Sons of Confederate Veterans' banquet will honor Lee and Jackson
By SCOTT BAUGHMAN Ledger Staff Writer scottb@gaffneyledger.com

The local Sons of Confederate Veterans group, Moses Wood Camp 125, will pause Jan. 21 for an annual banquet to recognize two of the South's most famous sons - Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson and Robert E. Lee.

"We have one of these banquets every year to memorialize these two men and what they stood for," said Jordan Dill, commander for the camp. "Jackson's birthday was Jan. 21, 1824, so this year it is almost the exact same day."

Lee's birthday is Jan. 19 and is celebrated as an official holiday in Virginia, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi. In South Carolina, Lee and Jackson are both celebrated on Confederate Memorial Day in May.

But who were these Southern gentlemen and why are they celebrated? Aside from their military accomplishments, both men are remembered as statesmen.

Military historians consider Jackson to be one of the most gifted tactical commanders in United States history. His Valley Campaign and his envelopment of the Union Army right wing at Chancellorsville are studied worldwide even today as examples of innovative and bold leadership. He excelled as well at the First Battle of Bull Run - where he received his famous nickname for refusing to break in the face of enemy advances. Jackson was not universally successful as a commander, however, as displayed by his weak and confused efforts during the Seven Days Battles around Richmond in 1862. His death in 1863 was a severe setback for the Confederacy, affecting not only its military prospects, but the morale of its army and the general public. As Jackson lay dying, Lee stated, "He has lost his left arm; I have lost my right."

Even before his success in the Civil War, Lee distinguished himself as a military commander in the Mexican- American War (1846- 1848). He was one of Winfield Scott's chief aides in the march from Veracruz to Mexico City. He was instrumental in several American victories through his personal reconnaissance as a staff officer. He found routes of attack that the Mexicans had not defended because they thought the terrain was impassable.

Lee privately ridiculed the Confederacy in letters in early 1861, denouncing secession as "revolution" and a betrayal of the efforts of the Founders. Lee was asked by one of his lieutenants if he intended to fight for the Confederacy or the Union, to which he replied, "I shall never bear arms against the Union, but it may be necessary for me to carry a musket in the defense of my native state, Virginia, in which case I shall not prove recreant to my duty."

After Fort Sumter fell on April 14 it was obvious that Virginia would quickly secede and so Lee turned down the offer on April 18, resigned from the U.S. Army on April 20, and took up command of the Virginia state forces on April 23.