Marching Through Culpeper

Stringfellow Goes to Cuba

Virginia — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:30:22 +0000

When the sinking of the Maine in 1898 flamed into war, young men from all over the country flocked to the colors. The heated times brought an intense longing to the warrior in Frank Stringfellow. At age 57, he would enlist, not as a fighter this time, but as a chaplain. There would be a need for him in the jungles of Cuba, to lend the strength of the Word of God to those who faced the guns.

But he was past the acceptable age for military service and he was not in the best of health. However as one might expect, Frank Stringfellow would not take no as an answer. He had one more trick up his sleeve. When Grant was president, Stringfellow had written him in great detail how in 1864 he had Grant in his gun sights highlighted against the camp fire, but spared the general’s life. Grant had thanked him warmly and said that any request by Stringfellow would be honored by him or any future president. Stringfellow had not taken advantage of Grant’s promise, but now, he felt, the time had come. He wrote President McKinley, quoting from Grant’s letter, and an affirmative answer came back quickly.

So it was that on May 28, 1898—the 37^th anniversary of his enlistment in the Confederate Army—Frank Stringfellow entered the Fourth Infantry Regiment, Virginia Volunteers, U. S. Army. Sworn in with him was his son, and both served in the same regiment throughout the war.

Disease swept through the army in Cuba and Stringfellow worked tirelessly ministering to the sick, writing letters, sharing the love and Christ, and performing last rites. In fact, after the U. S. Army withdrew, Stringfellow remained in the hospitals working selflessly, which took a toll on his health.

*From Stringfellow of the Fourth, by R. Shepard Brown, pp. 292-293

Ben “Cooter” Jones

Virginia — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:02:23 +0000

Nestled between Culpeper County and the Blue Ridge Mountains is the bucolic county of Rappahannock. I believe it is one of the most beautiful spots in God’s creation. And because of its proximity to Washington, D.C., many unique and talented people call it home. Among them is Ben Jones, who played “Cooter” on “The Dukes of Hazzard,” a show that was a huge hit and continues to garner high ratings on cable stations worldwide.

On Valentine’s Day, I had the great pleasure of attending “Love Letters” starring Ben Jones and his lovely wife Alma Viator at the theatre in “Little Washington.” Afterwards our mutual friend, Thom Pellikan, took us to a reception where I learned that Ben, a scholar of the War Between the States, was reading the copy of “Marching Through Culpeper” I had recently sent him.

So I decided it was only appropriate for me to read his autobiography, “Redneck Boy in the Promised Land.” And am I ever glad I did! I agree with reviewer Russell Banks, this book is “gutsy, funny, and good-hearted. And definitely reader-friendly.”

But most importantly, it is a story of transformation and redemption. Ben Jones grew up literally on the other side of the tracks in Portsmouth in a home without electricity or a bathroom. His father was an alcoholic and he became one too. He studied acting when he wasn’t drinking, but at age 36 he hit rock bottom with alcohol poisoning. Some former alcoholics took him in and told him to appeal to a higher power. So he prayed and went cold turkey. Here’s a quote in his down-home style:

“Well, you must be a helluva alcoholic, Jonesey,” I thought, “to have none other than God Almighty looking around for you.” Then came into my thoughts another voice, one different from my own stream of consciousness. “You have it right,” the voice said. “I have been looking for you a long time. Take my hand.”

Being cast as “Cooter” was a true Godsend.

After “Dukes of Hazzard” ended he served two terms as Congressman from Georgia and made a trip around the world. But when driving to Skyline Drive, he fell in love with Rappahannock County. He and Alma found a log cabin dating to the 1700s and bought it immediately. He said he felt as if he was coming home to a place he’d never been before.

An active participant in the Civil Rights movement and a close friend of Andrew Young, he is a staunch defender of everything Southern and the Confederate flag. He believes that today race relations are better in the South than anywhere else. In fact when a girl asked about his Southern accent, one of his co-stars spoke up and said, “He’s not from the South, he is the South.” He considers that his finest compliment. The resurgence in popularity of “The Dukes of Hazzard” amongst a new generation led him to open “Cooter’s Place” near Sperryville. But when the crowds became too big he moved “Cooter’s Place” to Gatlinburg. In 2006 the DukesFest held in Nashville drew a crowd of 80,000 plus over one hundred replicas of the “General Lee,” the most famous car in film history!

These days this “good ol’ boy” spends an hour in prayer and meditation every morning. Want to read an uplifting life story that will make you smile? Grab “Redneck Boy in the Promised Land.”

Jim Limber’s 1864 Christmas

Virginia — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 16:25:26 +0000

I hope you have been surrounded by loved ones and enjoyed your most memorable Christmas ever. As I was pondering the ingredients that make Christmases memorable, I decided to share this heartwarming story of Jim Limber’s 1864 Christmas in the Confederate White House. For the orphaned six-year old mulatto boy adopted by President and Mrs. Jefferson Davis, it must surely have been the most memorable Christmas in his young life.

On the morning of February 15, 1864, Mrs. Varina Davis, wife of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, had concluded her errands and was driving her carriage down the streets of Richmond on her way home. She heard screams from a distance and quickly went to the scene to see what was happening.

Mrs. Davis saw a young mulatto child being abused by an older black man. She learned the child’s free black mother was dead. Outraged, she immediately put an end to the beating and shocked the man by forcibly taking the child away. She took the child to her carriage and with her to the Confederate White House.

Arriving home Mrs. Davis and maid ‘Ellen’ gave the young boy a bath, attended to his cuts and bruises and fed him. The only thing he would tell them is that his name was Jim Limber. He was happy to be rescued and was given some clothes of the Davis’ son, Joe, who was the same size and age.

The Davis family was visited the following evening by a friend of Varina’s, noted Southern Diarist–Mary Boykin Chesnut–who saw Jim Limber and wrote, “He was eager to show me his cuts and bruises, he was dressed in Joe’s clothes and happy as a lord.”

Jefferson Davis filed the boy’s free papers and he became a beloved playmate for their children and a member of the family. He was an accepted member of the children’s “Hill Gang” and enjoyed the same privileges as the Davis children.

Although the fate of the Confederacy looked bleak, Christmas 1864 was memorable for the Davis family and probably the best Christmas Jim Limber would ever have. For once he was surrounded by a family who cared for him. A Christmas tree was set up in Saint Paul’s Church, decorated, and gifts placed beneath it for orphan children.

A year later, nine-year-old Margaret Davis wrote to her younger brother, Jeff, who was spending time with the army, relaying that “Jim Limber sends his love to you.”

When Varina and her children fled southward from Richmond in April 1865, Varina included Jim Limber in her reports to her husband about the family. On April 19, 1865: “The children are well and very happy; they play all day…Billy & Jim fast friends as ever…”

Varina and the children were by the side of Jefferson Davis at his capture near Irwinville, Georgia, and again the family was separated. Jefferson Davis was taken to Virginia to spend two years in prison.

Varina and her children were taken to Macon, Georgia and later to Port Royal outside of Savannah.

At Port Royal, their Union escort, Captain Charles T. Hudson, made good at his earlier threats to take Jim Limber away from the Davis family. Rather than give him over to a Federal officer she judged untrustworthy, Varina placed him in the care of an old army friend, Gen. Rufus Saxton, who was at Hilton Head.

She later wrote, “A note was written to General Saxton and the poor little boy was given to the officers of the tugboat for the General, who kindly took charge of him. Believing that he was going on board to see something and return, Jim quietly went, but as soon as he found he was going to leave us he fought like a little tiger and was thus engaged the last we saw of him.” This emotional, painful scene was Varina’s last glimpse of Jim.

However, Elizabeth Hyde Botume, a Boston woman who came south to teach the freedmen on the South Carolina sea islands, became acquainted with Jim Limber. She wrote, “President Davis was to him the one great man in the world. Mrs. Davis had given him the kindly care of a mother, and he had for her the loving devotion of a child.”*

From “What do we really know about Jim Limber?” by John M. Coski, Museum of the Confederacy Magazine Winter 2008. pg 18

Rev. Frank Stringfellow

Virginia — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:34:50 +0000

According to R. Shepard Brown’s book Stringfellow of the Fourth, “Frank tried his hand farming at ‘Wakefield’ in Fairfax County where he and Emma began their marriage. But there was no joy to be had from the land. He was being pushed by a dream that had always been with him, and by a bargain half-made during those long, lonely months in Canada. There was a bigger, more satisfying work for him to do. He was ready to wage a new campaign—that of saving souls.

After months of study, Stringfellow entered the Episcopal Seminary of Virginia, and became an ordained minister in 1876 at age 36. He now had two children, the first of six, and his new life of service was just beginning.

In the years that followed, he held charges in Powhatan, Middlesex, Farmville, Martinsville, Boydton and other counties of Virginia. He didn’t stay long in one place. He told friends when they urged him to settle down, ‘I don’t think it’s good for a minister to hold a church too long. His congregation gets used to him, and they’re likely to stop listening to what he says.”

Stringfellow was a modest man, and did very little talking to his family and friends about his exploits in the war. But he was not averse to telling the public about his experiences if it served a purpose in his work. Over the years, he lectured in countless towns across the nation. The scrapbook in the Virginia Historical Society contains clippings of the huge crowds he drew—900 were expected in Baltimore. He would climb to the platform without a single note and start ‘remembering,’ re-creating for his audience those days of scout life when danger and death rode beside him. An editorial writer of a Lexington, Kentucky put it this way:

The conversation of Mr. Stringfellow last night at the Opera House was charming. Conversation we call it justly, for it was nothing like a lecture, but was a plain talk about most wonderful adventures. The audience was held spellbound the whole time and regretted only that the recital of the scout was so short.

Stringfellow never accepted a penny of the lecture proceeds for himself, but used the money for church expenses and construction, plus Confederate charities. But in spite of all this, it appears he received criticism for his lectures. His Bishop called him in and indicated no one would believe one man could have done all those things and advised him to ‘tone it down a bit.’ There’s no indication this stopped Stringfellow from telling the full truth.

In 1897, Stringfellow became the first chaplain of the Woodberry Forest School for Boys, a topnotch preparatory school in Orange, Virginia. He was working, he told friends, ‘with the seeds of the nation.’ It was his responsibility to provide the ‘spiritual sun and water to help them grow up strong and healthy.’”

Rev. Stringfellow was what we would today call a “rainmaker.” He built churches everywhere he served in the impoverished South, and employed his well-honed ingenuity and humor to solve any problem. Stay tuned for the next amusing segment—“Building a rectory in Boydton.”*

*From Stringfellow of the Fourth by R. Shepard Brown

Book Review: The Real Lincoln

Virginia — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:52:39 +0000

Many of my readers have expressed surprise at the way Abraham Lincoln is depicted in Marching Through Culpeper. I was very careful to use first hand comments from diaries and letters of both Northern and Southern citizens, because I knew eyebrows would be raised. The Lincoln cult has deified Lincoln rather than depicting him as the crafty politician and unpopular president he was. Therefore, for those of you who have asked for recommended reading, I will be reviewing pertinent books from time to time. None could be more appropriate to today’s political climate than Thomas J. DiLorenzo’s expose’ of Lincoln’s real agenda. This book was published two years after Marching Through Culpeper, so I was unable to draw from it to add more fire to Constance’s debates with Aaron.

The Real Lincoln

A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War

By Thomas J. DiLorenzo, Professor of Economics, Loyola College

Economists have a clearer vision of the causes of war than historians. They know it’s all about the money. Thomas DiLorenzo makes an airtight case that Lincoln should be remembered as the “The Great Centralizer” rather than “The Great Emancipator.” Lincoln idolized Henry Clay, whom he described as “my beau ideal of a statesman, the man for whom I fought all my humble life.” Henry Clay advocated “Americanism,” which was simply England’s corrupt mercantilism by another name. In a nutshell mercantilism favored a central bank that would print money to finance corporate welfare for railroads and others, along with high, protectionist tariffs which are also, of course, a form of corporate welfare. In 1832 Lincoln said, “My politics are short and sweet, like the old woman’s dance. I am in favor of a national bank…in favor of the internal improvements system and a high protective tariff.”

The states’ rights Jeffersonian sentiment of the South stood between Lincoln and a national bank. Ever since President Andrew Jackson’s veto of the National Bank, the Whigs had been seeking an opportunity to reinstate it. The South upheld the view that internal improvements financed by taxpayer subsidies were unconstitutional. Keep in mind that because of the high protective tariff (the primary source of income for the Federal government), the importing South was paying a whopping 87% of Federal taxes in 1860. That’s right, the South, with less than half as many voters as the north, was paying 87% of Federal taxes. This money was being appropriated to build railroads in the North. In addition, the high tariff protected the profits of Northern manufacturers and the steel industry.

Lincoln was a highly skilled lawyer and his clients included the Illinois Central Railroad, then the largest railroad in the world. Lincoln received the largest fee ever paid a railroad lawyer by winning a pivotal case. By the 1850s his income averaged about $5,000 per year, three times what the governor of Illinois was paid. Lincoln also purchased land where he secretly learned the railroad would be built. He was a rich corporate lawyer.

Lincoln said very clearly in his first inaugural address that he had NO intention or right to interfere with slavery where it existed, but he intended to collect the taxes in the seceded states. He said, “The power confided in me will be used to hold, occupy, and possess the property, and places belonging to the government, to collect the imposts; but beyond what may be necessary for these objects, there will be no invasion…” Since Congress had just tripled the tariff rate, Lincoln was saying to Southerners, pay tribute or be invaded.

Lincoln violated the Constitution by declaring war without the consent of Congress, arresting legislators in Maryland, suspending writ of habeas corpus, and shutting down opposing newspapers. But the biggest cost of Lincoln’s war was the virtual destruction of states’ rights. The Federal government became the master, rather than the servant, of the people-especially once it imposed military conscription and income taxation on the population. The national bank controlled the money supply and today we live with the consequences-the Federal Reserve. Lincoln’s aggressive agenda triggered an uncontrollable swelling of big government, which has been tightening its vise grip on our republic to this very day.

I encourage you to read The Real Lincoln with an open mind in order to grasp the disastrous financial repercussions of the war, North and South, then and now. You may agree with Joseph Sobran, that it is “A devastating critique of America’s most famous president.”

Merry CHRISTmas to all!

Prayer Power

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the truth of your word and for those who seek the truth, regardless of public sentiment. Give us wisdom to learn from the past. Bless each one reading this as they move through our season of giving thanks for Your infinite blessings, to the celebration of the birth of our Savior – the Prince of Peace–Your gift to mankind. Help us to remember amongst the season’s hustle and bustle that He and He alone is the way, the truth, and the life.

Civil War Saga: Stringfellow in Canada

Virginia — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:24:50 +0000

Stringfellow wrote his beloved Emma a letter from Hamilton, Canada on March 4, 1866. His uncle pastured a church in Hamilton and Stringfellow probably lived with him. At that time Canada was flooded with ex-Confederate soldiers seeking safety and a new life.

Stringfellow reported he had “but little trouble” on his trip northward. He wrote, “I have been very agreeably surprised, in finding through the North so much of generosity toward the South.” He described the New York mountains as “scenery unsurpassed in America.” He tries to convince Emma to visit him to see the “falls.” In a later letter he attempts to persuade Emma to elope with him at Niagra Falls. “Shall I meet you at the falls? Generals E. and B. are there now. We could have the thing done up in the best Confederate style….I want you. Say plainly that you do or do not want to come. Time flies on leaden wings, until I hear from you.”

But alas, Emma did not come and Frank pined for her. “After I make a big fortune from an oil well I shall come after you—unless I get so that I can stand it no longer, and then I’ll come anyway.”

He worked during the day and studied accounting at night. During his months of exile he indulged in a considerable amount of soul searching. He appears to be at peace within himself and reaching a decision concerning his life.

On April 2, 1866 he wrote Emma: “I love to recognize the hand of God in that affair (his prison escape), for in so doing, it gives me hope for the future. I feel that I have been chosen of God to perform some good work. Is it not an honor indeed to be the servant of God, however humble the position it may be?

A thousand wonderful changes have been wrought within one short year—but no change has been more marked than the one which has taken place in my own heart….Now I see the wisdom and the loving kindness of that God whom I should have known how to trust….I begin to realize that a new life is opening up for me—that ‘man does not live by bread alone—but by every word that proceedeth from the Father….And now you know that same God who had heard my prayers, and whose servant I am, will not fail to answer that prayer which I have never ceased to offer to Him. You shall yet be mine. You will make me a better man—and I long for the day when I shall come more closely in contact with one who can walk hand in hand with me to those ‘Pearly Gates.’”

Stringfellow returned from Canada in 1867 and wasted no time in marrying Emma. They lived at “Wakefield,” a farm in Fairfax County, owned by Emma’s father. It was located on the road now called “Stringfellow Road,” mostly likely named in honor of the famous scout. Those of you in Northern Virginia have crossed it many times on Route 66. Next time pause and remember Frank and Emma finally beginning their marriage there.

Stay tuned for “Rev. Frank Stringfellow” in my next newsletter.*

*From “Stringfellow of the Fourth” by R. Shepard Brown and “The Stringfellow Papers” in the Virginia Historical Society.

On the “One Good Man” set

Virginia — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:37:02 +0000

The first weekend of October I traveled to Stuart, Virginia in order to visit my dear friend, Kay Dunkley, and to speak at the re-enactment at Laurel Hill, J.E.B. Stuart’s birthplace. Laurel Hill, perched high in the mountains, is as lovely a spot as can be found in the Virginia highlands. One can easily picture young J.E.B. galloping across the hills with his auburn hair blowing in the breeze. The re-enactment was very well organized and drew a big crowd. I had the privilege of speaking on one of my favorite subjects: Frank Stringfellow. If you’ve never visited Laurel Hill, put it on your list of Civil War destinations.

On Monday, October 5, I left Stuart early and headed southward on the winding mountain road towards Winston-Salem. My destination was a beautiful park in Clemmons where the “One Good Man” crew was filming scenes inside a beautiful little white chapel, once the family chapel of the Reynolds Tobacco family. I finally arrived in a gray drizzle after finding the park but being steered to a dead end by my GPS. When the GPS fails, I’ve learned to be humble and ask for directions. Lots of equipment surrounded the church. In the parking lot, I ran into a young man with red hair, Matthew Shaw. Matthew is one of the twenty interns working on the movie. Although I had talked with him on the phone, I had not met him. He has worked very hard on the “One Good Man” website and is the talented writer of the posts. Matthew introduced me to Robert Cook, who with a camera atop his shoulder, seemed to be everywhere capturing the “behind the scenes” real story of the making of this movie. He and His wife are now retired and left Oklahoma in their RV to volunteer to help with this project.

He and Matthew interviewed me and I was able to praise God for the many ways He has answered our prayers during the filming. The greatest miracle was the way the investor funding came in just when it was needed. God always gives us what we need exactly when we need it, and not before. Therefore it takes a lot of faith to move forward as this group did, relying on Him to provide. And He provided the right weather throughout the filming. Since the scene inside the church was a funeral, the gray dreary day was absolutely perfect to set the somber mood.

I hope you have become part of the prayer network. Are you a Gapper? If not you can still sign up! Prayer is needed for the critical areas of post production and promotion.

I wandered toward the tent in front of the church and introduced myself to director Manny Edwards. His wonderful sense of humor keeps everybody uplifted and united. He graciously offered me use of a chair behind his, and even had his young son tape my name on it. I was thrilled. Now, I never realized the director actually watches what is being filmed on a monitor. So even though we were outside, I could see everything that the camera was filming. And oh my, did this group strive for perfection, which meant many retakes. There were conferences with the director of photography, the wardrobe lady, the makeup man, etc. And the extras had to go though it over and over, but everybody was a trooper.

Lunch was served in a picnic pavilion and producers Mike Snyder and George Escobar arrived.

Several of the interns, who had probably been up since 4 a.m. preparing food, dished out a delicious lunch. Mike introduced me to everyone and I had the honor of sitting across from the star Burgess Jenkins (another redhead). He played a key role in “Remember the Titans,” one of my United Methodist minister’s favorite movies. Burgess humbly told me that he had just finished starring as John Wesley in a feature film about Wesley’s life. God is working in the film industry!

The afternoon shooting was at a house in a lovely subdivision where I had the opportunity to talk to everyone working outside. People had come from as far away as Oregon, many volunteering and being trained alongside the professionals. Parents of cast and interns pitched in to help. Never have I met a more committed group of Christians who are determined to impact our society for Christ. This movie’s message about fatherhood is destined to capture hearts and change lives.

As I drove back to Stuart, the breathtaking full moon rising above the mountains filled me with awe. God’s creation is magnificent, and we will all be breathless when we see His latest handiwork-”One Good Man.”

Continued Civil War Saga: Frank Stringfellow, alive but penniless

Virginia — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:56:47 +0000

When the war ended Frank Stringfellow was 25 years old, penniless, and there was a $10,000 price on his head. His family home “The Retreat” had mysteriously burned when Union forces occupied the area. Lincoln had been assassinated, and the blood of revenge was running hot. Where could he begin to rebuild his life and rise from the ashes?

Contrary to the account in R. Shepard Brown’s “Stringfellow of the Fourth” which I used in “Marching Through Culpeper,” Stringfellow did not immediately flee to Canada. Letters donated the Virginia Historical Society after the publication of Brown’s book in 1960 indicate that he returned home and tried to eek out a living on the family farm. His letters to his beloved Emma Green of Alexandria paint a picture of the scout’s frustration. He had no gainful employment and was not in a financial position to support a wife and family. Emma’s family remained prominent and it is understandable that her father would not grant permission for her to marry until Stringfellow could earn a living.

In September of 1865 Frank wrote Emma that he was on his way to Richmond to recover a bond and invest in 100 sheep. He said, “I know of no employment yet. I shall work on however, as if everything was as plain as day…a letter will come to you for me from Fitz Lee. Keep it until I come. I am very anxious to have something to do in Virginia. I catch at straws, I dread leaving you again. I sometimes feel that I had rather be a doorkeeper in the land of my birth, than to dwell in hostile tents. I’ve left no stone unturned to get work. If I fail I shall know it was designed by Providence that I should seek another home.”

His farming attempt was hard work. A few weeks later he wrote, “I wish you could see my hands now. I can boast of seven blisters on one hand and lots of corns. Tomorrow morning I expect to begin my crop. There is but little money in farming at present, but green backs are not the only desirable thing in life, I wish good habits.”

Obviously tilling the earth was not as exciting as the life of a scout. At times he longed for his soldier life and wrote, “Ah! There is nothing like soldiering in this life. We support the cause which we believe is right, defend the weak, and have as much or more praise than we are entitled to.”

The other huge obstacle the former scout faced was the abhorrent matter of taking the oath of allegiance to his former enemies in order to marry or file legal documents. He wrote to Emma, “I have been trying to take the oath. I shall say no more, it makes me sick to think of it. Miss Cave of Orange was married several weeks ago. They were married without taking the oath. The minister and the clerk were arrested. Nothing was done to any of the party. I do hope and believe that we may be spared the mortification of taking that hateful oath. If necessary, we can take a trip to Canada. You are the last pretty girl that I have seen and of course I am still in love with you.”

However in January, with a bleak financial future he was wistfully trying to convince Emma to meet him at the altar, “Well, to save my life, I can’t get my pocket and my heart to agree upon the same wedding day. I leave it up to you. Write the months of ’66 on paper, put them in a hat and draw one, bind ourselves to act by the decision. Marry rich or poor—prepared or unprepared.”

Unfortunately, Emma could not say yes yet and it appears her father loaned Frank money to go to Canada. Stay tune for Stringfellow’s time in Toronto.*

(*quotes from the Stringfellow papers at the Virginia Historical Society, Richmond, Virginia)

“One Good Man” movie

Virginia — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 01:46:36 +0000

July 18^th and 19^th I had the privilege of attending a filmmaking workshop conducted by George Escobar and the Advent Film Group at Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Virginia. The room was packed and since many had to be turned away, another workshop was conducted in August. Mr. Escobar shared his vast knowledge of the filmmaking process from start to finish. His goal is to not only make topnotch films with Christian values, but to train others in the process and raise up the next generation of Christian filmmakers. After seeing the talent and enthusiasm at this workshop, I am convinced that the future is bright and independent Christian filmmakers will soon dominate the industry.

The tremendous success of Fireproof is revolutionizing the film world. Advent’s first film, Come What May has sold over 30,000 DVDs. The filming of their second feature film, One Good Man, is underway in Winston-Salem. This touching father-son baseball story should succeed by attracting a large audience and a theatrical release.

George Escobar has graciously offered me considerable advice and insight into marketing Marching Through Culpeper. Most recently he shared the idea of approaching Focus on the Family Radio Theater to produce an audio version. This is an idea that had never crossed my mind and of course the cost is a fraction of filming. If the radio series is successful, the groundwork would be laid for a miniseries. At the moment, this is all on a back burner, because I feel called to step forward and help Advent Films during their filming process.

When Mr. Escobar expressed his intent to form a large prayer network during the filming and to have a prayer tent staffed by volunteers on the set, I volunteered to help. Since I have been blessed with a national weekly prayer group and we have the same vision for prayer during the filming of Marching Through Culpeper, I feel it is time for Christians to unite.

Our intent is to build an internet prayer network that grows like a tidal wave. Each day a video message will be sent from the movie set. These short videos will show different people involved with the movie and give updates and prayer requests. That means YOU can have a front row seat and be involved in making this movie. HAVE YOU EVER HELPED MAKE A MOVIE BEFORE? DO YOU BELIEVE PRAYER IS THE GREATEST FORCE IN THE UNIVERSE?

Right NOW, this instant, CLICK HERE to sign up to receive the email videos and prayer requests. We believe God will give us a million prayer partners. Will you be one of them? Share this unique opportunity with your friends!

On another matter, I want to pass on a message from Rod Stone. Rod has written many beautiful songs for the Marching Through Culpeper movie and you can listen to them on his blog. CLICK HERE to listen. Post your reactions!

Dear Friends,

I want to take a moment to share this video of my song The Prayer with you. We are heading into troubling times and I truly believe it’s time to reconnect with the God of our Founding Fathers. Thank you for taking the time to watch it. If you were moved by my song and/or the images, please forward it to your friends!

Thanks! Rod Stone

Link to “The Prayer”: http://stuffibelievein.com/the-prayer/

FOLLOW VIRGINIA ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER!

Prayer Power

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for connecting me to the Advent Film Group and George Escobar. Bless each talented person who will be involved in the filming of One Good Man. Fill them with creativity, energy, and commitment to excellence as they serve in the name of Christ. You are gathering your army through the Internet, Your superhighway of communication. I pray that a million believers will join the prayer network for the filming of this inspiring movie on fatherhood. For you are a faithful God who always answers the prayers of your people in ways that are better than we can ever dream. Thank you for Rod Stone’s talent and wisdom. Through prayer may we as a nation return to You, the God of our Founding Fathers. In the mighty and powerful name of Jesus, the One who instructs us to ask, seek, and knock. Amen.

Another Civil War saga: Confederate spy Frank Stringfellow’s prison escape

Virginia — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:26:56 +0000

After the incriminating letter was discovered in the lining of Stringfellow’s coat, his guard– a sergeant, informed him that he would be taken to Washington the next day along with a group of deserters and blockade runners. Stringfellow persuaded the sergeant to take him down to the river that evening. There, in the darkness, the scout related how he had refused to kill the sergeant with an ax when he had the opportunity, and the internal struggle he had faced.

The sergeant was touched by the story and wished he had an honorable way to save the scout’s life. Stringfellow offered him $500 in gold if he would turn his back and give the scout a ten-foot start. The officer turned him down, but said if Stringfellow was a Mason he would release him for nothing. He considered his oath to the order higher than his oath to the government.

Stringfellow was not a Mason, but replied, “But I am something better than a Mason. I am a Christian. If Masonry could save me, surely Christianity can.” After a short debate about the two institutions, Stringfellow concluded, “With the strength of Christianity behind me, there are not enough Yankees alive to put a noose around my neck.”

That night Stringfellow awakened in the crowded makeshift prison with hopes of escaping. But he could see no loophole of escape and felt the odds were against him. He later wrote, “My heart, or rather my faith, failed me.”

The following morning just as the prisoners were ready to depart for Washington, a courier dashed up announcing that more prisoners would soon arrive. The commanding officer decided to wait one more day to depart for Washington, so the new prisoners could be included.

God had given Stringfellow one more chance. That night he awakened around 2 p.m. certain that this was the time. Two Federals had pulled benches across in front of the door, but were not asleep. Stringfellow walked to the water barrel and got a drink. With the guards watching him, he opened the door slightly and threw the remainder of the water outside. He closed the door, but left it slightly ajar.

He went back to his bed and waited patiently. When the guards were snoring, he got to his feet, and glided softly towards them. Gauging the distance carefully, he jumped lightly over the bench. But in coming down, his foot struck a soldier on the elbow. The fellow leaped up and grabbed Stringfellow, who claimed he was just getting water.

He was taken back to bed and felt he had lost his opportunity to escape. But soon the guards were snoring again, so he gave it another try. This time he was successful, as his jump landed him close to the door. He eased it back carefully, holding his breath, until he had it open barely enough to squeeze his thin body through.

Once outside, he clung to the shadowed wall waiting for a sentinel. The soldier walked directly towards the scout. Stringfellow pressed against the wall, and the sentry went by close enough to touch him. When the sentry rounded the corner, Stringfellow dashed across the yard and headed towards the river.

He had run about a mile as dawn broke amidst rain. He heard the sound of horses behind him and knew the enemy was on his trail. He couldn’t outrun them and needed to find a hiding place quick. He ran into a strip of woods with his lungs on fire. His tracks were visible in the mud as he approached a stream. He climbed a tree and swung across on a limb to the other side. There he found an old log covered with leaves. He burrowed into the leaves and pulled them over him.

The Federals searched up and down the little stream, but never looked under the log. After about an hour they left, but the “spy” remained buried with the rain pelting him. Intermittently, throughout the long wet day, he heard them pass his hiding place. Once a soldier stepped directly over the log against which he was hiding. He didn’t dare move.

When darkness came, the rain stopped. The cold, wet, hungry, miserable scout stiffly emerged. He was alive and for the moment he was free. Thanking God, he set his face southward. He was going home.*

*From Stringfellow of the Fourth by R. Shepard Brown