COMMANDERS LETTER | SCULPTOR PROFILE | DEATH OF ANTHONY HERVEY | FALL MUSTER

The

JEFF DAVIS

SUMMER 2015

LEGION

ONE FOR

THE AGES
Mississippi Monument at Shiloh will help generations learn
about the states sacrifice for Southern independence.

JEFF DAVIS
The

LEGION

Refer all copy to:

Jeff Davis Legion
P.O. Box 1217
Oxford, MS 38655-1217

Published quarterly in the interest of

Confederate associations and kindred
topics.
Division website: MississippiSCV.org
DIVISION COMMANDER
Louis P. Foley
msdivcommanderlou@gmail.com
EDITOR, THE JEFF DAVIS LEGION
Jon Rawl
scv@yall.com
(662)801-7295
The Jeff Davis Legion is published four
times per year by the Mississippi Division
Sons of Confederate Veterans as a service
to our members. The articles, photographs,
or content of The Jeff Davis Legion may
not be reproduced without the consent of
the editor-in-chief. The opinions expressed
by the authors of signed articles reflect
the personal views of the writers and are
not necessarily a statement of Mississippi
Division Sons of Confederate Veterans
policy. The Jeff Davis Legion reserves the
right to accept or reject content.
Delivery problems and changes of address
should be directed to Division Headquarters
since all mailing records are kept by the
adjutant-in-chief.
Mississippi Division SCV
205 Cypress Street
Leland, MS 38756-3108
* On the cover: Maquette of the
Mississippi Monument at Shiloh. Photo by
John Cox.
2015 Mississippi Division Sons
of Confederate Veterans

Summer 2015

The Official Publication of the

Mississippi Division
Sons of Confederate Veterans

To you, Sons of Confederate Veterans, we will commit the vindication of the Cause for which we fought. To your strength
will be given the defense of the Confederate soldiers good name, the guardianship of his history, the emulation of his virtues,
the perpetuation of those principles which he loved and which you love also, and those ideals 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.

Never be erased
A lot of things have happened since our annual convention in Columbus.
On June 17, we had the unspeakable tragedy which took place in
Charleston, S.C. We were caught off guard and not prepared to be attacked
from the media and other enemies. We are now on the offensive and ready
to battle to save our ags and Southern culture.
Stand fast, Mississippians!
On July 19 we lost a great friend in Anthony
Hervey. He was a great crusader for our
Confederate Battle and Mississippi State flags. I
would like to thank everyone who attended the
funeral in Herveys hometown of Oxford. We had
a large turnout to show our respect and honor this
Confederate supporter.
On October 10 we will honor our Confederate
soldiers who fought and died on the fields of
Shiloh. The erection and dedication of the
Mississippi monument at Shiloh is a great
watermark in our time never to be forgotten. The
color guard for the dedication will be the 155th
Infantry Regiment, formerly the Mississippi Ries. This group fought under
Jefferson Davis in Mexico, and their Stand fast motto is still in use today.
For the Mississippi Confederates who fought at Shiloh, their cause can never
be erased by time.
We as the SCV should make every effort to be at the Shiloh ceremony
to honor the fallen. I hope we will act like Southern gentlemen. We
need to present ourselves honorably and above reproach as representing
an organization of descendants of those Mississippians who sacriced so
unselshly on that sacred soil.
In closing, I look forward to meeting you at Shiloh. The Mississippi Division
has waited for a long time for this ceremony. Lets make it one to remember.
Also, Beauvoir will be hosting Fall Muster Oct. 17-18. One of the
festivities on Friday night will be the chartering of the divisions newest
camp, Shieldsboro Rifles Camp #2263.
Long live the South,

Louis P. Foley
Commander, Mississippi Division SCV

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JEFF DAVIS LEGION THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI DIVISION SCV

Shiloh Dedication

Dedication of the

Mississippi Monument at Shiloh

Date: Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: Rhea Field, Shiloh National Military Park

I told everybody that Im not going to quit on this memorial project

if it takes 20 years and now its happening, thank goodness.
It really flew by, and it happened quicker than I ever thought it
would. After seeing them put the bronze soldiers on last week,
Im really proud of what a nice monument were going to have
dedicated to the Mississippians that fought and lost their lives up
there.
B
uddy Ellis, Monument Advisory Committee Member

Frequently Asked Questions

Shortly after Shiloh National Military Park was established in 1984, states began erecting markers and
monuments on the battlefield to honor the memory and service of their troops engaged at Shiloh. Although
the Shiloh Battlefield Commission originally planned to dedicate the park after a majority of the states had
completed the erection of state memorials and regimental markers, they soon realized that several years
would pass before monumentation would be completed. Consequently, states have been allowed to conduct
individual ceremonies whenever their battlefield memorials were erected.
Q. How many monuments are on the field at Shiloh?
A. There are more than 800 monuments and markers, and 227 cannons on the lands within Shiloh National
Military Park.
Q. How many states have monuments?
A. Of the 19 states that had troops present at Shiloh, 15 have monuments on the field. With the addition of
Mississippi, there will be 16 states represented.
Q. When was the last dedication of a monument?
A. The Tennessee State Monument was dedicated in 2005. The first monuments were dedicated in 1902 by the
state of Ohio (34 regimental markers).
Q. What time does the Mississippi Monument dedication ceremony start?
A. The ceremony will begin at 11:00 a.m. CDT and will run about 1 hour.
Q. Where will the ceremony be held?
A. The ceremony will be held at Rhea Field (see attached site map). In case of inclement weather, an
abbreviated ceremony will be held in the park Visitor Center auditorium.
Q. Where may I park?
A. Rangers will direct visitors to park along the road shoulder beginning at the Raith Mortuary Monument and
continuing southward on Corinth Road. Parking will continue onto Reconnoitering Road if needed. Overflow
parking will be in Wolff Field near the Raith marker. TURN TO Q&A, 4

SUMMER 2015 JEFF DAVIS LEGION

Q&A
FROM PAGE 3
Q. I have a Disabled Plate/Placard. Will I be able to park near the site?
A. There will be 15 reserved spaces for disabled parking near the site, available on a first-come/first-served
basis. In addition, those with a valid placard will be able to drop off attendees at the site until 10:45 a.m., but
then must park in general parking.
Q. I plan to bring my motorcycle. Where can I park?
A. Parking is primarily on the road shoulders, but if desired motorcycles may park in the overflow area at
Wolff Field, which is relatively flat. Motorcyclists should plan to bring whatever is needed for propping their
bike.
Q. Will transportation be available?
A. Shuttle buses will be running within the park to bring people to the site from the parking areas, and will
also run after the event back to parking areas. Attendees may walk if they desire.
Q. How far is the walk from the Raith marker to the event site?
A. About .7 mile. The furthest parking area will be about 1 mile away from the event site.
Q. Will seating be available at the event?
A. There will be 200 seats, available on a first-come/first-served basis, with some seats reserved for dignitaries
and disabled. Remainder of the area is standing-room, but attendees may bring lawn chairs if desired. In
case of inclement weather, an abbreviated ceremony will be held in the park Visitor Center auditorium, with
attendance limited to about 150 people.
Q. Are restrooms available?
A. There will be porta-pots at the event site and at the parking areas.
Q. Is water available?
A. The Sons of Confederate Veterans have arranged for a limited amount of bottled water to be available at
the event site. We suggest that attendees bring their own water.
Q. I want to wear 1860s period attire. Is that OK?
A. Attendees are free to dress in period attire if desired. Through the years, dedications of the monuments
at Shiloh have been a time for solemn reflection and respectful memorialization, with those in attendance
dressed in their finest attire.
Q. I would like to bring my replica weapon. Is that OK?
A. Yes, however it is not recommended and there are restrictions. We anticipate a large crowd and bringing
a weapon will likely contribute to an unsafe environment. If an attendee brings a replica weapon, prior to
entering the event area, the weapon must pass a safety inspection. The inspection must be completed by a
Historic Weapons Supervisor.
Q. What are the restrictions related to replica weapons?
A. Live ammunition, black powder, etc. will not be allowed in the park. Additionally, all replica swords,
bayonets, etc. must remain in their scabbards at all times. A ranger may ask you to leave the park if you do
not comply with these rules.
Q. I would like to display a flag. Is that OK?
A. Yes. In order to provide a clear view of the ceremony for all, we ask that attendees only bring small handheld flags. If an attendee brings a large flag or pole, they will be asked to stand in the rear of the area so as
not to block the view of others. JDL

4
JEFF DAVIS LEGION THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI DIVISION SCV

Father, son sculpt

Mississippi monument
BROOKHAVEN Kim Sessums
and his son Jake Sessums work
in a room of giants. Three eightfoot Confederate soldiers tower
over the men as they form and
shape clay around the giant
bodies.
Kim and Jake are working
to capture the spirit of
Mississippians in the Civil War,
specifically those who fought
in the Battle of Shiloh, a task
so monumental it would dwarf
many artists.
On April 6, 1862, Confederate
soldiers stormed federal troops
camped around Shiloh hill. The
bloody battle, which would lead
to the control of the railroad
junction in Corinth, lasted two
days at the cost of 23,746 men
who were killed, wounded or
missing; 1,728 of them were
Mississippians. This was the
largest battle in the Mississippi
Valley campaign.
In the sculpture, three
Confederate soldiers proudly
carry their flag into the battle.
The color bearer is hit by a
bullet and begins to fall as the
flanking color guards reach
for the flag and offer support
to their fallen comrade. Kim

Sessums captures the moment

of recoil and heroism.
This grouping would seek to
be an action composition, the
Color representing all that the
soldiers are fighting for and thus
must not fall or be lost, he
wrote in his artists proposal for
the project. At the falling of
the Color Bearer, the guards and
their comrades are reminded
in an instant of their reason to
be in the midst of all the death
and destruction around them ...
duty and honor to push forward
to victory or death.
Kim Sessums begins every
sculpture with research. The
counters in his studio are lined
with Civil War history books and
narratives he references with
every detail, which results in a
sculpture meticulously true to
the period. He said each detail
will become a conversation
piece for Civil War buffs
because of the accuracy.
Sessums has modeled his
three soldiers after the sixth
Mississippi regiment with a
Hardee pattern flag. Every
minute detail is historically
accurate, from the button on a
soldiers satchel to the bridle

pike cutter atop the flagpole.

To properly represent the
physicality of the figures in a
pose, Kim had three men act
out the scene as he took photos
to study the exact muscular
systems of each performer.
All the elements are
implemented to give an overall
narrative, Sessums said.
Although everything is
historically accurate, he said the
actual men are fictional and, by
doing this, the piece does not
reflect any individual; it reflects
Mississippi Confederate soldiers
as a whole. He is representing
the anonymous Confederate
soldiers who lost their lives
struggling in the ultimate
sacrificial way for a cause.
Unlike the majority of his
work, Sessums competed
for the chance to erect
the monument in honor of
Mississippi soldiers at the Shiloh
National Military Park. Since the
founding of the park in 1894,
there have been monuments
for Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois,
Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan,
Missouri, Texas and Wisconsin.
Sessums sculpture will join as
TURN TO SCULPTOR, 6
SUMMER 2015 JEFF DAVIS LEGION 5

Sculptor
FROM PAGE 5
the tribute to Mississippi.
As an artist you go to these
national parks to see the great
turn of 20th Century figurative
sculptures, he said. Not
everyone can be there; pieces
there last forever.
This will be the fifth
monumental statue constructed
by the artist. Previous ones
include a tribute to black
troops at the Vicksburg National
Military Park and the six-foot
statue of the legendary football
coach John Vaught on the
University of Mississippi campus.
However, this is the first time
his son has been involved in the
process.
Ive really enjoyed it, seeing
the beginning and seeing it as it
comes together, said Jake. I
never thought about what went
into these works. I thought it
was something he could just
do.
Jake has been doing the
majority of the manual labor
involved in working with the
giants, while also witnessing the
process of how his father works
in the studio.
Im giving him the assistance
he needs to finish in a timely
fashion, said Jake. Im
working harder than I normally
would because this is part of
my history, too, and I want to
add to it. I learn as much as I
can when I can.
Kim and Jake are about five
months into the sculpting
process, not including the three
months Kim spent researching.
The deadline for completion is
April 6, when it will be unveiled
at Shiloh on the battles 153rd
anniversary. The preparation
includes six months at the
bronze foundry.
Currently, the two men are
adding and sculpting clay
around the giant armature.

They are using small loop tools,

knives and brushes to carve
every detail, perfect every fold,
crease and line, and to give a
subtle texture to the piece that
adds another dimension to the
work.
The big projects are more
complicated to maintain the
integrity of design, said
Kim. It needs to look like
it was created, scored and
patina applied by the same
artists hand. I dont want an
inconsistent design. He added
that its a balance to have both
personalities in the piece but
with the same intentions.
Sculpture is not Kims only
artistic passion. He is also a
talented two-dimensional artist,
who utilizes several media to
create figurative works.
Kim is also a local full-time
OB/GYN for the Brookhaven
community at Kings Daughters
Medical Center. He has been
practicing medicine for 25
years and has a passion for the
medical field as well his art.
Throughout his medical
career, he has never stopped
creating art.
Kim said he has gotten his
brain to work in small amounts
of time. Its not easy for him to
find six-hour increments to work
on his sculpture projects, but
all those 45-minute sessions add
up over time.
He lives a life of no wasted
time, Jake said.
The two men will continue
their sculpting work on the
Confederate giants until its
time to send them to the
foundry, where the work will
be bronze cast in 18 sections
and reassembled as a whole.
The monument will find its final
resting place with fallen soldiers
at Shiloh National Park. JDL
By Katie Williamson | Daily
Leader. Originally published July
18, 2014. Courtesy: Daily Leader

Photo credits: Buddy Ellis and Larry McDaniel.

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JEFF DAVIS LEGION THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI DIVISION SCV

Division Camp News

Confederate flag supporter, author dies in Lafayette County wreck
The Sons of Confederate
Veterans has lost a brave and
articulate friend and America
has lost an independent voice
for racial reconciliation and
understanding. Anthony
Hervey, of Oxford, Mississippi,
was a warrior for his beliefs
and those beliefs were
rooted in a passionate and
unequivocal understanding
that he was a proud Son of
the South.
His death, on Sunday, July
19, appears to be because
of the way he lived his life.
Mr. Hervey and a companion,
Arlene Barnum of Enid,
Oklahoma were returning from
a Confederate Flag celebration
in Birmingham, Alabama when
his car was forced off the road
near Oxford by a carload of men
who apparently were chasing
him down. The Ford Explorer
he was driving skidded and

then rolled over several times,

killing Hervey and injuring Ms.
Barnum.
We of the Sons are outraged
by this murderous act, and

expect all law enforcement

agencies to vigorously pursue
a full investigation and to
bring justice for Anthony
Hervey and his family. We
have called for the United
States Justice Departments
Civil Rights Division to enter
the investigation, for it is clear

that he was killed because

of his opinions and his race.
Mr. Hervey was an AfricanAmerican, as was his passenger,
Ms. Harcum. Anthony Herveys
outspoken support of
Confederate
Heritage appears to
have played a part in this
incident.
Hervey was well known
as an unapologetic defender
of the Confederacy and
its symbols. He often
appeared on television and
radio stating his opinions
and debating with any and
all. He was the author of Why
I Wave the Confederate Flag:
Written by a Black Man.
Charles Kelly Barrow
Commander-in-Chief
Sons of Confederate Veterans
Photo credit: Gaetano Catelli

Abbott named Heritage Committee Co-Chair

Mississippi Division Commander Louis Foley has tasked Joe Abbott with the responsibly of serving
as co-chairman of the Heritage Committee. Jason Blaney is the committees other co-chair.
This has given me my second wind, and I pledge to you my fellow compatriots to give you 100
percent and do the best job I can, said Abbott, of Summit, Miss. Our ancestors fought, bled and
died on those far away battlefields; some not so far away. Surely we can
now stand and do battle with these liberals of today. If we dont we will
lose more than a flag fight. This attack on our ancestors must not be
allowed to stand. Believe me it is so much more than a flag fight.
Abbott recently announced a Jan. 19, 2016 flag rally on the south
steps and grounds of the State Capitol. The event will last from 8:30
a.m. until 4:00 p.m., and is being billed as High Noon; a rally to support the Mississippi State flag of 1894. A large turnout is needed if the
SCV expects to influence the legislature.
We need volunteers. I have asked for and received the backing of
the Mississippi Division. We need to involve as many groups as possible.
We need to reach out into our communities and gather all who supports our State Flag. said Abbot.
For more information, Abbott can be reached at 601-684-5376, or 601-810-7132.

SUMMER 2015 JEFF DAVIS LEGION

As of July 1, Mississippi Division SCV members can get the original issue division license plate

designfor your car. Simply show the photo (at left) to the person where you renew your vehicle license
plate and request this design. You can use the initials CV along with the picture to let them know
which one to get. The additional cost is $31
added to your tags cost.
If you wish to keep the tag with the Beauvoir
design, you can. The Department of Revenue
does not make you turn them in like other
tags. However, none of the money from the
old Beauvoir tag will go to Beauvoir. They have
received permission for their own tag. You would
need to contact the people at Beauvoir to find
out how to get that tag if you wish to run it on
your car.
As in the past, money raised from the sale of the division license plate will go to restore the battle
flags in the possession of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Fast start for Bay St. Louis camp

Shieldsboro Rifles Camp #2263 will officially get its charter

Oct. 16 during a ceremony during Beauvoirs Fall Muster. The
camp recently held one of its first meetings, and more than a
dozen citizens attended the camps gathering.

Mississippi Flag Fight Donations

Anyone wishing to make a donation to help with the Mississippi Divisions fight to save and protect our state flag should
send their donation to division adjutant Dan McCaskill at the
below address. Please make checks payable to MS Division-SCV and note the money is for the flag fight. Please do
not send the money to the Heritage Defense Committee. The
Committee does not have the authority to collect or spend
money on behalf of the Mississippi Division. Mail to:

Dan A. McCaskill, Adjutant

Oct. 10, 2015 Dedication of

the Mississippi monument at
Shiloh National Military Park
Oct. 16-17
Beauvoir

Fall Muster at

Oct. 31-Nov. 1 Highland Games

at Beauvoir
Feb. 5-6, 2016 Stephen D. Lee
Institutes Reconstruction
conference; Columbia, S.C.
June 3-5 2016 Mississippi
Division Reunion; Beauvoir
July 13-17 SCV National
Reunion; Dallas, Texas

Mississippi Division, SCV

205 Cypress Street
Leland, MS 38756

NEWS ITEMS: scv@yall.com, P.O. Box 1217, Oxford, MS 38655

8
JEFF DAVIS LEGION THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI DIVISION SCV

The Last Roll Call

Capt. Francis Marion Rogers Camp #873
Aberdeen, Miss.
Emory A. Morgan
1927-2015
Calhoun Avengers Camp #1969
Bruce, Miss.
Charles Earl Smith
1943-2015

FLAGS USED BY MISSISSIPPI

SEVEN PINES

H
H

H
H

GAINES FARM

During The War Between The States

MANASSAS

by Larry Hawkins

More than 100 Colored Flag Pictures

8 1/2 x 11, 160 pages
More than 300 Named Flag Bearers

MALVERN HILL

ALL PROFITS GO TO THE

PRESERVATION OF MISSISSIPPI
FLAGS by Mississippi SCV Division
Paperback: Retail $32.00
(plus $3 shipping & handling)
Hardback: Retail $45.00
(plus $5 shipping & handling)
The book is written by SCV Life Member Larry Hawkins, a native Mississippian.
Make check out to Larry Hawkins, and mail to SCV Camp 1312, P.O. Box 11207, Memphis, TN
38111. For more info, Hawkins can be reached at lh232g1b@gmail.com, and at (901)365-0644.