Charles A. Patton, Confederate Civil War Veteran
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Marjorie Ann Reeves and Bettie Russo place a wreath at the gravesite of Charles A. Patton during the special historical ceremony at the Wingville Cemetery last weekend. |
Lady in black, Bettie Russo who wore the mourning-gown in honor of the Confederate Widows and Families. |
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| Cutlines: From left, Sons & Daughters of Confederate Veterans, Norm Ernst, Erik Ernst, Marjorie Ann Reeves, Glen Edens, Brent Jacobs, John Russo, Bryan Jacobs, Bettie Russo, 1st Sergeant Duncan Pierce, Karl Ernst and Rod Edens. |
Sons Of Confederate Veterans And United Daughters Of The Confederacy Hold Ceremony At
Wingville Cemetery To Mark The Gravesite Of Charles A. Patton
By Brian Addison of The Record-Courier
Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) and United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) held a ceremony at Wingville Cemetery to mark the gravesite of Charles A. Patton (1846-1932.) Confederate Private Charles A. Patton served in Co. A 7 Texas Calvary, during the Civil War. After the war, Patton and his wife, Rose, settled in Baker Valley and raised cows.
As a member of the 7th Texas Volunteers, Pvt. Patton was involved in the South¹s attempt to take New Mexico with designs on controlling the SW region. Co. A 7 Texas Calvary was disbanded in 1865.
Charles Patton¹s gravesite was noted and researched about six years ago by Dal Dreher. It was through Dreher¹s research that the SCV became involved, resulting in the grave-marking ceremony this past Sunday. The ceremony also marked the passing of historian Dal Dreher.
SCV and UDC marked Patton¹s gravesite with a new stone with inscription commemorating his service as an American veteran. There were several speakers during the ceremony. Commander Glenn Edens, SCV Camp 458, Portland, welcomed those gathered and provided some history of Charles A. Patton¹s life and service in the Confederate Army. Commander Edens quoted from Stonewall Jackson, You need not be ashamed of your Confederate dead. Edens referred to the American
Civil War as the second American Revolution and said that as a Confederate soldier, Patton fought for the rights of the constitution.
The lady in black spoke to those gathered. Chapter President Bettie Russo, UDC Chapter 885, Seattle, was dressed as a southern widow in a handmade (by Bettie Russo) period mourning-gown and veil. Russo wears the mourning-gown in honor of the Confederate wives, families and veterans. She explained that the veil provided solitude and privacy for the shedding of tears while still allowing the mourner to see the world around her. Bettie Russo said that the
southern widow customarily wore the mourning-gown for two years.
Chaplain Rod Edens read from scripture and presented the historical significance associated with the grave-marking ceremony. Edens said that SCV is devoted to maintaining an accurate account of American history between 1861-1865. He said educators sometimes have a fear of partisan history, and that SCV intends to Hand down heritage and history, and preserve time and truth. Chaplain Edens said that as a Confederate soldier, Charles A. Patton fought for
state¹s rights, the constitution and freedom and against taxation.
Sons of Confederate Veterans, Camp 458, Portland, Ore., and United Daughters of the Confederacy, Seattle, Wash., thanked Lorrie Harvey of Baker County Parks Dept. for allowing them to hold the ceremony.
First Sergeant Duncan Pierce, US Army (ret.) played Taps.
Used with permission, Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon
Wingville Cemetery Census 1965 or 2006
Gary Jaensch Photo
