Remembering My father

I would like to take time in remembering my dad today.
He passed away on Oct. 18, 2007
He was born in Skipperville, Al. Along with his twin sister Frances.
He was born to Oscar Morris Brooks and Ira Blankenship.
Grandmother died not long after they were born, then being raised by her sister Minnie later moved to Cottonwood to live with Minnie on the Blankenship Farm owned by Cousin John Blankenship.
Here they lived as share-cropers. Dad spoke of having played ball with Nazis POW's during WW2. When he became 18 he joined the Navy. Then married my mother Bettie Maxine Duke after a courship through the mail. (My mom's nephew (who was older than my mom) married my dad's twin sister. My mom lived with her brother and that's how they got together)
He was a descendent of two confederate soliders. Joel N. Brooks and his son Sammual C. Brooks of Pike Co. Al.
Dad was a deacon at Union Hill Baptist Church in Cottonwood, Al.
He was well liked around C'wood. At one time he worked for the city and was their police, fire and water man. I remember he carried no gun and would not until he became a guard at the local nuclear plant that was being built in the 70's.
I remember we were buying some used auto parts from a (drunk) dealer in town. While my dad went to get the part off a wreck (that's how they did it back then) the dealer (while play cards with other drunks) told me privately that, " when your dad worked for the city, Cottonwood had something". I felt very proud. He left this world with a good name. I can only hope I do the same.

Memorial Day Post

Just wanted to remember some family on memorial day. Since MD started with our country remembering those who died during the Civil War, I would like to acknowledge two that gave their lives. I do not know if they had family to caring on so I'll do this to remember them.
Joel Brooks went off to war with five of his sons. He and my 2nd great grandfather returned to leave the line that I am from. But two Samuel's brothers did not.
Balaam Brooks of the 1st Al. Perote Guards was captured at Is. 10, survived Camp Randell and was killed at the siege of Port Hudson. Port Hudson was the last Confederate stronghold to fall on the Mississippi River and not Vicksburg. The Confederates got to the point they had to boil their shoe leather to eat in order to survive. Only after they got the news that Vicksburg fell did they surrender.He was killed before the end. As fare as I can tell his father Joel who's service was up went to Port Hudson to be with his boys and stayed for the siege. He is listed at the park that is there now but not listed in the official Alabama records.
Lucius D. Brooks of the 60th Al. was killed by a snipper at Petersburg, Va. The report says minnie ball which makes me think he was shot by a confederate, but let's stick with the official record.
Both of these I would like to remember. There are more details of their service but I let it go.
My father served in the navy was not in any war. And I take it MD is for those who died in war time.
To those who served , RIP
(All Direct bloodline to me exept 4 of Joel's sons)
Joel Brooks 1st. Al. Co.G
John Brooks s/o Joel 34th Al. Co. A & 60th Co. A
Lucious D. Brooks s/o Joel 60th Al. Co. B (Killed)
Andrew J. Brooks s/o Joel 1st. Al. Co.C (Missing)
Balaam Brooks s/o Joel 1st. Al. Co.C & B (Killed)
Samuel Brooks s/o Joel 1st. Al. Co.G
John E. Cook 1st. Al. Co.G
Edward Y. Martin 60th Al. Co. C
Elish W. Blankenship 33rd & 60th Al.
A. Matthew Grantham 1st Al. Co. I (Died POW)
J. Andrew Grantham 18th & 39th Al. (Died POW)
William R. Albrittion Provost Guard (Killed)
Jasper E. Barnes 3rd Reg. Hillard's Leg. 59th Al
Dempsy Cook 4th Reg. Ga. St. Trps Co. G

Black History Part 3: Andre' Cailloux and the Black Regiment

"Now", the flag sergeant cried,

"Through death and hell betide,

Let the whole nation see

If we are fit to be

Free in this land; or Ground

Down, Like the whining hound-

Bound with red stripes of pain

In our old chains again!"

Oh! What a shout there went

From the black regiment!

From "The Black Regiment" by George Henry Boker

In this 3rd part of my posts on Black History, I would like to tell of Capt. Andre' Cailloux and the Native Guards of La.
They were the first black regiment that was mustered in by the Union Army during the Civil War.
I am interested in these guys because of the connection that I have with them in history. My family fought at the siege of Port Hudson, La. during the war and one did not return. They were in the 1st Al. Vol. Reg. Inf.
They were with the troops from Arkansas had these men as their worthy foe.
The native guards charged the hill that the Alabamians and those from Arkansas held.
So great was their bravery that the confederates risked their lives to carry water to the wounded blacks on the fields. News of the attack and their bravery filled the northern papers. Making way for other blacks to be enlisted. Swelling the ranks of the Union.
But unknowing to the north, the south also took notice and many petitioned the Confederate congress to enlist slaves. Capt. W. C. Oates told congress that if his troops thought they were fighting to keep blacks enslaved, they would pack and go home. The south did start enlisting blacks but it was to late in the war.
Their actions also showed whites that blacks were not under-evolved humans and not more monkey than man.
That they could do what white man could do.
Too bad this lession was not remembered in later years during World War 1 and 2.

Andre' Cailloux was the Captain, who received his civil and military education in Paris, that lead the attack of the Native Guards. He advanced with his arm shattered from a shot and when he advanced forward a cannon shattered the rest of him. His bravery made history in making him the first Black officer killed in American History.

Links of interest:

Andre' Cailloux at Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andre_Cailloux

Article Commemorating Andre' Cailloux's Death at Port Hudson
http://www2.netdoor.com/~jgh/bravery.html

The Black Regiment by George Henry Boker
http://www.civilwarpoetry.org/union/battles/black-regiment.html

Port Hudson
http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/71hudson/71hudson.htm