each year on the battle site at Fort Lamar Heritage Preserve on James Island, between Folly Beach and Charleston, South Carolina. In 2020, because of COVID, the Commemoration was held November 21st rather than in June, close to the battle date, and

THE BATTLE OF CHAPMAN’S FORT May 26, 1864   By Compatriot Mike Thomas   The Charleston and Savannah Railroad was targeted by Union commanders several times during the war. This vital connection remained open until late December 1864 primarily due to valorous stands by vastly outnumbered Confederate forces blessed with superb leadership. The well-documented battles at Pocotaligo in 1862, and Honey Hill and Tulifinny in late 1864, were especially decisive. The Battle of Chap-ma

Running the Yankee Blockade: A Daring Daytime Run by the Little Hattie From Confederate Veteran Magazine,   Volume VI. , No. 5, May, 1898, original title   “Incidents in Blockade-Running”   In the soft, mild days of October, 1864, while we lingered at our cottage by the sea, on Confederate Point, I witnessed the most exciting and most interesting scene of my life. It was during dark nights that blockade-runners always made their trips, and the bar was shelled whenever one was