News

Recipes from the Past #2

by The Texas Army

This is the second in the series of Recipes From The Past. In this recipe we will continue the use of corn meal in preparing food for the table.

Hasty Pudding(Cornmeal Mush)  Also called loblolly or Indian pudding.

This recipe has no know date of it’s origin but predates white man coming to the Americas. This dish was an constant staple in Colonial times. The name hasty comes from the fact it takes only 40 minutes to prepare. It was often served with a brown gravy which served as the entire meal. It also can be served as a desert by adding a sprinkle of sugar and topped with a bit of milk. This would be a wonderful dish served on a cold morning in camp. Quick, easy and filling.

Ingredients:

1 cup Yellow Cornmeal

6 cups boiling water

1 teaspoon salt

Preparation:

Bring the water to a full boil in a heavy pot with a tight fitting lid. Add the salt and slowly add the cornmeal to the boiling water stirring constantly. Use a wire whisk for this application. Continue to whisk until the cornmeal thickens, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot. Continue to simmer slowly, stirring the pudding several times for around 30 minutes more. Remove from the heat and serve immediately.

 

 

Recipes from the Past

by Erlinda Tubbs

I thought it would be interesting to once a month present recipes from the F&I War to the struggle of Texas Independence for use in your camp or for home. These recipes are taken from cook books of the time period described above. Hope you enjoy a taste from the past.

This first installment will be something we are all familiar with.

TO BAKE CORN MEAL BREAD (The Virginia Housewife, 1825)

Rub a piece of butter the size of an egg into a pint of corn meal. Make it a batter with two eggs and some new milk. Add a spoonful of yeast. Set it by the fire an hour to rise. Butter little pans and bake it.

Note: A pint of flour equals 2 cups. Whole milk can be used for the new milk. A modern tablespoon of dry yeast can be used. Set the batter in a warm place to rise. Bake using a pan of your choice in a 400 degree oven for twenty minutes.

Jeff Opperman

by The Texas Army

Jeffrey David Opperman, aged 63, of Nacogdoches left his earthly body for Paradise in his sleep on the morning of July 4, 2019 in Pittsburg, Texas in his wife Ginger’s childhood home which they worked together to rebuild. Both the time and the place were very befitting to Jeff and the way that he lived his life. He unselfishly gave Ginger this gift of time and resources out of his love for her and her family. He was also the ultimate patriot making the date of his passing fitting as well.

(more…)

San Jacinto Honored

by The Texas Army

On Sunday, April 21, 2019 fourteen members of the Texas Army gathered at the log cabin located at the George Ranch Historical Park to celebrate and to pay our respect to those brave men of the original Texas Army and their victory over the Mexican forces at the plain of San Jacinto.Musket and rifle salutes were fired to honor 1. Sam Houston I and the men of the Texas Army. 2. General Carroll Lewis (founder of the new Texas Army) and General Sam Houston IV for their efforts to keep Texas History alive. 3. Finally to the men and women serving in the U. S. Military and to our first responders. God bless them all.

After the salutes the Colonels and visitors gathered under the shade trees to present Colonel Commissions to Joe Southern and John Agnor, Welcome aboard gentlemen. Next Tony Montez, Joe Acosta and Mark Hegman was awarded the “Knights of Texas” certificates for their excellent work and dedication to the Texas Army. Thanks to all three of you. Last but not least, medals honoring the 50th anniversary of the Texas Army was given to those Colonels that were present.

After handshakes and pats on the back to our award recipients, those that could, gathered at “Rudy’s” BBQ for lunch and boy what a great lunch it was. No one ended the day hungry.

To those that had family obligations, the general staff hopes you had a wonderful easter.

YHS
Colonel Jerry Tubbs

Winter Camp Report

by The Texas Army

Mother Nature can be so cruel. The first date set for the Winter Camp was postponed because of rain. What did nature do, it was warm and sunny. The rescheduled weekend was suppose to be warm and sunny and what did we get…..cold, windy with chilling rain! No matter, for those that attended we had a great time. Our new camp location proved to be better than I first thought. The ground was sandy and easy to dig for our campfires and allowed the rain to drain off quickly. We did have a visitation from five horses and one big ol’ mule. Seemed they were curious about our setting up camp in their pasture. Luckily they were people friendly and enjoyed a good nose rubbing. Our other surprise guest was a troop of Boy Scouts that arrived late Friday night. Boy, what a hand full they were for their leaders. Some where in the late evening the camps were set and peace came to the night. Saturday morning came and with it a wind out of the north with a very cold, misty rain. Although not the ideal setting for qualifying for their commissions, three braves souls showed ready to take on Mother Nature. Those souls were Joe Southern, John Agnor and David Main. After an hour or so Joe and John had qualified but poor David’s gun was not up to snuff. With a brave heart David said he will get it done this year. Saturday evening the shared campfire was stoked and suppers were prepared. Sam and Amanda, Tony Montez, Michael Thompson and myself shared our food to create one heck of an evening meal. Sundries and stories abounding as we all regaled past stories of our time in the Texas Army and of our founder, Carrol Lewis “Curly” Jr. Sunday was still cold and wet and with the chance of hard rain on the way, those that had camped broke camp and with final farewells said we hit the road for home. My many “Thanks” go out to those that helped with the qualifying shoot keeping it safe and well organized. Great job guys! Attached is a picture of Joe and John with their plates. Congratulations to both of them.

Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, beard, hat and outdoor

Skeets Monroe Johnson

by The Texas Army

OBITUARY

Skeets Monroe Johnson

JULY 27, 1938 – JANUARY 9, 2019

Celebrating the Life of Skeets Monroe Johnson, 80, born on July 27, 1938 in Liberty, Texas to James Madison and Karnerlious Mabel Johnson. He was the 7th child of 7 children. Skeets attended LaFargue Elementary school and went on to graduate high school at Brazosport High School in 1956. After graduation, he acquired a career with Rohn N Haas Chemical Plant in Deer Park as a welder and chemical operator. After serving for 35 years in the company, Skeets graciously retired in 2001. Skeets met the love of his life, Nancy Sue and they were married on January 4, 1963.

After his retirement, Skeets became involved with the Masonic Lodge and the Baytown Shrines and he traveled everywhere in his trusted RV. His most important events, besides his loving wife, Nancy, were his daughter and grandson and being Master of Lodge. He loved to play his guitar, especially when it came to playing country music. As a hobby, Skeets enjoyed his woodworking. From building to fixing, valued his extra time creating new items.

Skeets was survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Nancy Sue Dunnam Johnson, 80, of Pasadena, Texas; daughter, Melissa Johnson Rothmund and husband Charles with son Chaz of La Porte, Texas; sister, Virginia Purswell of Channelview, Texas. Skeets Johnson will always be lovingly remembered, faithfully missed but never forgotten.

William (Bill) Dickens

by The Texas Army

William Alan Dickens (Bill) of Bryan, Texas, lost his battle with cancer and passed away peacefully in his home December 31, 2018. He will be honored with a Celebration of Life, officiated by Certified Celebrant Dawn Lee Wakefield, at 2pm Monday, January 7, 2019, at Callaway-Jones Funeral Center, 3001 S. College Ave in Bryan. A reception with light refreshments will follow immediately in the Pecan Room at Callaway-Jones.

Bill was born August 21, 1947, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Dr. William Robert Dickens of Greenville, Texas, and Betty Jane Wagner Dickens of Ashland, Kentucky. Bill lived an unusual and exciting life. His love of reptiles took him many places where he met many different people. He wrote a book, “Following the Serpent’s Trail,” which chronicles many of his adventures from his childhood through his adult life. He received his doctorate in the field of archaeology from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, which also took him on many an adventure. He traveled to other countries, like Jordan and Israel, on archaeological digs. Bill also had one of his exhibits at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington.

Bill was a researcher, which aided in another subject that he enjoyed, genealogy. He was extremely proud of the fact that he is the 5th great grandnephew of Daniel Boone. Also that he is a direct descendant of Benjamin Cutbirth, Longhunter, and traveling companion of Daniel. Bill’s great aunt, Gussie Nell Davis, founded the famous Kilgore Rangerettes of Kilgore, Texas, in 1939.

Bill was quite a character and will be missed by many. He will be remembered always.

Bill is survived by his brother, Robert Mason Dickens from San Diego, California, and his sister Judith Ann Dickens from Parrottsville, Tennessee. He is also survived by his nephew, Jesse Jerome Paul from Paoli, Indiana, and his niece, Autumn Rose Paul from Connersville, Indiana. He is also survived by his daughter, Stacie Lynn Adams and grandson, Noah Adams, from Leander, Texas. He is also survived by his daughter, Lori Ann Carroll, her husband Ben, and two grandsons, Christian Alan Carroll and Jacob Timothy Carroll, from Cedar Park, Texas. Bill was preceded in death by his grandson, Taylor Anthony Carroll, from Cedar Park, Texas.

New Colonel Candidates

by The Texas Army

Congratulations to Joe Weathersby and Doug Houston.  Last month at Winter Camp they both completed their marksmanship requirement to become candidates for Colonel in the Texas Army.   Both had been practicing prior to the event,  and it showed.   The marksmanship requirement is that a shooter place five consecutive shots into a 9 inch pie plate at 50 yards,  using a black powder muzzleloader with fixed sights and round lead balls.   It is not an easy feat, but you would have thought it was a cake-walk if you had watched them shoot.   They did a great job!     In addition to the marksmanship requirement,  a member in good standing with The Texas Army can apply for candidacy as a Colonel once they have completed a minimum of 5 qualifying events, and demonstrate an excellence in the knowledge of Texas history.   Upon review and acceptance, candidates commissions are signed by the Governor of Texas and presented each year at the San Jacinto monument during the commemoration of the Battle of San Jacinto.   Doug and Joe join Howard Rose (who qualified late last year) as our current group of candidates.   Brigadier General Emmitte will be facilitating 2 additional shooting days in hopes of getting more people qualified before we make a visit to the Capital.  Who will be our next candidates?

Congratulations to Howard Rose

by The Texas Army

Please join the General Staff in congratulating the most recent Texas Army member to qualify for his commission as Colonel.   Howard has completed the requisites of participating in a minimum of 5 qualifying scheduled events,  and a week ago Saturday he made 5 consecutive shots into a 9 inch plate using his Lyman muzzleloader.   General Emmitte, Colonels Hankla and Roberts were present,  along with Rusty McLaughlin and Rion Braddock.     Howard will be awarded his commission at the San Jacinto ceremony next spring.

We will have several more qualifying shooting events throughout this season.  General Emmitte anticipates another range day for November, 2017.  Stay tuned for further details.   If you have participated in at least 3 scheduled qualifying Texas Army events,  and you have interest in doing your live-fire shooting qualification,  please contact General Emmitte.

 

Saying Goodbye to Judge Paul Till

by Erlinda Tubbs

The Texas Army is sad to announce the passing of Colonel Paul Till. Judge Paul Heath Till passed away on Wednesday, May 31, 2017.

Colonel Till has served the Army since 1977.

Colonel Till leaves behind his three sons and their wives.