But now have we forgotten women like Lizzie Rutherford of Columbus, Georgia who on a cold January day worked to clean the graves of Confederate soldiers? She and the members of the Ladies' Memorial Association of Columbus would lead in efforts to take care of the Southern soldiers' graves and get Confederate Memorial Day recognized throughout the South.

How can we expect our children to know about their heritage when school bands no longer play "Dixie?" Young folks once heard stories from their grandpa and teacher about the American soldiers who for 200 years marched off to war. Onward Christian Soldiers was still included in standard American song books.

Once upon a time the South's businesses and schools closed on Confederate Memorial Day. This was a special time for parades and memorial speeches at the local soldiers' cemetery. Tens of thousands of people made their way to the Confederate cemetery and children delighted in catching a glimpse of a Confederate Veteran.

When the War Between the States ended, women of the North and South formed memorial organizations. They made sure the soldiers got a Christian burial and were remembered. Great monuments were erected to the soldiers of Blue and Gray and still can be seen from many town squares and soldier cemeteries.

For over 100 years the good people of the Ladies' Memorial Association, United Daughters of the Confederacy and Sons of Confederate Veterans have continued the tradition of Confederate Memorial Day in April. Other states recognize Confederate Memorial Day on May 10th and June 3rd. June 3rd is the birthday of Confederate President Jefferson Davis.

Since about 1995, April has also become known as Confederate History Month.

It is written that the first Confederate Memorial Day was held in Columbus, Georgia. Some say it was the idea of Lizzie Rutherford, President of the Columbus Chapter of the Ladies Memorial Association, and their Secretary Mrs. Charles J. Williams. Mrs. William's husband served as Colonel of the 1st Georgia Regiment, CSA during the War Between the States. He died of disease in 1862 and is buried in his home town of Columbus. Disease killed more soldiers during the war then did the battles.

Mrs. Williams and her daughter visited his grave often and cleared the weeds and leaves from it, then placed flowers on it. Her daughter also pulled the weeds from other soldier graves near her father. It saddened the little girl that many graves were unmarked. With tears of pride she said to her mother, "These are my soldiers' graves." The little girl became ill and passed away in her childhood. Mrs. William's grief was almost unbearable.

One day, while visiting the graves of her husband and daughter, Mrs. Williams looked at all of the unkept soldiers' graves and remembered the words her daughter had told her. She knew what she had to do.

With permission from Lizzie Rutherford, President of the Ladies' Memorial Association, Williams wrote a letter that was published in the newspapers of the South asking the women of Dixie for help. She asked that organizations be formed in taking care of the thousands of Confederate graves from the Potomac River to the Rio Grande. She also asked state legislatures to set aside an April day to remember the men of gray.

With her leadership many Southern states adopted April 26, as Confederate Memorial Day. Mrs. Williams died in 1874, but lived to see her native Georgia adopt April 26 as Confederate Memorial Day. It is still today a legal holiday.

The men and women who served the South during the War Between the States came from many races and religions. There was Irish born General Patrick R. Cleburne, Black Southerner Amos Rucker, Jewish Born Judah P. Benjamin, Mexican born Colonel Santos Benavides and Native American General Stand Watie.

Please check out: http://confederateheritagemonth.com and ask your local historical group what they are planning during April 2006, for Confederate History Month.

Lest We Forget!

A native of Georgia, Calvin Johnson lives near the historic town of Kennesaw, home of the locomotive "The General" from the War Between the States. His email is: cjohnson1861@bellsouth.net.