Preparations continue to honor and re-inter East Texas Confederate war hero

Mirror Photo / Mac Overton THE UPSHUR COUNTY PATRIOTS practice marching Thursday (April 10), in preparation for ceremonies April 25 and 26 revolving around the reinterment of Col. Cullen Earp. Col. Earp was the highest-ranking Confederate officer to come from Upshur County, and was the commander of the 10th Texas Calvary. Former Patriots camp commander Bill Starnes is in black at left, while current commander Mark Vogl is at extreme right.

In February, on a rainy and cold day, the Upshur County Patriots and other historians, totaling 30 men, exhumed the remains of Col. Cullin Earp, C.S.A. from a vandalized grave in a wooded hill top in western Upshur County. The remains were taken to Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer, where they are resting until the upcoming ceremonies for Col. Earp on April 25 and 26.

Years of administrative and legal work are winding down to weeks of hurried preparations as hundreds of reenactors from Texas and Louisiana, including both cavalry and artillery, are expected to participate in the events and ceremonies planned for April 25 and April 26 in Gilmer.

On Tuesday, at Hadden’s Sandwich Shop, John Furlow, researcher and author of a future book on the Tenth Texas Cavalry, provided an overview of the unit commanded by Colonel Earp during some of the most serious and deadly fighting of the War for Southern Independence.

The ceremonies and events will occur at three locations: an 1849 Log Cabin in southeast Gilmer, at the Courthouse Square in Gilmer, and at the Hopewell Cemetery in western Upshur County where Col. Earp’s brother is already resting.

An interesting historical note is that the cabin where the colonel’s remains will rest was adjacent to property he owned. It is very likely the colonel was in that cabin when he was alive. Family from as far away as Alaska and Boston are expected to attend the ceremony.

For the Upshur County Patriots, who are only two years old as an organization, this event has dominated their regular meetings for months as members raise funds, coordinate with reenactor units across Texas and in Louisiana, purchase uniforms for the event, and plan all the details necessary to accept the influx of hundreds of re-enactors and possible guests.

Schedule:

• April 25 — Col. Earp’s remains will be placed in the 1849 Log Cabin in southeast Gilmer, and the Honor Guard will commence. (Time to be announced)

• 9 a.m., April 26 — Col. Earp’s remains will be placed on period transportation, units assembled and marched from the Log cabin to Courthouse Square.

• 10 a.m, April 26 — Ceremony at Courthouse Square honoring Col. Earp.

• 11:30 a.m., April 26 — Noon meal for all reenactor participants.

• 12:30 p.m., April 26 — Participants will form up at a rally points to be designated near Latch, for the final parade to cemetery.

• 1:30 p.m., April 26 — Final ceremonies at Hopewell Cemetery.

She said that There Will be Blood, which is a “dark” film, was first scheduled to be shown at art houses only. But because its initial reception was so favorable, she said, it is now showing in limited release in Dallas and other big cities, and is expected to be in general release in the near future.



ONE OF THE TWIN sons of Hal Taylor, formerly of Gilmer, and his wife appears in this promotional piece put out by Paramount Pictures and Miramax Film Corp. for There Will Be Blood, now in limited release, and holder of eight Academy Award nominations.

gilmermirror@gmail.com.