On May 15, 1791, George Washington left Augusta for Savannah.
On May 15, 1800, President John Adams ordered all 125 employees of the federal government to begin packing to move the capital from Philadelphia to Washington, DC.
On May 15, 1864, General William Tecumseh Sherman’s Military Division of the Mississippi remained engaged against Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston’s Army of Tennessee at Resaca, Georgia.
At New Market, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley, Major General John C. Breckenridge commanded 4800 Confederate soldiers, including the entire Corps of Cadets from Virginia Military Institute. Breckenridge previously had served as United State Representative and Senator from Kentucky, and as the youngest Vice President of the United States under President James Buchanan. Breckenridge was the Democratic nominee for President in 1860, coming in third in the popular vote and second in the Electoral College to Abraham Lincoln.
Breckenridge attacked forces under Major General Franz Sigel and they skirmished through the morning until Union forces broke through the Confederate lines.
With no other reserves available, Breckinridge reluctantly ordered the VMI cadets into line, saying, “Put the boys in, and may God forgive me for the order.”
The four companies of cadets divided around the Bushong house and regrouped along a fence at the edge of the field some 200 yards from the Union line. When a cavalry assault ordered by Sigel was repulsed, Breckinridge sensed the moment had come for the climactic charge, and ordered his entire line forward. As the cadets moved through the muddy, ruined wheat, many had the shoes sucked from their feet, giving the ground the legendary name the “Field of Lost Shoes.” The Confederate charge drove Sigel’s army back across Smith Creek and captured several cannon that could not be removed in time. One of the guns was taken by the cadets, giving them the ultimate infantryman’s prize in their baptism of fire.
On the anniversary of the Battle of New Market, the roll of those who died there is called.
American artist Jasper Johns was born May 15, 1930 in Augusta, Georgia.
Carl Sanders was born on May 15, 1925 in Augusta, Georgia. He served in the United States Air Force, Georgia House of Representatives and State Senate, where he was President Pro Tem. In 1962, Sanders won the Democratic Primary for Governor, defeating former Governor Marvin Griffin, and in November was the first Governor of Georgia elected by popular vote after the County Unit System was abolished.
Former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz was born on May 15, 1967 in Lansing, Michigan. Smoltz pitched a complete game shutout against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the seventh game of the National League Championship Series in 1991, sending the Braves to their first World Series since moving to Atlanta in 1966. Smoltz was chosen for the All Star team eight times and won the Cy Young award in 1996.
Tony Rehagen, an Atlanta writer, has published a story about longtime Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone, who led the team’s pitching roster to unprecedented victories in the 1990s and early years of this century.
Mazzone held that job for more than 27 years, including almost 18 in the big leagues. He attributes his longevity to the success of the pitchers who were indoctrinated with his unorthodox philosophy of actually throwing more often between starts but with decreased intensity, concentrating, instead, on the feel and location of their pitches, controlling the lower outside part of the strike zone — down and away, down and away. The results are well known: In Mazzone’s 15-plus seasons with Atlanta, his staffs led the Braves to 14 straight division championships, combining for four individual ERA titles, nine individual 20-win seasons, six Cy Young Awards, and eventually, three plaques in Cooperstown.
Less heralded is the number of careers that were salvaged under Mazzone’s watch and his reputation for taking care of his players — especially the starters, who rarely missed a turn. “Sure he had great pitchers,” says Steve Phillips, who was an executive for the rival New York Mets in the 1990s and early-2000s. “But he kept them on the field. He kept them healthy.” In almost two decades as major league pitching coach, Mazzone only had two starters, John Smoltz and Mike Hampton, play a full season under him and succumb to Tommy John, and they were both approaching their mid-30s.
If you love the sport of baseball and/or the Atlanta Braves, it’s a great read.
Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections
Under the leadership of GAGOP Chairman John Padgett, ably assisted by Second Congressional District GAGOP Chair, the Second District went from 13 of 29 counties having an active, organized Republican Party to 21 of 29. That’s one reason I will vote to re-elect John Padgett as Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party this weekend.
Special Election Fever
By the time you read this, State Rep. Mike Jacobs will have resigned effective just before midnight to accept an appointment to the DeKalb County State Court.
Here’s the current line-up of Special Election Dates:
June 16, 2015
House District 55, formerly Tyrone Brooks (D)
House District 24, formerly Rep. Mark Hamilton (R)
July 14, 2015
House District 48, formerly Rep. Harry Geisinger (R)
House District 80, formerly Rep. Mike Jacobs (R)
House District 146, formerly Rep. Larry O’Neal (R)
House District 155, formerly Rep. Jay Roberts (R)
The special elections are Louisiana jungle-style, meaning all candidates run at once regardless of party. Candidates may choose a party affiliation or be listed as Independent. If no candidate gets more than 50% +1 of the votes cast, runoffs will be held.
Sheri Gilligan Announces for House District 24
Sheri Gilligan, who ran for HD 24 in 2014 and had been running for Assistant Treasurer of the Georgia Republican Party announced via email today that she decided to run in the Special Election for HD 24, presumably meaning she’s no longer running for Assistant Treasurer.
[O]n Monday of this week, the State Representative for District 24 announced his retirement. I have been urged to run for the seat. I ran for that seat last year so this week I have been torn with what I should do. I want to do what is best for the Party and also for my community and state. After many hours of prayerful consideration my family and I have decided that I should run for State House D24.
I will be at the convention and I still look forward to meeting you and getting to know you. We will do the work of setting the platform for the state, electing the leaders who will set the policy into motion, and together, we will ensure that Georgia stays Red and we will all do everything in our power to win back the White House.
Kelly Burke to run for HD 146
Kelly Burke, a Warner Robins attorney and former Houston County District Attorney has decided to join the July 14, 2015 Special Election for House District 146. Burke joins previously announced candidates Larry Walker, III and Shaw Blackmon.
Burke previously served as the Republican District Attorney in Houston County from to 2010, when he resigned halfway through his fourth term to run for County Commission Chair. Burke was first elected DA in 1996 and won reelection in 2000, 2004, and 2008.
He also started and moderates the Facebook page “Houston County Carries Concealed.”
Welcome to Athens
Athens Republican Party Chair Matt Brewster and Senate Majority Leader Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) shot a brief welcome video.
Jack Kingston: Five things to see in Athens
For those of you who end up with some extra time on your hands between or after the Convention, or for family members who want to get out of the convention hall, former Congressman Jack Kingston wrote about five things you might want to see when you’re in Athens.
I am looking forward to seeing you in my hometown this weekend for the Georgia Republican Party’s 2015 Convention. By birthright, Athens was founded by The University of Georgia. Bound at the hip, its name comes from the Greek Goddess of Enlightenment— Athena. Along with all the University has to offer, there are many off-campus things to do this weekend during the State Convention. This event is an important part of the political process and I encourage all of those able to attend to do so.
If you are interested in watching me speak, I will be on stage around 12:30pm in the main room at the Classic Center.
For those of you who plan on being there, just in case you need a break from politics, here are a few things to do and places to visit while you are in Athens:
The Mayflower – Located right across the arch, the Mayflower is one of the few restaurants that have been owned by the same family and has been in the location since its founding in 1948. Not open for dinner, Mayflower is one of the best spots for breakfast and lunch. I recommend almost anything on the menu, and would also recommend a walk around downtown after your meal, I usually walk out of there pretty full.
Bonus: Georgia Theater – First opened in the late 70s, this music venue is one of my favorite places in Athens. Even though it can hardly hold over 1,000 people, The Theater has hosted many great bands and has served as a catalyst to the early stages of some very special musical careers. Beck, Dave Matthews Band, Derek Trucks, Widespread Panic and REM, have all stopped through The Theater for shows—those last two even got their starts in Athens. On the morning of June 19th, 2009 a major fire combusted and ruined much of the building, including severe damage to the roof. After years of renovations, the landmark re-opened in early August 2011. Now The Theater is in better shape than ever, with great multi-level seating, and my personal favorite— a rooftop bar with a large patio overlooking Downtown Athens. Sometimes the roof hosts its own band separate from the one playing inside.
It’s a neat insider’s guide to a few of the sights you might otherwise miss, and I hope you’ll take a look at the rest of the article and tell Jack you read it if you see him this weekend.
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