^■yys 
 
 '•//^ 
 
Digitized by the Internet Arciiive 
 in 2010 witii funding from 
 Tine Library of Congress 
 
 http://www.arcliive.org/details/officersmembersmOOyall 
 
E 483 
 .99 
 .Y22 
 Copy 1 
 
 u 
 
 allerfjammerg 
 
 of THL 5TATL OF ALABAMA 
 
 tt 
 
 
 ^J'^^ip]L^^^uXs^ 
 
 
 V 
 
 V 
 
 
 0^^ ^ H^,jju.\.^j^ 
 
 (Blr 
 
 iTvA^ irv\>>^^ 
 
 X 
 
 tlJl^. 
 
 Not in Wordt hut in Deed 
 Is the Little Yallerhamtner^s Creed 
 

 The Bornin^ of the 
 "Yallerhammer Idea" 
 
 Born and reared in the country, and coming to the 
 city after I was fifty years of age, there was nothing 
 that so impressed me with the city life, as the disposition 
 to let go the grip on the traditions, sentiment and cus- 
 toms of long ago. 
 
 I realize the necessity of any people lopping off the 
 things that are not worth while, but when it comes to let- 
 ting slip the things that "exalteth a nation" then I am 
 sure there should be some endeavor made to get back into 
 the olden paths. 
 
 My life of three score years and two, had taught me that 
 all reforms to be permanent, must be stamped into the 
 hearts and minds of the children, so benefitting from this 
 lesson, I looked about me for a nucleous, and what better 
 selection could I make, than to take my seed corn from 
 that stock of men, whose glory and honor were their 
 women and children. 
 
 And when that crux period came into the lives of them- 
 selves and their country, they found that this glory and 
 honor Mtti was returned a hundred fold. 
 
 Fifty years ago, the men of this South-land looked 
 upon women as the highest ideal of a pure and holy life, 
 and saw to it that her name and fame were kept inviolate, 
 but today this has all but passed away, and we find 
 men and women meeting in the common arena of life, 
 vieing only as to who can wring most of the gold out of 
 this "mad money wrangle." 
 
 With this new creed of commercialism coming to the 
 front, we find the old time honor and defference paid to 
 women, and that beautiful courtesy of the women and 
 children is fast becoming a thing of the past. 
 
 So from the loins of these men of fifty years since I 
 have selected my bunch of little "Yallerhammers," tiny 
 
models, fresh from the hands of the Great Master Build- 
 ei of the Universe; ideals that our Lord Himself hath de- 
 clared to be "Types of the Kingdom of Heaven." 
 
 And it shall be my purpose and my aim to simply teach 
 these little ones, those things that made the men and 
 women of the Old South the wonder and admiration of 
 the world; and when the battle of life is over with me, 
 and the taps are about to be sounded, no higher tribute 
 do I desire than that every one of these little ones may say 
 that the lessons taught them by me had made of them 
 better boys or better men, better girls or better women. 
 
 THE SEED CORN FROM WHICH "THE YALLER- 
 HAMMERS" GREW. 
 
 In the spring of 1905 there would come to the home of 
 Morgan S. Gilmer at 302 Alabama Street in the city of 
 Montgomery, a few little girls for the purpose of gather- 
 ing and stringing the old Four-0-Clock flower that grew 
 there is such profusion; this coming together soon grew 
 into the formation of the "Four-0-Clock" club with the 
 following members and the following constitution: 
 
 NAME: "THE FOUR-0-CLOCK CLUB." 
 
 OBJECT: To string Four-O-Clocks, and to make each 
 other happy. 
 
 MEMBERSHIP. 
 
 All of the active members shall be girls, not over twelve 
 years of age. And no one will be admitted to this club 
 who chews gum, or who uses bad language. 
 
 MEETINGS. 
 
 The members will meet promptly at six o'clock, and re- 
 main in session until all of the Four-O-Clocks are strung, 
 and all of the ice cream is eaten. 
 
 DUES. 
 
 There will be an admission fee of three kisses, which 
 are to be paid promptly to the Honorary President. 
 
OFFICERS. 
 
 There shall be one Honorary President who will be 
 elected for life. One active President, who shall be elected 
 on the first Monday in May, and shall serve for one year, 
 and it shall be her duty to see that all of the members 
 faithfully keep the rules, and that no rude or bad girl is to 
 become a permanent member of this club. 
 
 FINES. 
 
 Any member violating any of these rules will be made to 
 stand in the corner with her mouth poked out for ten 
 minutes. 
 
 MOTTO: 
 
 "Who cannot find God in the heart of a child, will never 
 know Him within Cathedral walls." 
 
 OUR PRAYER. 
 
 "Guide Thou our feet in Holy ways. 
 Shine on us in our darkest days. 
 Uphold us till our life is past, 
 Then bring us safe to Heaven at last." 
 
 NAMES OF MEMBERS. 
 
 MORGAN S. GILMER, Honorary President. 
 
 OCTAVIA HOLT, Active President. 
 May Steiner 
 Celia Stratford 
 Erline Minderhout 
 Berta Holt 
 Maxine Mayer 
 Dorothy Hannon 
 
 In October, 1906, the Honorary President moved from 
 this the Four-0-Clock house to 407 High Street, and here 
 there were no Four-0-Clocks and no room to grow them, 
 so they were confronted with the problem of what to do 
 with the Four-0-Clock club, as it would never do to have 
 such a club and no Four-0-Clocks to string. 
 
Not being willing to abandon their very pleasant meet- 
 ing together, they informally decided to resolve them- 
 selves into the "Yallarhammer" club. 
 
 After adopting this name it was suggested that their 
 membership be increased to thirteen — the number of the 
 Confederate States — but to this they would not consent, 
 contending that this was an unlucky number and was 
 the cause of the unsuccessful effort of the South to main- 
 tain her independence. But it was decided to simply dou- 
 ble this number making it twenty-six. 
 
 This informal organization was ever ready and willing 
 to lend their aid and assistance to any appeal made to 
 them for the old soldiers or for the cause which they con- 
 tended for. 
 
 While these little children had always fought shy of 
 any publicity, yet at times they were forced to do so in 
 order to successfully accomplish their desired end. 
 
 Their first appearance before the public, was at the 
 State Reunion held in Montgomery in 1907, and their 
 unique appearance in the parade on that occasion created 
 much enthusiasm (and again on Memorial Day they were 
 given the special privilege of bestowing the Crosses of 
 Honor upon twenty-six of the Veterans in the name of the 
 several Chapters of the Daughters of the Confederacy.) 
 At which time Edward Terry thus addressed the Veter- 
 ans: 
 "My Dear Grand Fathers: 
 
 Because your Daughters have let us give you your 
 Crosses of Honor, makes this the proudest day that has 
 ever come into the lives of your little "Yallerhammer" 
 Grand Children. 
 
 "And we want to tell you now, that when you have 
 gone out from among us, and your Daughters and your 
 Sons have been called to join you in the Great Beyond, 
 that we are going to take up this task of keeping your 
 graves and your memory green, and to teach the children 
 of this Southland, that for all that was pure, for all 
 that was noble and for all that was brave, this was the 
 Confederate States soldier. 
 
 "And now with faces uplifted looking into that of our 
 Heavenly Father, we pray to Him 
 
 'Guide Thou your feet in Holy ways. 
 
Shine on you in your darkest days, 
 Uphold you 'till your life is past, 
 Then bring you safe to Heaven at last.' " 
 On the 13th day of February, 1908, (unlucky 13 again) 
 the "Yallerhammers' were formally organized at the home 
 of the Honorary President, 407 High Street, with the 
 following Constitution and membership : 
 
 CONSTITUTION. 
 
 This club shall be called the "YALLERHAMMERS" in 
 honor and memory of the Alabama soldiers of the war 
 of 1861 to 1865. 
 
 Its purpose shall be: 
 
 First. To teach its members and all the world, that 
 for all that was noble, for all that was pure, and for ai! 
 that was brave, this was the Confederate States soldier. 
 
 Second. To teach the old time honesty, the old time 
 truthfulness, and the old time nobility and politeness that 
 made the old time man and woman of Alabama loved and 
 honored wherever known. 
 
 Third. To make boys that would be boys among men 
 but men among boys. 
 
 Fourth. To make little girls that will be little girls 
 among women but little women among girls. 
 
 MEMBERS. 
 
 All members of this club except the charter members, 
 must be descendants of a Confederate Soldier, and be not 
 over fourteen years old. The number of its members 
 shall never exceed twenty-six. 
 
 OFFICERS. 
 
 Its officers shall be a President, elected for life, and he . 
 shall appoint a secretary who shall hold at his pleasure. 
 
 MEETINGS. 
 Our meetings shall be held at the call of the President. 
 
DUES. 
 
 Our dues shall be paid in the old time coin of the 
 South, love to each other, polite and courteous to every 
 one, especially to older people. 
 
 OUR DAILY RULE OF LIVING. 
 
 "To love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all 
 our soul and with all our mind, our neighbors as our- 
 selves.' 
 
 OUR DAILY PRAYER. 
 
 Guide Thou our feet in Holy ways, 
 Shine on us in out darkest days, 
 Uphold us 'til our life is past, 
 Then bring us safe to Heaven at last." 
 
 ROLL OF MEMBERS. 
 
 Honorary. 
 Mrs. Morgan S. Gilmer, Mother Yallerhammer 
 Genl. Geo. P. Harrison, Opelika, Ala. 
 Mrs. W. A. Gause, Memphis, Tenn. 
 Miss Mary Perkins, Memphis, Tenn. 
 
 CHARTER MEMBERS. 
 
 MORGAN S. GILMKR. Life President. 
 
 1 Majore Allen 
 
 2 Mary Burnett 
 
 3 Thomas Cohoon 
 
 4 Alice Chapman 
 
 5 Warren Dent 
 
 6 William Crist 
 
 7 Mary Gilchrist 
 
 8 Dorothy Hannon 
 
 9 Octavia Holt 
 
 10 Berta Holt 
 
 11 Louise Johnson 
 
 12 Theodosia Lee 
 
 13 Maxine Mayer 
 
7* 
 
 14 Erline Minderhout 
 
 15 Katherine Powell 
 
 16 Allen Reynolds 
 
 17 Jordan Reynolds 
 
 18 Anie Spann 
 
 19 May Steiner 
 
 20 Celia Stratford 
 
 21 Annie Terry 
 
 22 Edward Terry 
 
 23 James Wade 
 
 24 Annie Whaley 
 
 25 Janice Weil 
 
 26 Ernest Wilkinson 
 
 This club having been declared to have a fixed standing 
 among the Confederate organizations of the State of Ala- 
 bama, by Dr. Thomas M. Owen the Director of Archives, 
 added new zeal to its membership. 
 
 Each of the little ones striving to their utmost to 
 live up to the very spirit of their constitution, and so 
 pronounced were they along these lines, that it became to 
 be a recognized fact, to be a "Yallerhammer" meant to 
 be truthful, honest and polite. Eager always to hear the 
 plea of the needy, ready always to do what their little 
 hands and hearts could do for the cause they loved so 
 well. 
 
 At a meeting held under the auspices of Camp Lomax to 
 devise ways and means for the securing of funds to build 
 a Memorial Arch for the members of this Camp, the "Yal- 
 lerhammers" pledged the expense of chiseling the names 
 of twenty-six Veterans of this Memorial Arch. 
 
 The general Reunion of the United Confederate Vet- 
 erans, coming on in Memphis, Tenn., on the 8-9-10 of 
 June 1909, they wished to represent the "Yallerhammer" 
 soldier of Alabama. 
 
 And in order that they might be allowed to do so, a 
 letter was written to Genl. John H. McDowell, chief Mar 
 shall of that Reunion, requesting that a position be given 
 them, the correspondence that follows is fully explained 
 in his letter after the Reunion was over. 
 
 That we were arranging to have these little ones to pai*- 
 
ticipate in that parade, in some way came to be known to 
 Mr. Stark, Chairman of the floral parade which was to 
 come off the first day of that Reunion, who immediately 
 wrote Mr. Gilmer, asking him to join with his "Yaller- 
 hammers" in this parade. 
 
 This invitation was heartily appreciated, but we were 
 compelled to decline, on account of not being able to bear 
 the expense of such a float, and so wrote Mr. Stark. 
 
 This letter being turned over to Mrs. W. A. Cause 
 the Director of one of the Children chapters, she assum- 
 ed the responsibility for all expense, and proposed to fur- 
 nish at a cost of sixty dollars a float that would do credit 
 to Memphis and at the same time through the "Yaller- 
 hammers' honor the Alabama soldier. Of course such 
 generosity could not be ignored by the "Yallerhammers" 
 and notified Mrs. Cause of their acceptance. 
 
 True to their promise, at the appointed time and place 
 for the floral parade, the "Yallerhammers" found their 
 nest of yellow chrysanthemums, and it was soon filled 
 with the little ones, but as Mrs. Cause had been unable 
 to carry out her idea of having a "Yallerhammer" bird 
 made of yellow flowers, she had to substitute a "YAL- 
 LERHAMMER" of the CREY variety, a substitution 
 not at all objectionable to the old yallerhammer. 
 
 This nest was drawn by four large black horses, which 
 were led by a footman for each horse, with the yellow 
 trimings and trappings of the Alabama "Yallerhammers." 
 
 This was indeed a pretty sight and one that was en- 
 joyed by all who saw it. 
 
 But beautiful as it was it did not compare with the 
 parade of the old Veterans. 
 
 Our wagonette, a new one, drawn by four magnificent 
 greys, with the Alabama penant on each one, and from 
 the wagonette on each side hung the banner, "A YALLER- 
 HAMMERS NEST." 
 
 We were assigned a position just in the rear of the Ala- 
 bama sponsers, and had just fairly commenced to move off 
 in the main line of the parade, when the Assistant Mar- 
 shalls, not knowing of the private agreement to allow the 
 "Yallerhammers" a position, ordered them out of the line, 
 and allowed the whole calvary division to pass on ahead 
 of them. 
 
By this time it had been discovered that they were not 
 in the position assigned when immediately aids and mar- 
 shalls were hurrying down the line bringing everything 
 to a halt. This being done the Calvary division were or- 
 dered to open ranks allowing the "Yallerhammers" to 
 pass through and thus regain their appointed position. 
 
 All the while, no one could fail to see as they looked out 
 into the faces of these people that the "Yallerhammers" 
 were the feature of the day. 
 
 They are now rounding out of Poplar into Main, and 
 see that longing, eager, exultant look of that vast multi- 
 tude of humanity as they crowd up to the very wheels 
 rim of their wagonette, and then the simultaneous roar 
 of "Hooray for the Yallerhammers," And from block to 
 block this mighty acclaim, gathers more and more of the 
 spirit, more and more of the feeling of this gi'eat throng 
 of people, but listen, a great hush has fallen upon this 
 sea of human beings, and we hear breaking out from this 
 the "Yallerhammers" nest the angelic voices of these chil- 
 dren as they sing "Tenting on the old camp ground." 
 
 And yet the crowning time is to come. 
 
 As this thin grey line of Veterans begin to double back 
 on itself and pass each other in review. The first sight 
 of these little ones, and recognize them as the Grandchil- 
 dren of their companions of forty-five years ago, then 
 once more do we hear that Rebel roar, not of the kind 
 that means to do or to die, but a roar of gladness and 
 exultation, and so furious did their demonstration become, 
 that it was soon found necessary to station four police- 
 men about to keep the old soldiers from pulling them all 
 out of their nest, and from then until they turned out of 
 line the "Yallerhammers" were strictly in it. 
 
 After the Reunion, Genl. McDowell had this to say in 
 the Nashville Banner: 
 
 "During the civil war, the Alabama soldiers wore yel- 
 low stripes on their trousers, and the soldiers of the other 
 States called the Alabamians "Yallerhammers" and when 
 passing them would holler like a Yallerhammer. 
 
 Mr. Morgan S. Gilmer, of Montgomery, Ala., ornament- 
 ed a wagonette for the Confederate parade during the 
 recent Reunion at Memphis. 
 
 This wagonette was filled with Alabama girls ranging 
 from eight to fifteen years of age. These Southern beau- 
 
10 
 
 ties represented "Yallerhammers." It made a very at- 
 tractive feature of the Reunion parade and was much en- 
 joyed by the old soldiers and others. 
 
 Genl. John H. McDowell as chief marshall, made this 
 feature the only exception to his published order, and Mr. 
 Gilmer has written Genl. McDowell a letter of apprecia- 
 tion, in which he says : 
 
 "You will never know the pleasure you gave to me and 
 my little "Yallerhammers" at the Memphis Reunion. But 
 I do wish to express to you as well as I can the apprecia- 
 tion of your kindness in allowing us to participate in this 
 parade of the Old Veterans. I am sure it is an epoch in 
 the lives of these little ones that will never be efaced, and 
 one that in future years they will look to it as one of their 
 hallowed days. Through me the children offer to you the 
 wide open door to all of their nests, and join with me in 
 their daily prayer." 
 
 When it was determined to hold a memorial service in 
 honor of the birth of Raphael Semmes, the "Yallerham- 
 mers" authorized the invitation committee to draw on them 
 for the expense of that committee, as well as the expense 
 of the orator of the occasion, amounting to $21.00. 
 
 As a compliment to this generosity, their President was 
 given the honor of introducing the orator Capt. Fred S. 
 Ferguson who at one time was the tutor of Mr. Gilmer. 
 
 At the meeting in May, this being the last until October, 
 the Treasurer's report was read and ordered spread upon 
 the minutes. 
 
 Check to Mrs. McKen-ell to cover the expense of 
 
 invitation committee of the Semmes Memorial $15 00 
 
 Check to Capt. F. S. Ferguson, Orator of the day... 6 00 
 
 Check to Haygood for a wagonette for the old 
 Veterans on the day of the parade at the 
 State Reunion 10 00 
 
 Check to cover the expense of Veteran Jesse G. 
 
 Mills to Mobile to attend the General Reunion.... 6 00 
 
 Balance in bank 5 00 
 
 Total $41 40 
 
 The medal for the child living the nearest to the ideal 
 "Yallerhammer' was awarded to Dorothy Hannon. 
 
11 
 
 THE YALLERHAMMERS GO TO A CAMP MEETING. 
 
 On Thursday night the little "Yallerhammers' took -i 
 peep in on their Grand daddies just to see what they did 
 at a Camp meeting. No doubt they had visions of sermons, 
 shoutings, etc etc., and in this they were not disappointed 
 as will be seen later on. 
 
 After the business of the camp had been disposed of, 
 Mr. Gilmer briefly reviewed the constitution of the "Yal- 
 lerhammers" and by it impressed his fellow comrades with 
 the fact that the organization was based along patriotic 
 lines, he then presented the little ones to the Camp. 
 
 After words of welcome, which were plainly seen to come 
 from the hearts of these Veterans, Mary Burnett, the 
 treasurer, came forward and standing just by the side 
 of that Venerable and Honorable old "Yallerhammer" 
 Col. John W. A. Sanford, she thus addressed the Vet- 
 erans : , 
 "To our Honored Sires of Camp Lomax: 
 
 We, your Grand childi-en, the little "Yallerhammers," 
 wish this night to say to you, that we have not been un- 
 mindful of the pledge we voluntarily made you more than 
 a year ago, a pledge that we would bear the expense of 
 chiseling the names of twenty-six Veterans of Camp Lo- 
 max on your Memorial Arch when erected. 
 
 We have been informed that the cost per name will bj 
 foi-ty cents each, this will bring our pledge up to ten 
 dollars and foi-ty cents. 
 
 ,We are very proud to be able to hand you this night 
 a check to cover this amount. 
 
 And now praying that to the remnant of the Veterans 
 of Camp Lomax, there may come many years of sunshine 
 and joy, and at last when the little Cross is chisselled op- 
 posite your name and for the last time you have answered 
 the roll call here, it will be but to pass "over the river 
 and rest under the shade of the trees." 
 
 ,And then the little Israelite "in whom there is no guile" 
 (Maxine Mayer) made her plea known in no uncertain 
 tone. 
 "To the Veterans of Camp Lomax: 
 
 We are here tonight to make two requests of your Camp. 
 
 The first one is, that you will permit your little "Yaller- 
 hammers' to deposit in the base of your Memorial Arch, 
 
their Constitution and other emblems of their order, this 
 to be done if you see fit, at the same time that your exer- 
 cises of a similar nature are held. 
 
 Our second request is, that you as a Camp will use your 
 influence in having passed a resolution that will be intro- 
 duced at your next State Reunion, looking to the per- 
 petuation of the "Yallerhammers" and of their adoption 
 by the United Confederate Veterans of the State of Ala- 
 bama. 
 
 This latter request is made, because for the remaining 
 years of your lives, we want to live so close to you, th^t 
 we shall hear from your own lips, the story of the Cross 
 Barred Flag which you so long and so well upheld. 
 
 We now offer for you the prayer that is the daily one 
 of every "Yalerhammer." 
 
 And now comes the realization of their dreams of a 
 Camp Meeting. Comrade Washburn delivered to them a 
 sermon of love, spoken with deep and intense feeling, 
 commending their purpose, and urging them to be ever 
 mindful of their "Yallerhamer" creed. 
 
 And after this the acclaims of Amen and Amen by the 
 whole Camp, was an evidence to them that indeed they 
 had been to a veritable Camp meeting. 
 
 On November the 5th, 1910, the question of the en- 
 largement and the perpetuation of the organization, was 
 taken up and discussed at much length. 
 
 The plan of organization after discussion as to whether 
 we should place ourselves under the fostering care of one 
 of the several Confederate organizations, was unanimous- 
 ly decided, and with one voice, that it should be the Ala- 
 bama Division of the United Confederate Veterans. 
 
 The President then said that some constitution, embody- 
 ing the regulation under which the organization should be 
 carried out would be necessary. And said further that 
 such a Constitution containing a few simple rules not hard 
 to understand or difficult to keep, had with the assistance 
 of Dr. Thos. M. Owen, the Director of Archives, been pre- 
 pared. 
 
 This was read and after a few changes adopted. 
 
 It was here stated that since they woutd request to be 
 taken under the wing of the Alabama Division of the 
 U. C. V. they ought to submit through Camp Lomax 
 
13 
 
 No. 151 a resolution, such resolution to contain a state- 
 ment of our resolution to the Division. 
 
 The President then read to them a resolution which he 
 was sure the delegation from Camp Lomax would willing- 
 ly present. The resolution as follows was then read and 
 adopted : 
 
 In the belief that the history of the Confederacy and the 
 Confederate soldier is largely dependent, not only for its 
 vindication, but for its preservation in unsullied purity 
 and truth, upon the present generation and the genera- 
 tions to come, the Alabama Division of the United Con- 
 federate Veterans, hails with intense satisfaction and 
 gratification the organization and development of all agen- 
 cies which have historical and benevolent objects and pur- 
 poses as the basis of such organizations. 
 
 It is not only a pleasure keen and unalloyed, but it 
 is a supreme duty as well, to encourage and foster such 
 organizations. The Ladies Memorial Association, The 
 United Daughter of the Confederacy, the United Sons of 
 Confedei-ate Veterans, the Children of the Confederacy, 
 and Confederate Memorial societies everywhere have the 
 most cordial and enthusiastic commendation from this Di- 
 vision, and of every Camp composing it. 
 
 One of the newest and youngest of these organizations 
 bears the historic name by which the Confederate soldiers 
 of this State were known during that gi'eat struggle which 
 set a new example of courage and heroism and patriotic 
 endeavor for the world. In the campaigns, battles, sieges, 
 and fortunes of the great Confederate war, soldiers from 
 Alabama, oflFicers and privates bore a conspicuous and 
 honorable part, and the name "YALLERHAMMER" is 
 immortally associated with them. The organization which 
 bears this honored name therefore, not only commend? 
 itself because of the objects for which its members are 
 bound together, but also because of its very name. Thti 
 appeal presented in their behalf by their founder. Com- 
 rade Morgan Smith Gilmer, of Camp Lomax No. 151, 
 United Confederate Veterans, tonches us deeply, and in 
 order to show that appreciation which we feel, and in or- 
 der to afford a basis of affiliation with us by the junior 
 organization. 
 
 BE IT RESOLVED, by the Alabama Division of the 
 
14 
 
 United Confederate Veterans, in regular annual Reunion 
 assembled. 
 
 1. That the "YALLERHAMMERS" as an organiza- 
 tion, under its Constitution or such other altered and 
 amended constitution not in conflict with the objects and 
 pui poses of the United Confederate Veterans, which it 
 may adopt, and for the porpose and with the activities 
 therein projected, is hereby approved, and is taken into 
 organic relation with the Alabama Division of the United 
 Confederate Veterans, in the manner hereinafter set forth. 
 
 2. That a Committee of three members of this Division 
 be named, of which Comrade Morgan S. Gilmer shall al- 
 ways be Chairman, by virtue of his position as founder, 
 whose duty it shall be to have general supervision and con- 
 trol of the organization. The committee is authorized to 
 adopt rules for its government, and for the government 
 of the "YALLERHAMMERS" consistent with the consti- 
 tution thereof, and otherwise have all necessary general 
 control, and direct the work of the organization. 
 
 3. That the second and third members of this Com- 
 m'ttee shall be elected at each annual meeting of the Di- 
 vision by a VIVA VOCE vote. 
 
 4. That the several Division officers. Camps and mem- 
 bers of the Confedei-ation, pledge themselves to aid in the 
 development and the extension of the "YALLERHAM- 
 MERS," and they all do hold themselves in readiness to 
 do every thing possible to enable these patirotic youthful 
 bands to do their noble and patriotic work. 
 
 The above i-esolution was introduced on the 23rd day 
 of November, 1910, by Comrade W. W. Screws of Camp 
 Lomax No. 151, at the annual Reunion of the Alabama 
 Division of the United Confederate Veterans, held in Bir- 
 mingham, Ala., on the 22nd and 23i-d day of November, 
 1910, and was adopted by a unanimous vote. 
 
 After the adoption of the above resolution, Annie Hol- 
 lon Spann was selected to return our thanks to Camp Lo- 
 max for the same. 
 
 To every member of Camp Lomax, one and all, we are 
 here this night to thank you for keeping that promise 
 made us, to use your influence in having us sheltered un- 
 der the wing of the United Confederate Veteran. 
 
 We now feel that indeed you are our own dear Grand 
 
15 
 
 daddies, and that we are sure enough little "YALLER- 
 HAMMERS." 
 
 And now that we are all in the same "YALLERHAM- 
 MER' family, and as you are gi'owing older and your 
 steps are slower, and the burden of life is bearing heavier, 
 remember that our little feet will do your bidding, and our 
 little shoulders will share your burdens, and whenever the 
 cry of the old "YALLERHAMMER" is heard the little 
 "YALLERHAMMER" will answer "here are we, ready 
 and willing to do your every wish." 
 
 And when the last members of Camp Lomax are to be 
 given the solemn rites of burial, and there are none left 
 to give them, we promise you that it shall be our sacred 
 duty to give to them that same ritual service of Camp 
 Lomax that you gave to those who had gone before. 
 
 We also thank you for allowing us to place our box of 
 treasurs in the base of your Memorial Arch, and in 
 your memory we there placed with them, the Flag which 
 you loved so well, and there it is to remain until the Res- 
 urrection morn to greet you who wore the Grey when you 
 awake from your sleep on Oak Woods Hill. 
 
 LAYING THE CORNER STONE OF CAMP LOMAX 
 MEMORIAL ARCH. 
 
 As the petition of the "YALLERHAMMERS" had been 
 granted by their Grand daddies for this privelege, prompt- 
 ly at half past three o'clock Sunday evening found them 
 banked against their two "YALLERHAMMER" flags, 
 held by Allen and Jordan Reynolds, with little Alice Chap- 
 man holding the bird in the center. 
 
 They had no sooner thus formed, when the Masons io 
 a body headed by Grand Master Lawrence Lee, took their 
 position around the base of the Arch. After their usual 
 impressive ceremony, the Grand Master beckoned to the 
 "YALLERHAMMERS" to come forward and deposit their 
 treasures in the box prepared for them. 
 
 There being quite a number of these little ones, and 
 wishing that every one should have a part in this cere- 
 mony, it was decided that as each name was called, they 
 would come forward and dropping their feather in the 
 box, at the same time the President would announce that 
 this represented some special feature of their Constitution. 
 
16 
 
 After this came the depositing of the Constitution as a 
 whole, the Badge of Camp Lomax, the minutes of their 
 last meeting, their bank book with the checks expended 
 by them, not one dollar of which had been used for their 
 personal benefit. Then the "YALLERHAMMER" wing 
 worn by Mrs. Tennant Lomax in honor of the "YALLER- 
 HAMMERS" on her visit to the Reunion last held in Rich- 
 mond, Va. 
 
 And then last of all, the Cross Barred Flag of the 
 South. The only flag born of white parents, baptized in 
 the blood of white men, furled on the field of Appomattox, 
 we now bury Thee in the grave of a Caucassian. 
 
 Then the Masons again assuming charge, with the three 
 little girls, Theodosia Lee, Katherine Powell, and May 
 Steiner assisting, they put on the elements of consecra- 
 tion, Oil, Wine and Water. 
 
 After this was done, our treasure box was cemented 
 over to await the Resurrection mom, there to testify unto 
 the righteousness of the "YALLERHAMMERS" cause. 
 Then all of the flock gathered around the Masonic body 
 and with uplifted faces invoked the blessing of the Most 
 High God upon them in the language of their daily 
 prayer. 
 
 On the night of the 23rd day of December, 1910, a tel- 
 ephone call summoned the President of the "YALLER- 
 HAMMERS" and he was informed that the Montgomery 
 Light and Water Power Co. had witnessed the working 
 of the "YALLERHAMMER" organization and had there- 
 fore decided to allow them the privilege of doing a labor 
 of love for them. 
 
 Their offer was this : They would give $10.00 each to 20 
 old Veterans — not those who were in the poor house — 
 but to those in moderate circumstances who would appre- 
 ciate this as a Christmas gift, and then in the name of 
 the "YALLERHAMMERS" would credit off whatever 
 amount might be due that Company by the Members of 
 Camp Lomax on the first day of January, 1911. 
 
 As there was 100 of these this amounted to the sum of 
 $1132.85. 
 
 On Christmas day the "YALLERHAMMERS" made the 
 distribution among the old soldiers. 
 
17 
 
 THE "YALLERHAMMERS" RETURN THANKS TO 
 
 THE MONTGOMERY LIGHT AND WATER 
 
 POWER COMPANY. 
 
 On Friday the 6th of January, 1911, the "YALLER- 
 HAMMERS" went in a body to the office of the Mont- 
 gomery Light & Water Power Co. On their arrival they 
 were ushered into the office of the General Manager, Mr. 
 Chas. E. White, who greeted them very warmly, as did 
 also Maj. R. E. Steiner. After these greetings Mr. Gil- 
 mer spoke as follows: 
 
 "This is an occasion that comes not often in ones life 
 time, and in all my life to come it will ever be remem- 
 bered as one of my hallowed days. 
 
 To you Mr. White and to you Maj. Steiner, I am sure 
 that I shall be unequal to the task of getting you to 
 understand how deeply grateful I am for this honor you 
 have conferred upon me, in using me as the representative 
 of this little bunch of children to scatter your seeds of 
 kindness along the pathway of these men who are now in 
 the sere and yellow leaf of life "seeds that are to come up 
 and blossom in this life to make it the brighter and the 
 happier. 
 
 Let me first thank you for this honor, an honor that 
 I take not unto myself, but it is a reflex honor from 
 these little ones, and how fitting it was in your company 
 to select them, whom the lowly Nazarine once declared 
 to be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven, and now on 
 this his natal day, to take these tiny ideals of his King- 
 dom, and use them in the name of "sweet charity" is in- 
 deed a beautiful tribute to them. 
 
 These little ones had already heard the cry "the Mace- 
 donian cry to come over and help them, coming from some 
 of their "YALLERHAMMER" Grand daddies, and how 
 their hearts bounded with joy when they realized that the 
 full fruition of all their hopes and dreams had come to 
 pass, and now they could wave the answer back to them, 
 by the grace of God we are coming. 
 
 And now they are speeding from nest to nest on their 
 mission of joy, stopping at each of these nests binding 
 fast your substantial lining of tribute with their silken 
 threads of love. 
 
18 
 
 And to see these old men, who in the years that are past 
 faced the shrieking shell and the whistling minnie without 
 a tremor, but now the glint in the eye is gone out, and in 
 its stead comes the glistening tear. The lips and throats 
 that once gave out that famous Rebel Yell are silent this 
 evening, for that great heart of theirs has come swelling 
 up into their throats shutting off all speech, and with bared 
 head and uplifted hands stretched out over their Grand 
 Children, out of their hearts came the prayer " 'God bless 
 the YALLERHAMMERS and the Montgomery Light and 
 Water Power Company." 
 
 I now wish to thank you in the name of the United Con- 
 federate Veteran, for what to my knowledge is the first 
 public recognition of him, irrespective of station or con- 
 dition in life, but have honored him simply because he 
 was a Confederate States Soldiex-. 
 
 And I assure you gentlemen that their appreciation is 
 not an effernescent one, but one that will last as long as 
 they shall be allowed to live, for if there is one dominant 
 feature of these old "YALLERHAMMERS" it is to be 
 ever loyal to their friends. 
 
 At the request of the "YALLERHAMMERS" Mr. Frank 
 Stollenwerck, Jr., had introduced a bill, exempting all 
 soldiers over 64 years of age from the anti-pass law, where- 
 upon they sent the following letter to each Senator, and 
 to each Representative : 
 
 "To the Members of the Senate and Legislature of the 
 State of Alabama : 
 
 We, the little "YALLERHAMMERS" whose names ap- 
 pear on the opposite of this page, are the grand children 
 of the men who fifty years ago answered the call of Ala- 
 bama to beat back the oppressor from the borders of our 
 beloved South land. 
 
 And as their grand children we have purposed in our 
 hearts to do all that wen can to make the evening of 
 the lives of these our Grand daddies the very brightest and 
 best possible. 
 
 Believing that the amendment offered by Mr. Frank 
 Stollenwerck, Jr., exempting these Alabama Veterans from 
 the anti-pass law, will go a long way to this end, we there- 
 fore respectfully ask that you give your vote and influence 
 in making this a law. 
 
19 
 
 This we ask, not alone that he may (if the railroads 
 see fit) once more to visit those places of long ago, now so 
 dear to him, and to once more meet face to face his com- 
 rades, and there tell over the story of that great struggle 
 for a young nation's life, but also let it be a token of ap- 
 preciation by the State of Alabama for her sons who in 
 that four years of fighting, freezing and starving were 
 makers of history, history that as long as Alabama shall 
 bring forth brave men and true women, their lisping 
 children shall be taught to know that for all that was 
 true, noble and brave, this was the Alabama 'YALLER- 
 HAMMER.' 
 
 Again asking your support of this bill, we are 
 Very respectfully your very obedient children, the 
 
 YALLERHAMMERS." 
 
 This bill by an overwhelming vote was 
 
 passed but vetoed by the Governor (the son of a "YAL- 
 LERHAMMER") only allowing those who were on the 
 pension roll of the State of Alabama or of the UNITED 
 STATES to become the beneficiaries of the law. 
 
 "THE YALLERHAMMERS AND WHAT THEY DC- 
 Montgomery Evening Times. 
 
 "One afternoon last week there was a wonderful chirp- 
 ing and fluttering of yellow wings, as a flock of exquisite 
 little 'YALLERHAMMERS' settled in their nest in a cer- 
 tain room in the Court House. 
 
 It developed that these birdies of the keen eye and ten- 
 der heart had found a sick Veteran at the poor house in 
 deep distress, lacking eveiy comfort to which the Veter- 
 ans are entitled. 
 
 For a moment they flew around in bewildered dismay, 
 then winging their flight straight for the "house of jus- 
 tice' descended upon it with a whir of sweet wings and 
 voices that stopped all other business for the moment, these 
 birdies chirped out their distressing little story into the 
 sympathetic ears of a man, a man who cannot fly for 
 he is a lame man. Yet this lame man leads these birdies 
 into flights down the lanes where the lame, the halt, and 
 the blind and the suffering are to be found and they are 
 ministered unto. 
 
20 
 
 Down the street to the shops, went the fluttering chirp- 
 ing little flock, lovingly following their lame leader who 
 led so unerringly to all things good and pure. 
 
 A nice iron bed, soft mattress, clean comfortable cov- 
 ering and suitable clothing for the poor Veterans body 
 were obtained (from their own nest egg of saving) and 
 a wagon loaded with these things plus a basket of fruit 
 and dainties %|ipB*i*e, and a committee from the flock 
 fluttered along with the wagon to see that it went aright. 
 
 Then a letter was penned — perhaps with a quill from a 
 'Yallerhammers' wing who knows — to the very best and 
 most vigilant worker among all the sweet charitable wo- 
 men of this town, to ask her that she might help them to 
 look after this poor old man, and to see that he was kept 
 comfortable. 
 
 God bless this little flock of birdies and their lame 
 leader, "who yet walketh uprightly in paths of righteous^ 
 ness." 
 
 The "Yallerhammers" last appearance was at the Re- 
 union held in Little Rock, Ark., in the parade of the old 
 Veterans on the last day of that Reunion. 
 
 Though a long way for these little birds to fly away 
 from their home nest, yet when once they alighted in that 
 city, they wei-e made to feel that these people must have 
 "looked out of the Ark and saiv" us coming, for every 
 thing was found safe and comfortable for them. And the 
 reception given them and the ovation accorded unto them 
 was an evidence of the appreciation not alone of the Vet- 
 erans but of the whole people who saw that parade. 
 
 From the moment that they entered the line of parade 
 until the end of it they were greeted with the plaudits of 
 all, from the side walks to the very house tops could be 
 heard, "Yallerhammers, Yallerhammers, Hooray for the 
 Yallerhammers, God bless the Yallerhammers." This in- 
 deed was very gratifying to them, but at the same time 
 it made them to realize that their standard of living was 
 a high one and their Grand daddies expected them to live 
 up to it. 
 
 Montgomery, Ala., Nov. 1, 1911. 
 GENERAL ORDER 
 No. 7. 
 1. In accordance with Resolution adopted by the Con- 
 vention of the Alabama Division of the United Confed- 
 
 
 3 
 
 ^ pf CO 
 CD c-^ 
 
 :ns o 
 ^ o 
 
 ia 3 c+ 
 
 3 a 13- 
 fl*^ Of 
 
 3^2 
 
 ^ 3 
 
 o 
 
 CD 
 
21 
 
 erate Veterans, held in Birmingham, Nov. 21, 1910, the 
 "YALLARHAMMERS" are hereby incorporated as an 
 Auxiliary Corps of the Alabama Division of the United 
 Confederate Veterans. 
 
 2. The official designation of this Corps in future will 
 be, Morgan Gilmer's Corps of YALLERHAMMERS." 
 By command of 
 
 Major Genl. GEO. P. HARRISON, 
 
 HARVEY E. JONES, 
 Adjutant General & Chief of Staff. 
 
OFFICERS OF THE STATE ORGANIZATION OF 
 
 "THE YALLERHAMMERS" OF THE 
 
 STATE OF ALABAMA 
 
 SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE 
 
 Morgan S. Gilmer, Life Chairman 
 John. B. Fuller 
 Raphael Semmes 
 
 Annie Hollon Spann, President, Montgomery 
 
 Sybil Nunnelee, 1st Vice-President. Centerville 
 Lottie May Bose, 2nd Vice-President, Mobile 
 
 Torrance Reed, 3rd Vice-President, Birmingham 
 Celia Stratford, Secretary, Montgomery 
 
 Jane Kealhofer, Treasurer, Montgomery 
 Octavia Holt. Recorder, Moctgomery 
 
 Montgomery County 
 Chapter Officers 
 
 Morgan S. Gilmer, Life President 
 Maxine Mayer, 1st Vice-President 
 May Steiner, 2nd Vice-President 
 Octavia Holt, Secretary 
 Mary Burnette, Treasurer 
 Helen Thomas, Historian 
 Thos. Cohoon, Color Bearer 
 
 Mar.iore Allen 
 Mary Burnette 
 Alace Chapman 
 Thos. Cohoon 
 Willis Cohoon 
 Warren Dent 
 Mary Gilchrist 
 Berta Holt 
 Octavia Holt 
 
 Members Montgomery 
 
 County Chapter 
 
 HONORARY 
 
 Gen. Geo. P. Harrison, Opelika, Ala. 
 Mrs. Morgan S. Gilmer, Montgomery 
 Mrs W. A. Gause, Memphis, Tenn. 
 Mrs. Mary Winn, Memphis, lenn. 
 Mr.William M. Stoddard, Little Rock, Ark. 
 
 10 Louise Johnson 19 
 
 11 Jane Kealhofer 20 
 
 12 Theodosia Lee 21 
 
 13 Maxine Mayer 22 
 
 14 Annie Nelson 33 
 
 15 Katherine Powell 24 
 
 16 Allen Reynolds 25 
 
 17 Jordan Reynolds 26 
 
 18 Annie Spann 
 
 May Steiner 
 Celia Stratford 
 Annie Terry 
 Edward Terry 
 Helen Thomas 
 Annie Whaley 
 James D. Wade 
 Eva Wadsworth 
 
 President's Report for Past Twelve Months 
 
 Attendance and interest— Good 
 
 Amount expended for Historical and Memorial purposes $35.40 
 Amount expended directly for the United Confederate Veteran $1,138.50 
 Total: One Thousand, One Hundred and Seventy-three Dollars and Ninety 
 Cents 
 
2S 
 
LIBRARY of' Com 
 
 ■:K:-'^ 
 
 013 702 811 6