This year serves as the final year of the
Sesquicentennial of the War Between the States.
One hundred and fifty years ago, our grandfathers faced very dire and
trying times as the inevitability of defeat to the overwhelming Union forces
must have been a painful and desperate reality which they continued to face
with even more incredible bravery and dedication. Defeats and the deaths of the last of these very
best and bravest Southern men mounted until the Confederate leadership in the field could endure the
losses no longer. Unfortunately, the
cessation of armed conflict did not lead to the end of hostilities as the Union
occupiers imposed a martial law and subjugation of the Southern populace which
continued for over a decade more.
Reconstruction policies impoverished the former states and citizens of
the Confederacy for many decades more to come and bred a division between North
and South and between the races which endures even today. And worse is the derogatory slanderous
attitude Northerners and their sympathizing historians have exhibited for the
past 150 years in rewriting the history of our brave and noble ancestors struggle to preserve our
framers original liberties and the concept of limited self-governance in an
effort to justify and glorify Lincolns war for economic imperialism.
We are fast losing ground to
political correctness and complacency in our struggle today to defend the “true
history of the South”. I thought
striking Commander-in-Chief Barrow’s citation of Historian General Rutherford’s
1912 address to the UDC (Confederate Veteran, November/December 2014) of the
responsibility of historians and particularly defenders of the Cause to be
intimately knowledgeable and truthful in the subject of our Confederate patriot
forbears, to patiently but boldly, fearlessly and enthusiastically
“vindicate the Cause, defend the Confederate
soldier's good name, jealously guard his history, emulate his virtues and
perpetuate those principles which he loved and those ideals which made him
glorious”. The Sesquicentennial has
afforded us an opportunity to highlight the significance of this period in our
nation’s history and the relevance of the issues which fomented the secession
of the Southern states and the truth behind the prosecution of the War.
The holiday season provided
numerous opportunities to participate in Confederate Christmas observances and
fellowship starting with the Children of the Confederacy’s seasonal program at
Confederate Memorial Park, the two parades in which the Dragoons fielded
entries, and of course the Dragoons annual Social with General Lee eggnog at
the Buena Vista mansion beautifully decorated with Christmas greenery. The coming year will provide even more
opportunities for each of us to take advantage of this final year of the
Sesquicentennial to become better stewards of our Southern heritage and bold
and enthusiastic Confederate historians.
Camp 1524 will participate in more community events like parades and
festivals, complete the renovations and rededicate the Indian Hills cemetery,
participate in school activities including class presentations and poster
distribution and awarding JROTC Hunley commendations, donate to heritage
preservation projects locally and regionally, and hold monthly educational camp
meetings as well as our enjoyable social activities like the spring picnic and
Social. The Division will host a Robert
E. Lee Day event on January 24th at the State Archives to begin the year as
well as a Confederate Memorial Day event in April at the state capitol and a
Sesquicentennial event at Ft. McDermott and the annual Reunion in Tallassee
this year; another highlight will certainly be the Confederate Circle
rededication in Selma on May 23rd.
Nationally, the annual Stephen Dill Lee Institute seminar will be held
in Dallas TX February 6-7, the SCV Reunion will be held in Richmond VA and
there will be another Heritage Rally in this final year of the
Sesquicentennial.
Many opportunities to
participate and contribute and promote the Cause. Make the most of this final year of the
Sesquicentennial to make memories at these and many other events to share with
your children and grandchildren, friends and family, to impress upon them the
importance in preserving and honoring our Southern heritage and its glorious
ideals. Take the initiative to
volunteer, contribute and lead in the SCV organization. In this regard, many thanks to past-Commander
Larry Spears for assuming the role of camp Communications Officer – you will
receive this newsletter, information and communication distributions from Larry
going forward. I will attempt to compile
our monthly Camp Dispatch going forward.
Together, Larry and I hope to be able to fill Tyrone Crowley’s shoes who
so nobly served in these capacities for so long. Wishing everyone a healthy, happy and
prosperous New Year.
Stuart Waldo
Camp Commander
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