Confederate History Month eGreetings

Whereas, in April 1861, the Commonwealth of Virginia, in order to retain her honor bequeathed by Washington, Jefferson, Henry, Lee, and other Founding Fathers, exercised her Constitutional Right to secede from the Union.

Whereas, Virginia, known as the Mother of Presidents and States, did not make this decision lightly but only after exhaustive efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution to the issues which divided Americans failed.

Whereas, when Abraham Lincoln called for 75,000 troops to put down, what he described as, the rebellion in the deep South, the Old Dominion, in good conscience, refused to raise her sword against other Southern States and voted then and only then to defend herself if attacked.

Whereas, we must never forget the sacrifices made by the women of Bedford County and the South, who with every ounce of their being supported their men in uniform, undertook the duties normally performed by men, and suffered along with their children, and other citizens untold horrors in a war torn land.

Whereas, the sons of Bedford County heeded the call of their Mother State by the thousands to defend their county, their Commonwealth, their homes and their families from an invading army.

Whereas, well over 3000 brave sons of Bedford County of all races fought in the Confederate Armed Forces alongside other men from across the Commonwealth and the South.

Whereas, these men sacrificed their all and shed their blood, including over 400 Bedford County men who died and thousands who were maimed and scarred, defending the sacred soil of Virginia.

Whereas, despite the oppressive and evil system of slavery inherited from colonial times, Bedford’s Black people helped sustain Virginia’s desperate defense efforts throughout the war by their incredible loyalty and labors at home and on the battlefields, exhibiting an extraordinary example of Christian charity never surpassed in the annals of History.

Whereas, their sacrifices Hallowed the Grounds of Manassas, Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Gaines’ Mill, Malvern Hill, Winchester, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Brandy Station, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, New Market, Yellow Tavern, Cold Harbor, Trevilian’s Station, Petersburg, Cedar Creek, Five Forks, Sailor's Creek, Appomattox and many other battlefields.

Whereas, Bedford County suffered the depredations of Hunter’s Raid and her sons and daughters successfully contributed to the subsequent defeat of his attack upon the vital rail center of Lynchburg.

Whereas, Bedford was a vital hospital center, many of her valiant ladies unselfishly nursed and succored thousands of poor, lonely, sick and wounded soldiers during the war.

Whereas, "After four years of arduous service marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude," as General Robert E. Lee so eloquently wrote, the war for Southern Independence ended for the fabled Army of Northern Virginia on April 9, 1865.

Whereas, the honorable blood of such brave sons and daughters of Bedford County flows through the veins of thousands of modern day descendants in Bedford County, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the world.

Therefore, be it ordered that the month of April be celebrated as Confederate History and Heritage Month in perpetuity in the County of Bedford and this observance be called to the attention of all citizens of Bedford County and the Commonwealth of Virginia

Commander Michael L. Mehaffey                                                               Adjutant Boyd W. Hubbard
Bedford Rifle Grays Camp # 1475                                                              Bedford Rifle Grays Camp # 1475