On Saturday, September 14th, 2024, the National SCV
Chaplains' Conference was held at historic Elm Springs, the National
Headquarters for the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
I took the opportunity and drove up a day early. I have been
a SCV member for 30 years and had, sadly, never visited Elm Springs. I decided
to change that and to see the new SCV National Confederate Museum.
I arrived at the museum when it opened as I was warned it
would take hours to tour. Ironically, right after I entered, so did fellow
Prattvile Dragoon and former Brigade Commander, Josh Stover. Josh now lives in
North Alabama but is still a proud member of our camp and sent well-wishes to
all. Josh and his son were there to scan monuments to replicate and make for
putting up around the Confederation. A fascinating process.
The museum is amazing. It has informative wall panels for
each year of the war, major events and individuals that impacted the war. They
also had QR Codes you can scan for more information.
The highlight(s) were seeing Robert E. Lee statue that was
once in front of Lee High School in Montgomery, the bed John Bell Hood bed
slept in during the Tennessee campaign, and the former coffins for General and
Mrs. Forrest before they were reinterred on the grounds of Elm Springs! I could
go on all day about what I saw at the National Museum. Every SCV member needs
to go and visit to see it all.
I then toured the home of Elm Springs. They are returning to
what it looked like during the War. It was, for years, the HQ for the SCV and
had offices, etc., in the building. All of those offices have been moved to the
Museum. It is well worth the tour. Ironically my tour was a lady from Indiana
who knew the South was right! Oh, there are even some ghost stories to raise
your hackles as well. Definitely a must- see!
The next morning we met for the Conference and it was an
amazing day! Past Chaplain-in-Chief Gary Carlyle opened us in prayer and gave
us a booklet of "positives" for Chaplains to pass to their flock.
Current Commander-in-Chief Kennedy then greeted the assembly afterwards.
After singing some Hymns, like "How Firm a
Foundation," former Chaplain-in-Chief Herman White spoke on the need of
Chaplains to "be there" for the flock. Dr. White is 90 and still
preaching the Gospel!
Current Chaplain-in-Chief Tom Hiter then taught us on how
the SCV Charge is a Christian Document. You cannot speak of the SCV without
speaking of God and Jesus Christ.
Dr. Micheal Bradley gave a fascinating speech on the
"Southern Religious Tradition- before, during, and since the War for
Southern Independence." He spoke at length on the revivals in the
Confederate Armies and how it was a true religious awakening in the South!
After we returned from Dinner, Mike Dunn, from the Tennessee
Division, gave an absolutely fascinating lecture on religious music during the
War.
This was followed by former Commander-in-Chief Boshers who
told the story of Sam Davis, the Confederate Martyr and his religious beliefs,
which helped to bring one (possibly more) of his captors to Jesus Christ. An
amazing side of the story I was unaware of.
Missouri Division Chaplain Thomas McConnell gave a
no-holds-barred sermon on "What the Lord Requires" and what will be
required of all of us in the coming days. Nobody slept through that Sermon,
believe me!
Pastor Mark Evans closed us out by recapping the other
speakers and reminding us of our commission as Chaplain to the camps and
individual members.
There will be a picture of all of us that was taken before
we all departed. It will be in the Jan/ Feb 2025 issue of the Confederate
Veteran.
We parted that day renewed, refreshed, and focused on our
duties as Chaplains. It was a great experience and I hope it once again becomes
a regular event!
I would be remiss if I did not thank Gary Carlyle and Jason Boshers, who both fought to make this event happen. I would also like to thank Adjutant-in-Chief Jimmy Hill who helped them make it possible.
Blessings,
Chaplain Brantley
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