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An Open Letter & Open Report / Travelers Rest, South Carolina / Conversations In The Streets
From: “HK Edgerton” [hk.edgerton@gmail.com]
Date: Oct 13, 2019
Subject: An Open Letter & Open Report / Travelers Rest, South Carolina / Conversations In The Streets
To: “LM S” [Lunelle63@gmail.com]Dear Ms. Lunelle,
On Saturday morning, October 12, 2019, I would don the uniform of the Southern soldier, made my way to Travelers Rest, South Carolina, and posted the Southern Cross in the driveway entrance of Dixie Republic, a lead apparel of Southern clothes and merchandise store on Highway 25.
No sooner than I had posted the colors than would folks passing by would begin waving, honking their car horns and shouting out the Rebel Yell.
After about an hour of waving, posing for pictures and returning the Rebel Yell, I noticed a car on the northbound side of Highway 25 filled with Black folks who slowed to almost a complete stop in the roadway, pointing to me as they hung out the window of the car. Too far away for me to make out what they were saying.
The same car made a U-turn and headed back to where I stood. “Sir,” came the proclamation from the young woman driver, “what are you doing? Don’t you know that you are shaming us?” As if by cue before I could answer, the sound of car horns blaring and, clearly, the sound of HK could be heard.
“Baby,” I said, “this is the great state of South Carolina. Why don’t you drive on down the road to Columbia. And when you get there, go over to the Museum of the Confederacy and purchase a book about the Black Confederate soldiers who drew pensions, and read about those who refused the pensions because they did not trust the Government that oft had Southern scalawags, carpetbaggers, and lingering Northern military Governor rule. They chose to return home with their former masters. Shame for me, baby, is to deny the honor of the Black Confederate soldier and his family back at the home place who made the implements of war, provided the food stuffs for General Lee’s beleaguered army, stayed at home and protected the home place the best they could from an army with orders to rage total warfare on the defenseless old men, women and children. And, not to forget, the Landstrum of Africans who were present and willing to serve their homeland in whatever capacity was needed. Shame for me is to deface the Cenotaphs of the integrated army and the Christian flag that was drug off it in shame because of a photoshopped picture, and a false narrative against our homeland for far too long. Should not the honorable service to the South by these Africans and their Black Confederate heroes be remembered and memorialized? What about Levi Carnine, Holt Collier, Dr. Alexander Darnes, Napoleon Nelson, Rev. Mack Lee, Polk Arnold, Minerva Morgan, Christopher Columbus Quarls ……..”
“Oh hell,” she interrupted, stomping the gas pedal of her car as I tried to dodge the rocks that were now flying all around me.
I shall never forget the looks of bewilderment coming from the passengers in her car, especially from the one who was trying to explain the moment into some sort of electronic device he had in hand.
After a while, I would enter the store and remind the owner the Honorable Scott Goldsmith who had journeyed 20 miles alongside my brother and I on the Historic March Across Dixie, that the 17 year anniversary would begin on Monday, October 14, 2019. And that I hoped that I could raise enough funds to make it a memorable occasion. God bless you!
Your brother,
HK
Chairman, Board of Advisors Emeritus, Southern Legal Resource Center
Member, Save Southern Heritage Florida
Recipient, Virginia Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Robert E. Lee Award
Recipient, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis Medal
Honorary Life Member, Bradford Rose Camp 1638, Sons of Confederate Veterans
Honorary Life Member, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia Orders of the Confederate Rose
Recipient, National Sons of Confederate Veterans, H.L. Hunley Award
Honorary Life Member, Forest Orphans Camp 1744, Sons of Confederate Veterans
Honorary Life Member, Texas Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans
President, Southern Heritage 411
