1

.

Brigadier General William Steele

(May 1, 1819 – January 12, 1885) was a career United States Army

officer who served with distinction during the Mexican–American

War. He later served as a Confederate general during the War of

Southern Independence.

Steele was born in Albany, New

York, in the spring of 1823; his mother

was from Florida and his father

originally from New England. He

attended the United States Military

Academy at West Point in 1836,

graduating four years later standing 31st

out of 42 cadets. He was appointed a

brevet second lieutenant in the 2nd U.S.

Dragoons on July 1, 1840.

Steele served at the Cavalry School for

Practice at the Carlisle Barracks in

Pennsylvania in 1840 and 1841, during which he was promoted

to second lieutenant on February 2, 1841.

He participated during the Seminole Wars in Florida in 1841

and 1842, engaged there in two skirmishes. Steele and the 2nd

Dragoons were on frontier duty at Fort Jesup in Louisiana from

1842 to 1844, and then in garrison at Jefferson Barracks in

Missouri in 1844 and 1845.

The 2nd Dragoons were part of the Military Occupation of

Texas in 1845 and 1846, just prior to the start of the Mexican–

American War. Steele fought at the Battle of Palo Alto on May

8, 1846, after which he was promoted to the rank of first

lieutenant in the 2d Dragoons on May 9. He then saw action at

the Battle of Monterrey that September, the Siege of Vera Cruz

in March 1847, and the Battle of Cerro Gordo in April. Steele

then fought in the Battle of Contreras and the Battle of

Churubusco on August 20, and the Battle of Molino del Rey

that September. Steele was appointed to the rank of brevet

captain for his performance at Contreras and Churubusco as of

August 20, 1847.

On May 30, 1861, Steele

resigned his U.S. Army

commission and moved to

Texas. Choosing to follow the

Confederate cause and his

adopted home state, he entered

the Confederate States Army as

a colonel in the 7th Texas

Cavalry on October 29. His first

assignment was heading the

Confederate forces in Mesilla

during the New Mexico

Campaign. Steele was

promoted to brigadier general

on September 12, 1862, and

then the following year was sent to the Western Theater. He

commanded the Confederate District of the Indian Territory in

Lt. Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith's Department of the Trans-

Mississippi from January 8 to December 11, 1863.

Steele commanded the Department's Eastern Subdistrict of

the District of Texas, New Mexico, & Arizona beginning on

March 18, 1864. He participated in the Red River Campaign

that spring, and was praised for his performance in the Battle of

Pleasant Hill on April 9. He then briefly led a division of

cavalry until May 26, 1865, the day Gen. Smith surrendered the

department. Steele was paroled on August 4 from San Antonio,

Texas. (Continued on Page 5)

B.G. Albert Pike Camp #1439 Gen Lewis A Armistead Camp # 1846

Cols Lewis & Harrison Camp # 1854

Gen William Steele Camp # 1857 Major Thomas J. Key Camp # 1920

South Kansas Camp # 2064 BG Buckner & Chilton Camp #. 2227

Volume XV. Issue 05

May 2013

2

If you know of any ladies who would like to join the

Kansas UDC Chapter. A women's organization similar

to the SCV. Contact Linda at ladiesoftheplains@yahoo.com

Please VOTE ASAP. It is finally happening--a movement to

remove the carving from Stone Mountain. Currently the NO votes are

at 89% but we need to defeat this by at least a 95% vote. James King

http://www.11alive.com/news/article/290674/3/Petition-wants-

Stone-Mt-Confederate-carving-removed Confederate flag at VA Hospital in Hot Springs, South Dakota

Poll http://rapidcityjournal.com/ Poll is located about half way

down on the right side.

Confederate Enlistment

New Recruits

B.G. Albert Pike Camp # 1439 None

Lewis A. Armistead Camp # 1847 None

Col’s Lewis & Harrison Camp #1854 William Steele Camp# 1857 None Maj. Thomas J. Key Camp # 1920 South Kansas Camp # 2064 BG Buckner & Chilton camp #2227

June Camp Agendas

B.G. Albert Pike Camp # 1439

May 11 No Info

Lewis A. Armistead Camp # 1847

May 11 No Info

Col’s Lewis & Harrison Camp #1854

May 18 CSA Alabama discussion mediated by

Cmdr Denver Erickson

William Steele Camp# 1857

May 7

Maj. Thomas J. Key Camp # 1920

. May 2. Mr. Rex Patty aka 1st Lt. Edwin F. Talcott

Asst. Surgeon (Medical practice 1861-1865)

South Kansas Camp # 2064

May 9, video on The Battle of Perryville.

BG Buckner & Chilton Camp #2227

May 27

Division Commander Kyle Erickson, Past Div Cmdr

Denver Erickson, Lt Div cmdr Dick Croft and Div Recruiting Chair Kevin Ivey were present at the charter presentation at the BG Buckner & Chilton camp #2227 meeting in Dodge city April 20th. Cmdrs Croft and Ivey were instrumental in getting the Dodge City camp started. They are working on getting another camp in Liberal Kansas started. See photos on page 4

May 8th Missouri History Day Major Thomas J Key Camp

#1920 will be at the Lone Jack Battlefield. Displaying WBTS Weapons

Dispatches from the Front

Intelligence from

the Wire… Events

in Kansas Division

Why not cross this

fence and join the SCV

brother?

3

Red Letters Generals Blue Letters Camp Meetings Black Letters Camp Members

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1.

M.G. John

Magruder

DOB 1807 Virginia.

B.G. Wm. Steele

DOB 1819, New

York.

2.

Camp #1920

3. 4.

5.

B.G. John M.

Jones

DOD 1864 wilderness battle

6. 7.

Camp #1857

8. 9.

B.G. William Jones

DOD 1824 Virginia

Camp #2064

10.

Lt Gen Thomas. J

Jackson

DOD 1863 Virginia

11.

Camp #1439

Camp #1847

12.

M.G. J.E.B. Stuart

DOD 1864 Virginia

B.G. Albert

Jenkins DOD 1864

13.

B.G. Junisus Daniel DOD 1864 Kentucky

14.

B.G. George Doles

DOB 1830 Georgia

Mike Weatherby

B-Day Key Camp

15.

M.G. Isaac

TrimbleDOB 1802.

Virginia

16.

Gen Ed K Smith

DOB 1824 Florida

17.

M.G. John

Brekinridge

DOD 1875 Kentucky

Garrett Tucker

B-Day Key Camp

18.

B.G. William Smith

DOB 1887 Warrenton

Camp #1854

19. 20. 21.

Bob Norton B-Day Pike Camp

22. 23.

Sam Dagget

Lewis & Harrison

Camp B-Day

24. 25.

26.

Jerry Spaur B-Day Pike Camp

27.

Dan Dooley

B-Day Key Camp

Don Holland B-Day Pike Camp

Camp #2227

28.

Gen P G Beauregard

DOB 1818 Louisiana

Lt Gen Stephen D Lee DOD 1908 Mississippi

29.

B.G. Cadmus

Wilcox

DOB 1824 N.C.

Dennis Garstang

B-Day Key Camp

30. 31.

Gen Pierre G Beauregard Gen Edmond K Smith Lt Gen Thomas Jackson Lt Gen Stephen D Lee M.G. John C Breckenridge M.G Earl VanDorn

M.G JEB Stuart M.G. Isaac Trimble B.G. Junius Daniel B.G. George Doles B.G. Albert Jenkins B.G. John Jones

. Stephen D. Ramseur B.G. William Smith B.G. William Steele B.G. Cadmus Wilcox B.G William T Worford M.G. John Magruder

4

The New Dodge City BG Buckner and Chilton Camp #2227 Receives Camp Charter and new members

Div Cmdr Kyle Erickson presenting Charter to Camp Commander Loren Ashlock presenting membership to

Camp Commander Loren Ashlock Camp Adjutant Russ McBee.

Camp Cmdr Loren Ashlock Div Cmdr Kyle Erickson, Back Row L to R Gary Bennett, Russ McBee, Wade Hampton,

Lt Div Cmdr Dick Croft South Camp Cmdr Kevin Ivey James Bennett, Kyle Erickson, Dick Croft Middle Row L to R

Devon Duffield, Steven Gregory (Both are potential members)

Loren Ashlock Front (Kneeling) L to R Denver Erickson, Kevin Ivey.

Not present were: Tate Bartlett, Mike Spurgin and Jeff Dodridge.

Photos of South Camp Commander Kevin Ivey at Reenactment camp at Wichita’s Cowtown Wichita's Cowtown 4/20.

5

The Alexander Majors’ Home Event The Key Camp hosted a living history campsite and

a weapons and relic display on the grounds of the Majors

House. The camp was set up Friday evening and

consisted of 11 tents forming one-half of a company

street. The 3 Battery Missouri Light Artillery CS, rd

the camp sponsored reenactment unit, brought out their

6-pounder field piece. The weather was good but a bit

windy. During the day, there were musket-firing

demonstrations with Travis Bullock doing a great job as

our infantryman. The cannon was fired numerous times

for the enjoyment of the crowd. All told, the day was a

tremendous success and a feather in our caps. The staff

of the museum was extremely appreciative of our efforts

on opening weekend.

KEY CAMP MEMBERS AT THE MAJORS HOUSE Left to right front row: Eric Martinez, Spike Speicher, Merle Leech.

Back row: Cade Smith, Jacob Martinez, Lane Smith, Travis Bullock, Carl Linck, Rick Bullock, Scott Lalumondier, and

Jacob Mirocke. Not in picture: Dennis Garstang, Carrie Martinez, Mike Smith, and John Weir.

Wornall Carriage House

Project

Saturday, April 13, found Key Camp members Lee

Crutchfield, Tom Hill, Dan Peterson, Lane Smith,

Mike Smith, Spike Speicher, Jim Thornton, and John

Weir reporting to the Wornall House Museum for the

first phase of our project. The original project was to

paint the Carriage House over two weekends.

Commander Speicher and Compatriot Greg

Miller, a professional house painter, surveyed the

project and decided it was not within the realm of

possibility to paint the entire structure in the time we

had allowed.

The project was scaled back to painting just the front 4 and west walls. Phase I was completed on Saturday

April13 when the two walls were scraped, sanded, caulked, and primed. The door on the west wall was framed

and fitted so it would work properly. Commander Speicher gives thanks to the eight men that showed up for all

their hard work.

Carriage House Project Phase II The second part, Phase II, was conducted on Saturday 20 April. The Carriage House had been primed so now

all we 5 had to do was paint the two walls. Unfortunately, we did not get Phase II completed as I had hoped.

Three men showed up to paint and we got the front wall completely painted as well as the first floor section of

the west wall. We will have to schedule another paint day in a few weeks to finish off the west wall.

The Carriage House looks so much prettier for the herb sale than it did before. Special thanks to 1stLieutenant

Commander Lee Crutchfield, 2nd

Lieutenant Commander John Weir, and Commander Spike Speicher for all

their work on Phase II.

6

(Continued from Page 1)

Upon his appointment as adjutant general in 1874, Steele concentrated on the organization and improvement of individual

militia companies, rather than on a statewide structure, thinking this more important at that time of northern suspicion of any

military buildup in the south, and following a period when the Texas Militia was identified with fraud and nepotism in Austin.

General Steele's report for the year ending August 31, 1878, showed a brigade of three regiments and a battalion, and 22

separate companies. In January, 1879 General Steele finished his service as adjutant general, leaving a militia organization

greatly increased in size, competency, and reputation, a base upon which, eventually, the present Texas National Guard was

built.

After the war, Steele returned to Texas and became a Commission merchant of cotton from 1866 to 1873. He moved to

Austin in 1873 and was then Adjutant-General of the State of Texas until his death in early 1885. He died in San Antonio,

Texas, at the age of 65, and is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Austin.[6]

If you have an article you would like printed in the News Letter. Contact Newsletter Editor at Denver L. Erickson

coffincounter@att.net . or send by US mail to 3511 SE 35th Topeka, Kansas. 66605

Editing may be done in the sense of letter size and extraction of some pictures depending on the size

Kansas Division Color/Honor Guard Available

Compatriot Gerald V. Spaur of the BG Albert Pike Camp #1439 is suited and ready for the occasion.

Gerald is prepared for the opportunity to be present as a Color Guard for your event, or to take on the

responsibility of Honor Guard for the passing of a family member, friend or compatriot where an honor

Guard is needed.

Gerald will go anywhere in Kansas and be available for any and all Military services for compatriots, family

members, and friends. Feel free to contact Gerald at 2947 Walnut Wichita Kansas 67217-3128

Phone: 316-524-2555

TRIVIA FOR MAY

Can you name this Ship

Builder: John Laird Sons & Co.

Laid Down:1862

Launched: July 29 1862

Commissioned: August 24, 1862

Decomissioned: June 19, 1864

Motto: “Aide Toi, Et Dieu T’Aidera,”

Fate: Sunk in battle with USS Kearsarge

7

15th

Annual Kansas Division Convention

Sons of Confederate Veterans

June 21st & 22nd, 2013

Best Western Motel

3021 W. Highway 50

Emporia, KS 66801

620-342-7587

REGISTRATION FORM: (Required *)

*NAME _________________________________________ *TITLE/POSITION _________________________

*SCV CAMP NAME _______________________________________________*Number ________________

*PERSONAL ADDRESS ____________________________________________________________________

CITY _______________________________ STATE __________________ZIP ________________________

*HOME PHONE (________) _____________________ WORK PHONE (________) ___________________

E-MAIL ADDRESS ______________________________CELL PHONE (________) ___________________

SPOUSE NAME (For Badge) _________________________________________________________________

GUEST NAME __________________________________ GUEST NAME ____________________________

COST FOR CONVENTION IS $10.00 PER PERSON

Included in the Registration: Convention book, lunch, lots of camaraderie, and excellent presentation from our guest

speaker. James Speicher topic is the H.L. Hunley Friday Evening Entertainment: We will begin Friday evening at 6:30 with a DVD feature presentation of Outlaw Jose Whales.

Followed by our Oratory contest at 8:00. This year’s Topic coming soon Ancestor Memorials: Have your ancestors name listed in the convention booklet. Cost is $10.00 and must be submitted

no later than May 23, 2013. (Up to 16 names for $10.00). Please include rank, Name, company, and unit on separate

sheet of paper).

Registration: Qty. ___ x $10.00 = $ _______

Friday Evening Gala: Qty. ___ x $ 5.00 = $ _______

Ancestor Memorials: Qty. ___ x $10.00 = $ _______ Total: $ _________

In honoring of the Sesquicentennial, our featured convention presenter will be. Col James Speicher of the Thomas J Key

Camp #1920. His topic of discussion will be the H.L.Hunley from beginning to present. He promises to give an extraordinary

presentation to the members of the Kansas Division. Lunch will be provided by the Motel

DEADLINE TO MAIL IN REGISTRATION FORMS

Is Monday May 31, 2013!!! Also find online at http://www.ksscv.org

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:

KANSAS DIVISION SCV

Kansas Division Adjutant

Paul Honaker

4109 SW 29th

Topeka Kansas 66614

8

2013 KANSAS DIVISION CONVENTION SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Saturday June 21, 2013

08:00 Registration: Registration Committee

Credential Committee: Committee Members 0830-0930 Executive Committee Meeting: Division Commander

0930 Call to Order by Hosting Camp (Cols Lewis& Harrison Camp #1854)

Posting of the Colors: (Cols Lewis& Harrison Camp #1854)

Invocation: Div Chaplain Tyrone Williams

Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag All Convention Members

Salute to the Confederate Flag All Convention Members

Singing of “DIXIE” All Convention Members

0930-1130 Business Session 1

Quorum Call: Division Adjutant

Appointment of Convention Officers: Division Adjutant

Division Staff Reports:

Chief of Staff Report Jess Estes

Division Adjutant Paul Honaker

Division Judge Advocate Simon ‘Chip’ Buckner

Border Brigade Commander Charles W. Walthall

Indian Brigade Commander Thomas Westbrook

Camp Reports:

General Albert Pike Camp #1439

General Lewis A. Armistead Camp #1847

Colonels Lewis & Harrison Camp #1854

Brigadier General William Steele Camp #1857

Major Thomas J. Key Camp #1920

South Kansas Camp #2064

Brigadier Generals Buckner & Chilton Camp #. 2227

1130– 1230 Lunch Prepared in the Main Lounge Area

1230– 1300 Program: “THE H. L. HUNLEY AND HER CREWS: DISCOVERY, RECOVERY AND

BURIAL” – An in-depth look at the Confederate submarine H. L. Hunley and the fate of her three crews.

Looks at the technology employed on the submarine, how she was salvaged and closes with a first person

account of the funeral of the third crew on April 2004. 60 minutes with 45 PowerPoint slides.

1300-1330 Auction 1330– 1430 Business Session II

Committees / Committee Reports: Committee Chairmen

Division Awards: Division Commander

Constitutional Amendments: Division Judge Advocate

Voting Results: Division Adjutant

Closing Ceremony Division Commander

Benediction (all stand) Division Chaplain

Singing of “DIXIE” All Convention Members

Retiring of the Colors (remain standing) Division Color Sgt.

Adjournment Division Commander

Executive Committee Meeting (If needed): Division Commander

9

2013 KANSAS DIVISION CONVENTION SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Friday June 20, 2013

16:30 hrs Gathering of members & Camaraderie

19:00hrs Opening Ceremony

Posting of the Colors: Cols Lewis& Harrison Camp #1854

Invocation: Div Chaplain Tyrone Williams

Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag All Convention Members

Salute to the Confederate Flag All Convention Members

Singing of “DIXIE” All Convention Members

19:10hrs About the Movie

The Outlaw Josey Wales is a 1976 American revisionist Western film set during and after the American Civil War. It was directed by and starred Clint Eastwood (as the eponymous Josey Wales), with Chief Dan George, Sondra Locke, Sam Bottoms, and Geraldine

Keams. The film was adapted by Sonia Chernus and Philip Kaufman from author Forrest Carter's 1973 novel The Rebel Outlaw: Josey Wales (republished, as shown in the movie's opening credits, as Gone to Texas). In 1996, the film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress. Josey Wales, a Missouri farmer, is driven to revenge by the murder of his wife and son by a band of pro-Union Jayhawkers—Senator

James H. Lane's Redlegs from Kansas. Wales joins a group of pro-Confederate Missouri Bushwhackers led by William T. Anderson. At the conclusion of the war, Captain Fletcher persuades the guerrillas to surrender, saying they have been granted amnesty. Wales refuses to surrender. As a result, he and one young man are the only survivors when Captain Terrill's Redlegs massacre the surrendering men. Wales intervenes and guns down several Redlegs with a Gatling gun. Senator Lane puts a $5,000 bounty on Wales, who is now on the run from Union militia and bounty hunters. Along the way, despite wishing to be left alone, he accumulates a diverse group of companions. They include an old Cherokee named Lone Watie, a young Navajo woman, and an elderly woman from Kansas and her granddaughter whom Wales rescued from Comancheros. In Texas, Wales and his companions are cornered in a ranch house which is fortified to withstand Indian raids. The Redlegs attack but are gunned down by the defenders. Wales, despite being out of ammunition, pursues the fleeing Captain Terrill on horseback. When he catches him, Wales dry fires his pistols through all twenty–four empty chambers before stabbing Terrill with his own cavalry sword. At the bar in Santa Rio, a wounded Wales finds Fletcher with two Texas Rangers. The locals at the bar, who refer to Wales as "Mr. Wilson," tell the Rangers that Wales was killed in a shoot-out in Monterrey, Mexico. The Rangers accept this story and move on. Fletcher pretends he does not recognize Wales, and says that he will go to Mexico and look for Wales himself. Seeing the blood dripping on Wales's boot, Fletcher says that he will give Wales the first move, because he "owes him that." Wales rides off. 19:15hrs .

19:50hrs Break

21:30hrs Closing and singing of Dixie

CAMP MEETINGS

GEN. ALBERT PIKE CAMP #1439 MAJOR THOMAS J. KEY CAMP #1920

LOCATION: Egg Crate Cafe, LOCATION: Zarda Bar-B-Q

8506 W 13th, Suite 150 Wichita, Kansas 67212 11931 W 87th St. Lenexa, Kansas.

DATE: Second (2ND) Saturday each month DATE: First (1st) Thursday each month TIME: 11:30 am fellowship 12:30 Meeting TIME: 6:30 pm. fellowship, 7:00pm.

COLS LEWIS & HARRISON CAMP #1854 SOUTH KANSAS CAMP #2064

LOCATION: Westside Christian Church, LOCATION: Rockwell Branch Library

432 SW Lindenwood, Topeka, Kansas. 5939 E 9th Street, Wichita, Kansas.

DATE: Third (3rd) Saturday each Month DATE: Second 2nd Thursday each Month

TIME: 10:00am. TIME: 5:30-7:30pm.

GEN. LEWIS A. ARMISTEAD CAMP #1847 GEN. WILLIAM STEELE CAMP #1857

LOCATION: Public Library Tech Conf Ctr. Rm. LOCATION: Bann Thai Restaurant

301 East Elm, Salina, Ks. 301 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, KS 66048.

DATE: Second (2nd) Saturday each Month DATE: Second (2nd) Thursday each Month

TIME 1:00-1:30 fellowship, 1:00-2:30 Meeting TIME: 6:00 pm. Fellowship 7:00 pm.

BG BUCKNER & CHILTON CAMP #2227

LOCATION: Cup of Jones,

909 West Wyatt Earp Blvd. Dodge City Kansas

DATE: Fourth Monday of month

TIME:7:00 pm

10

The Kansas Division

Sons of Confederate Veterans

190 NW Hawthorn St.

Topeka, Kansas. 66606

COMPATRIOT