The Shadow
The Sara Rice Pryor Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy met on March 28 at 5:30 p.m. in the Scott Hill Community Room.
The special guest was Helen Worley, a prospective new member.
President Dolly Parez called the meeting to order with the ritual and prayer. Pledges to the flags were recited and “Dixie” was sung.
Secretary Doris McCoy read the November minutes. They were approved as read.
Gloria O’Neill gave the treasurer’s report. She reported the chapter per capita forms had been sent in. She also read a thank-you note for the donation made for Joan Vess.
She reported the chapter had received funds for grave maintenance and monument care or for special projects.
Under old business, the chapter is looking into placing a new plaque at Cedar Hill honoring the Confederate soldiers interred there. Inquiries have been made to Sign Express. Some type of metal marker is being considered.
Dolly Parez will ask Linda Mayer to check on the purchase of new flags.
The decision was made to order the battle flag (St. Anglican Cross). Gloria O’Neill will reorder the UDC magazine for the chapter.
Doris McCoy will check on painting southern crosses. She will also contact members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans about how to order southern crosses.
Gloria O’Neill sent two sympathy cards for two daughters that passed away, one of whom was a real daughter.
Under new business, pins and ribbons will be ordered at a later date. A CD is available of Lee-Jackson Day in Lexington. Gloria will order one copy for members to share.
The Confederate memorial service will be held April 25 at 2 p.m. at the Confederate monument in Covington.
As there was no more business, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be held on April 15.
The program was given by Annie Sink on the love story of Anna Morrison and Thomas Jackson.
Anna Morrison was born in 1831, the daughter of Robert and Mary Morrison. Her father was a minister. Their children were raised on sound ideas and Christian morals.
Anna graduated from the Salem Female Academy. In 1853, she visited Lexington and met Thomas Jackson, a professor at VMI.
She received a letter from Maj. Jackson three years later, and he visited her at Christmas. He asked her to marry him, and she accepted. He left and returned again on their wedding day.
They purchased a home in Lexington, and their first child, Mary Graham, was born on April 30, 1858. She lived less than three months.
Thomas knew that war was inevitable but took no pleasure in it. He prayed it would not come, but he did go to war, and Mary wrote him constantly.
Anna’s next visit to Thomas was at Fairfax in northern Virginia, where she stayed at a hospital. They saw First Manassas Battlefield.
She saw him again during a visit in Winchester, but it would be a year before she would see him again.
Anna was carrying their second child, and Julia was born on Nov. 2, 1862. Anna and Julia went to visit Thomas in 1863.
He was so happy that she was doing well. The baby was baptized on April 23, 1863. She and Thomas attended Sunday services with Gen. Lee. They left Guinea Station and returned home.
Anna received word that Thomas had been wounded. She returned to Guinea Station where she nursed him and read to him. He told her what a wonderful wife she was, and how precious she was to him.
Thomas died on May 10 at 3:35. He was buried in Lexington on May 15. Anna was 31 years old.
His daughter was nicknamed “Little Miss Stonewall.”
In 1892, Anna published Life and Letters of Thomas J. Jackson, and in 1895, memoirs of Stonewall Jackson.
In 1898, Anna organized the Stonewall Jackson Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy in Charlotte, N.C., and became its first president.
She was elected president for life and oversaw its activities until failing health forced her to relinquish her duties.
Anna stated that God was with her through her sorrows and her marriage to Thomas J.
