c. 2014

Ninety-Nine Years or the War.

At a meeting of the officers and men of the 20th Mississippi regiment, convened by Col. W. N. Brown on the 11th day of March, 1864, near Demopolis, Ala, the following officers and men representing each company were appointed to draft resolutions for the purpose of expressing their devotion to their country, and their final resolve to serve her as long as the Yankees continue their unholy contest against us, viz:

Lieut. H. J. Kizer, company G; Lieutenant Edward Bennitt, company B; Sargeant W. H. Flemming, company E; Sergeant John B. Hunt, company A; Sergeant J. P. Ward, company F; Captain Walter Malone, company D; Sergeant E. N. Barbour, company I; Sergeant A. Henegan, company H; Private C. W. Beatty, company K; Private J. N. Smith, company C.

The committee submitted through their chairman the following preamble and resolutions which were voted upon separately, and unanimously adopted:

Whereas, The same causes now existing which called us to the defense of our country near three years ago, and we, being actmated by the same motives, the same feelings, and the same determination as then; and whereas, realizing that the blessings of person can be obtained through war only, and war to the bitter end, and whereas, it being evident that the minions of tyranny will make during the coming spring a final and powerful effort, for enslavement, and feeling that now is the time for every man to be up and doing, therefore be it

Resolved, That we the members of the 20th Regiment Mississippi volunteers, for the war, do re-affirm our determination (taken at the beginning of the struggle) to remain in the Southern army until our rights are recognized, and our freedom secured, and repledge our devotion sanctified at Donelson, Baker’s Creek and along the mountain crags of Western Virginia.

Resolved, That we congratulate our fellow citizens in the armies of Virginia and Tennessee upon their prompt re-enlistment in the service of our common country, and greet them brothers in arms for ninety-nineyears, or the war.

Resolved, That we would respectfully remind our people at home of their duties to the army, and above all to be confident and cheerful in their communications to loved ones in the service, as nothing is so disheartening, so dissatisfy, as whining appeals and hypotainted letters from friends at home.

Resolved,  That our cause is just, that we believe God smiles approval from above, and that so believing it is the duty of every man, woman and child throughout the limits of the Confederacy, to air in every nerve, endure every privation, sacrifice, property, station life, and know nothing but war – bloody war, war to the death, until the last blighting impress of puritanical oppression is forever removed from off the grassy plains and verdant fields of our own native South.

Resolved, That a copy of the proceedings of this meeting be forwarded to the Mississippian, with a request for publication.

E. J. KIZER, Chairman

 John B. Hunt, Secretary.

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The 15th Mississippi Speaks.

CAMP 15TH MISSISSIPPI REGIMENT, Demopolis, Ala         }

March 12, 1864         }

            EDITOR MISSISSIPPIAN:  At a meeting of the 15th Mississippi regiment, called on the 12th of March, to draft a preamble and resolutions, on motion, J. L. Clownsy was called to the chair and W. L. Brannon appointed secretary.  A committee being selected, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted:

Whereas, we witness in our implacable foe a disposition to use all means, honorable or dishonorable, to subjugate and enslave a free people – an enemy who disregard the customs and amenities of civilized warfare; desecrate our homes and firesides, and spare neither age nor sex to accomplish their diabolical purpose; committing deeds that would cause the blush of indignation to mantle the cheek of the barbarous sepoy; sets of atrocity without precedent among a people professing to be a Christian nation; therefore, be it resolved:

  1. That in view of this unholy purpose of the enemy to destroy us, or reduce us to a state of vassalage, we recognize it as our first duty, by all the consideration which make life valuable to pledge ourselves to stand firmly by our flag, and the cause in which we enlisted three years ago, until an honorable peace shall be secured to us, let that time be ten, twenty or forty years.
  2. That this is a time when every man is expected to do his duty, and we therefore look with feelings of scorn and unmitigated contempt upon those who abandoned their country; dishonor the memory of our gallant dead, and hazard the precious hope embarked by this contest by the ignominious crime of desertion.
  3. That we tender to the gallant soldiers now battling for Southern independence, our heartfelt thanks for the noble and determined stand they have made, and the heroic and invincible courage they have ever displayed in the many trying scenes through which they have passed, and that we take pleasure in assuring them that we will never so far forget ourselves as soldiers or Mississippians, as to be laggard in our performance of any duty or sacrifice it may be necessary to make in order to secure to us that birthright bequeathed to us by our sires.
  4. That a copy of these proceedings be sent to the Daily Mississippian for publication.

 J. L. CLOWNEY, Chairman.

W. L. BRANNON, Secretary.