Prattville Dragoons Robinson Springs Cemetery Summer Workday

Compatriots of Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 mowed and trimmed the grounds at the Robinson Springs Cemetery early this Saturday morning in an effort to beat the summer heat.  New member Mike Thomas brought his zero turn mower which made quick work of the grassy expanses of the cemetery while Rob Schwartz, Larry Spears, 1st Lt Harold Grooms, Quartermaster Bill Myrick and Mike's son Mikey helped with all the close trimming around the graves and trees.  With all the great work provided by all these men, the job was completed in just an hour.  A continuing effort to care for the final resting place of a number of Confederate veterans, U.S. veterans of other wars as well as historic Robinson Springs founders. The Dragoons maintain this cemetery as part of the SCV Guardian Program.  

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Host the 2021 Alabama Division Reunion

After months of planning in preparation, the Dragoons of SCV Camp 1524 welcomed attendees from across the state to the 2021 Alabama Division Reunion on Saturday June 5th.  On Friday afternoon, Adjutant Sutherland, 2nd Lt Karl Wade, and compatriot Larry Spears set up a registration table in the lobby of the host hotel to welcome those who had pre-registered for the event.  Division officers also held a meeting in the conference room at the hotel Friday afternoon.  

Friday evening everyone moved over to the historic Buena Vista antebellum mansion to enjoy a Commander's Reception.  Platters of chicken tenders, shrimp, finger sandwiches, vegetables, fruit and antipasti were enjoyed with soft drinks, mixed drinks and beer.  Commander Waldo, Quartermaster Myrick and compatriot Tyrone Crowley acted as bartenders while the Adjutant and Larry Spears again managed registrations for people who arrived in town and proceeded directly to the Reception venue.  Everyone enjoyed music from the pianist who played the grand piano in the parlor.  Tables were set up in the parlor as well as on the front porch.  Wonderful ambience for the Reception and the first event of the convention.  

Saturday morning, Dragoons arrived early to the Doster Center in downtown Prattville to setup the registration tables again at the entrance, setup the vendor area in the Dining Room area of the Doster Center, place the US and Confederate flags on the stage and setup a welcoming breakfast of doughnuts brought by Color Sgt Dennis and Conecuh biscuits prepared by Comms Ofc Butler and coffee prepared by Tyrone and Carol Crowley.  The Reunion welcome portion commenced with the posting of colors and Dragoons Butler, Dennis and Rob Schwartz participated in reenactment period uniforms.  Dragoons Chaplain Brantley then offered an Invocation as he stood in throughout the day for the Division Chaplain. 1st Lt Harold Grooms acted as emcee throughout the day and introduced those who welcomed the attendees including Camp 1524 Commander Waldo, Chaplain Lt. Michael Adkins, and representatives from the state United Daughters of the Confederacy, Order of Confederate Rose, and the Children of the Confederacy.   

Following a few announcements by 1st Lt Grooms, Alabama Division Commander McMurry opened the 2021 Alabama Division Reunion by gavel.  It was a huge crowd with all seats taken as a couple dozen additional attendees arrived just that morning who had not preregistered just to attend the business session.  The ladies departed for a tour of the downtown Prattville area including historic buildings and the Prattaugan Museum.  The business session began with an Adjutant and Treasurer's report which preceeded votes on a few constitutional amendments and then lunch was served.  Members of the OCR acted as hostesses and served the boxed BBQ plate lunches, sweet tea and chocolate chip cookies which everyone enjoyed.  News of recent events and plans for the Division were then discussed with Commander McMurry leading.  After the business session, a Memorial Service was led by Chaplain Brantley who read the names of those on the Final Roll Call, compatriots who had passed away over the last year.  

Those activities concluded the business session of the Alabama Division Reunion.  Tablecloths and centerpieces were placed on the tables in the Doster Center auditorium in preparation for the Awards Banquet which was held there Saturday evening.  Mutt Cooper provided entertainment as he played his guitar and sang for a period before and during the supper.  A cajun buffet banquet was enjoyed by all those who attended the Awards banquet where Division awards were presented and the recipient of the annual Wheeler scholarship received his award check.  There was so much food that even after local compatriots took home leftovers, a large amount was taken to a Prattville fire department station by 1st Lt Grooms.  

It was a great 2021 Reunion which went off flawlessly thanks to the planning and efforts of all the Dragoons of Camp 1524.  Feedback was unanimously positive from officers and compatriots from throughout the Division.  

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Grounds Maintenance Work at I-65 Battle Flag Site

Members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 worked at the Alabama Division I-65 Battle Flag site on Memorial Day, Monday May 31st.  Members participating included compatriots Flag Chair Davis Smith, Color Sgt John Dennis, Comms Ofc Doug Butler and compatriots Spears, and Altieri.   The men mowed the grass, rakes leaves and picked up branches and debris which was burned.  It was a great effort to help maintain the site of this beautiful Battle flag which is admired by passers-by on I-65 continuously.  

SCV Camp 1524 Prattville Dragoons Commander's Column for June 2021 - Hosting the Alabama Division Reunion

This month represents an historic milestone for the Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 as we host the Alabama Division SCV Reunion.   The Reunion will be held on Friday and Saturday June 4th and 5th as our camp and the Prattville community welcome over a hundred guests to the events of the Division Reunion including business meetings, a Reception, meals including a Division Awards banquet, and a Memorial Service for compatriots who have crossed over during the past year.  A number of camp members have invested many hours in planning for this event to make it a seamless, enjoyable and meaningful Reunion for all the attendees.  We have nearly twenty members registered to attend some portion(s) of the Reunion which is a solid number but all members are encouraged to come to the business meeting on Saturday morning as this meeting is open to all members in good standing free of charge.  Our camp will also be hosting the Friday Reception, opening the Reunion including posting the colors with a period reenactment group and welcoming attendees, and hosting the meals . Much has been done around the planning and preparations for this Reunion and many have been involved in hard work over the past many months.  I wanted to share with those in the camp what was penned for the Reunion program for those not able to attend or get a copy of this collectible publication which the Dennises worked tirelessly to produce.  This reflects on many of the reasons we are proud of our camp and our community in which we live.  

The Dragoons of Prattville’s Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 welcome everyone to the 2021 Alabama Division Reunion.  We hope everyone enjoys the events of the Reunion and some of what our local community has to offer as you visit the Fountain City, named for the artesian wells found in the area.  Downtown merchants as well as the businesses at the Prattville and High Point Town Centers offer myriad dining and shopping options.  City parks and the Robert Trent Jones golf facility offer ample recreation. 

Prattville has a wonderful rich history, founded in 1839 by industrialist Daniel Pratt who established what became the world’s largest cotton gin manufacturer here.  The former gin works still dominates the landscape on the southwest side of Autauga Creek downtown.  Pratt did not favor secession but ultimately supported the Cause including funding the outfitting of the original Dragoons as they prepared for War in 1861.  There are many structures in downtown Prattville which date from the antebellum period including the McWilliams-Smith-Rice House, built in 1849, which now houses the Prattaugan Museum, centerpiece of our featured tour, and was the first meeting place of the Dragoons cavalry unit.

The COVID pandemic affected our community as it did the state and the Dragoons as it did the camps throughout the Division and the SCV.  The restrictions have prevented us from enjoying fellowship at a few regular monthly meetings and also has presented a real challenge in hosting the 2021 Alabama Division Reunion and planning for the event.  We believe the wonderful venues offer beautiful accommodations which along with our caterers are sure to make this a memorable event.  

While the COVID closures and restrictions presented challenges for event planning, the River region also did not entirely escape the social unrest and pointed political climate which has inflamed our nation.  The Dragoons have sought to continue to be a positive influence and contributor to our community, participating in local events including parades and festivals, Salvation Army bell ringing, food bank donations, cemetery maintenance, the I-65 Battle Flag site restoration and, and other activities.  This Division Reunion represents our boldest efforts, hosting compatriots from across the state in this important annual event to conduct our business, support local establishments and show our community leaders the positive value of the Sons of Confederate Veterans in Prattville and throughout the state of Alabama.  Welcome to Prattville and the 2021 Sons of Confederate Veterans Alabama Division Reunion.

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

AL Division Reunion – Friday-Saturday June 4-5th, Prattville AL hosted by the Dragoons SCV Camp 1524

Prattville Independence Day Parade – 9am Saturday July 3rd, Court St- Main St Prattville AL

SCV National Reunion – Wednesday-Saturday July 21-24th, Metairie-Kenner, LA hosted by the Beauregard Camp 130

Bicentennial Forrest Birthday – Saturday July 31st, 3pm til, hosted by Butch and Pat Godwin at Ft.Dixie