William Gilmore Simms
April 1806-June 1870
The father of Southern literature was a native Charlestonian. He was a poet, novelist, short story writer, biographer, historian, editor, essayist, playwright, orator, and mentor to dozens of young authors. As the leading Southern figure of his day, he also gained international recognition. Despite Northern bias against publishing Southern authors, he became the most prolific of writers, using his talent as a writer to support his growing family.
His subject matter and focus were always the people and places he knew and loved. Simms was an author …

Rev. E. M. Bounds was neither a fan of Southern slavery nor the “human sweat shops” of Northern industry. But he held an abiding belief in a state’s right to secede, and continued his clergy work in the Methodist Episcopal Church South at Brunswick Station, Missouri. He refused to take sides in the early days of the war, but then a series of Northern war crimes unfolded.
On May 10, 1861, Union troops fired into a crowd killing 28 non-combatants during the St. Louis massacre. Over the next several months Federals …

Most Americans, including Virginians, are taught and erroneously believe that slavery in the U. S. began in Virginia. But the fact is the first colony to pass a law legalizing lifetime slavery was Massachusetts in 1641. Lifetime slavery did not become legal in Virginia until twelve years later.
It is true that the first Africans arrived at Jamestown in 1619. However they were sold as indentured servants. After working their term of indenture they were set free.
One of these freed Africans, Anthony Johnson, became a successful farmer on the Eastern Shore …

John Mosby, the legendary “Gray Ghost,” and his small band of partisans harassed, baffled, outsmarted, and embarrassed the Union Army. After Lee surrendered many Northerners considered Mosby a common horse thief and cried for blood.  Rather than suffer the humiliation of surrender, Mosby disbanded his men. Thus he did not receive a pardon. He went into hiding for two months and rumors abounded about his whereabouts and his intentions. With a price on his head, chances of his survival looked grim. Who could have dreamed he would one day be …

Mary Custis Lee, wife of General Robert E. Lee, was the great-granddaughter of Martha Washington, wife of George Washington. Mary inherited the palatial estate Arlington that overlooked the nation’s capitol and many heirlooms from our first president. She was a devout Christian and faithfully kept a prayer journal that has survived, and thus in the 21st century we can still be inspired by the beauty of her soul.
On Sunday, July 4, 1830 shortly before becoming engaged she experienced the profoundly joyful and life-changing event of giving her life to Christ. …

From Stonewall Jackson
The Black Man’s Friend
By Richard G. Williams Jr.
It is common knowledge that Confederate General “Stonewall” Jackson was a devout Christian. But his founding of a “Colored Sabbath School” and the legacy he left in the African-American community is seldom mentioned.
• Determined that blacks, both slave and free, should be taught to read the Bible, Jackson organized his “Colored Sabbath School” in 1855 and taught the classes himself.
• Jackson became personally involved in many students lives. He prayed for them on a regular basis and they admired, respected and loved him.
• Many …