S.U.V. Presentation to the General Services Commission Over the Removal of the Plaques - June 2000

 

LCDR EDWARD LEA USN SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF CIVIL WAR CAMP #2, HOUSTON, TEXAS

 

As Senior Vice Commander of the Edward Lea SUVCW Camp #2 of Houston, Texas, I am here to join our brothers of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, our sisters of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Order of the Confederate Rose in protesting the removal of the historical plaques from the Texas Supreme Court Building.

 

This building was built with the funds of the Confederate Widows Pension Fund. The plaques were placed in the building by the Citizens of Texas, by the Legislature of Texas. We feel that they were cowardly removed by order of Governor Bush, who has sold Texans heritage for votes from the NAACP.

 

The claim by Mr. Bledsoe of the NAACP that General Lee was a racist is absurd. The quote on the plaque by General Lee, refers to the courage and bravery of our Texas Ancestors. Remember, Robert E. Lee served in Texas in the Mexican War as a United States Officer and again during the Cortina War in 1858. Colonel Lee and the US Army fought along side of Captain John S. “RIP” Ford of the Texas Rangers. He wrote home to his wife about the “Ambiance” of the Texians.

 

Then when Gen. Lee was at Gaines Mills, it was the Texas Division of John Bell Hood that saved the day. After three attempts at the Union breastworks, Gen. Lee called on John Bell Hood and his Texas Division. Gen. Hood told his soldiers not to stop to reload, “Just show them the cold hard steel.” As the Texans marched over their fallen compatriots they were told to “go back, you can’t make it, go back.” But the Texans kept going, through the first breastwork, and the second, third and fourth. They took all four breastworks, and captured 26 cannons, with a tremendous bayonet charge.

 

Afterward, Gen. Jackson said to Gen. Lee as they surveyed the field, :Surely these are soldiers.” And Gen. Jackson was not one to give compliments.

 

Then in 1864 when Gen. Lee’s forces were spread out 35 miles along the Rappahannock River, he found a gap in the lines at the Widow Bart’s farm. Here there were only the 49 men of Polk’s Artillery Battery. Ready to come through the gap were 6,000 of Hancock’s troops. They were the best the Union had. General Lee knew that this would be the end. At four in the afternoon, he sent a dispatch to Hood’s Texas Division, which was at the far end, 35 miles away. “Come Forthwith.” It is said that Gen. Lee had no hope and knew that this would be his last charge. He would die here with his men.

 

That morning there was a heavy fog. General Lee was at the gap and ordered the artillerists to expound all munitions. The shelling started in the heavy fog. The Union army could not see that there were no infantry in the gap.

 

The Union forces were starting in to the gap. As the fog started to lift one of the artillerists yelled “Look!” Coming down the orange plank road, 8 abreast, were soldiers, marching at a double quick.

 

Gen. Lee rode to the front and asked, “Who are you?”

“Why, we’re the Texans, a private replied.”

Gen. Lee said follow me, boys.

 

“No, Sir. Was the reply. You must go to the rear, we will not fight until you are safely in the rear.” And he was lead to the rear, with hat in hand, a tear in his eyes. There were only 800 of the Texans to go against 6,000 of the Union. Gen. Lee stood up in the stirrups and shouted, “You Texans always move them, show them the cold hard steel!”

 

And they did. Another bayonet charge. They poured into the gap with the Rebel Yell and bayonets flashing in the sunlight.

 

And 800 routed 6,000. General Hancock said they were screaming like Banshees. And his veteran troops ran.

These are the reasons that Gen. Lee held Texans so dear. And Texans reciprocated the feelings. Take a history lesson.

 

And the seal of the Confederacy. A wreath with George Washington on horseback. The South never denied their heritage. They were Confederates, but still American. What is offensive about that?

 

Mr. Bledsoe said, “Can a Black man get justice here?”

 

I ask, “Can a Texan get justice here? Can a white man get justice here? Can an American get justice here? I am an American, a fourth generation Texas. I am not a hyphenated American.

 

Put the plaques back up.

 

STEPHEN D. FORMAN
Senior Vice Commander
Edward Lea USN SUVCW Camp #2 Houston, Texas