South Carolina Secedes from the Union, December 20th, 1860.

The State of South Carolina officially seceded from the Union on December 20, 1860, which was exactly 150 years ago today. This led other states to secede and led to The War Between The States (The Civil War) which ended in 1865.

Joseph Vella, A "Forgotten" French Confederate Soldier, of Selma, Alabama.

Joseph Vella was born in France, in 1834. He enlisted on March 15th, 1864 as a Private at Selma, Alabama. He was a Cigar Maker by trade and served in the Dallas County, 2nd Class Militia, Alabama Home Guard. He is described as being 5'8, dark hair, dark eyes, dark complexion and lived in Selma, Alabama. // If anyone has any other information on Joseph Vella, feel free to email me. I am interested in the name of his wife and children as well as the location of his grave site. 

Quote of Ex-Confederate General Wade Hampton, at the start of the Spanish American War, 1898.

".. as old as I am, I can still ride on horseback and wield a sword; and if her quota (S. Carolina) is not filled, if there is one name lacking to make it full, I myself will volunteer. This is our country and it is our duty to make it the champion of freedom for all time to come." - ex-Confederate General Wade Hampton, 1898 outbreak of the Spanish American War, "The State" Newspaper, South Carolina (courtesy of Brother K. Robison, Sons of Spanish American War Veterans)