Col. William H. Thomas Camp 2231

01/08/2025

On Thursday January 9 at 5:30pm, 2024 Jones-Bowman Fellow and former MotCP intern Avery Maples (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) presents William Holland Thomas: A New Perspective and a History Retold at Museum of the Cherokee People.

Through a conversation with historian and professor Kirk Savage and William Holland Thomas's great-great granddaughter, Elizabeth Avery Thomas, attendees will learn about new research on Thomas from a Cherokee perspective.

This free event is sponsored by the Jones-Bowman Leadership Award Program, Cherokee Preservation Foundation, and Museum of the Cherokee People.

12/26/2023

Why do Southerners eat Black Eyed Peas on New Year’s Day?
The story of the Southern tradition of eating black-eyed peas as the first meal on New Year's Day is generally believed to date back to the winter of 1864 - 1865.
When Union General William T. Sherman led his invading troops on their destructive march through Georgia, the fields of black-eyed peas were largely left untouched because they were deemed fit only for animals.
The Union foragers took everything, plundered the land, and left what they could not take, burning or in shambles.
But two things did remain, the lowly peas and good Ol’ Southern salted pork.
As a result, the humble yet nourishing black-eyed peas saved surviving Southerners - mainly women, children, elderly and the disabled veterans of the Confederate army - from mass starvation and were thereafter regarded as a symbol of good luck.
The peas are said to represent good fortune. Certainly the starving Southern families and soldiers were fortunate to have those meager supplies.
According to the tradition and folklore, the peas are served with several other dishes that symbolically represent good fortune, health, wealth, and prosperity in the coming year.
Some folks still traditionally cook the black-eyed peas with a silver dime in the pot as a symbol of good fortune.
Greens represent wealth and paper money. Any greens will do, but in the South the most popular are collards, mustard greens, turnip greens, and cabbage.
Cornbread - a regular staple among Southerners in the absence of wheat - symbolizes gold and is very good for soaking up the juice from the greens on the plate.
You should always have some cornbread on hand in your kitchen anyway. Good for dinner and in the morning with syrup.
Pork symbolizes bountiful prosperity, and then progressing into the year ahead. Ham and hog jowls are typical with the New Year meal, though sometimes bacon will be used, too. Pigs root forward, so it’s the symbolic moving forward for the New Year.
Tomatoes are often eaten with this meal as well. They represent health and wealth.
So reflect on those stories when you sit down at your family table and enjoy this humble, uniquely Southern meal every New Year’s Day. Be thankful for what this year did give you in spite of the bad, and hope and pray for better days that are coming ahead for you.

10/03/2023

October 2, 1864 - The Battle of Saltville took place in southwestern Virginia. A Union cavalry attacked but was defeated by a force that was patched together from several reserve units.

09/23/2023

We hope that you have a great weekend. If you have an ancestor that fought for the Confederate States of America during the Civil War, consider joining the Sons of Confederate Veterans. We are a group of men and women, brothers and sisters, who are keeping the memory and spirit of our ancestors alive through remembrance and preservation. The SCV does not discriminate, except that your ancestor must have served in the CSA. Particularly if you are in the Haywood County NC area, we would love to hear from you and answer any questions that you may have about membership. Deo Vindice!

09/20/2023

September 19, 1863 - At Chickamauga, Tennessee, Union troops under Union General William Rosecrans collided with troops under Confederate General Braxton Bragg. The Union forces retreated the next day back to Chattanooga.

09/17/2023

September 16, 1862 - Union General George B. MeClellan arrived in Sharpsburg, Maryland and prepared to attack General Robert E. Lee's forces along Antietam Creek. The next day the Battle of Antietam took place (September 17, 1862).

U.S. Civil War Quote

"Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees."
- Stonewall Jackson's last words on May 10, 1863.

09/16/2023

1862 - Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson captured Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Union General Dixon Miles surrendered after offering little resistance.

09/15/2023

09/15/2023

Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas all have at least one day commemorating the Confederacy.

Mississippi and Alabama each celebrate a total of three confederate holidays every year — Robert E. Lee Day, Confederate Memorial Day and Jefferson Davis' Birthday — all paid holidays for state employees.

In 2000, the South Carolina legislature voted to create "Confederate Memorial Day," celebrated annually on May 10.

Tennessee has a day of "special observance" for Nathan Bedford Forrest, a Confederate general.

Arkansas commemorates Robert E. Lee on the second Saturday in October, as well as Jefferson Davis on June 3.

Georgia state law requires the governor to pronounce at least one day dedicated to honoring the Confederacy.

09/15/2023

Not long ago, just 8 years ago, we understood the importance of remembering the past and we were not afraid of our history. No hate, no shame, just history. WLOS came to Waynesville, NC to witness a reenactment of the Battle of Waynesville. It is okay to remember and honor the past and revere our ancestors. Deo Vindice.

WAYNESVILLE, N.C. -- This week marks an historical milestone not only for Western North Carolina, but also the whole country. One-hundred and fifty years ago...

09/15/2023

September 14, 1862 - Confederate forces under General Robert E. Lee held off Union troops by closing two passes through Maryland's South Mountain. The move allowed Lee enough time to gather his forces further west along Antietam Creek near Sharpsburg.

September 14, 1862 - Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson rolled his artillery into place and began to shell Harpers Ferry, Virginia.