Smoke Signals and other news
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and it is the 39th anniversary of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act. FVPSA has been an integral part of our nation’s public health response to domestic violence by providing emergency shelters, crisis hotlines, prevention programs, resource centers, specialized services for children exposed to violence, and a wide range of federal, state, local, and tribal partners across the United States.
I have omitted the details to protect the domestic violence victim, but I wanted to share. I was recently involved in helping a lady from a domestic violence situation.
The lady knocked on my door for help. She had managed to escape when her alledged abuser was asleep. I didn’t even know her but had heard her name around town. The bruises visible on her body made you wonder what other injuries were that I could not see–the physical and mental abuse.
After talking with her, I helped her find phone numbers for safe houses to help her. After several calls, she found a place with an opening and made arrangements to go there.
Travel arrangements were made and while we waited, I took her for a meal and something to drink. To my knowledge, she is safe for the time being. I say this to remind everyone there is a way out of domestic violence. Reach out to someone. The National Domestic Violence Hotline number is 1-800-799- 7233, or go to www.the hotline.org or the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 601-981-9196, or 1- 800-898-3234 or go to the website mcadv.org.
My twelve-year-old grandson, Landon, had shingles, yes, shingles. Remember, he has never had chickenpox but did have the chickenpox vaccine. The dermatologist he is seeing said they are seeing more people who had the vaccine develop shingles as the vaccine causes the virus to become dormant in the body, the same as the disease. This is a long-term effect that wasn’t known. This is an otherwise healthy young man who eats healthiy, exercises regularly, does well in school, and plays on multiple football
teams. We do not know how severe his case will be at this time, but we know it is not pleasant so far.
Another friend (my age) also has shingles and never had chickenpox but did take the vaccine when she was a teacher to protect herself from the disease. Her case has lingered for several months. I am not advocating for or against this or any vaccine. The choice is yours; however, be aware this is a possibility.
This week, I had the opportunity for my six-month mammogram, which I have been doing for several years due to a suspicious area found and biopsied. After an extensive exam (which always makes me a bit nervous), I received the best news: the area was declared stable, and I was given a one-year reprieve rather than six months.
Ironically, six months ago, while doing the same procedures, I received a phone call that someone I knew had just passed away from breast cancer. She had postponed going for her annual mammograms. Maybe she would still be alive had she gone annually. In the case of another friend, she told her doctor something was wrong, and he brushed it off as nothing to worry about. By the time the cancer was diagnosed, it was too late, and she lost her battle with breast cancer. Ladies, make the time for this important exam and insist on a follow-up if you believe something is wrong.
As you read the information from the pages of “The History of Byhalia” by former Mayor Barton Williams, think about the landmarks mentioned and the fact that these particular passages are from this time of year.
We retreated on the road to Ingram’s Mill and met Colonel Duckworth three miles from the battlefield coming to our aid. With 900 men of my brigade alone, I fought 1,500 of the enemy for three hours. I do not know what damage we did to the enemy. One of his captains, captured at Wyatt, admitted losing one lieutenant killed and five or six wounded. We encamped on the night of the 12th instant at Ingram’s Mill. Colonel McGuirk reported to me that night. I ordered a forward movement at 4 o’clock and Colonel Duckworth to hold the bridge at the mill until nine the next day. The colonel failed to get the position in time, and when he went to take it, he found it in the enemy’s possession. He, however, covered our retreat during the 13th from Ingram’s Mill to Wyatt, frequently skirmishing with the enemy. About two miles north of Chulahoma, I ordered Lieutenant-Colonel McCulloch to take position behind a ridge parallel with the road, concealed by the ridge, and to fire upon the enemy’s column as he pursued Colonel Duckworth. Colonel McCulloch took the position and held it until Colonel Duckworth came up. When learning that a heavy column of the enemy was moving to our left on another road and fearing he would be cut off, he retired from his position without executing the orders given to him. We reached Wyatt at about 3 p.m. on the 13th instant and crossed over all trains and regiments except Colonel Inge’s regiment and one of the Reneau guns, placed in a position to hold the enemy in check while the remainder started crossing-Colonel R. V. Richardson Commanding Northeast Miss.
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.