Southern Antebellum History Presentation by Southern Belle at Alabama Christian Academy

On May 17th, Kerri Waldo, wife of SCV Camp 1524 Commander Stuart Waldo, visited Alabama Christian Academy's 4th grade class. During her visit, Mrs. Waldo shared with the 40 fourth graders what life was like during the Confederate years in Alabama. Topics of conversation included specifics as to how it was to be a child during the antebellum and War eras.

Many topics were covered including transportation, illnesses, the war, and more. The kids particularly enjoyed the topic of the types of food that were consumed during those years as Mrs Waldo brought with her some foods that replicated those from the 19th century. The favorites were beef jerky to represent the dried meats and sliced apples to represent the crops that the families had to grow themselves.

It was important for the kids to understand that life for them now compared to life for kids during that period 155 years ago was much different. Children during the 19th century in the South would only go to school for part of the day and would likely spend the rest of the day working on their family's farms or plantations from a very young age. Some of the kids indicated that they would rather have that life instead of going to school all day every day. The teachers disagreed with this and believed that these kids would likely not have survived life in that era--especially since there was no access to air conditioning nor video games!

Popular games of the time were also presented including some of the games that are still popular today such as marbles, dominoes, jump ropes, and hopscotch, etc. One of the fun facts that was discussed were the most popular names of the era for boys and girls. And there were even three children in the class who shared names that were still popular today (Elizabeth and James). 

Fun was had by all during the visit and the children asked a lot of really important questions about what it meant to be a child during the Confederate years and what it means to appreciate the lives that they have today. 

At the end of the visit, the children came up and observed Mrs. Waldo's period correct gown. Of particular interest was the type of fabric and the hoop skirt. The girls in the class agreed that it was unfair  that girls and women had to wear such uncomfortable clothing while boys and men were allowed to wear shorts and pants.

One of the girls asked Mrs. Waldo,  "Are you supposed to be a Southern Belle?" Mrs. Waldo told her that she is still a southern belle and that many important traditions in the South still live on today.

Prattville Dragoons Camp 1524 Represent SCV in Trinity Presbyterian Remembrance Service for our Nation's Fallen

Members of the Prattville Dragoons represented the Sons of Confederate Veterans at the Remembrance Service for our Nation's Fallen in All Wars on Sunday May 26th as part of Memorial Day observances.  Camp 1524 1st Lt Harold Grooms placed the wreath as part of the service and Quartermaster Bill Myrick and compatriot Tyrone Crowley were also in attendance representing the camp and the SCV.  The SCV wreath was of magnolia leaves and included a Confederate ribbon bow.  Bill reported that the wreaths placed from the Confederate related heritage organizations including the SCV, UDC and others were more numerous than all the other wreaths placed at the service.  Retired Col. John Eidsmoe was the guest speaker and his presentation touched on many subjects facing the nation today including political correctness and the rewriting of history.  Col. Eidsmoe retired from the USAF as a Lt. Col. and from the Alabama State Defense Force as a Colonel and from the Mississippi State Guard as a Chaplain (Colonel).  He attended the Air Command and Staff College and Air War College at Maxwell AFB and is a Professor of Law at Oak Brook College of Law and Government Policy.  A very learned man, he holds seven degrees in law, theology, history and political science and has published sixteen books including Historical and Theological Foundations of Law and Christianity and the Constitution and is an ordained Lutheran pastor.

Prattville Dragoons Perform Maintenance Workday at Robinson Springs Cemetery

Friday May 17th members of SCV camp 1524 worked at Millbrook's Robinson Springs to keep this historic cemetery looking good in honor of those who are laid to rest there, including a number of Confederate veterans and earlier 19th century founders of the Robinson Springs community.  The Dragoons showed up early on Friday morning to beat the heat and used mowers and weed eaters to trim all the grass on the grounds around all the graves.  The cemetery is located on busy Hwy 14 in Millbrook and the Dragoons maintain the grounds as part of the SCV Guardians program and place Battle flags on all the Confederate's graves there.  Connor Lee brought his zero turn mower to make quicker work of the job and he was joined by Larry Spears, Color Sgt John Dennis, Beir Butler, Tyrone Crowley and Quartermaster Bill Myrick.

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Provide Pizzas to Prattville Police and Autauga Sheriffs Offices for Police Memorial Day

The Prattville Dragoons provided Papa Johns pizzas (and to also celebrate National chocolate chip cookie day, some Chips Ahoy) to the Prattville Police station and Autauga County Sheriffs office for Police Memorial Day on Wednesday May 15th.  Dragoons 2nd Lt Karl Wade, a former Alabama state trooper wounded/blinded in the line of duty and, compatriot Don Owens took ten pizzas and a couple bags of cookies to each of the police offices to provide lunch for these law enforcement officers as part of the camp's observation of the National Police Memorial Day.  The Dragoons also placed an ad on two of the electronic billboards in Prattville for two weeks commemorating that period of time as National Police Week, observed nation wide.  The pizzas and cookies were a big hit with our men and women in blue and the Dragoons were pleased to do so to emphasize the Sons of Confederate Veterans and Camp 1524 support for their service and sacrifice in the line of duty. 

SCV Camp 1524 Booth at the Prattville Cityfest

The Dragoons registered and manned a booth at the 33rd annual Cityfest along Main Street in downtown Prattville on Saturday May 11th.  The day started overcast and rainy but four camp members including Commander Waldo, 1st Lt Grooms, Adjutant Sutherland and compatriot Larry Spears showed up at 7am to set up the canopy (and attach an extra outer plastic sheet layer) and tables and get the camp stores and informational posters and give-away merchandise ready for the festival spectators.  Cityfest has over a hundred vendors with booths set up all along Main and Court Streets as well as food vendors set up in a court and bands providing live entertainment.   The gates opened at 9am and the crowd was light for a while but the weather improved and the clouds broke with even some sun peaking thru and warming things up in the later afternoon so the crowds really picked up.  There was a steady stream of folks stopping by the Dragoons' booth to get free SCV recruiting coins, mini Battle flags, Alabama Division educational posters and other SCV literature.  Spectators young and old enjoyed the beautiful Battle flags given away and at some points the crowd was two and three deep waiting to get to the booth and tables.  The camp stores being sold included 3x5 foot flags like the Confederate national and Battle flags as well as state and Bonnie Blue flags.  Auto license plates were also available and a number of women purchased lined zippered tote bags emblazoned with the Battle flag.  Three copies of "Understanding the War Between the States" were also sold to folks interested in learning more about the truth in the struggle for Southern Independence.  Three gentlemen provided contact information, interested in membership in the SCV and joining Camp 1524.  A very successful day in terms of reaching potential members as well as selling Confederate merchandise.  There were at least three or four Dragoons manning the booth throughout the day til the booth was dismantled at 4pm.  In addition to those early arrivals, other Dragoons helping in this community outreach initiative included Color Sgt John  Dennis and compatriots Frank Pelt, Dale Boyles, Quartermaster Bill Myrick (who stayed all day also), Larry Miller, Treasurer Billy Leverette, and Tyrone Crowley.

Prattville Dragoons Camp Meeting for May 2019

Camp 1524 held their monthly meeting on Thursday May 9th at the Masonic Lodge in downtown Prattville.   A number of members gathered before the meeting to enjoy refreshments provided by 1st Lt Harold Grooms and 2nd Lt Karl Wade.  In the absence of the camp commander, 1st Lt Grooms led the meeting including reciting the SCV Charge and providing the announcements and upcoming events.  New member Jayson Altieri was the guest speaker and he provided a very professional presentation on "Washington at War 1861-1865".  The strategies of the U.S. and Confederate armies including nearby battles and other significant events which occurred during the War in and around Washington DC were discussed.  Over twenty compatriots were in attendance including a number of guests and men who are pursuing membership and reinstatement.

Prattville Dragoons Camp 1524 Chaplain's Column for May 2019

Chaplain’s Column 

     To begin my first column as Chaplain, I would just like to say how honored I am to have this position. I feel at home in helping lead our camp in prayer and devotion to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

This month is Confederate History Month. Each day I hope we will all reflect on the sacrifice our ancestors made to defend our freedoms granted in the Constitution.

To often in today's times we hear nothing but negativity. Many of our ancestors left home for lands far away to fight and defend our home land.

There are times that we must stand and defend our country and our heritage.

Today, we must defend our heritage and cause for which our ancestors stood.

As Christians we can be steady in our faith, knowing the Lord is with us.

I pray for each of you, your families and I pray for this country.  May we wake up and turn back to the Lord which brought this country into life.

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Commander's Column for May 2019

April was a tremendous Confederate History and Heritage month.  As is the Dragoons’ tradition, Confederate Battle flags were placed at all the Confederate veterans’ graves at Prattville’s Oak Hill cemetery.  The Sons of Confederate Veterans held a National Confederate Memorial Service at Stone Mountain GA.  The camp performed a couple cemetery cleanups including one to prep Robinson Springs for the planned Confederate Memorial Day program.  Confederate Memorial Day programs were also held by the UDC at the state capital, at Confederate Circle in Old Live Oak cemetery in Selma and, by the Ladies’ Southern Memorial Association at Oakwood Cemetery in Montgomery.  The annual camp picnic at Confederate Memorial Park coinciding with the Living History weekend was an enjoyable culmination to the month-long events.  Additionally, Quartermaster Myrick made presentations of three Hunley awards at local high school JROTC programs.   As a community outreach and service, the Dragoons also presented the Wetumpka police department a check as a donation to assist in their recovery from the F2 tornado which damaged their facilities and numerous others in the community.  Thirteen separate events in a thirty-three day period.  Camp 1524 also placed an ad on two local electronic billboards proclaiming Confederate History and Heritage month as affirmed by the governor’s declaration.   What a wonderful way for us to honor our Confederate ancestors as the Charge implores us. 

Has the storm passed?  At the risk of erroneous or premature speculation it seems the perpetual attacks on Confederate monuments and our Southern heritage have slowed, perhaps with the militant ignoramuses tiring or seeking a new novel cause du jour.  With the numerous positive events of Confederate Heritage and History month, it may seem hopeful  conjecture.  Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”  We should maintain positive demeanors and optimistic thoughts and strive to be an encouragement to compatriots to advance the Cause.   With the conclusion of Confederate History and Heritage month and the recent relative calm, we need to temper apathy and take advantage of the opportunity to take the offensive and continue to promote Confederate heritage and the Sons of Confederate Veterans as a positive community service organization in more and bigger and bolder ways.  The camp’s donation has been made to the SCV’s Make Dixie Great Again national campaign.  I had the pleasure of hearing one of the MDGA radio advertisements on 105.5FM in Birmingham recently and the professional spot provided a positive message of the historical credence of the SCV.  Everyone is encouraged to continue to support this nationwide effort to switch and control the narrative and position the SCV as the preeminent Southern history organization.  The Dragoons will again man a booth at the Prattville Cityfest on May 11^th which provides another opportunity to engage the public.  The following Wednesday, the Dragoons will present twenty pizzas to the Prattville PD and Sheriff’s office to recognize National Police Week and Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.  The last Sunday of May, the Dragoons have again been invited to participate in and place a wreath for Confederate veterans as part of Montgomery’s Trinity UMC Remembrance Service for our Nation’s Fallen. 

These are all fantastic opportunities to get involved to make the Dragoons a stronger more relevant community service organization and even at a local level, the recognized preeminent Southern history organization.  The National SCV Confederate Veteran magazine had numerous articles in the recent issue speaking to efforts to keep the SCV relevant and expand our influence and advance the Cause.  New methods should be implored to present the SCV and the camp in a positive light and reach all potential members including millennials to ensure a vibrant future for a strong SCV.  Camp 1524 utilizes social media in commendable ways but more can be done to expand our message using Instagram, using podcasts of our monthly meeting speaker’s presentations and, again, supporting MDGA to perhaps get ads on local radio stations (information for which were included with the camp’s donation).   Membership in the local chamber of commerce.  But all these activities take more folks to participate and support. Find your niche and support the Dragoons efforts as the Charge implores to honor your Confederate ancestor throughout the year!  Get fired up!

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

Prattville Cityfest – Saturday May 11th 8am- 3pm, downtown Prattville Dragoons’ booth

Trinity Memorial Day Remembrance Service – Sunday May 26th at 6pm, Montgomery Trinity UMC

Division Reunion – Friday May 31st Reception, Saturday June 1st Business Session 8:30am-2:30pm

Prattville 4th of July Parade – Dragoons’ entry

National Reunion – Mobile Convention Ctr, July 10-13th

Division Education Conference – August 

Dragoons Host Confederate Memorial Day Program with Southern Cross of Honor Placement for Capt. Samuel D. Oliver at Robinson Springs Cemetery

The Dragoon Confederate Memorial Day ceremony held on Monday April 22nd was a very special one that was flawlessly conducted by 1st Lt. Commander Harold Grooms and a hard working supporting staff. Ms. Cheryl Oliver of the Charleston, South Carolina area, was our featured speaker and guest. She is a direct descendant of Confederate Captain Samuel D. Oliver, who is buried in this cemetery but had no Confederate marking at his grave site. The camp proposed to honor him with the placement of a Southern Cross of Honor. Ms. Oliver was accompanied by two stalwart Southern gentlemen, Tim Hilton and Richard Leya, also from South Carolina. They are SCV members and re-enactors. Coincidentally, they participated in the Honor Guard that fired three volleys in honor of Captain Oliver. Richard provided the link between the Dragoons and Ms. Oliver which led to our ceremony. 

Dragoon Tyrone Crowley made the connection between Captain Oliver and the Dragoons last fall during a clean up event at Robinson Springs cemetery. Tyrone provided the following short biography on Captain Oliver:

Samuel D. Oliver was instrumental in recruiting and organizing the Dragoons, having come over from Robinson Springs (then part of Autauga County) for that purpose.  After organizing the company, Lt. Oliver became commander of the Prattville Dragoons from the time of their formation in January 1861 until he was replaced as commander by Captain Jesse J Cox in April 1861.  Lieutenant Oliver then became second in command, as First Lieutenant.

            Lt. Oliver was a popular officer among the Dragoons.  In the spring of 1861, one Dragoon wrote home that "Lieu’ts Smith and Oliver have gone up Escambia bay to-day with a party of men to look after some of Abe’s slick boys", referring to Union soldiers who were near "Camp Pratt" at Pensacola where the Dragoons spent several months after leaving Prattville in April.

            According to Wilbur Fisk Mims's War History of the Prattville Dragoons, Lt. Oliver was leader of a group of Dragoons who scouted out the enemy before the Battle of Corinth, when they suffered the loss in combat of Dragoon First Sergeant T. J. Ormsby.

            In April 1862, Lt. Oliver, along with Captain Jesse Cox, resigned from the Dragoons and accepted a commission in an infantry company.

Ms. Oliver is an accomplished author and has her own website : AuthorCherylOliver.com which provides information about her books which have a War Between the States theme. 

There were so many members of the camp who came forward to volunteer their time and effort to make this a first class event. Bill Myrick decorated the area with flags at 6:00AM on Monday. These were 3x5 flags all along the cemetery fence facing Alabama Highway 14. He also installed Confederate bunting on the fence and insured that we had tables, cold drinks, a portable cover and other comforts. Tom Snowden provided the sound and pre-event music; Allen Herrod brought his recording equipment; Paul Whaley provided most of the Honor Guard and was their leader…and many others helped with various details. Thanks to Camp members and others who made the day so wonderful. Additionally, Bob Miller was exceptional with his bagpipes again. 

Pictured below you will see 1st Lt. Commander Harold Grooms as the emcee and bagpiper Bob Miller; Guest-of-Honor Ms. Cheryl Oliver making her address and the outstanding Honor Guard present who fired there volleys in honor of of Confederate Captain Samuel D. Oliver. 

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Annual Picnic at Confederate Memorial Park

The annual Dragoon picnic was an enjoyable time for members and guests who participated this past Saturday April 27th. We had about 25 members and invited guests plus about 21 other guests that these people brought in attendance including several children. Confederate Battle Flags were placed on all the veteran's graves at both cemeteries at Confederate Memorial Park. A number of early arrivals helped flag the cemeteries and compatriot Allen Herrod flew his drone over the cemeteries to get a view of the beautiful flags waving in the breeze on the sunny spring day.  A number of old Battle Flags removed from other cemeteries were retired in a respectful ceremony. 1st Lt Harold Grooms provided a statement on the importance of this ceremony and the history of "Taps" which was played.  Compatriot Wesley Woodard assisted Harold with placing the flags in the fire; he is in the process of submitting an application to join our camp and the SCV.  David Smith was sworn in as a new member and enjoyed the picnic and this special event with his wife Andrea and family.  Two more gentlemen attended who applied for reinstatement and will soon join our camp and there was one more individual who expressed interest in joining. What a banner day for working with potential new members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans!  A delicious bar b que dinner with all the side dishes and desserts was enjoyed by all and of course, lots of good Southern fellowship and good natured banter.  Just before the picnic, in the Park's chapel, the Children of the Confederacy held their annual Confederate Memorial Day event including salutes to the Christian, Alabama and Confederate flags as well as singing hymns and recognizing leaders of the affiliate heritage organizations like the UDC and SCV.  They placed a memorial wreath at the main cemetery where the Dragoons had palced flags earlier that morning.  After the picnic, reenactors conducted a skirmish demonstrating the tactics and weaponry of the period of the War Between the States.  The good guys won, with the men in grey driving the Yankees back with a flanking movement and charge as cannon provided thunderous artillery shots.  A beautiful sunny spring Alabama Confederate day!

Prattville Dragoons Attend UDC and Ladies Memorial Confederate Memorial Day Events in Montgomery

The United Daughters of the Confederacy hosted their annual Confederate Memorial Day event on Monday April 22nd on the grounds of the Alabama state capitol overlooking the beautiful Confederate monument there.  The keynote speaker was Col. John Eidsmoe and music was provided by Kim Shannon with Southern Spirit as well as Bob Miller on the bagpipes.  It was a beautiful spring day enjoyed by all in attendance.

On Friday April 26th, the Ladies Southern Memorial Association held their 153rd annual Confederate Memorial Day service at the Oakwood Cemetery Pavilion in Montgomery.   Ms. Leslie Kirk is the President of the LMA of Montgomery and organized a splendid program to salute all Confederate veterans and veterans of other wars. She was very moved by the significance of this day as the ladies of this organization who, as she commented, have passed on to their reward had to be looking down on this event with happiness because the LMA banner was displayed. It has been recently conserved and is able to be displayed at outdoor events in this improved condition. It is a very beautiful banner and the original colors of purple and white are prominent once again. The banner is estimated to be over 120 years old.  The program included singing, pledges and salutes, greetings/remarks from dignitaries and Honor Guard and cannon salutes. There were a goodly number of spectators, including some visitors who just happened to be coming to the Confederate part of the cemetery and decided to stay for the entire service.  It was again a beautiful sunny spring day in Alabama and a wonderful remembrance of our Confederate veteran ancestors.  A Confederate salute to these strong noble ladies who persevere against any hardship they face and always succeed in carrying the torch passed to them by their predecessors.