The Union and the Myth of the Righteous Cause, Warts and All

Letter to the Editor, Roanoke Times (http://www.roanoke.com/opinion/commentary/cahoon-the-union-and-the-myth-of-the-righteous-cause/article_c934992d-c511-5dca-87d6-304f38e439d4.html ) 

The Union and the Myth of the Righteous Cause,

 Warts and All

Halford Ryan is at it again with his recent one dimensional interpretation of why the Confederate soldier fought. He challenges Virginia Flaggers and SCV to respond to what he considers embarrassing questions.

 I am here to respond and to remain at the service of anyone who still believes in The Myth of The Righteous Cause and the nobility of the Union Army destroying the southern states as conquered providences.

Let’s lay some facts on the table. The Civil war was caused by secession. Secession had multiple causes including fear of instant emancipation.

For the deep South, this brought out legitimate of fears of the Santo Domingo effect and the Nat Turner revolt, both where whites were slaughtered.

Ryan either forgets or is unaware of Southern efforts toward ante bellum emancipation that were botched by the likes of William Lloyd Garrison. For years leading up to the war there had been a moral recognition and multiple solutions proposed by the South. Slavery was immoral, inefficient and would ultimately die out.

Not mentioned are Lincoln’s racists quotes that he was simply fighting to restore the Union and wanted all blacks freed and sent back to Africa.

How about that for warts and all. This is the great Myth of The Righteous Cause

 White supremacy flowed from the mouth of Lincoln and every American, north and south. To assign it only to the Confederate Battle flag when we see the KKK parading in Washington DC with the Stars and Stripes is the ultimate hypocrisy.

Ryan’s credentials imply as a teacher of Southern oratory he surely must have used statements from 1861 political leaders as published in Southern newspapers. Recent election results testify to the credibility of the press and politicians.

Not heard from are the common soldiers. I suggest one listen to them, Union and Confederate as they tell you why they fought. It was not to end slavery…it was over the rights of states to secede.

 Slavery later became incidental and many Union soldiers threatened to mutiny because they had no intention of fighting for emancipation.

Let us dispatch the mixed-race issue (I find the term mulatto degrading) in America. Miscegenation began at Jamestown and has continued through today with no stigma attached to the couple or children now. If Ryan would like to do some big-time shaming, he should go back to 1787 and start removing all vestiges of Thomas Jefferson from UVA.

Jefferson and many others, were committing no crime using their property as they saw fit. Miscegenation took place in the North, on the frontier with Native Americans, forcibly with Union soldiers invading the South, with indentured female Scots Irish slaves and recently within any country where the American military has been stationed.

 Virginia’s ordinance of session and the convention proceedings, clearly state that we voted to stay in but warned Lincoln against coercing other states. On April 15 Lincoln called for Virginia to furnish our militia for his control. On April 17, we withdrew the powers granted to the federal government and left the Union as we warned we would in our ratification June 26 1788. Contrary to Ryan, it does not say emancipation is the prime reason.

The right to secede when an individual state believes the Federal government is acting against the best interest of a particular state is THE STATES RIGHTS that seems to elude superficial history students who wish to depict every Confederate soldier as fighting to preserve slavery. Other rights were tariffs to finance infrastructure projects that benefited the North.

Also, there was a self-righteous arrogance building up in the North by those who wanted instant abolition but did not have to live with its consequences. Ryan may wish to read the Black Codes of Northern states which in many cases prohibited blacks from residing in their states.

As we close our defense of VA Flaggers and SCV, who will be in Lexington on Lee- Jackson day, I would challenge Ryan to cite the highways or streets we have illegally closed with unauthorized marches. Tell me how many riots, burning of automobiles and looting of liquor stores in which we have participated, although our freedoms were abridged and our legitimate heroes’ statues spray painted.

In spite of hate rhetoric in Ryan’s article, race relations stumble forward. Yes, there are enlightened blacks who march with us. It is pathetic that true history is there for the reading but hate is so much easier.

John L. Cahoon
Roanoke, VA
Member, Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Virginia Flaggers

Prattville Dragoons Camp Meeting for January 2017

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 compatriots enjoyed another excellent meeting on Thursday January 12th with over 30 attendees, including Brigade Commander Butch Godwin. Butch thanked the camp for the active role we take in the community and for our efforts to fulfill the Charge to the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

Our knowledgeable guest speaker was Meredith McDonough from the Alabama Department of Archives and History who presented a most interesting program on 19th century photography. She included visual aids of many photographs from the mid 1800’s in the possession of the Archives including some Confederate soldiers and other significant Alabamians. She also explained the various types of photographs of the period and how photography evolved in that century. 

Also attending the meeting from the Archives was Curator Graham Neeley. He is very familiar with the collection of Confederate flags at the Archives and gave an update on the collection and efforts toward preservation of the flags. 1st Lt. Commander Harold Grooms made the Dragoons annual donation of $500 to the preservation of these flags with Meredith and Graham accepting the check. The Dragoons have made this annual donation for approximately 13 consecutive years. 

1st Lt. Commander Grooms presided over the meeting due to the unavoidable absence of Commander Waldo. There was cheerful fellowship among the members and guests and the satisfaction of donating money to the worthy cause of historic flag preservation at the Archives. 

SCV Alabama Division Celebration of Robert E. Lee's Birthday

On Saturday January 2017 the Alabama Division SCV hosted a celebration of the birthday of Robert E. Lee at the Alabama State Archives in Montgomery AL.  As the program reminded all in attendance, Robert E. Lee was a man of character and integrity.  A top graduate of West Point, he was an exceptional soldier in the U.S. Army for 32 years before resigning to follow and defend his home state of Virginia, becoming the most beloved hero of the Confederate States of America. After the War for Southern Independence, Lee became President of Washington University in Lexington VA.  Lee was born on January 19, 1807 and died on October 12, 1870.

The Tallassee Camp 1921 String Band provided period music for 45 minutes before the program started proper.  The Alabama Division Color Guard posted the colors, the historic Confederate national and Battle flags and Division Commander extended welcome and introduced leadership from the other heritage organizations including the Alabama Division United Daughters of the Confederacy, Children of the Confederacy, Alabama Order of Confederate Rose, Military Order of the Stars and Bars and the Alabama Division Mechanized Calvary.  The Reverend John Killian provided the Invocation and Benediction as well as the message on Robert E. Lee where he highlighted the leadership and character which Lee exemplified, quoting Benjamin Hill who said of Lee, "He was a foe without hate, a friend without treachery, a soldier without cruelty, a victim without murmuring.  He was a public officer without vices, a Christian without hypocrisy and a man without guilt. He was Caesar without his tyranny, Napoleon without his selfishness, and Washington without his reward."

Following Rev. Killian's powerful speech, Commander Hill and the members of the Alabama Division Executive Committee presented the Alabama Archives with a check for $6500 for continuing flag conservation there at the Archives.  The colors were then retired and the Tallassee String Band led everyone in singing "Dixie" before closing announcements by Commander Hill.  Despite inclement weather including tornado watches for all of central Alabama, a great crowd of hundreds filled the auditorium at the Archives to celebrate the life of one of the country's true great leaders and heroes, Robert E. Lee.  Nine members of the Prattville Dragoons were in attendance including Commander Waldo, 1st Lt. Grooms, Treasurer Leverette, Comms Officer Larry Spears and his father James, Quartermaster Myrick, and compatriots Tyrone Crowley, Bill Gill and (not pictured below) Ryan King.

Tallassee String Band

Rev. Killian Takes the Stage as Commander Hill Takes a Seat

Member of the Prattville Dragoons

2017 Robert E. Lee Day Celebration Program

Lee Jackson Banquet 2017

The Montgomery Captain Henry C. Semple SCV Camp 2002 hosted their annual Lee Jackson banquet at Grace Pointe Church of Christ on Friday evening January 20th to celebrate the birthdays of Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson.  Compatriot Philip Davis provided the Invocation and Benediction and Jack Caraway led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag as well as the Salute to the Confederate Flag.  Compatriot John Land served as the MC and did a wonderful job introducing everyone and keeping the program going while providing personal observations on this joyous occasion.  Grace Pointe Paster Scotty Harris blessed the food before everyone went through the banquet line and sat to enjoy the delicious dinner of beef tenderloin, wild rice and green beans with a wonderful fruit and greens salad.  Then everyone enjoyed a slice of the birthday cake which was wonderfully decorated with images of Lee and Jackson.  The speaker was Professor Grover L. Plunkett who teaches history at Faulkner University in Montgomery.  He delivered a superb message that we all should seek to emulate the virtues of these two great Christian leaders.  Specifically, he cited three such virtues of each providing examples of their courage, magnificence and temperance.  The program provided short stories about each man including one illustrating the empathy General Lee displayed toward a wounded enemy soldier following the Battle of Gettysburg.  Approximately 40 compatriots enjoyed the program and banquet and fellowship to celebrate the birthday of these two honorable beloved great Confederate generals.

Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson

From the Prattville Dragoons January 2017 Camp Dispatch newsletter:

Jackson and his army spent the winter of 1862 and early 1863 at Moss Neck on the Rappahannock River, not far from Fredericksburg. During this time, Jackson took leave to visit his wife and to see his infant daughter for the first time. On April 29, 1863, Jackson received word that 134,000 Union troops were crossing the Rappahannock River on both sides of Fredericksburg. Consequently, his leave was interrupted.
These Union forces were under the command of Major Generals John Sedgwick and Joseph Hooker. Jackson sent a small force to defend against Sedgwick, while taking the bulk of his army into the Wilderness near Spotsylvania on April 30, where he joined General Lee in hopes of stopping General Hooker. On May 1, they were able to stop Hooker's advance down the Rappahannock River toward Fredericksburg, and in doing so, drove them back toward Chancellorsville. That evening, Lee and Jackson met and decided to split their army again. Lee was to stay at Chancellorsville to take on Hooker's front lines, while Jackson would make a sweep around Hooker, and attack him from the rear. On the morning of May 2, Jackson was successful, completely overwhelming the Union XI Corps.
This was one of Jackson's most sensational victories during the war, only to be marred by tragedy. As dusk began to fall, while Jackson and staff were scouting forward of his own lines, several of his own men mistakenly fired at him, believing him to be the enemy. Hit and badly injured, he was taken to a nearby house, where doctors had to amputate his left arm. Soon thereafter, it appeared that his condition was improving. However, it then suddenly worsened, and was now complicated by pneumonia.
Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, easily one of the finest generals in the war on both sides, died on May 10, 1863. With his death, General Lee had lost one whom he considered his "right arm". “Stonewall” Jackson and his tactics are studied still today at various military institutions around the world, including Maxwell Air Force Base.
-- Compatriot Tyrone Crowley

Robert Edward Lee

From the Prattville Dragoons January 2017 Camp Dispatch Newsletter:

On Monday, January 16, Alabama will celebrate the birthday of one of its greatest heroes. General Robert Edward Lee was born January 19, 1807, the son of Revolutionary War General “Light Horse” Harry Lee. Robert attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating second in his class, and served with distinction on the staffs of John Wool and Winfield Scott in the Mexican War, where his abilities were first noted. When war broke out in 1861 Winfield Scott offered him command of all Union forces. Lee, who well knew the horrors of war, declined to take up arms against his native state. In a letter to his sister he stated: “With all my devotion to the Union and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relatives, my children, and my home. I have therefore resigned my commission in the Army and save in defense of my native State, with the sincere hope that my poor services may never be needed, I hope I may never be called on to draw my sword.”
The short space of this article does not permit us to review the military genius that outmaneuvered a Union force superior in numbers and resources for three years. Instead, let us focus on the character of Robert E. Lee that made him a hero north and south for years after his demise. What led a man who was offered the command of an Army he had served and loved to decline an office that would provide him honor and riches?
Lee was a man of honor and deep religious conviction. He opposed both secession and slavery. However, coming from a family that was instrumental in the establishment of the Union he knew well the premises upon which it had been established. States established the Union. States had the right to leave if they so desired. Furthermore, no state or section of the union had the right to economic gain at the expense of the others. Still, he shuddered at the thought of war. In his own words,
“Northern politicians will not appreciate the determination and pluck of the South, and Southern politicians do not appreciate the numbers, resources, and patient perseverance of the North. Both sides forget that we are all Americans. . .”
Why then did he fight to defend slavery? Answer: He did not! Again in his own words:
“There are few in this enlightened age who will not acknowledge that slavery as an institution is a moral and political evil. . .I think it is a greater evil to the white rather than the colored race. . .Their emancipation will sooner result from the mild and melting influences of Christianity than from the storm and tempest of fiery controversy.”
In short, Lee believed slavery would abolish itself as it indeed did in Central and South America a short time later. War would benefit only northern industrialists, not African slaves. He was right on both counts.
After the war, Lee was one of the few who took seriously Lincoln’s promise to “bind up the nation’s wounds.” Working as he characteristically did, he repeatedly refused lucrative offers that would have made him financially comfortable. His reply to one such offer was, “My good name is the only thing I have saved from this war and that, Sir, is not for sale.” He died October 12, 1870.
Camp Dispatch – Vol 16 No 1 Page 2
So what? Why bother explaining all this? What does all this mean now? Today, as young people search for heroes and leaders, they would do well to look to a man whose word was his bond and who was guided solely by principle and religious conviction, rather than monetary gain. In short, they would do well to emulate the virtues, convictions and example of this great man who died admired by both the people he led and those he fought against. They would do well to emulate Robert E. Lee.
Today, the Sons of Confederate Veterans still revere the challenge given us by our founder, General Stephen Dill Lee: "To you, Sons of Confederate Veterans, we will commit the vindication of the Cause for which we fought. To your strength will be given the defense of the Confederate soldier's good name, the guardianship of his history, the emulation of his virtues, the perpetuation of those principles which he loved, and which you also cherish, and those ideals which made him glorious and which you also cherish. Remember, it is your duty to see that the true history of the South is presented to future generations.”
--Lieutenant Commander Harold Grooms

Alabama Division Robert E. Lee Day Program

Mark your calendar for the Division Robert E. Lee Day on January 21, 2017 at the Archives and History auditorium in Montgomery. Music by the Camp 1921 String Band will begin at 9:15 am with the program to follow. The speaker will be the dynamic and enthusiastic Reverend John Killian. If you have never heard him speak you don’t want to miss this opportunity. If you have heard him, you know what to expect and will want to hear him again. 

After the program you can go to the Confederate monument at the capitol where weather permitting there will be a cannon salute; or you can tour the Confederate flag conservation room in the Archive building and see the banners many of our ancestors fought under. 

For more information on this or other upcoming Division events, go to alscv.org.

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 News

1.) Compatriot Richard Leya of Summerville, South Carolina, has donated five gallons of Round Up to the Dragoons for our cemetery Community Service projects. Richard is a longtime supporter of the camp and also buys a Dixie butt during our annual fundraiser in addition to attending an occasional meeting with us when he is in our area. Richard follows us with our camp email updates and is on the distribution list for our monthly newsletter. He commends us for our community service work and wanted to help us by donating the Round Up.
2.) We will have our annual election of officers at our March 9 meeting as provided in our camp by-laws. All offices are open for members in good standing to declare their intention to run. We will also accept nominations from the floor at the March annual business meeting and elections. Before the annual business meeting, the Executive Committee will meet and recommend a slate of officers unless there are multiple candidates for office(s). In that case, a majority vote by secret ballot of all members in good standing who are present will determine the winner.

Alabama Secession Day

An Ordinance to dissolve the union between the State of Alabama and the other States united under the compact styled "The Constitution of the United States of America" 

Whereas, the election of Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin to the offices of president and vice-president of the United States of America, by a sectional party, avowedly hostile to the domestic institutions and to the peace and security of the people of the State of Alabama, preceded by many and dangerous infractions of the constitution of the United States by many of the States and people of the Northern section, is a political wrong of so insulting and menacing a character as to justify the people of the State of Alabama in the adoption of prompt and decided measures for their future peace and security, therefore: 

Be it declared and ordained by the people of the State of Alabama, in Convention assembled, That the State of Alabama now withdraws, and is hereby withdrawn from the Union known as "the United States of America," and henceforth ceases to be one of said United States, and is, and of right ought to be a Sovereign and Independent State. 

Sec 2. Be it further declared and ordained by the people of the State of Alabama in Convention assembled, That all powers over the Territory of said State, and over the people thereof, heretofore delegated to the Government of the United States of America, be and they are hereby withdrawn from said Government, and are hereby resumed and vested in the people of the State of Alabama. 

And as it is the desire and purpose of the people of Alabama to meet the slaveholding States of the South, who may approve such purpose, in order to frame a provisional as well as permanent Government upon the principles of the Constitution of the United States, 

Be it resolved by the people of Alabama in Convention assembled, That the people of the States of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri, be and are hereby invited to meet the people of the State of Alabama, by their Delegates, in Convention, on the 4th day of February, A.D., 1861, at the city of Montgomery, in the State of Alabama, for the purpose of consulting with each other as to the most effectual mode of securing concerted and harmonious action in whatever measures may be deemed most desirable for our common peace and security. 

And be it further resolved, That the President of this Convention, be and is hereby instructed to transmit forthwith a copy of the foregoing Preamble, Ordinance, and Resolutions to the Governors of the several States named in said resolutions. 

Done by the people of the State of Alabama, in Convention assembled, at Montgomery, on this, the eleventh day of January, A.D. 1861. 

Prattville Dragoons Chaplain's Column for January 2017

Chaplain’s Column: A New Year to Embrace Change
Scripture: Romans 11:33-36
In Hebrews 11:8 it says By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
A lot of us need a change of pace this year; but what we're really having trouble with is the pace of change. All change -- even the good -- is hard. It involves:
1. Adjustment
2. Moving from the familiar to the unfamiliar
3. From the settled past into the unknown future
It has been said, "All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another."
We can embrace change by knowing we serve an unchanging God. At the beginning of this new year, we confess with Joshua: "We have never been this way before." But our faithful, changeless Lord will:
1. Show us the way to go
2. While Guiding us at every juncture
3. Bless us at every step
4. And provide goodness and mercy every day of our lives.
Camp Dispatch – Vol 16 No 1 Page 4
I believe "Prayer changes things." From an early age, I witnessed this powerful truth. I believe to stay in the Father’s will we must go to Him in prayer often.
Better than any other word I can think of, change describes our world. Vast, sweeping changes, especially in the last 150 years. Simply to survive requires adjusting, and to make any kind of significant dent calls for a willingness to shift in style and to modify methods. I have herd some say, "These are signs predicting Christ’s soon return." Quite possibly. But what about until then? What is essential? We’re back where we started, aren’t we? Being adaptable, willing to shift and change.
Just about Everyone is in favor of progress but it's change they don't like. I would have never believed that we would be ringing bells for the salvation army or collecting food for the poor. Our good works speak loudly for the Dragoons. People who once had a different opinion about us are now seeing us in a different light.
Let's not dig in our heels and cling only to the past. Heed the words God gave to Joshua: "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you ....In the book of (Joshua 3:5,7) it says “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you".
More than anything else, I’m convinced, the thing that attracted people to Jesus was His fresh, authentic, original style in a world of tired phrases, rigid rules, and empty religion. Remember the report made to the Pharisees? "Nobody ever spoke like this man." He was in step with the times without ever stepping out of the Father’s will.
Let’s pray for the SCV and the Dragoons for this new year. Additionally, we need to pray for all those on our prayer list.

Prattville Dragoon's Commander's Column for January 2017

Following up on his controversial condemnation of the Confederate Battle Flag, “During the presidential race, Russell Moore, the public face of the Southern Baptist denomination, emerged as one of the most persistent and high-profile conservative critics of Donald Trump.  He denounced the Republican candidate’s stance on immigration and his moral character, and sharply questioned many of the evangelical Christians who supported him.”  (Wall Street Journal) Moore said Trump “stirs up racial animosity”.  Moore was previously  quoted as saying, “The cross and the Confederate flag cannot co-exist without one setting the other on fire.”  (WSJ)  More politically correct pandering from this supposed leader of the SBC which might be understandable when one considers Moore was involved in “cultural engagement” as part of his pastoral ministry at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and profited by writing articles for the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, USA Today and Associated Press among other mainstream left-leaning media publications.  Moore demonstrates an astonishing lack of understanding and appreciation of the historical ties between the Baptist church in the South and the conception of the SBC (which mirrored the secession of the Confederate States of America) as well as the contribution of Confederate veterans who helped found, charter and build many (Baptist) churches across the Bible Belt upon returning from the War.  Moore’s comments contrast to those of Rev. Franklin Graham who said, “I think maybe God has allowed Donald Trump to win this election to protect this nation for the next few years by giving maybe an opportunity to have some good judges.  For the (election) to go the way it did, in my opinion, I think it was the hand of God.  There’s two different pictures and two different visions for America.  This isn’t difficult to figure out if you are a Christian.”  (Brietbart) 

The last eight years have seen a growing divide between these two visions for the path of America and an unquestionable deterioration in race relations with the Sons of Confederate Veterans and their beloved Battle Flag being a primary target for the PC attacks led from Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC.  But, “did you know that American’s negative perception of Obama didn’t come out of resentment over his corrupt, globalist, communist, destructive policies? It wasn’t the thousands of regulations (and the overreaching federal government interfering with every aspect of our lives).  It wasn’t saddling Americans with the care of illegals or the heavy burden of Obamacare (and more and more socialist entitlements).  President Barack Hussein Obama says the color of his skin has “absolutely” contributed to white Americans’ negative perceptions of his time in office.  The president said, “I think there’s a reason why attitudes about my presidency among whites in Northern states are very different from whites in Southern states.  There are folks whose primary concern about me has been that I seem foreign, the other.””  (minutemennews.com)  And that may be his most astute observation since he proclaimed himself another Abraham Lincoln, indeed polarizing and dividing the nation like no other presidents.  As they continue to fan the flames of their own racism, they blindly ignore the desire for liberty and freedom which Americans throughout the South and the American heartland proclaimed with the historical election of Trump.  Obama stated but failed to recognize and understand that there is a stark difference between Northerners and Southerners.  This contrast, this divide has existed since the founding of our nation and was the primary reason for the WBTS.  Obama clung to his overarching view of racism and “happily descended down into the pit of anti-Americanism as he detailed the ills of a country he still truly knows nothing about, detailing his view of how White America can be “blind” and needs to be open to “learning” more.” (dcwhispers.com)

Such a disconnect.  Such a divide.   The riots in the street and attempts to overturn the election and threats of violence against the newly elected administration and their supporters.  Is there any question as to the cultural and political divide which caused the secession of the Southern states in 1860 and which has not ceased?  The PC elitists claim racist slavery was the cause of the War Between the States the same way that they claim racism has caused opposition to the clearly enlightened socialist policies, loss of personal liberties, increasing federal government bureaucracy, and immoral unconscionable federal dictates enacted over the past eight years.  There is a heightened sense of hope in the country.  A rebirth of patriotism.  Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah was proclaimed by the incoming transition administration in a welcome departure from political correctness.  2017 and the future must certainly hold a hope for an improved appreciation and respect for our Southern history and heritage led foremost locally by the passage of the Monument Protection Bill in the state of Alabama which we must continue to push and fight to enact.   We must seize this opportunity to advance the Cause, encourage and educate a public which is hungry for a reversal from the PC malaise of the past.  I wish all of you a happy, prosperous and successful New Year.  Long live and God bless Dixie.  

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

January 7th - Columbus Naval Museum, Columbus, Georgia. Plan your route to be there a little before 10 am CST (11 EST).

January 20th - Semple Camp's Lee-Jackson banquet at Gracepoint Church of Christ in Montgomery at 6:30pm, cost $25 per person.

January 21st - Robert E. Lee Day at the archives building in Montgomery. Music starts at 9:15 am and the program starts at 10.  Tentative plans for tour of the conservation room and short remembrance at the monument on the capitol grounds.

February 18th - Millbrook Mardi Gras Parade - noon on Saturday starting at Mill Creek Park going down Main Street (the Prattville Dragoons will field an entry again). 

February 18th - EC meeting in Montgomery at Dalraida Methodist Church. The program starts at 9:30 am. This meeting is for Camp Commanders or their proxy and Camp Adjutants.  Chaplains Conference - Also at Dalraida. Division Chaplain, Dr. Charles E. Baker will be holding a short seminar on the duties and role of the Chaplain at the Camp and Brigade level. The Chaplains in attendance will each receive a Chaplains lapel pin and a copy of the SCV Chaplains handbook. Lunch will be provided for all attendees.

March 4th -     Flag Day. The Division will host at least one Flag Day ceremony. 

March 25th -    Alabama Education Conference in Prattville. Registration forms are in the Alabama Confederate and on the Division web site.  Lunch will be provided to those who register by February 21st (postmarked date). The first 100 people to register will receive the book "Understanding the War Between the States" written by 16 members of the Society of Independent Southern Historians.

Sons of Confederate Veterans Alabama Division Field Trip to Confederate Naval Museum

An Alabama Division trip to the Confederate Naval Museum in Columbus, Georgia has been arranged for January 7, 2017. The museum opens at 10 am Eastern Standard Time. The SCV tour will start at 11 EST or ( 10am Central time). Compatriot Shannon Fontaine is going to be the tour guide. For those arriving after 11 am EST you are encouraged to pay at the door and find the SCV group inside. All are encouraged to wear their SCV hats and shirts to promote the SCV and so other visitors will recognize the group. Contact SCV Alabama Division Commander Jimmy Hill to notify of interest or with inquiries. Remember you don't have to have a reservation to attend though. Time permitting the group may also go to the Infantry museum at Ft. Benning or a quick side trip to Andersonville following the Naval Museum tour. Admission is $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for military/seniors, students $6 and children under 6 are free. Bring your family, bring your grandchildren, bring a friend.  http://www.portcolumbus.org/