On Saturday, November 13, I was privileged to attend a memorial service for the Confederate soldier ancestor of a friend. Private Seaborn J. Cobb was honored by a military service conducted by Simpson Mounted Rangers UDC Chapter #2685, Milton, Florida, assisted by a re-enactment unit from Alabama.
Friends and family were in attendance at the solemn ceremony, including Pvt. Cobb’s two young great-great-great-great grandsons who were part of the re-enactment group. At the end of the ceremony, one of the two boys played taps for his great-great-great-great grandfather.
Especially moving was the Libations Ceremony. Each re-enactor knelt at the foot of Pvt. Cobb’s grave, took a sip from his canteen, then poured a bit of water at the foot of the grave, signifying the sharing of water with a fallen comrade.
Along with the playing of taps, the ceremony was concluded with a three-volley, twenty-one gun salute, fired from the muskets of the re-enactors, along with the firing of a cannon after each volley. Then the assembled group sang “Dixie.”
Private Seaborn J. Cobb, we remember....
7 comments:
Sounds like a moving experience. The Civil War has long been a passion of mine. Except for one short story, though, I've never written about it, which I find strange.
It was VERY moving.
I've only written a couple of short stories set against the backdrop of the War for Southern Independence. However, I plan to set the fourth novel in the MacLachlainn series during that time. I've already picked the title: "On the Red Clay Hills."
Weird. I posted today about Lincoln's Gettysburg speech, the writing of it and all. Your post brings a whole different perspective to the table, one that should always have a place setting, so to speak.
There's usually more than one perspective from which to view an issue or event. Sometimes, reading material other than just the accepted, approved version can give you a whole new view of things.
I couldn't agree with you more. It's best not to come to any conclusions about an issue unless all aspects are explored and discussed. Historical events and the interpretations that generally follow have a way of shifting.
Exactly...
Thank you for posting this. Not everyone has forgotten.
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