The Spanish Language In Alabama from the Colonial Period (1780-1813) to 1861.

The Spanish language has existed in Alabama, since the colonial period as individuals have immigrated and settled here, but the little Spanish community was never numerous nor concentrated. Once these individuals married an American, the language usually became extinct within the first generation. If it was indeed passed down, it became a “dead” language as only passive bilinguals had limited knowledge of it. I have also searched for any survivals of Basque, Galician and specifically Catalan, in the local area, with no success. The Spanish language in Alabama from the Spanish Colonial Period (1780-1813) and the pre-1861 period, died out in the late 1940’s. This language was still spoken by grandchildren of the Spanish colonists as late as the Second World War. My research into “Alabama Spanish” shows that  the last fluent pre-1861 Spanish speaker died during this period. I found and interviewed two grandchildren of Colonial Spanish speakers. Both are in their mid-eighties who are vestigial “rememberers” who, although they themselves cannot speak Spanish, they were able to follow a simple conversation in Spanish and answer questions posed to them. Both of them remembered parts of a popular children’s song which was sung to them by their grandfathers and one was able to remember parts of a popular “Decima” song he heard growing up. They pronounced the little Spanish words they put together in what can best be described as the atypical Caribbean Spanish whose beginnings were in the Canary Islands and southern Spain with a admixture of the northern Spanish dialects. There are about ten or so “rememberers” whose Spanish ancestors arrived between 1860 and 1900. I have been unable to find any other “Alabama Spanish” survivals. There has never been a study of this vestigial “Alabama Spanish,” and I fear that the last living memories of the men and women who left Spain and her colonies for a new life in Alabama will die with them. The Spanish Ladino dialect still exists among Sephardic Jews, who live and worship in Alabama, but I have been able to identify only one individual in Mobile who speaks it fluently. There is a small Sephardic community, in Montgomery, but they arrived after 1910. The Ladino dialect spoken by the original immigrants which is based on the dialect of the Island of Rhodes exists, but is presently in irreversible language death.

The Confederate "Creoles of Color" of Mobile, Alabama 1861-1865.

There are a group of people that came into existence in Mobile, AL as a result of interracial marriage and or sexual relations, forced or consensual, which became known as the "Creoles of Color." The Catholic Church Registrars during the Spanish period have many such relationships and the children were generally given their freedom, by their fathers. These "Creoles of Color" were a bridge between the white and black (both slave and free) populations in Mobile, Alabama.
This community formed in 1819 the Creole Fire Company, which had as its founding members 5 Hispanic “Creoles of Color.” They were Rene Rafael, Vincent Chavana, Manuel Barcello, Augustin Joseph (Jose) and Francis Yrigoyen (born October 31, 1800, son of Miguel Yrigoyen and Constance Hugon). This company saw service in the War Between the States. The company was accepted as part of the Mobile Fire Battalion, for local Home Guard defense, at the onset of the Civil War.
The "Creoles of Color" were mobilized for the war on December 17, 1862 by the Mayor of Mobile Robert H. Slough, who issued a proclamation entitled "An Act authorizing the enrollment of the Creoles of Mobile." This Act authorized the enrollment of all male "Creoles of Color" between the ages of 18 and 50 to defend Mobile and the county. They were "requested and ordered" to appear before the Chief of Police within 10 days for registration and enrollment.
The Creole Fire Company, was accepted into Alabama State service on November 20th, 1862, by an Act of the Legislature, and was renamed the Native Guards on April 8, 1865. This unit served as a Home Guard force and helped do military guard duty as well as helping police the county, and of course, fighting fires. It was officially disbanded on April 12, 1865, but a few of its members left the city with the other Confederate forces and finally surrendered, with General Richard Taylor, at Citronelle, Alabama, on May 4, 1865.
The "Creoles of Color" who had existed since the earliest days of the French period, absorbed the Spanish members of the community to such an extent that almost all Spanish surnames have since "daughtered out." This community was among the last to preserve the French language in Alabama, and its last fluent speaker died in the mid 1960s.
There are still some French passive bilinguals, but no study of this language survival or what influence the language had from Spanish, English or African languages has ever been done. The "Creoles of Color" have always been an intriguing and misunderstood people and it is sad that no true study has ever been performed, on the richness they have bought to Alabama history. The main communities are found on Mon Louis Island, and the north eastern parts of Mobile County and the Weeks Bay area, of Baldwin County. There are many smaller communities, which exist in both counties and the "Creoles of Color" have inter-married into both the White, Black and Native American populations, in southern Alabama.
Their influence will remain a part of Alabama historically, linguistically and socially, for generations to come.

You can visit http://adf.ly/8ALVr and learn about the Cuba Libre Camp Project of the Admiral Semmes Camp 11, Sons of Confederate Veterans which is a project to identify all known Cuban Confederate Soldiers, as well as other Hispanics and Minorities who served in the Confederate Military.

John Kennedy Toole, Quote.

"Employers sense in me a denial of their values. They fear me. I suspect that they can see that I am forced to function in a century I loathe." - John Kennedy Toole (A Confederacy of Dunces).

The Spanish Guards, Mobile, Alabama Confederate Militia, 1863 to 1865.

The Spanish Guards Confederate unit of Mobile, Alabama was composed mostly of foreign citizens from Spain and her colonies, with a scattering of members, from other nationalities. It was organized, on November 6, 1863 and was composed mostly of merchants and “cradle and grave” members. It served solely as a local home guard unit.

There were other similar home guard units formed by French, British, Slavic and German nationals (The Mobile French Guards, The British Legation Guard, The Pulaski Rifles and The German Fusiliers #2). The Italian population joined the 21st Alabama Infantry, Company G, with their Spanish neighbors, due to the language similarity and a few can also be found in the Spanish Guard unit.

The City of Mobile had a foreign born population of approx. 7061 people,
out of a total City population of approx. 29,258, in 1860, which was composed mainly of newer French, Spanish, Slavic, German, and English immigrants (including Scots, Irish and Welsh). The State Capital and 1st Capital of the Confederacy located at Montgomery, Alabama even had its own unit composed of foreign born resident’s aptly named, “The Montgomery Foreign Guard,” who among its ranks had a lone Hispanic, although a few others did serve, in other Montgomery local defense units.

The Spanish Guards served as part of the Mobile County Reserves and saw service as Provost Guard and Scouts, in Mobile, and to a minimal extent, in Baldwin County. It was officially disbanded on April 12, 1865 although a few men evacuated with the other Confederate forces and surrendered with General Richard Taylor, at Citronelle, Alabama, on May 4, 1865.

You can visit http://adf.ly/8ALVr and learn about the Cuba Libre Camp Project of the Admiral Semmes Camp 11, Sons of Confederate Veterans which is a project to identify all known Cuban Confederate Soldiers, as well as other Hispanics and Minorities who served in the Confederate Military.

1st Alabama Artillery Battalion, Field and Staff Officer's.

Lt. Colonels - Robert Charles Forsyth and James Thomas Gee

Major - Joseph M. Cary

Surgeon - James T. Reese

Assistant Surgeon - Thomas Mattingly

New Episode of "Rosales' History of The South" (Show #7) / La Historia Del Sur Por Rosales (14 Minutes Long)

We did a new episode of "Rosales' History of The South", we will be talking about Jacob Osorio De Castro, a Spanish Sephardic Jew and a Confederate Soldier, as well a Corporal Frank Buckles, the last World War One Veteran, who recently passed away. You can listen to the show by clicking on this link http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rosales-history-of-the-south/2011/04/05/rosales-history-of-the-south-episode-6-la-historia-del-sur-por-rosales-show-6

 

Jacob Osorio De Castro, Sephardic Jew and Confederate Soldier // Jacobo Osorio De Castro, Judio Sefardico y Soldado Confederado

Jacob Osorio De Castro was a Private in Company A, 1st Regiment Mobile Volunteers, Alabama (born Curacao, Dutch West Indies, approx. 1829, died 1894). He was a Sephardic Jew and an ardent supporter of the Confederacy. He arrived in the U.S in 1859 and settled with his wife in New Orleans. His only son, which he named David Jefferson De Castro was born in New Orleans in November 1861.

Jacob joined Company I, Orleans Guard Regiment, Louisiana Militia, where he served as a Private, until the fall of the city. He blamed the death of his infant son in 1862 and his daughter Clara De Castro in 1863, on the Union occupation. He refused to sign the Union Oath of Allegiance and evacuated to Mobile, Alabama.

He was the son of David de Jacob y Gomez De Castro (born Curacao, Dutch West Indies 1799, died June 24, 1841) and Gracia de Moises Aboab Osorio y Fereira (died January 19, 1869). Jacob Osorio De Castro later settled in Savannah, Georgia, where he is buried. Jacob was married Hannah Hoheb De Sola (born April 11, 1831, in St. Croix, Danish Virgin Islands, died April 15, 1897), daughter of Isaac Haim De Sola and Zipporah Hoheb.

Jacobs’ brother Isaac Osorio De Castro (born 1838, Curacao, died August 15, 1905, New Orleans, LA) served as a Private in Company A, 7th Battalion, Louisiana Infantry and is buried in New Orleans.

You can visit http://adf.ly/8ALVr and learn about the Cuba Libre Camp Project of the Admiral Semmes Camp 11, Sons of Confederate Veterans which is a project to identify all known Cuban Confederate Soldiers, as well as other Hispanics and Minorities who served in the Confederate Military.

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Jacob Osorio De Castro era un soldado en la Compañía A, 1er Regimiento de Voluntarios de Mobile, Alabama (nacido en Curazao, Antillas Holandesas, aprox. 1829, murió 1894). Él era un Judio sefardí y un ardiente partidario de la Confederación. Llegó a los EE.UU. en 1859 y se instaló con su esposa en Nueva Orleans. Su único hijo, que llamó David Jefferson De Castro nació en Nueva Orleans en noviembre de 1861.

Jacob se unió a la Compañía I, Regimiento de la Guardia Milicia de Orleans, Louisiana, donde se desempeñó como soldado, hasta la caída de la ciudad. Culpó de la muerte de su hijo recién nacido en el año 1862 y de su hija Clara De Castro en 1863, a la ocupación de la Unión. Se negó a firmar el juramento a la bandera de la Unión y se trasladó a Mobile, Alabama.

Él era el hijo de David de Jacob y Gómez de Castro (nacido Curazao, Antillas Holandesas 1799, murió 24 de junio 1841) y Gracia de Moises Aboab Osorio y Fereira (murió 19 de enero 1869). Jacob Osorio De Castro más tarde se estableció en Savannah, Georgia, donde está enterrado. Jacob se casó con Hannah Hoheb De Sola (nacida el 11 de abril 1831, en St. Croix, Islas Vírgenes Danesas, murió 15 de abril 1897), hija de Isaac Haim De Sola y Zipporah Hoheb.

El hermano de Jacob, Isaac Osorio de Castro (nacido en 1838, Curazao, murió 15 de agosto 1905, Nueva Orleans, LA), sirvió como soldado en la Compañía A del Batallón 7 de Infantería de Louisiana y está enterrado en Nueva Orleans.

Texas declares Independence from Mexico, in 1836.

Today is Texas Independence Day, Texas declared its Independence from Mexico, on March 2, 1836.  The Republic of Texas existed as Independent Nation bordering the United States and Mexico, from 1836 to 1846.

Corporal Frank Woodruff Buckles, Last American World War One Veteran, Passes Away At Age 110.

Frank Woodruff Buckles (born February 1, 1901, died February 27, 2011) was the last surviving United States World War I Veteran. He was born in Bethany, Missouri, in 1901 and enlisted in the United States Army, in August 1917, at the age of 16. He was sent to Europe aboard the R.M.S. Carpathia (which was the ship which rescued the survivors of the Titanic, in 1912) and spent the War as a Motorcycle and Ambulance Driver. He served in the Army until January 1920. He was once again caught in war when Japan invaded the U.S. Territory of The Philippines, where he worked for a shipping company, in Manila. He was detained by the Japanese and held as a prisoner at Los Banos Prison Camp, from 1942 to 1945.  He returned to the United States and married Audrey Mayo, in 1946. He lived at Gap View Farm, in Charles Town, West Virginia, and was the Honorary Chairman of the World War I Memorial Foundation. Frank Buckles reached the rank of Corporal during World War One and for his service was awarded the World War I Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation of Germany Medal and he was also awarded by French President Jacques Chirac, the French Legion of Honor. His death signifies the true end of an era. May He Rest In Peace / Que En Paz Descanse.

Captain William M. Walker, Confederate States Army, Buried in Mobile, Alabama, 1863.

Captain William M. Walker, of the Confederate States Army, was buried in Church Street Cemetery, in downtown Mobile, Alabama, on September 10th, 1863. (He was born in Huntsville, Alabama on July 21st, 1821).

Martin Luther King Jr., Quote.

"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools". Martin Luther King Jr.

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If you love Southern History remember to listen to "Rosales' History of The South" Radio Show, you will LOVE IT ! You can click on this link to listen http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rosales-history-of-the-south

The Sons of Confederate Veterans // Los Hijos De Veteranos Confederados.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans is a non-racial, non-sectarian, historical, patriotic and genealogical organization composed of descendants of members of the Confederate Army including state and county militia, Navy, and Marine Corps. There were over 7,000 Hispanics of every shape and color, including Spaniards, Cubans, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Filipinos from the then Spanish Colony of the Philippines and Sephardic Jews who served in the Confederate military (of which over 400 were Officers), and in many cases went back home after the war. If you are a new Hispanic immigrant, a Cuban exile or Mexican-American, or if you are descended from a Spanish / Hispanic family, especially here along the Gulf Coast or the Southwest border States, there is a really good possibility that you are related to someone who served in the Confederate military.

The Sons were organized in Richmond, Virginia in 1896 and are the direct successor of "The United Confederate Veterans" organization composed of actual Confederate soldiers and sailors. Membership in the Sons is open to all male descendants of any Confederate Veteran who served honorably in any branch of the armed forces between 1861-1865. Membership can be obtained either through a lineal direct ancestor or through a collateral line such as an uncle or cousin, but the connection must be proven genealogically. The minimum age for membership is 12 years old.

The organization is composed of the national headquarters at Columbia, Tenn. and then is divided into "divisions" by state. It is then further broken up in "brigades" which correspond to sub sections of each division and finally to the local "camp". There are approximately 900 camps nationwide and the organization puts out a quarterly magazine named "Confederate Veteran" which is full of information on the organization and its activities, plus articles on different aspects of the War Between the States. The organization also offers college scholarships, has its own credit card, and in many state license plates in the South.

The organization welcomes members of any ethnic group. For more information on how to join, you can email me at HistoryofTheSouth@yahoo.com.

 
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Los Hijos de Veteranos Confederados es una organización no racista y no sectaria. La organización es histórica, patriótica y genealógica compuesta por descendientes de los miembros del ejército confederado, militantes del estado y condados, la Armada y la Infantería de Marina. Más de 7,000 hispanos de todos los tamaños y colores-Españoles, Cubanos, Filipinos, Puerto Riquenos, Mexicanos y Judíos Sefardí-que sirvieron en el ejército confederado (mas de 400 fueron Oficiales), muchos lograron volver a sus hogares después de la guerra. Si eres un nuevo inmigrante hispano, exiliado Cubano, Mexicano-Americano, descendiente Español o familia Hispana, especialmente aquí en la costa del Golfo o los estados del suroeste fronterizos, hay muy buena posibilidad de que este relacionado a alguien que sirvió en el ejército confederado.

Los Hijos (The Sons) se organizaron en Richmond, Virginia en 1896 y son los sucesores directo de los "Veteranos Confederados Unidos", organización integrada por militares y marineros actuales de la Confederación. Membrecía a Los Hijos está abierta a todos los descendientes varones de cualquier veterano confederado que haya servido honorablemente en cualquier rama de las fuerzas armadas entre 1861-1865. La membrecía puede ser obtenida a través de un pariente directo o de una línea colateral, como un tío o un primo, pero la conexión debe ser comprobada genealógicamente. La edad mínima de ingreso es de12 años.

La organización se compone de la oficina nacional en Columbia, Tennessee y se divide en "divisiones" en cada estado. A continuación se organizan en "brigadas" que corresponden a las sub-secciones de cada división y finalmente en campamentos. Existen aproximadamente 900 campamentos en todo el país. La organización publica una revista trimestral llamada "Confederación de Veteranos", que está llena de información sobre la organización, sus actividades y artículos sobre diferentes aspectos de la guerra entre los Estados. La organización también ofrece becas para la universidad, tiene su propia tarjeta de crédito, y en varios estados del sur placas para el automóvil.

La organización da la bienvenida a los miembros de cualquier grupo étnico. Para obtener más información sobre cómo unirse pueden enviarme un correo electrónico a HistoryofTheSouth@yahoo.com.

Battle of New Orleans, Chalmette Battle Field, St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, January 8th, 1815 // La Batalla De Nueva Orleans, Luisiana 8 de Enero, 1815.

The Battle of New Orleans occurred at Chalmette Battle Field, in Louisiana, on January 8th, 1815. It was the last major Battle of the War of 1812 and pitted United States Army troops under General Andrew Jackson, supplemented by white Creole Volunteers (French and Spanish), Free African Americans, Free "Creoles of Color", Native Americans (Choctaw and others) and Pirates led by Jean Laffite against a professional British Army led by  Commander Alexander Cochrane and Major-General Edward M. Pakenham. The forces met at Chalmette Battle Field, in Saint Bernard Parish just outside of New Orleans. The American forces were able to stop and defeat the British troops. The British suffered  2,042 casualties in total (291 killed, including General Pakenham, 1,267 wounded and 484 captured or missing. The Americans had a total of 71 casualties (13 dead, 39 wounded and 19 missing).

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If you love Southern History, you will love Rosales' History of The South" Radio Show, you can listen by clicking on this link http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rosales-history-of-the-south

Spanish Colonial Mission, San Miguel De Linares De Los Adaes, Louisiana // La Mision Espanola, San Miguel De Linares De Los Adaes, en Luisiana.

The only Spanish Religious Mission set up in what is now the State of Louisiana was established on what ws then considered "East Texas", in 1716-1717 and named San Miguel De Linares De Los Adaes. It was closed in 1719 but reopened a few years later and remained open until 1773, when it was abandoned.

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If you love Southern History remember to listen to "Rosales" History of The South" Radio Show, you can click on this link to listen http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rosales-history-of-the-south

Christmas and The Feast of The Three Kings (The Epiphany) in Spanish Colonial Mobile, Alabama 1780-1813 // Las Navidades y La Fiesta de los Reyes Magos en la epoca Colonial Espanola en Mobile, Alabama 1780-1813.

The Spanish who settled in Mobile, Alabama during the Spanish Colonial era (1780-1813) were very few in number and were composed almost entirely of Colonial Officials and Military Personnel.

The concept of "Christmas" as we know it today was not ingrained in the Spanish Culture. The Spanish celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ by having a large supper with family and friends known as the "Noche Buena" (Good Night) on December 24th, Christmas Eve. This was followed by "La Misa Del Gallo" (The Rooster' Mass) held at midnight on Christmas Eve. This tradition continues today among Hispanic's, in all Hispanic Nations.

The tradition of giving children gifts was held on The Feast of The Three Kings (January 6th) which also known as the Epiphany. There are remnants of this tradition along the Gulf Coast, where it is known as "12th Night" the traditional beginning of the Mardi Gras Season.

You can listen to my Radio show episode about this and other Christmas Traditions along the Gulf Coast by clicking on this link  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rosales-history-of-the-south/2010/12/18/rosales-history-of-the-south-show-5-la-historia-de. I hope you enjoy it.

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Los Españoles que se establecieron en Mobile, Alabama durante la era Colonial Española (1780-1813) eran pocos y se componían casi por completo de Oficiales Coloniales y personal militar.

El concepto de “Navidad” como los conocemos hoy en día no está incrustado en la cultura Española. Los Españoles celebraban el nacimiento de Jesucristo con una gran cena junto a familia y amigos conocida como “Noche Buena” el 24 de Diciembre, Nochebuena. Esto daba curso a la Misa del Gallo a la medianoche de la Nochebuena. Esta tradición es continuada hoy en día por Hispanos en todas las naciónes Hispanas.

La tradición de dar regalos a los niños se llevaba acabo durante la Fiesta de los Reyes Magos (6 de Enero) que también se conoce como la Epifanía. Aún quedan rasgos de esta tradición a lo largo del Golfo donde se conoce como la Duodécima Noche, noche tradicional que da comienzo a la temporada de Mardi Gras.

New Episode of "Rosales' History of The South" Radio Show (Show #5, 1 Hour Long).

We did a new episode of "Rosales' History of The South" Radio Show last night, topics include

Christmas (Southern Hispanic, Creole and Cajun traditions), as well as The Feast of The Three Kings (The Epiphany). We will also be discussing some Historical and Genealogical Organizations such as The Sons of Spanish American War Veterans, The Sons of Confederate Veterans and a few others. We will also be discussing / answering some listener mail and discussing Racism in the South and else where and "our solution" to it, here on the show. You can listen to episode #5 by clicking on this link

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rosales-history-of-the-south/2010/12/18/rosales-history-of-the-south-show-5-la-historia-de

We hope you enjoy the show ! Thank You / Gracias !!

New Episode of "Rosales" History of The South" Radio Show (Show # 4, 30 Minutes Long).

We did a new episode of "Rosales" History of The South" Radio Show, you can listen to it by clicking on the link below. Topic's include "Sephardic Jews along the Gulf Coast", Confederate (Mexican) Captain Refugio Benavides and Forgotten Confederate Frenchman Joseph Valle, as well as other topics. We hope you enjoy it !! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rosales-history-of-the-south/2010/12/09/rosales-history-of-the-south-show-4

The Sephardic Jews of Alabama // Los Judios Sefardicos en Alabama.

Sephardic Jews settled in Mobile, Alabama as early as 1765 during the English Colonial Period 1763-1780. The first Sephardic Jew to settle in Alabama was Joseph De Palacios, who purchased land in Mobile, on July 9, 1765.

The Sephardic Jews in Mobile returned to Alabama once the United States gained the area back from Spain in 1813 and had close business and family connections to New Orleans, Charleston and the West Indies.

The first Jewish Synagogue in Alabama, was dedicated on December 27, 1846, in Mobile and was named Sha’arai Shomayin Umaskil El Dol. It held a handful of its early services partially using the Ladino (Judeo Spanish), as their first rabbi was a Sephardic Jew, by the name of Benjamin Da Silva (born November 17, 1811 in Amsterdam, Holland, died May 11, 1881 in New Orleans, Louisiana).

The congregation mostly composed of Ashkenazi Jews existed officially since January 25, 1844 but held services at private homes until the Synagogue opened, in 1846. The main Sephardic settlement on the Gulf coast was in New Orleans and many families moved there both before and after the War Between the States.

The Sephardic Jews, in Mobile, always few in number, tended to marry members of their faith—either locals or from other Sephardic communities, in other states, or overseas. The most prominent Sephardic Jews in Alabama included Thomas Cooper De Leon, Samuel Nunis, Dr. Aaron Lopez and Dr. Joseph Bensadon. /// You can listen to the radio show episode I did on Sephardic Jews along the Gulf Coast and Alabama by clicking on this link http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rosales-history-of-the-south/2010/12/09/rosales-history-of-the-south-show-4, I hope you enjoy it.

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Los Judíos Sefardicos se establecieron en Mobile, Alabama comenzando desde el año 1765 durante el periodo Colonial Ingles la cual duró del 1763 hasta el 1780. El primer judío Sefardí en establecerse en Alabama fue Joseph DePalacios, quien compró terreno en Mobile el 9 de Julio del 1765.

Los judíos Sefardicos de Mobile regresaron al estado de Alabama cuando los Estados Unidos recobraron el área de los españoles en el 1813. Muchos tenían relaciones de negocios y conexiones familiar en Nueva Orleans, Charleston y en las Antillas Occidentales.

La primera Sinagoga Judía en Alabama fue dedicada el 27 de Diciembre, 1846 en Mobile y fue nombrada Sha’arai Shomayin Umaskil El Dol. Parte de sus primeros servicios fueron en Ladino (Judeo Español), ya que su primer rabí era un Judío Sefardico de nombre Benjamín Da Silva (nacido el 17 de Diciembre, 1811 en Ámsterdam, Holanda, fallecido el 11 de Mayo, 1881 en Nueva Orleans, Louisiana).

La congregación se componía mayormente de Judíos Ashkenazi y existía oficialmente desde el 25 de Enero, 1877 pero los servicios se hacían en hogares privados hasta que la sinagoga abriera en el 1846. La mayor concentración de Judíos Sefardicos a lo largo del Golfo estaban establecidos en Nueva Orleans y muchas de las familias se mudaron al comienzo de la Guerra entre los Estados y después de que terminara la guerra.

Los Judíos Sefardicos de Mobile eran siempre pocos y tenían solían casarse con miembros entre su propia fe ya fuera localmente o entre otras comunidades Sefardicas en distintos estados o el extranjero. Los Judíos Sefardicos mas prominente en Alabama incluyen a Thomas Cooper De León, Samuel Nunis, Dr. Aarón López y el Dr. Joseph Bensadon.

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)

Benigno Simon Calderon, Confederate Soldier and Free "Creole of Color" // Benigno Simon Calderon, Soldado Confederado, Hombre Libre "De Color".

Benigno Simon Calderon (Born January 28, 1829, died May 28, 1870) was a "Free Man of Color" and a member (at the rank of Private) of the Creole Fire Company, Alabama Militia, during the Civil War. He was the son of Simon Calderon (born November 4, 1800, died February 1835) and Catherine Bernoudy (born 1812, died December 28, 1853). Bernoudy was the daughter of Isabelle Barthelemy and Registe Bernoudy (born 1870, died 1850) who was buried at Church Street Cemetery.

Calderon worked as a carpenter and lived at Poe Street and Marmot, in 1861, in Mobile, Ala. He was the grandson of Benigno Garcia Calderon (born 1764 in Havana, Cuba) and Lucia Jane Andry (born June 1783, died June 1822). Garcia was a lieutenant in the Spanish Army stationed along the Gulf Coast and later became Royal Treasurer, at Pensacola. Andry was the daughter of Simon Andry and a “Negro” slave by the name of Jane (born circa 1755, November 12, 1846) of Mobile, Alabama. Jane was emancipated on May 5, 1805.

He married first Corrine Chavana (died 1856) daughter of Vincent Chavana Sr. and Catherine Dubroca and later Claire Andry (born 1834, died July 30th, 1876). More information can be found about Lt. Benigno Garcia Calderon in documents located at the Archivo General De Las Indias, Papeles Procedentes De Cuba. /// You can listen to my radio show episode about Benigno Simon Calderon by clicking on this link http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rosales-history-of-the-south/2010/12/01/rosales-history-of-the-south-show-3
I hope you enjoy the show.

You can visit http://adf.ly/8ALVr and learn about the Cuba Libre Camp Project of the Admiral Semmes Camp 11, Sons of Confederate Veterans which is a project to identify all known Cuban Confederate Soldiers, as well as other Hispanics and Minorities who served in the Confederate Military.

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Benigno Simon Calderon (Enero 28, 1829-Mayo 28, 1870) fue un “Hombre de Color Libre” y miembro (Soldado) del “Creole Fire Company", Alabama Militia durante la Guerra Civil Americana . Sus padres Simon Calderon nacido el 4 de Noviembre del 1800, fallecido en Febrero del 1865 y su madre Catherine Bernoudy nacida en el 1812, fallecida Diciembre 28 del 1853. Bernoudy era hija de Isabelle Barthelemy y Registe Bernoudy (quien fue enterrado en Church Street Cemetery).

Calderon trabajaba como carpintero y vivía entre la calle Poe y la Marmot, en Mobile circa 1861. Sus abuelos eran el Señor Benigno Garcia Calderon (nacido en Havana, Cuba, 1764) y Lucia Jane Andry (1783-1822). Garcia era teniente en el Ejercito Español estacionado a lo largo del Golfo y luego fue el Tesorero Magistral en Pensacola. Andry, la hija de Simon Andry con una esclava negra llamada Jane (nacida circa 1755, fallecida el 12 de Noviembre del 1846) de Mobile, Alabama. Jane recibió su emancipación Mayo 5, 1805 y cuando murio en 1813 tenia 13 esclavos propio).

Primero se caso con Corrine Chavana quien murió en el 1846, hija de Vicente Chavana y Catherine Dubroca. Luego se caso con Claire Andry (nacida 1834, fallecida Julio 30, 1876). Más información sobre la historia de Calderon está disponible por medio de documentos archivados en Archivo General de las Indias, Papeles procedentes de Cuba.

I did a new episode of "Rosales" History of The South" Radio Show (Show #3, 1 Hour Long).

I did a new episode of "Rosales' History of The South" Radio Show tonight, you can listen to it by clicking here  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rosales-history-of-the-south/2010/12/01/rosales-history-of-the-south-show-3
Topics include Confederate "Creole of Color" Benigno Simon Calderon, of Mobile, Alabama, Confederate Colonel Jose De Los Santos Benavides, of Texas and the famous frontier woman "Mad" Ann Bailey, of Virginia (Western Virginia). I hope you enjoy the show. Thank You // Gracias !!!

"Mad" Ann Bailey (1742-November 22nd, 1825)

"Mad" Anne Bailey was a very interesting and colorful character of what was then Virginia and the Northwest Territories.  Her story is fascinating and I had the pleasure to speak with a lady who does re-enactments portraying "Mad" Ann. You can visit her blog link at
http://madannebailey.blogspot.com/ and you can see a video of her portraying "Mad" Ann by going to this link   http://www.graphicenterprises.net/html/newsreel_35.html also WIKI has an excellent entry on "Mad" Ann Bailey which you can visit by clicking here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Bailey. It is time for the story of this Heroic Woman to be known and I hope to do a Radio Show episode on her, in the near future.

New "Rosales' History of The South" Radio Show Episode (Show #2, 15 Minutes Long).

I did a new episode of "Rosales' History of The South" Radio Show.

Welcome to Rosales' History of The South (Show #2). I will be talking about Hispanic Confederate Officers from the Gulf Coast (Capt. Thomas Cooper De Leon, a Spanish / Sephardic Jew and Spaniard (Catalonian) Lt. Peter Horta, as well as some Spanish History from Louisiana and Spanish Colonial Era Settler to Alabama, Antonio Espejo, plus whatever else we can fit into 15 minutes worth of topics. You can listen to the show here http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rosales-history-of-the-south/2010/11/15/rosales-history-of-the-south-show-2-la-historia-de.

Peter (Pedro) Horta, Hispanic Confederate Officer, Mobile, Alabama // Pedro Horta, Oficial Del Ejercito Confederado, Mobile, Alabama.

Peter Horta (born 1817, Catalonia, Spain, died April 13th, 1880) was a 2nd Lt. in Company G, of the 21st Alabama Infantry. He was a partner in A.P. Horta with his relative, in New Orleans, Antonio Horta. They had businesses at both New Orleans and Mobile and did business with Havana, Cuba. The Mobile business was located at 27 South Water Street.

Horta married Isabella Byrne (born December 25th, 1833, Scotland, died June 10th, 1922). He was a founding member of the Spanish Benevolent and Mutual Aid Society, of Mobile, Alabama, in 1871, and served, as its 1st President. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. on July 1st, 1861, taking the place of M. Rodriguez who resigned.

He built a beautiful home which was later sold to Admiral Raphael Semmes. The home is located at 804 Government Street, Mobile, Alabama. He and his wife are buried at Catholic Cemetery, in Mobile, Alabama. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places, on February 25th, 1970 and is known as the Horta-Semmes Home. // Photo on left is The Horta-Semmes Home. //// You can listen to the radio show episode I did on Peter Horta by clicking on this link
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rosales-history-of-the-south/2010/11/15/rosales-history-of-the-south-show-2-la-historia-de, I hope you enjoy the show.


You can visit http://adf.ly/8ALVr and learn about the Cuba Libre Camp Project of the Admiral Semmes Camp 11, Sons of Confederate Veterans which is a project to identify all known Cuban Confederate Soldiers, as well as other Hispanics and Minorities who served in the Confederate Military.

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Pedro "Peter" Horta (nació en 1817 en Cataluña, España, falleció Abril13, 1880) era un segundo teniente en la compañia G, de la 21a Infanteria de Alabama. El fué socio de A.P. Horta con su pariente, en Nueva Orleans, Antonio Horta. Ellos tenian negocios en Nueva Orleans y Mobile y negociaban con La Habana, Cuba. El negocio de Mobile estaba ubicado en 27 South Water Street.

Horta contrajo matrimonio con Isabella Byrne (nacida el 25 de Diciembre, 1833 en Escocia y murió el 10 de Junio, 1922). Fué miembro fundador de la Sociedad Benevolente y Ayuda Mutua, de Mobile, Alabama en 1871 y sirvió como su primer Presidente. Fué comisionado como un segundo teniente el 1 de Julio de 1861, reemplazando a M. Rodriguez quien renunció.

El construyó una preciosa casa la cual fué vendida después al Admiral Raphael Semmes. La casa está ubicada en el 804 Government Street en Mobile, Alabama. Su casa fué nombrada en el Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos el 25 de Febrero, 1970 y es conocida como la Casa Horta-Semmes. El y su esposa están sepultados en el Cementerio Católico en Mobile. // La foto en este articulo es de la Casa Horta-Semmes.

Captain Thomas Cooper De Leon, Sephardic Jewish Confederate Officer and Writer // Capitan Thomas Cooper De Leon, Oficial Confederado y Escritor.

Captain Thomas Cooper De Leon (May 21, 1839 - March 19, 1914) was a Chief Clerk Office of Pay and a member of the Confederate States Navy. He served at the same rank as personal secretary for President Jefferson Davis, being specifically entrusted with confidential correspondence. Thomas Cooper De Leon is well known for his many post war books and poetry including “Creole and Puritan” (1889), “Puritans Daughter” (1891), “Four Years in Rebel Capitals” (1893), “Confederate Memories” (1899) and “Belles, Beaux and Brains of the 60’s” (1909). He was also editor of the Mobile Register, The Gossip and The Gulf Citizen after the war.

Thomas was the brother of Edwin De Leon (May 4, 1818 - November 30, 1891), former Consul General for the United States, in Egypt under the administrations of President’s Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan and who served as the Confederate Envoy in Europe. He was also the brother of David Camden De Leon (1813 - September 3, 1872), 1st Surgeon General of the Confederacy, who had fought in the Seminole War. He was wounded twice while fighting in the Mexican War.

Thomas Cooper De Leon was a descendent of a Spanish / Sephardic Jewish family. Thomas and his brothers were the children of Dr. Mordecai Hendricks De Leon (1791-1848), and Rebecca Lopez y Nunez, of Charleston, South Carolina. Dr. Mordecai Hendricks De Leon, was the son of Jacob De Leon (1764-1828). Thomas went totally blind in 1903 and was called “the Blind Laureate of the Lost Cause.” He is buried at Magnolia Cemetery, in Mobile, Alabama, in the Admiral Raphael Semmes Camp 11, United Confederate Veterans Plot (Square 27, Lot 13). DeLeon Avenue in Mobile is named after this family. /// This is the radio show episode where I talk about Thomas Cooper De Leon, you can click here and listen to the show
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rosales-history-of-the-south/2010/11/15/rosales-history-of-the-south-show-2-la-historia-de, I hope you enjoy it.

You can visit http://adf.ly/8ALVr and learn about the Cuba Libre Camp Project of the Admiral Semmes Camp 11, Sons of Confederate Veterans which is a project to identify all known Cuban Confederate Soldiers, as well as other Hispanics and Minorities who served in the Confederate Military.

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Capitán Thomas Cooper de Leon (Mayo 21,1839-Marzo 19,1914) fué el Chief Clerk Office of Pay (Jefe Oficina de Pago) y miembro de la Naval de los Estados Confederados. Él sirvió con el mismo cargo como secretario personal para el Presidente Jefferson Davis, siendo especialmente encargado con correspondencia confidencial. Thomas Cooper de Leon es muy conocido por sus muchos libros de guerra y poesias incluyendo “Creole and Puritan” (1889), “Puritans Daughter” (1891), “Four Years in Rebel Capitals” (1893), “Confederate Memories” (1899) y “Belles, Beaux and Brains of the 60´s” (1909). Él fué también el editor del Mobile Register, The Gossip and The Gulf Citizen después de la guerra.

Thomas era hermano de Edwin De Leon (Mayo 4, 1818- Noviembre 30, 1891), el anterior Cónsul General de los Estados Unidos en Egipto durante las administraciones del Presidente Franklin y James Buchanan y que sirvió como el Enviado Confederado en Europa. También era hermano de David Camden de Leon (1813- Septiembre 3, 1872), Primer Cirujano General de la Confederación, quien habia peleado en la Guerra Seminole. Fué herido dos veces peleando en la Guerra Mexicana.

Thomas Cooper de Leon era descendiente de una familia Española-Sefardita Judia. El y sus hermanos eran hijos del Dr. Mordecai Hendricks De Leon (1791-1848), y Rebecca López y Núñez de Charleston, South Carolina. Dr. Mordacai Hendricks De Leon era el hijo de Jacob De Leon (1764-1828). Thomas perdió su vista en 1903 y fué llamado “El Laureado Ciego de la Causa Perdida.”. Él está sepultado en el Cementerio Magnolia, en Mobile, Alabama, en el Admiral Raphael Semmes Camp 11, United Confederate Veterans Plot (Square 27, Lot 13). DeLeon Avenue en Mobile fué nombrada por su familia.