Published: June 13, 2009 11:22 pm      

Confederate four-marker dedication ceremony held

Four Confederate military grave markers were dedicated and all Confederate military veterans were honored Saturday morning in a ceremony conducted by Sons of Confederate Veterans that included rifle and cannon salutes.

The ceremony was at Winn Cemetery, 3 miles south of Marquez, where the veterans are buried.

Conducting the event were the SCV John H. Reagan Camp 2156 of Palestine and the Johnson- Sayers-Nettles Camp 1012 of Teague, the Davis-Reagan Chapter 2292 of United Daughters of the Confederacy of Palestine, and the Invincible Rose Chapter 37 of Order of the Confederate Rose of New Salem.

Acting as the event coordinator and giving opening remarks was Marc Robinson, Commander of the Reagan Camp.

"It is our honor to be able to present this program to honor the veterans buried in the Winn Cemetery,” Robinson said.

He stated that the SCV respects all veterans of all U.S. wars, but points out: “today, not taking away anything from the other veterans buried in this cemetery, we are here to honor those who fought for the Confederate States of America.”

SCV members participating wore reproduction CSA uniforms and the ladies participating in the ceremony wore black dresses that were period correct. The children being escorted by these ladies also wore period correct clothing.

The United States flag, Texas flag, and many Confederate flags were posted by the Reagan Camp color guard.

The invocation and benediction was offered by Gary Williams, 2nd Lt. Commander of the Reagan Camp.

Pledges to the United States and Texas flag and the salute to the Confederate flag were led by Stanley Black, Commander of the Johnson-Sayers-Nettles Camp.  Sergeant Ronnie Hatfield of the Reagan camp read the charge given to the SCV by Lt. General Stephen Dill Lee, Commander General, United Confederate Veterans, at New Orleans, Louisiana, on April 25, 1906.

Biographies for all five Confederate veterans honored were read by a member of each family.

The four Confederate military markers were then unveiled by the Reagan Camp color guard. The Confederate flags covering each new marker prior to the ceremony were removed, folded and presented to the oldest relative in attendance using military procedure.

Those remembered are:

• Private Arthur Butler Allison — Company C, 5th Texas Infantry, CSA, born Oct. 26, 1841, died Feb 5, 1910

• Private William Peterson Mullen — Company A, 4th Regiment Mississippi Cavalry, CSA; born Jan. 13, 1838, died Nov 23, 1909

• Private Orlando Lawrence Neyland — Company D, 8th Regiment Texas Infantry, CSA; born May 13, 1841, died Nov. 13, 1912

• Private Obediah Joseph Syfrett — Company G, 25th Regiment South Carolina Volunteers (Infantry), CSA; born Feb. 16, 1845, died Feb. 19, 1925

• Private James Welton Winn — Company B, 22nd  Regiment Texas Infantry, CSA; born Jan. 4, 1833, died Jan. 6, 1908.

Roll call of the veterans was read by Robinson and answered by descendants attending the ceremony. They answered, “Present on the field of honor.”

A wreath was laid at the cemetery and the four Confederate markers were dedicated for the Davis-Reagan UDC chapter by Dollye Jeffus of Palestine.

Ladies of the Order of Confederate Rose placed a red rose on each of the graves during the Black Rose ceremony.

A rifle and cannon salute was given by the Reagan camp honor guard and the Val Verde Battery of the Johnson-Sayers-Nettles Camp.

After receiving the benediction, Dixie was sung and the color guard retired the colors.

Robinson thanked the families for allowing the SCV, UDC, and OCR to honor their ancestors.

For more information about the John H. Reagan Camp in Palestine and the SCV, view their website at www.reaganscvcamp.org