Southern Cross marker dedication services to be held March 30

A Southern Cross marker dedication memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., March 30, at the Snodgrass Cemetery in Mount Pleasant.  The service will honor two Civil War veterans.
This will be a tribute to Chaplain David S. Snodgrass, General and Staff Officer, Corp Division and Brigade Staff, Non-Com., Staff and Bands, enlisted man, Staff Department, CSA. Chaplain Snodgrass is the father of the sons who were previously honored by a memorial dedication service on March 19, 2011. Their names are David, George, John, Thomas, and William Snodgrass. The Snodgrass Family was highly revered in Titus County, as was mentioned in Traylor Russell’s book about Titus County.
A tribute will also be made to Private David M. Turner, Co. E, 20th Regiment Texas Infantry.  Members from the Walter P. Lane Camp, No. 1455, Longview, will be involved in the re-enactment:  Honor Guard, First Sergeant Paul Hamilton.  Commander Archie Hass (Native American name “Otter”), Color Guard, will represent the Cherokee Nations in music and dress in honor of these two soldiers.
The Upshur County Patriots of Gilmer, Red Diamond Camp of Texarkana, and other camps will also be involved in the re-enactment.  Joyce Fountain, the great-great-great-granddaughter of Chaplain Snodgrass, who is from Gilmer, will unveil and read their biography.
A private luncheon for the re-enactors and press will be catered by Donna Baber. The public is invited to attend. For further information, contact Ms. Fountain at 903-738-4322.