Ark. legislation separates MLK, Lee days

Ending Arkansas' dual birthday celebrations for Robert E. Lee and Martin Luther King Jr. will be an "uphill battle," Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Wednesday, but one he is willing to engage in heading into the final month of the legislative session. A bill was filed in the Senate to remove Lee's name from the holiday, and honor him with a separate state memorial day in October, the month the general died in 1870. • Article

Longstreet: He did it his way

Supporters of Confederate Gen. James Longstreet gathered Sunday afternoon at his Gainesville, Ga., gravesite for the 14th annual memorial service honoring the controversial Civil War figure. After the event, a reception was held at the offices of the The Longstreet Society, which operates out of the restored remnants of a hotel Longstreet operated in the late 1800s. Longstreet died 1904. He was born in 1821. • Article
• Southern-fried | • Reputation reviewed

Wheeler birthday event this weekend

The 175th birthday of Confederate cavalryman Joseph Wheeler will be celebrated Saturday (Sept 10) at his north Alabama home, which is being restored. Civil War re-enactors will be roaming the grounds at Pond Spring, outside of Courtland. • Article

Happy birthday! Picket turns 2

Two years ago today, barely understanding the technology, I posted my first Civil War Picket blog item -- on the re-enactment of the Battle of Atlanta.

It's been a great adventure since. I've made a few trips, taken some photographs and have had the opportunity to talk with a bunch of interesting folks.

I'd like to thank each of you for your interest, time and support. The Picket would love to get your feedback from time to time, so please go to our Facebook page or drop a comment on the postings themselves.

Just for fun, I thought I'd list some of my favorite items over the past 12 months. Click on each to read the story:

PEOPLE
• Son of Confederate veteran recalls stories he heard
• Artist Alfred Waud | Living historian portrays him
• The bumbling, likeable Ambrose Burnside

NEWS
• Descendant returns Confederate unit's flag to fort
• Neighborhoods to restore monuments to generals
• African-American attitudes on Civil War | • Part 1
• Recounting the dead in North Carolina
• No farbs here: Authentic Campaigner website
• Fascinating French flag ruse
• From slaves to warriors in blue

EVENTS
• Firing guns at Fort Sumter during re-enactment
• Charleston lectures mark 150th anniversary
• Young German re-enacts on first U.S. visit

BATTLEFIELDS/VENUES
• The Atlanta battle you'd never heard about
• Road trip! Jeff Davis, Blue & Gray museums
• Fixing up cemetery next to Confederate hospital site
• River city sent soldiers, guns and steel
• Touch the map and zoom in on Battle of Atlanta

How South marks Confederate holidays

While most Southern states are shying away from the Old Confederacy, Alabama was the only one to celebrate President Jefferson Davis' birthday with a holiday on Monday. Of the 11 states that made up the Confederate States of America during the Civil War, Alabama and Mississippi have more holidays - three - devoted to the Confederacy than any of the other nine. • Article