Confederate States Army Chaplain
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Growing up in the 1950's, I remember my grandfather telling stories about how his father was a Confederate soldier from East Tennessee. Like many young people, I did not listen nearly enough to him in those days, and of course now he has been gone many years. I wish very much I could today spend a little time with that old man, even if it was for just an afternoon. He told stories of how his Daddy had been at Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga, and how one time he pulled to safety an injured fellow soldier from a place exposed to enemy fire , where moments later a cannon shell exploded. These precious few stories have led me toward a better understanding of my family, and the trials they faced those many years ago. Our family had five boys who served the cause of their home state, which in those days was practically considered their country. Of those five only three came home after the war. My great grandfather Samuel McCracken Bottles/Bartles was one of them. He served as the records show both in the 19th Tennessee Infantry and the 26th Tennesee Infantry. Those units were formed in Washington County Tennessee, in the summer of 1861. He began as a private and soon became a 2nd Lt. He had two brothers also serving, one also as a 2nd Lt. in the 63rd Tennessee Infantry, this out of Sullivan County. William Bottles/Bartles was killed in the defense of Petersburg at a place called "Drewry's Bluff", in May of 1864. My great grandfathers older brother for a time was commanding officer of the 26th TN. He was wounded at a place called "Zollicofer", it is present day "Bluff City" Tennessee. He, Lt. Col. James L. Bottles/Bartles is mentioned several times in the "Official Record", being cited for gallantry in battle, and also chronicled is his wounding, and subsquent transport by his wife across Union lines, and eventually we see mention of his burial at Salem Presbytarian Church on the campus of Washington College. This is near Limestone Tennesee, and is very close to his home at the time. In separate accounts written after the war by men of the 100th Ohio, they chronciled how they sought out to capture many Confederate dignataries and officers, who they supposed were to attend the Col.s funeral, but in the end they discovered just simply family members were present.

































My wife and I attended the opening and dedication of the "Texas Military Forces Museum".

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April in Texas is "Confederate History" month. My wife and I attended a ceremony on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol. I am Chaplain of the Capitol Chapter, Descendants of Confederate Veterans

April is "Confederate History Month" in Texas.
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My wife and I attended a ceremony on the State Capitol grounds.