The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-02-26
SOUTHERN CROSS FOR NEGRO.
Presented by Women of the South to
All Who Saw Active Service
in the War.
Kansas City Star.

Kansas City Star.
Visitors to the Tennessee Camp at
the Confederate reunions in the past
few wears will remember at the Mem
phis. Tenn, uniformed company's
headquarters an old negro in gray
uniform who stood faithful and jeal-
Gus guard over everything pertaining
to the men OF that company. He
wore the uniform, cap and badge of
Company A. Confederate Veterans.
Visitors going to the reunion, which is
to be held in Nashville n the sum-
mer, will.see him again as aftable, as
efficient, as respectful, as young as
ever. gray uniform, cap, badge and
all. but this time he will wear Ill ad-
dition to these the Confederate Cross
OF Honor, which the women OF the
South have made for all Confederates
who saw actual service i'll the stir
ring days of IS6I-65. This is the first
time in the history OF the Southern
camps that this honor has been ac-
corded a negro. and the TACT that
there arc a hundred or so white men
ready to endorse his application IS
proof sufficient OF his worthinesS.
The gray-haired negro is Preston
Roberts, OF Collierville, Tenn. some
times camp servant and cook in the
command OF the Confederate cavalry
leader, Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest,
and at present when on military duty,
regiment servant for the 1st Tenres-
see regiment. Confederate Veterans
When the Crosses of Honor were tlrst
5es. lowed on the Veterans or Memphis
"Uncle Press" felt somewhat Sighted
AID iorlorn. for he served through
four years, going out with his young
master when the first call for soldiers
to defend the South was made. He
Dondcred the matter over. and When
eighteen additional crosses were
awarded by the Daughters OF the Con-
.fede7acy. the night OF Lees Birthday
anniversary. on January 1q. he asked
permission to apply for one OF them.
Permission was not only readily CIV
en-. but the men present who kne"
-"uncie Press" Immediately v"!u7tee7-
ed 70 furnish the endorsement which
is necessary before any veteran IS
qualified to receive one. The ap2iica-
ticn has been forwarded, and when
the next presentation OF c:.'*ses Is
made the Rebel negro will stand IN
line with the men by whose side he
.sr.yed and receive h: b-c!:.:e medal.
Uncle Press" is typical ante-oel-
1um negro. He was born 90 odd
wears ago. near ColliersviiIc, about
twenty miles from Memphis. and was
BODY servant to his master. 5. II.
Roberts.
When the call for soldiers came III
1861 Uncle Press enlisted With ms
Young master. +. T. Scott. IN capt.
Ed. Porter'> company. which was
raised in Somerville. and which was
part of Gen. Wan DornS command.
He followed the fortunes OF this COM
mand until the gallant Van Dorm was
killed at the battle OF Spring Hill,
about two years later. Then he tol-
lowed his master into GEN Forests
command. Here he was not regu-
Iarlv enlisted soldier, but, to use his
own expression. he was "one OF the
most i,portanteSt men III the army
having under his control IS negro
cooks. with money and authority to
buv whatever was needed ior his mess.
and also authority TO raise the ra-
tions anyway. whether they coulo De
bought or not.