Yesterday a group of activists and organizations filed suit in federal court to compel Talbot County to remove a 100-year-old memorial to local veterans who fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War.
David Montgomery, speaking on behalf of the Preserve Talbot History organization, made this statement:
“Creating frivolous lawsuits to distract from the real issues facing Talbot families is unwelcome and harmful. We are a hard-working community that appreciates all History and are fortunate to have elected representatives who have made it clear they will not engage in the destruction of our History that means many things to many people.
“Talbot County welcomes people from around the globe who come here to experience our natural environment and history, but we draw a line when they tell us how to live, work, and raise our families. We certainly don’t need outsiders telling us how to preserve our History. We will not be divided by these disingenuous outsiders and their hand-picked, local agitators.”
More information about the Talbot Boys memorial and controversy is available here.
Michael Davis says
To walk the walk, the Preserve Talbot History should offer at least $100,000 to pay for the defense of Talbot so we don’t drop the ball and run. We don’t want to give up the fight to preserve the only racist statue left on public land in Maryland. Heck, the true believers of this group should donate $500,000 if they really believe in what they say. Anything less is cheap talk,
Debbie Jeon says
Hear, hear, Michael Davis! Especially if the lawsuit is so “frivolous” as the pro-Confederates contend, it should be no problem to pay for its defense, right?
Keith Alan Watts, Esq. says
Easton, Md. – May 7th 2021– The Talbot Chapter of the Confabulous States of America & All/Star Kazoo Band (TCCSAASK) is pleased (and relieved) to announce its part in the defense of the recent Federal litigation filed against Talbot County. The litigation is in response to five year’s worth of tireless efforts by hysterians — er, historians — and others dedicated to preserving pot-metal statues forged in the Caverns of Isengard, not far from Mordor.
Thankfully, the defense comes at a time of bucolic (or bu-cholera) serenity on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, where all attention and scant resources have been diverted to battle an unseen, invisible menace, COVID-18 (COVID-19 has not arrived yet because the County lives in the last century — “ETT” or “Eastern Talbot Time”). Fortunately, the invisible menace known as racism has, like smallpox, been eradicated.
Council Member Aura Rice commented “So this is not a problem in the County . . . and I don’t know that we need to make a big deal of it.” It was unclear from Council Member Rice’s comments whether the “big deal” was racism — or the virus. Or both, considering the hypercautiousness the Council exercises about undertaking almost everything. Except for recess. Bathroom breaks. Or adjournment. Warp speed there. “Another dilithium crystal, Scottie.” “Can’nae take any more, Captain!”
Council Member C. Harles Houlihan tipped his hat to “The Tortoise” of “The Tortoise & Hare” fame and the lessons of biding one’s time. “I am infinitely in awe of this Council’s leadership and deliberative action. We never, ever, hesitate to rush head-on, full speed ahead into the breach so that we can immediately pause interminably, reflect and deflect. I’m just not there yet,” said he on behalf of they.
Council Member Stillwont Listeren made the usual somnambulant pronouncements, carefully, meticulously and with exactitude. Admonishing those who doubt the Council’s utter sincerity and transparency “We’ll be adjourning. We’re almost at the end of the meeting anyway. And even though there are people online who have waited all night who want to make comments, we invite them to put them in writing. In writing. In writing. In writing. In writing. In writing. In writing.
At which point a sharp nudge under the table from Council Member Houlihan moved the needle on the record.
About The Talbot Chapter of the Confabulous States of America & All/Star Kazoo Band
The Talbot Chapter of the Confabulous States of America & All/Star Kazoo Band (TCCSAASK) is one of the largest groups on Maryland’s Eastern Shore advocating for restoration of the time before Reconstruction. Or is it advocating for reconstructing the time before George III’s restoration?
Well anyway, this 501(c)(3) non-profit is supported by one local entrepreneur (a buggy-whip and part-time hide-tanner); two long-in-the-tooth squires dressed as Jefferson Davis (The Barnum Twins, Chang Davis & Eng Davis) who stopped on their way down to Appomattox because nature called; and a family of marsupials, which escaped from the last alpaca steak and sweater ranch on the Eastern Shore.
Founded in 1916, the last of these bygone hopeful time-travelers patiently wait for everyone in the Talbot Community to see things through Aunt PittyPat’s rose-colored looking glass — and wait, and wait, and wait. “Ah, Mr. Godot, there you are. You’ve finally arrived.”
“Come taste the wine. Come hear the band. Come blow a horn. Start celebrating, Antbellum life is enervating.”
“Talbot County. Where Indentured Servitude Makes Everyone The Best of Friends, And More — On The Eastern Shore.” For more information, please contact the TCCSAASK public relations manager, at (410) 770-8001.
Paul says
Keith, Not a fan of you ideology – but I enjoy your creativity.
Arlene Wolff RN says
You are absolutely right. This ‘Cancel Culture’ is very harmful to our country. Let’s just teach our children the truth. Thank you
Tim Abn says
Very interesting read on “Talbot Boys” and after 150+years, still many divisions and ideas about the war.
Many years ago, I believe it was November12, 1984 I attended the dedication of the Maryland Monument at Gettysburg. Governor William Donald Schaefer spoke of Porcelus M. Moore of Trappe. Moore was the flagbearer for the 2nd Maryland Infantry, CSA. An attack was ordered across Culp’s Hill that 2 July 1863. Moore with his flag charged against the other side, only to notice another Maryland flag and saw his cousin of the 1st Maryland (E.S.) Eastern Shore, also from Trappe.
Amazingly, both survived and returned to Trappe after the war. Contrary to beliefs, I watched the video on Delmarva.com and I’ve never heard the word “traitor” used so much! These same individuals don’t realize that Marylanders were arrested prior to the war and accused of being southern sympathizes. Lincoln did away with Habeas Corpus and you could be arrested without proof. A judge from Queen Anne’s County was jerked from the bench during a trial. On the day the state legislature held the vote, it was leaked where the vote was to take place. The Courthouse was surrounded with troops who had fixed bayonets and told the legislators to vote “as they wished”. Maryland stayed in the Union or all of them would have gone to prison. On 19 April 1861, the 6th Massachusetts Regiment got off their train and marched down Pratt Street to President Street Station. They were told to load their muskets as Baltimore was a bunch of secessionist rats! A shot rang out and the troops killed many Baltimoreans. 4 men from Lowell, Massachusetts were also deadmin the street. The next day James Ryder Randall saw his best friend’s name on the killed list and wrote the lyrics of “Maryland My Maryland” our state song. James Reddie is on the monument. He was born in Fifeshire, Scotland. General Charles S. Winder was the commander of the Stonewall Brigade when he was killed at Cedar Mountain. His adjutant was Henry Kyd Douglas who (after the war) became the first Adjutant General of the Maryland National Guard. Colonel Harry Gilmore of the 2nd Maryland Cavalry became Police Commissioner of Baltimore. Grogan who was with Mosby’s Virginia partisan Cavalry was the bailiff on the Baltimore City Court. Many that survived returned home and became hard-working prominent citizens. ‘
All were veterans, so how can you call them traitors? Had Washington lost the Revolution, he and all his men would have been traitors General Lloyd Tilghman was killed at Champions Hill aiming a cannon, he was decapitated. Oswald Tilghman was arrested trying to get President Jefferson Davis out of the country after the surrender. Captured in Georgia below Macon.
Thomas Malone says
How does moving the Talbot Boys to a museum impact Talbot history. Move this statue that is so offensive to all who value black history.
Paul Callahan says
Were our native Americans who resisted and fought against our Federal forces when their basic Constitutional and human rights were taken from and denied them “Traitors to our Nation?”
Were our Japanese Americans who resisted forced internment during WWII disloyal traitors?
Should our WWII veterans who fought in Europe be dishonored because they strategically fought with and supported the Communist Russians one of the most evil governments in the modern world?
Richard Marks says
Absent from this piece are other quotes by David Montgomery in the news article referenced. One states, “We should be very happy to see it remain (at) the courthouse. We think it’s appropriate there. It’s educational.” Of all the statements and arguments put forth this one is the most outrageous and offensive considering the site is near where enslaved people were sold. Mr. Montgomery is, however, correct in promoting the position as a ‘teaching opportunity’. It teaches defiance and callous disregard for the inhumane treatment of people kidnapped, brought to our shores, chained and beaten into submission and forced to build this country to enrich their “owners”. It promotes the false narrative of the lost cause.
If the Preserve Talbot History movement wants the monument to be a teaching opportunity they should support the removal and relocation which would demonstrate their understanding of history and recognition of the trauma and devastation wrought on families.
Deirdre LaMotte says
These Republicans just adore using “cancel culture” to vilify the attacks against odious historical facts. It is because they
have to change the narrative as their party is now anti-American; anti-democratic. And they know it is a complete
embarrassment. Oh my, what to do? We have a sicko former President who has taken over our Party like that vulgar Hitler took over Germany but we cannot admit this.
Soooo….let’s start a cultural war, right?! We have pretend networks and pretend “journalist” to cover our dirty tracks. Let us focus on things that will divide our nation… keep it in an uproar.
These pretend citizens are nothing but opportunist who could care less about our nation. It is all about power for a few. And they know it. If they were true conservatives, they’d run from the R Party.
Henry Herr says
It’s odd to me that an “organization” claims to preserve history doesn’t have a single historian agree with their position. What are their credentials? What history is learned from this statue?
It is well known that I am from Maryland, but not Talbot County. My tax dollars go to the maintenance of that statue. Why can’t all Marylanders have a say where their tax dollars go?
Why does this group continue to try and create a narrative that outside sources are the catalyst? The loudest voices and everyone in the lawsuit are from Talbot County.
Why does this group claim that the Lost Cause is a myth for Maryland’s reasoning for fighting the Civil War but use one of the United Daughters of Confederacy’s first argument, that it is our history? Why does this group refuse to use any of the plethora of primary sources easily disproving their false narrative?
This group, I must also admit is broadcast on a Facebook group that calls for violence against the NAACP, Biden and myself among others. Do they distance themselves from those people or welcome anyone to their cause?
If the council and this group truly cared about history, why didn’t they take me up on my offer to pay for historical context plaques or the Union counterpart monument in 2019? The council just blatantly refused my offer.
Lastly, and most importantly, why is history more important that equal rights and treatment of all Talbot citizens?