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Thursday, April 25 2024, 05:04am [ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, [5], 6, 7, 8, 9 ]

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Date Posted: Friday, May 20 2005, 07:10am
Author: 1st Sgt. Bob Looney
Subject: Frederick, OK, Dedication Cemetery - After-Action Report

Recently, on Saturday, 14 June, members of the Order of Confederate Gray headed out of north central Texas on a far-reaching expedition that carried them all the way up into southwestern Oklahoma. It was obvious to all Grays who participated, that this ceremony honoring a Confederate soldier was above and beyond the call of duty. Nevertheless, any ceremony honoring any Confederate ancestor is worth whatever the effort might be. In this particular case, it was not just any Confederate soldier to whom we were paying homage. This Confederate was an ancestor of one of our own comrades…Preston Furlow. So, in this instance, it drew even more interest and dedication than the usual ceremonies that we conduct.



The object of this long haul up into Oklahoma was to dedicate the Southern Cross of Honor to Pvt. George W. Woodall, Co. G, 14th Texas Cavalry, who lies in Hackberry Flatt Cemetery in Frederick, Oklahoma. The sacrifice made by Pvt. Woodall in his service to the Confederacy is so incredible it is like something you might see on the History Channel. Pvt. Woodall fought in 23 battles, and in the battle of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, he was wounded seven times. Yet, he fought until his body simply collapsed. For his valiant service in this battle, he was placed upon the Confederate Roll of Honor. Amazingly, he survived the war, and eventually moved out into Indian Territory, where he began a new chapter in his life, farming and looking ahead, rather than back. On Saturday, the 14th of May, the Order of Confederate Gray gathered in his presence to honor his service to the Confederacy. Though we were few in number, we made our presence known, as we paid tribute to him and his descendants who had gathered there. One of the most fascinating aspects of just being in the cemetery for the ceremony was the presence of the old double-barreled shotgun that Pvt. Woodall carried in combat throughout the war. It was obviously beat-up, rusty, and falling apart, but just seeing it propped up against his Southern Cross of Honor gave me chills. Oh, if that shotgun could only speak!?



The Grays who served so loyally on this day were: Lt. Preston Furlow, Capt. Randy Arrick, Sgt. Dan Hastings, 1st Sgt. Bob Looney, Sgt. Ben Hatch, our surgeon Pat Emmerett, Sgt. Tom Bennett, Cpl. Paul Martin, and Pvt. Jon Aaron. Also in attendance, representing the Ladies Society of the Order of Confederate Gray, was Judy Bennett, wife of Sgt. Tom Bennett. In addition to the Grays in attendance, Bill Hutto (Oklahoma SCV) and his wife, representing the 3rd Company, Washington Light Artillery, drove all the way down from Canon City, Colorado to bring a battery of two 12-pounder mountain howitzers. The addition of these two howitzers was the frosting on the cake! They were wheeled into position inside the cemetery, close by the ceremony, where they fired volleys periodically. Young girls, descendents of Pvt. Woodall, were especially fascinated by the cannons, as they were allowed to jerk the lanyards and fire them! It was a unique and memorable experience for them, and it made us smile to watch them “in action.”



Prior to the ceremony, many of the descendants of Pvt. Woodall and the members of the Grays met for lunch in Frederick at the Los Arcos Mexican restaurant. As we gathered together in the parking lot, locals who were driving by saw the Confederate uniforms and the cannons; their jaws dropped and their eyes popped as they practically ran off the road staring at us. Following a great lunch, we all headed down the highway to the road leading past the airport and out to the cemetery, some five miles away.



For this day’s event, the Good Lord smiled down on us and gave us sunshine and blue skies. Of course, being out in the middle of flat, treeless, never-ending prairies in the wilds of Oklahoma, the wind blew without stopping. But, that was just fine. Even though a few wreaths were blown over, all of our Confederate colors snapped and popped as they fluttered in the wind. It made for a beautiful ceremony!



The ceremony began with the Grays forming the Guard of Honor. Lt. Preston Furlow opened the ceremony with a welcoming speech to all in attendance. Mr. Don Prescott, who is the grandson of Pvt. Woodall, then gave a biography of Pvt. Woodall, his life, and his experiences in the Confederacy. Mrs. Jay Garland Faulkner, President of the Oklahoma Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, moved forward and placed a beautiful wreath by the grave of Pvt. Woodall. Also representing the UDC was Ms. Glenda Brown, President of the Sarah Watie Chapter 2579.



At this time, Bill Hutto and his two howitzers fired an artillery salute. Following the salute, we (the Grays) moved forward in front of the grave and began our traditional ceremony, in which we salute the fallen Confederate hero, pay tribute to his life and his career, and then pray for him. The Grays kneeled, and Sgt. Looney moved forward, removed the Enfield from the ground, where it was planted, bayonet first, in front of Pvt. Woodall’s grave. He then loaded it, and fired a salute. Then, the rifle was planted back in the ground. Following this, each Grays member who had been kneeling, rose and approached the grave, where the ancient Enfield rifle was planted. Each Gray removed his black armband and tied it to the trigger guard of the old Enfield, then stepped back, saluted, and returned to the ranks. Following this, we fired our three volleys in salute to Pvt. Woodall.



After the Grays ceremonial salute, Mrs. Ruby Prescott stepped forward and unveiled the Confederate Cross of Honor, which had been draped in black in front of Pvt. Woodall’s grave. The crowd cheered, and Miss Alexandria Furlow, daughter of our comrade, Preston Furlow, stepped forward and led the attendees in singing "Dixie!"



The Grays then retrieved the Confederate battleflag that had been posted next to Pvt. Woodall’s grave, folded it, and Preston Furlow presented it to Don Prescott, representing the family of descendants of Pvt. Woodall. In addition to this flag, the youngest descendant of Pvt. Woodall was presented with a Confederate First National flag, provided by Bill Hutto, of the Washington Light Artillery.



Following this, the benediction was given and the attendees were treated with iced tea, soft drinks, cookies, etc. Also, copies of an excellent bound brochure that highlighted the history of the Woodall family were made available to everyone. The brochure cover contained a photograph of Pvt. Woodall taken from an original tintype. The family is very lucky to have such a treasure. In addition to old photographs, it contained copies of legal documents, letters, and other genealogical information.



There were, of course, many cameras on hand, taking pictures, and the local Frederick newspaper was also represented by a reporter/photographer.



After much visiting, conversing, and inspecting the Cross of Honor, the crowd gradually dispersed and slipped away. The Grays were the last to leave, as we had a brief meeting following the ceremony.



Yes, it was a long and weary drive back home, but I have no doubt that every Gray in attendance felt just as I did…proud and happy and honored to have participated in honoring this incredible Confederate veteran.



Now, as we look ahead to the coming months, I see a full plate for the members of the Order of Confederate Gray. There will be many ceremonies and events that we will have an opportunity to support. I can only hope and pray that all of you will step forward on these occasions and help pay tribute to our honorable Confederate dead. It is the very least that we can do! I ask that all of you please rise on these occasions and do your duty, just as our original Grays did at the turn of the century, and beyond.



Gentlemen of the Grays, I salute you!



Forward the colors!



Your obedient servant;



Sgt. Bob Looney

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