Smoke Signals and other news
Welcome. Fall at last. The cooler air, the falling leaves, the slowing of the grass growing, the football games, festivals, fire pits, and the awesome smells of fall all tell us the year will soon be coming to a close.
Come out and meet the Byhalia Area Arts Council members and board on Thursday, Oct. 26, at 5:00 p.m. At the Old School Commons. See what the Arts Council has for you.
The Byhalia Garden Club hosted the Tombigbee Valley District Fall Meeting. Many awards were given out.
The long-awaited splash pad is finally installed and ready for use in the Spring at the walking track. It will soon be winterized, and a kickoff event will happen in the Spring. The many delays were unavoidable. New playground equipment has arrived, and installation has begun.
A couple of years ago, I was honored to write an article about Wall Hill’s 3G Farms. It is even more awesome now. Take your little ones out for a day of fun. General admission covers access to the corn maze, Barnyard Brigade, and a hayride you don’t want to miss. There is a swing set, seesaws, giant tic tac toe, checkers, and cornhole to enjoy. They have added vendors on the farm selling food and snacks and have picnic tables available.
Byhalia Middle School and Elementary School will host a Trunk or Treat on October 28 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. At the ballfield at 35 Lowry Road. Businesses and residences in Downtown Byhalia on Church Street will give out candy on October 31st from 5 p.m. To 7 p.m.
We had a very reclusive cat for approximately ten years. She decided to live with us rather than her owners, who were our neighbors. She chose to live outside until about two years ago when she invited herself inside and never went back out. She stayed to herself and rarely allowed anyone to touch her. A few weeks ago, she chose to stay in a back room, coming out to eat, drink, and use the litter box. I have been away from home often in the last few weeks, followed by a week of serious illness. I realized I had not seen her in a couple of weeks. A thorough search found that she had tucked herself away in a very small, secluded spot and simply passed away. She never showed signs of illness or distress other than changing where she hung out.
And from the past. Colonel Duckworth had not come up. I could hear nothing from him. Scouts reported a heavy enemy column moving from Holly Springs, on my right, toward our rear. Colonel Neely sent me word that his ammunition would soon exhaust. I had left about 50 canisters from the Reneau section. I determined to withdraw from the field and immediately ordered the colonels to advance skirmishers along the line. Lieutenant McLaughlin, in charge of one of the Reneau guns, advanced his piece 100 yards, rapidly fired several canisters into the enemy’s position, and retired. I then ordered Colonel Stewart to withdraw his regiment, mount his horses, and form a line across the road to protect the other regiments retiring. Also, under Captain Palmer, the other Reneau gun moves in advance on the road to Ingram’s Mill and takes a position commanding the road. After the regiments were withdrawn, mounted, and formed in column of route, I called in the skirmishers, who mounted their horses and joined their regiments. The whole command moved off slowly in good order, Colonel Steward protecting the rear. The enemy slowly pursued us, skirmishing with Colonel Stewart, who effectually kept him in check by alternating in position three squads of 10 men each at eligible points to fire upon their advance. We lost one man severely wounded, another slightly injured, and one of my horses killed and another wounded. (Source: “The History of Byhalia.”)
Please share your news with me at jchwagg@gmail.com or text or call 901 246-8843. You can message me on Facebook as Clair Wagg.