5th Regiment Tennessee Infantry "E" Company
"We serve with a purpose, to Honor and Preserve"
| "In Memoriam" |
Herein, we respectfully remember and honour those present day 5th Tennesseans, who have, quoting: "cross over the river, and rest in the shade of the trees." Yes, each is truly missed, and frequently, something spoken or happening, brings their memory coursing back as the bibical flood. It is frequently commented, participants, in this hobby develop a closeness truly permitting us, to say, we are a 'band of brothers.' As you view the pictures and read the commentaries, you are encouraged, to furnish pictures, stories, and personal remembrances, of a member, and within space limitations, we shall endeavor to insert all furnished. First, is a listing, "Roll Call," of the departed members, followed by a segment dedicated specifically, to each individual. In the "Roll Call" you will notice that each individuals name is listed three (3) times. This is in keeping with military practice during Unit roll call, when a member fails to answer the first call, their name is called a second time, and if no answer, their name is called a third and final time. If an answer is not forthcoming after being called thrice, the individual is then removed from the active duty roster. The 5th Tennessee, chooses, to maintain, the individual, on our Roster as respectfully performing: "Guard Duty - Heaven." Each shall be listed, in the order, by which they were summonsed from this life, to perform their Heavenly Duty. Therefore, the last to depart, shall be first listed. |
5th Regiment Tennessee Infantry |
"E" Company |
"ROLL CALL!" |
DUTY |
MEMBER |
Green, Richard; Green, Richard; Green, Richard: |
Guard Duty - Heaven |
Guard Duty - Heaven |
Strain, Wade; Strain, Wade; Strain, Wade: |
Goddard, Ronald; Goddard, Ronald; Goddard, Ronald: |
Guard Duty - Heaven |
Stokes, Howard; Stokes, Howard; Stokes, Howard: |
Guard Duty - Heaven |
Guard Duty - Heaven |
| Anderson, Andy; Anderson, Andy; Anderson, Andy: |
"Captain Green's tent, Franklin, Tennessee" |
"Richard Green, Captain" |
Wade Strain was a member of "E" Company 5th Regiment Tennessee Infantry, for an all too exiguous period, of time, but during that time, he made a lasting impression upon the membership. Being, in Wade's presence, a limited number, of times, places those, of us, who first met him through the War For Southern Independence re-enacting circuit, at a disadvantage for related stories. With humble appreciation, we have graciously been furnished with "Wade Strain memories" by one who truly knows him, his Mother, Mrs. Elaine Strain. With sincere gratitude, portions, of a loving Mother's letter are honourably presented here: |
"The week before Wade died, we had the opportunity, to spend, a lot, of time, with him. On Saturday he had a Halloween party at his house and he dressed, in his Civil War Confederate soldier attire. He really enjoyed history and though he thought that the North should have won the war because, of the issue of slavery and unity, he enjoyed participating, in battle reenactments, as a Confederate soldier. That Sunday we had taken him out on Lake Malone, to explore caves ,we found from the water and, to see the changing, of the leaves, as Fall was nearly spent. It was a very good day. One, of the caves Wade entered, he was very excited because he had found evidence that an owl fed there. The following day, Halloween, Wade brought Emma, his five (5) year old daughter, after work, to all the families, who loved her, so they could see her all dressed up. Again Wade spent special time with each family. |
"On the morning Wade died, he had gone to work out of town, in Newburg, Indiana rebuilding a building damaged by a tornado, but it was raining there, so they called it a rain day and several from the group planned, to meet, and hike a Civil War prison camp, or holding area, on the Green River. Wade was, on his way, to that location, Paradise, Kentucky, the day being All Saints' Day. His Confederate jacket was, on the front seat, of his car. The road he traveled had been open less than two weeks, since they had added a loop addition, on the opposing side, of Frederica Street. The two ends, of the new street, lined up perfectly and the main thoroughfare , the through street, disappeared between them. Wade continued out into the path, of a truck. |
"Wade Strain, Private, in camp, in field!" |
"The emergency personnel worked, on Wade, very rapidly, at the scene, and, in the Emergency Department, but to not avail. It was a hard day, a long day. When it finally ended, Gary and I stood at home, in the twilight, on the deck, looking at the world around us knowing that nothing would be the same again for us. Life had changed. It was then we heard the owls. Two, of them, calling to one another, in language, I had not heard before. Very much like words. "Come on." "Not yet." We listened silently for a long time. |
"A picture, of Wade, in his Confederate coat, was used, in the Obituary and they buried him, in that jacket, as well since he had laid it out, on the front seat, of his car, before he died. |
"Wade's casket came from a friend who sold Amish handmade furniture. Wade had seen it, actually undoaded it from the truck. He so admired the wood he showed it to Zoe and said "now that looks like a woodworkers casket." Zoe acquired it for Wade. He looked like he was supposed to be in it and barely fit. Zoe's dad, Eddie felt Wade would want the reenactors, to shoot over his grave, and called Gary, to ask about this. He also wanted a pow-wow around a camp fire with men who cared about him. Gary planned the fire for the night, of the funeral and told Eddie he would work, on the reenactors. |
"Visitation, on Thursday, Wade looked beautiful. Not like the Wade, in life, but like the man preparing for company. Reenactors, one of which was you Michael, came to pay respects and we were able, to ask, if they would organize a shoot over his grave after the service. They were honored. Fellow dulcimer players came and offered, to play, some music before the service and the entire club decided, to come. Prayer and the lovely years we had shared with Wade made, it easy for me, to talk, to visitors, about the positives, in his life, and , in his death. It was a good day. We honored him. |
"Pvt. Strain showing and playing his Dulcimer." |
"Friday was the service at Saint Anthony's. We came early so we could greet people who had not come by yet. Gary bent over, to move a flower pot, and two buttons jumped off his suit. It was not tight. We were both surprised. He put them in his pocket and later when the reenactors were cutting off a button from their jackets and putting them in the casket to honor the lost soldier, Gary put his buttons in too. He decided Wade had asked for them. Dulcimers played softly,to a full church, before the service began and folks, in the pews, hummed. The music and the liturgy were beautiful. After prayers were said at the grave, the reenactors, seven (7), of them, shot three (3) times, for a twenty-one (21) gun salute. Even their fourteen (14) year old drummer was there. It was beautiful. That night was the most beautiful sunset I had ever seen. The guys also had their camp fire. |
"On Saturday, we went back to remove the rest, of the flowers, and flew kites, on the hill, with Emma, Wade's five (5) year old daughter. We noticed a gentleman was at Wade's grave, we did not know. He told us he was a friend through reenacting, but for the North and that Wade called him "the Crazy Yankie." He said that Wade could not have been buried in a better place. He had researched the only battle in Daviess County, the Battle of Sutherland Hill. The Confederates had fought their retreat over three separate paths, that day and one path laid directly across our cemetery. So, Wade is buried in history. |
"Elaine" |
From these loving words, those never having the pleasure, of meeting Wade Strain, can feel the warmth and diversity, of his character. I was fortunate, to reenact with Pvt. Strain, even if the period, of time, was short, but whether, on the field or, in camp, he was a pleasure. A memory I have, which is reinforced at each happening, in which I participate, is when Pvt. Strain fired his 'rifled musket' immediately following the report, he could be heard, to utter a chuckle! In memory, of Pvt. Wade Strain, during an event, upon firing our muskets, we "chuckle," in honour and memory, of our 'brother!' |
"Honor Guard formation and firing Salute!" |
. |
"Ron Goddard, Private" |
"Ron and Grandson, affectionately known to "E" Company as "Chopper!"" |
Those, of us who first met, and then came to know Howard Stokes, via the War For Southern Independence re-enacting circuit, experienced a true example, of a Southern Gentleman. A complete Howard Stokes biography would require volumes, which I shall not attempt. One, that truly knows Howard, and who graciously furnished me with a letter, written from her heart, is his sister Mrs. Linda Stokes Fritz. With sincere gratitude, portions, of a loving sister's letter are honourably presented here: |
"My Dearest Brother Howard: |
"You came into my life August 21, 1955. I didn't know much about what having a brother would be like, even though I was almost seven years old. But you sure had caused great excitement in the family leading up to that date. |
"Even today when visiting Florida, I think of our first vacation with you to Panama City. You spent practically the whole week standing on the white sandy beaches eating cornbread. You kept Mom inside cooking cornbread for you all week. |
"Mom always loved to tell the story when I was in the 4-H Talent Show and you began singing the song "Charlie Brown" to everyone in the audience, and to everybody on the stage, and to everybody behind the stage. All I could say was, "that's my Brother." |
"When I cook steak even today, I think of the time you ate with me after I married and you ate all the steak patties I had bought for dinner that night. I was always a little leery afterwards over the years about asking you if you wanted any more, afraid I might not have enough to fill you. |
"Howard Stokes, Private" |
"You know my two most treasured gifts I have came from you. Of all the dolls I have, the Oriental doll you purchased for me on your first grade trip to the Nashville Children's Museum stands at number ONE with a tag marked "Priceless" on it. Daddy had given you a dollar to spend and you spent seventy-five cents for me a doll. That is the one thing I would enter a burning house to retrieve. The painting of "The Door" stands at number two where it hangs at the back door for people to see when they enter, numbered and signed. |
"I always enjoyed the discussions around the table we had on Biblical subjects and I always marveled at your knowledge and understanding. But you were the deep thinker and philosophical one in the family who had inherited Daddy's wisdom. What will I do without that wisdom? I could go on and on with so many memories. |
"I have been asked if you, Jeff and I were alike. I would always reply with the words, "You hear Jeff and me when we enter a room, but you sense a great presence when Howard quietly enters into a room." |
"We all remember you opening the door to the waiting room and proclaiming with a huge smile, on your face, and with the words, "It's a boy!" when Jackson was born. Again I thought - another male in my life. But Daddy always worried about the Stokes name being carried on into the future generations." |
"Your memory will always be with me the rest of my days and upon the face of the earth. And so until I cross over from the shade of the tree and you come to meet me at the river, I must say good-bye. |
"Good-bye Howard, my dearest brother Howard. |
"From your loving sister, |
"Linda" |
Howard Stokes and son Jackson Stokes, and Yes! the little boy, in both, beautifully shines through! |
From these loving words, those never having the pleasure, of meeting Howard Stokes, can feel the warmth and diversity of his character. I dispute not a word, but recall Howard from my re-enacting experiences, for at least, during the first volley fired from our rifled muskets, no one could mistake the fact, the "Stokes Boys" were, on the field! Habitually, they "double loaded" the first round, and upon firing, the report from their muskets was characterized as "light artillery!" Any time or place I hear a light artillery report, I immediately think of Howard Stokes. |
"Andy Anderson, Private" |
