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Date Posted: Wednesday, October 22 2003, 10:42am
Author: Bob Looney
Subject: Stroud's Creek & Rock Church -- After-Action Report

This past weekend, in the wilderness of Hood County, the Order of Confederate Gray raised the bar a few notches higher than before, as they paid tribute to Confederate veterans in Stroud's Creek and Rock Church cemeteries. This weekend marked the first time that the Grays have honored two Confederate veterans on the same day. Once again, the Grays rose to the occasion and turned in a sterling performance that won the praise and acclaim of all in attendance.

On this particular occasion, the Grays were paying tribute to two Confederate veterans who are the ancestors of one of our own -- Sgt. Preston Furlow. Honoring the Confederate ancestors of a fellow member of the Grays made the occasion even more special for all of us who participated. The event was also a memorable one for members of the Grays for yet another reason: Sgt. Preston Furlow presented the Grays with the official colors of the Order of Confederate Gray that Preston had designed and made himself. The colors, done in gray silk, with black fringe, and bearing the emblem of the Grays (in black), with the words "Honor and Serve", swelled the hearts of all Grays in attendance, as they greeted the colors with a rousing cheer!

The purpose of the double ceremonies at Stroud's Creek and Rock Church was to honor two of Sgt. Preston Furlow's Confederate ancestors: Pvt. Timothy Augustus Furlow, who served in Co. G of the 10th Texas Cavalry, and Pvt. Leander Painter, Co. G, 11th Georgia Cavalry.

In addition to the traditional Grays honor guard and color guard, led by Lt. Randy Arrick and Sgt. Major David Dunn, members of the Grays cavalry unit were also in attendance, led by Capt. Tom Tierce. The ranks of the honor guard were increased by the presence of members of the SCV from various camps, who had been brought to the ceremony by Gary Whitfield, 2nd Lt. Commander of the Texas Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans. Also representing the Texas Division, SCV, was 3rd Lt. Commander Greg Manning, who brought greetings from the SCV. Representing the United Daughters of the Confederacy, was Vickie Knuth, 2nd Vice-President, Texas Division of the UDC, who also brought greetings. As both veterans were, in later life, members of local Masonic Lodges, Marty Sharp, Worshipful Master of Charity Lodge 565, Lipan, Texas, gave the benediction, following the ceremonies.

The first ceremony, at Stroud's Creek actually began at the crack of dawn, where guards were posted at the cemetery gate. As the sun rose, a brief sunrise service was conducted by members of the Grays at the gravesite of the first honoree, Pvt. Furlow.

At 11:00, the main ceremony honoring Pvt. Timothy Augustus Furlow began, as the Grays cavalry detail brought forward the colors of the 10th Texas Cavalry and the new colors of the Grays. The colors were then handed over to the Gray's color guard. The Gray's chaplain, Leonard Newman, gave the invocation, as the ceremony began. Following the presentation of colors, Chaplain Newman recited an old, yet very meaningful poem, entitled, "Are You a Soldier of the Cross?"

Sgt.Preston Furlow then gave a brief biography of his ancestor, Pvt. Furlow, outlining his service to the Confederacy, and his life following the war. At the conclusion of Preston's presentation, the honor guard fired the traditional three-volley salute. Preston then approached his ancestor's grave, where an original Parker Enfield was planted in the ground by the bayonet. Preston saluted his ancestor, removed the musket from the ground, loaded, then fired a salute. He then replaced the musket in front of the grave marker. Following this personal salute, members of the Grays approached the musket, one at a time, stopped in front of it, saluted, then removed their black mourning bands from their sleeves, and placed them through the trigger guard of the old Enfield. Then, each Gray, in turn, saluted and took their place in two files on either side of the grave marker. After all Grays had paid their respects, they kneeled together, removed their covers, and were led in prayer by Chaplain Newman. The Grays then rose, and returned to ther original formation.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Marty Sharp gave the benediction, thus ending the tribute at Stroud's Creek. Marty Sharp's wife, Betsy, did a fabulous job of preparing lunch for all in attendance. She had worked well into the night, previously, preparing a very well-received lunch of BBQ beef, sausage, cole slaw, potato salad, beans, biscuits, bread, ice tea, and other drinks. We in the Grays salute her for her generous and tireless efforts in supporting the dedication ceremony! Following lunch, Lt. Arrick made an "Honor and Serve" presentation to Sgt. Preston Furlow for his efforts in creating the new colors for the Order of Confederate Gray.

Following the leisurely lunch (and rest) under the great stand of ancient live oaks, the Grays, family members, and other attendees made their way to the Rock Church Cemetery, some 7 miles distant, down on the Palauxy River.
There, at Rock Church Cemetery, we assembled once again, at 2:00, for the second half of the day's ceremonies. This time, we would be honoring yet another of Preston's Confedrate ancestors, Pvt. Leander Painter of Co. G, 11th Georgia Cavalry.

As was done at Rock Creek, the actual dedication for Pvt. Painter began at sunrise, with a sunrise service conducted by the Grays.

At 2:00, again, the Gray's Cavalry contingent, carrying the Georgia state flag and the colors of the Grays, led the honor guard to the gravesite of Pvt. Painter. Aside from being a Confederate veteran, and a Mason, following the war, Pvt. Painter was also a local Methodist minister. Chaplain Newman gave the invocation, followed by a presentation by Preston, as he gave a brief history of his honored ancestor. The Grays fired three volleys and, as was done at Rock Creek, Preston approached his ancestor's grave, saluted, removed the Enfield from it's position in front of the grave, loaded and fired a salute. He then returned the rifle to its place and, again, the Gray's approached the rifle, one at a time, and paid their respects. Then, all kneeled in formation as they were led in prayer by Chaplain Newman.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Mr. Sharp gave the benediction, and the Grays, once again, paid tribute to our comrade-in-arms, Sgt. Preston Furlow, by presenting him with a cavalry saber for his tireless efforts in supporting the Grays.

All family members in attendance were most grateful for the service performed by the Grays in honoring their Confederate ancestors. Vicki Knuth, representing the United Daughters of the Confederacy said that she was most impressed with the choreography of the Grays, as they carried out the dedication ceremonies. Our two visiting officers from the Texas Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Gary Whitfield and Greg Manning, were also quite impressed.

Lt. Cmdr. Manning stated that the Grays had "raised the standard for dedication ceremonies."

In a message to the Grays, following the weekend ceremonies, Lt. Cmdr. Whitfield stated that "...it was such a fantastic display of brotherhood, as men showed their true character in paying homage to to our ancestors..."

Commanders Manning and Whitfield both agreed that they could not find adequate words to express their emotions, but decided that the motto of the Grays, "Honor and Serve" expressed it perfectly.

Again, it was truly another fabulous and rewarding experience for both the Grays, as well as the descendents of those veterans whom we honored.

It is safe to say that, once again, the Order of Confederate Gray, raised the bar yet another notch or two!

Thanks to all who were in attendance and supported this event. If you were not there, you missed a unique, rewarding, and satisfying experience. At our next event, rally 'round your comrades and support the noble cause for which we were formed.

Forward the new Gray's colors!!!

Honor and Serve

Sgt. Bob Looney
Order of Confederate Gray

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