Norris White marches at Texas State Capitol in CSA uniform
From: Marc Robinson [mrobinson1836@yahoo.com]
Sent: Sunday, July 22, 2012
Compatriots,
Not any of us who know Norris White, Jr. saw this coming, but I am sure once you read the attached statement and view the photos, you will be proud of Mr. White of Palestine, Texas for taking a stand at the Texas State Capitol in Austin this past Saturday in Confederate uniform giving a voice to Black Confederate, Randolph Vesey, and other men like him who proudly served in the Confederate States Army. I feel optimistic that Norris' courageous efforts and future efforts will be fruitful and that the true history of all CSA soldiers be respected and honored by more and more people across the state and country. Norris White is currently traveling Texas, giving presentations to SCV camps, UDC chapters, and other groups as he continues his research on the Black Confederates from Texas for a book on said subject he is in the process of writing. Mr. White is a U.S. Army veteran who served in the Desert Storm conflict and his very close to completing his Master's degree in History at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Mr. White, who also serves on the board of the Museum for East Texas Culture in Palestine was asked in January of 2011 if he would be interested in making a historical presentation to the John H. Reagan Camp 2156, SCV on March 12, 2011 on the subject of Black Confederates. At the
time, he knew very little about the subject, but readily accepted the offer anyway. He then began his research for his presentation. Due to this
research for the presentation and learning more and more facts about these Confederate veterans of color, it sparked a fire in him to do more and more research. Eventually his research, in which much so much primary documentation was found, led Norris to a decision to write a book solely about the Black Confederates from Texas using only the primary sources of documentation. I can't wait for this book to be published some day in the future.
I placed the information and photos provided by Norris White on our camp website at the link below:
http://www.reaganscvcamp.org/Press_Releases/Norris_White_Jr_at_Texas_State_Capitol_July_21_2012.pdf
Deo Vindice!
Marc Robinson
John H. Reagan Camp #2156
Palestine, Texas
***************************************************************************************
From: Norris White [nowhite@embarqmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, July 21, 2012
Today, July 21st, I marched on our state capital to deliver the attached statement.
NW
Norris White, Jr.
Stephen F. Austin State University Graduate History Program
Texas Historical Commission
Preservation Fellows
The below statement and information was shared by Norris White on the Texas State Capitol grounds while wearing a Confederate uniform on July
21, 2012)
I am here on behalf of Randolph Vesey, Primus Kelly, and countless other Black Texans who served in the Confederate Army. Their voices have been omitted from the pages of history; so today, I shall speak for them.
“CONFEDERATE HISTORY IS OUR HISTORY TOO!!!”
TEXAS HISTORICAL MARKERS
Randolph Vesey - Decatur, Wise County, Texas
Marker #: 5497004194-
Respected Negro citizen and homeowner. Champion pioneer fiddler, popular at Forts Belknap, Griffin and Richardson and over county. Once when he was an Indian captive, held in Kansas, Texans sent ponies to ransom him. He is buried in Oak Lawn, Decatur. Born in Georgia. He served during the Civil War as body servant and voluntary battle aide to General W. L. Cabel of the Confederate army. Vesey's courage and loyalty were typical. Hundreds of slaves went to war with masters. Many operated farms and ranches of soldiers away at war, producing cotton and food for the Confederacy. Others did work for hire, with wages supporting the master's family. On patrol duty they protected homes from Indians, bandits, outlaws. During War years, 1861-1865, some 30,000 to 50,000 Negros - free and slaves - aided Confederate armies. They served with the Nitre and Mining Bureau and departments of medicine, engineers, quartermaster general, ordnance and commissary general. They built fortifications on coasts from Brownsville, Texas, to Norfolk, Virginia, and at inland points. Many were army teamsters, wheelwrights, blacksmiths, butchers, shoemakers, cooks, and nurses. Texas and other states later provided land grants and pensions for army. (1965)
Primus Kelly - Navasota, Grimes County, Texas
Marker #: 5185008592 -
A faithful Negro slave. Came to nearby Courtney, Grimes County in 1851 with his master, John W. S. West from North Carolina. West was a prominent and wealthy pioneer planter and landowner. At the outbreak of the Civil War, West sent Kelly "to take care" of his three sons-- Robert M., Richard and John Haywood-- who joined the famous Terry's Texas Rangers, where they served with distinction. Kelly was not content "to wait on" his charges but joined them in battle, firing his own musket and cap and ball pistol. Twice Kelly brought to Texas the wounded Richard, twice took him to the front again. After war, bought a small farm near "Marse Robert", raised a large family and prospered. Died in 1890s. The courage and loyalty of Kelly was typical of most Texas Negro slaves. Hundreds "went to war" with their masters. Many operated the farms and ranches of soldiers away at war, producing food, livestock, cotton and clothing for the Confederacy. Others, did outside work to support their master's families. They protected homes from Indians, bandits and deserters and did community guard and patrol duty. At war's end, most slaves, like Primus Kelly, became useful and productive citizens of Texas.
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