Oct
22
Written by:
William Lutz
10/22/2010 4:12 PM
Many of us in the Capitol Community walk by the many, myriad monuments on the Capitol grounds without ever stopping to notice to whom that monument exists. We know the monuments are there but go on our way without noticing.
Recently, one of the monuments on the Capitol grounds turned 100, and spectators came from throughout the state to make sure the soldiers it honors are never forgotten.
Jerry Patterson, commissioner of the General Land Office, rededicated the monument to Hood’s Texas Brigade Oct. 15. Hood’s Texas Brigade fought for the Confederate States of America at many of the civil war’s most important battles. (For more information on Hood’s Texas Brigade,
click here for the Handbook of Texas Entry.)
The dedication featured flags, a color guard on horseback, a salute with rifles, and civil war re-enactors. The ceremony was organized by
Hood’s Texas Brigade Association, Reactivated and included participation from the Texas Division and the Albert Sidney Johnston Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy; the Order of the Confederate Rose; and the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
In his speech, Patterson blasted political correctness and called on Texans to honor all of our history. “There was no greater, more noble man in American history than General Robert E. Lee,” said Patterson, noting that Lee personally opposed slavery but was loyal to Virginia.
Patterson also noted that the Buffalo Soldiers – whom he considers heroes serving their country – would be characterized by some as participating in a genocidal war against Native Americans.
Patterson said he honors the service of the soldiers in Hood’s Texas Brigade just like he honors the service of our soldiers in uniform today, and that he is proud to have been asked to re-dedicated the monument on behalf of the state. “God Bless Texas and God Bless those who have and will serve and are currently serving this great State,” Patterson said.
The monument was first dedicated in 1910 by then-Gov. Thomas Mitchell Campbell.
Editor’s note: I took the pictures that accompany this blog post with my cell phone camera. Like all cell phone picture, they give a general impression but lack detail. Photographer David Moore of Weatherford (Southern Legacy Films) took photos as part of the Sons of Confederate Veterans media crew. The photos are excellent and give an excellent feel for what transpired at the ceremony.
Click here to view Moore’s photos. (The photos accessed from this link are Moore’s property.)