Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Dixie Butt Fundraiser

Members of SCV Camp 1524 held their annual Dixie Butt fundraiser to generate proceeds for the camp treasury.  Members were asked to " Buy One and Sell One" and a number of compatriots went above and beyond selling many to friends and neighbors.  Saturday August 16th Quartermaster Myrick went by Smokin S BBQ in Wetumpka to pick up the quanitity of hot and cold butts for distribution that morning to purchasers. Smokin S has prepared the butts for the last several years for the camp and they also provide catering services for the camp's Christmas Social.  Delicious product.   2nd Lt Karl Wade and compatriots Darrell Haywood and Wayne Sutherland helped bag the butts for transport.  Treasurer John Dennis and his wife kept the books, accounting for the butt tickets distributed and the monies paid, a lot of commendable work to keep straight. Camp 1524 1st Lt Larry Spears, Adjutant Doug Butler, and Color Sgt Billy Leverette worked the distribution for most of the morning there also greeting camp members and friends of the SCV who arrived to pick up their butts.  Brigade Commander Waldo took a quantity of butts to deliver...compatriot Philip Edwards visited for quite a while with everyone... brand new member Blake Dickinson brought his two beautiful children to the event for a while... Skip Ward who always donates a few butts for later camp events drove thru... Allen Herrod whose facility was used for the distribution point stopped in to pick up a couple butts.... Earl Edmondosn and Danny Smythe came in and chatted with the compatriots under the canopy for a while.  It was a great opportunity to see members and friends of the camp this morning and proved to be another successful fundraising campaign.  

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Meeting for August 2025 - The Confederate Soldier

The Dragoons of SCV Camp 1524 met for their monthly meeting on Thursday August 14th at the Masonic Lodge in downtown Prattville.  Rob Schwartz entertained everyone during the fellowship time before the meeting with traditional songs on his guitar.  At 6:45, Commander Grooms welcomed everyone before Chaplain Brantley opened with an Invocation and Color Sgt Leverette led everyone in the pledges and saluted to the flags.  Commander Grooms then read the SCV Charge before highlighting announcements and upcoming events including the Dixie butt sale, Autauga County Fair and the camp's fall muster.  Compatriot Blake Dickinson was sworn in as a new member by Chaplain Brantley and Commander Grooms, a cause for celebration. 

Camp 1524's own Paul Whaley gave an excellent but sobering presentation on what Lincoln's War was like for the average soldier. He delivered personal accounts from the letters and diaries of the men in the field.  There were 425 General officers in the Confederate army and 23 different armies/commands.  The Confederates were recognized to have incredibly talented Generals but you can't have great leaders such as these without troops.  Paul has done reenactments for many years rising in those ranks from a private to a Colonel.  He participated in the event at Gettysburg where 13000 men reenacted Pickett's charge, the Confederates charging and tearing down picket fences and getting mowed down attacking while Union forces 5 and 6 deep reloaded rifles and passed them forward.  

It was extremely difficult as a Confederate soldier with the deprivations and conditions.  Paul read an account from a soldier who fought at Allatoona Pass in October of 1864.  Thirty men in his company charged into a hail of bullets and immediately 28 dropped leaving just him and one other soldier.  He was hit in the hand and then the other remaining soldier was hit by a mini-ball.  He held the dying man in his arms when another shot hit his friend in the head.  Amazing, shocking and terrifying certainly for the soldier being so close to and witnessing death so intimately.  The manner of death was frequently gruseome with arms and legs strewn over battlefields or shattered on the wounded. The 50 caliber balls left gaping wounds and would spray entrails and brains about when they struck soldiers in the abdomen and head.  Men lost entire jaws and survived.  Bayonet and sword wounds.  Crushed by horses and wagons.  Impaled by wood splintered and metal from cannon shell fragments.

Food was often scarce and in unsanitary spoiled condition most often in the field.  The soldiers would bake cornbread using spoiled meal which often had worms.  Biscuits were fashioned with rudimentary ingredients; hardtack was the usual.  Pickled or brined beef was a common meat when available along with pork fatback and some bacon which was sometimes used over and over again to grease cooking pans until it became a hard briquette. Black eyed peas sometimes made into hoppin' john, sweet potatoes, cabbage, and rice were available on occassion.  Coffee was made from wood bark and horse feed boiled in water.  Poor diet led to sickness and death.  

In 1864 Confederate General Hood led troops thru Decatur AL toward Tennessee, 135 miles in 7 days. After fighting all day in Decatur, the troops endured freezing rain which soaked them clad in threadbare clothes. Shirts and pants and jackets were unwashed for long periods and often ragged with many holes.  The men would dig shallow holes and spoon to conserve body heat.  Many went without socks and shoes lost soles and some would go barefoot.  This area in late 1864 was controlled by guerilla bands of deserters who would bushwhack the Confederate soldiers as they moved thru picking and sniping them off.  

Many soldiers died in hospitals for lack of proper care, modern medicine and sanitation.   The Union Army had 11000 surgeons while the Confederates had only about 2000 doctors. Chronic diarrhea and viruses killed many who had to live together in the field and in hospitals.  Filthy latrines would have a sparse layer of dirt spread over the defecation daily but often soldiers in camp would just leave their tent and relieve themselves in the middle of camp.  The stench of gangrene and putrid odor from wounds and chamberpots would waft thru hospitals.  More died from wounds and disease in the 7 weeks following the battle at Corinth MS than died in the two day bloodbath at Shiloh. 

The battle flags were used to communicate troop positions and rally charges during battles.  But those colorbearers carrying the flags were targets. Paul shared an account of one colorbearer being hit by 40 bullets.  Often in battles, three or four colorbearers would fall in quick succession in the hail of bullets attempting to plant the flag on a rise.   

Prattville Dragoons of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Erect New SCV Signboard at I-65 Battle Flag Site

Members of the Prattville Dragoons met early on Friday morning August 1st to install vertical support timbers and crossmembers to build a permanent signboard frame to display the Alabama Division Sons of Confederate Veterans banner to complement the Battle flag at the site on I-65 near Pine Level.  I-65 Flag Chairman David Smith, Dragoons Adjutant Doug Butler and members Todd Rogers with his grandson Carson, Lee James and Philip Edwards did tremendous work to erect this new sign which allows better visibility to display the informational banner for the Alabama Divison SCV to passers-by on the interstate below the site there.  

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

Dragoons Camp Meeting – at Prattville Masonic Lodge on Thursday August 14th at 6:45pm

Dragoons Dixie Butt Fundraiser –Saturday, August 16th

Battle of Decatur Reenactment –Friday-Sunday, August 29-31st 

Alabama UDC Convention –Friday-Saturday September 12-13th 

 

Dragoons Fall Muster – Saturday in October TBD 

Dragoons of Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 at the Prattville Cityfest

Prattville's annual Cityfest, usually held in May was postponed due to inclement weather and was rescheduled for July and instead of lining Main Street in the downtown area, the field at the Autauga County Fairgrounds was the site for the Cityfest held on Saturday July 19th.  Dozens of craft and food vendors braves the extreme heat to offer their products to a greatly diminished number of Cityfest patrons.  Nonetheless the Dragoons of SCV Camp 1524 setup their booth that moring and manned it throughout the day til after 3pm.  Dragoons present included Quartermaster Myrick who brought the canopy and all the camp stores and stayed the entire day, Brigade Commander Waldo, Treasurer Dennis (who also stayed all day), Color Sgt Leverette, Adjutant Butler and compatriot Schwartz.   A few items out of the camp stores including 3x5ft flags and ballcaps and Confederate shot glasses were sold and a number of mini-Battle flags and SCV Alabama Division education posters were handed out to passers-by.  A number of patrons stipped by to offer encouragement for the work the camp does in promoting Southern history and one area school teacher inquired about the camp making a presentation with reenactors portraying Confederate soldiers and President Jefferson Davis.  While the traffic at this year's edition of Cityfest was disappointing, it is always a pleasure to meet our neighbors and promote Southern heritage by participating in these arae festivals and parades.  

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Robinson Springs and Indian Hill Cemetery Maintenance

Members of the Dragoons of SCV Camp 1524 again did their duty in caring for the final resting place of a number of Confederate veterans as part of the SCV Guardian program, performing maintenance workdays at Robinson Springs cemetery in Millbrook on Saturday July 12th and the next week at Indian Hill cemetery.  Comms Officer Davis used the camp's new weed trimmer and blower to cut around the headstones and markers at both cemteries.  Compatriot Rob Schwartz tackled a massive overgrown greenbrier/smilax vine which had obscured the headstones of a couple of graves at Robinson Springs and fairly killed an azalea bush planted there.  Quartermaster Myrick joined them at Robinson Springs that Saturday morning helping with his push mower cutting grass.  Camp Commander Grooms and Treasurer Dennis are usual stalwarts with the cemetery maintenance initiative for Camp 1524 at these local cemeteries.  

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Meeting for July 2025

The Camp 1524 meeting for July was held on Thursday July 10th at the Prattville Masonic Lodge. Adjutant Butler gathered membership dues/renewals and new applications.  Treasurer Dennis also gathered fundraiser monies and provided tickets for Dixie Butt sales.  Light refreshments including colas, chips and cookies were served and compatriot Rob Schwartz entertained everyone upon arrival by playing his guitar and singing some wonderful songs.  The meeting began at 6:45 pm hosted by Commander Harold Grooms who led everyone in the SCV Charge and provided updates on upcoming events and news following a Benediction and the pledges and salutes to the United States, Alabama and Confederate flags. 

The speaker for the meeting was Larry Caver.  Mr. Caver is the president of the Old Autauga Historical Society and has been involved in historical and genealogical research since 1989. Dragoons Treasurer Dennis is also a member and is integral in the camp's efforts in cemetery cleaning and maintenance as part of the SCV Guardian Program. History, especially on Old Autauga County and Alabama, is Larry's passion and he provided a dynamic educational discussion of the Prattville and Autauga county area history this evening.  It was a well attended meeting and a great event for the camp. 

Dragoon Presents Copy of Confederate Veteran Periodical Featuring the First White House to Curator Director of the FWHC

First White House of the Confederacy Docent and Prattville Dragoon (Chapter 1524) member Jayson A. Altieri  presented a copy of the July/August 2025 Confederate Veteran magazine, with the cover and feature article "The First White House" authored by Jayson, to Dr. Bob Weiland, Director of the FWHC on July 7, 2025.

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Dragoons at the Prattville Independence Day Parade

Members of SCV Camp 1524, friends and family participated in the Prattville Independence Day parade the morning of July 4th.  The camp had a great entry including walkers carrying the camp'd Independence Day banner and handing out candy to the spectators, Quartermaster Myrick's truck carrying a display of historic Alabama state flags, Brigade Commander Waldo's Charger driven by his wife and son showing off two combination Betsy Ross/Gadsden flags, and two members of the Alabama Division mechanized calvalry on their Harley Davidsons.  It was a warm morning and everyone sought shade under the trees along Court Street before the parade commenced.  The route took the parade down 4th street then over to Main Street and down Northijngton to Pratt Park.  Walker included Chaplain Brantley and Comms Officer Eric Davis carrying the banner, Commander Waldo, Treasurer Dennis and compatriot Rob Schwartz hading out candy and also three members of the local UDC chapter Children of the Confederacy.  Bill Myrick and his wife rode in their truck and Mech Cav Chaplain "Chop Chop" Atkins led the Harleys which are always a great hit with the parade spectators.  A great way to lead into the holiday weekend and remind the local comunity that the Confederates fought for their independence for much the same reason as our founding fathers seceding from the British Empire. 

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 at the Peach Jam Festival in Clanton AL

Members of SCV Camp 1524 set up a recruiting booth at the Jam Festival which was held at the Clanton City Park on Saturday June 14th.  Camp 1524 Commander Harold Grooms, 2nd Lt Karl Wade, Quartermaster Myrick, Treasurer Dennis, Adjutant Doug Butler, compatriots Eric Davis and Josh Stover, and Brigade Commander Waldo and his son set up the canopy and booth and manned it throughout the day.  Weather cooperated with rain skirting the festival site but it was a warm late spring day for the annual festival.  The intent of the festival entry was to garner interest in the establishment of a new SCV camp in Clanton and enough men expressed interest that this potential is promising.  In addition, mini-Battle flags and SCV coins were handed out to passers-by as well as SCV Division educational posters and the camp stores offered 3x5ft historical flags, car tags, ballcaps, shot glasses, tote bags, patches, and bandanas for sale.  Merchandise was sold which generated proceeds for the camp to use for more goods as well as funding the work of the camp which includes donations, flag settings and event entries.  It was a good day for advancing the SCV Charge and getting the glorious Confederate Battle flag out in front of the public.  

Prattville Dragoons at the Alabama Division Sons of Confederate Veterans 2025 Reunion

The Alabama Division Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 was represented at the State Reunion by four compatriots, 1st Lt Spears, Chaplain Brantley, Brigade Commander Waldo and compatriots Stover and Crowley.  The Reunion was held on Saturday June 7th at the Disabled American Veterans building in Athens AL.  It was a somewhat somber occassion as Commander Doug Barrett had passed away the week prior.  A special seat was laid out for him at the head table in his honor and memory.  1st Lt Commander Jimmy Hill had assumed the duties of Division Commander in Doug's passing and he led the Reunion.  The colors were posted and salutes and pledges recited to the flags to open the program.  Division Adjutant and Hobbs Camp Commander Lee Hattabaugh welcomed everyone to the convention.  Division Chaplain Robert Griffin then gave an Invocation.  The SCV Charge was then read to those assembled. A quorum was announced based on attendance roll and the business session commenced.  Treasurer Muse went thru the budget and expenditures from the prior year and everyone was encouraged to purchase SCV car tags which benefit the Division.'s work. Following the business session, a steak luncheon was served followed by the presentation of Division awards.  Brigade meetings followed and the Reunion concluded with signing of Dixie and a Benediction.  Always great seeing all the fellow compatriots from throughout the state at the Alabama Division Reunions.  

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 at the Alabama Division Children of the Confederacy Convention

The Alabama Division Children of the Confederacy held their annual convention at the chapel at Confederate Memorial Park in Marbury AL on Saturday June 14th.  The UDC ladies provided a wonderful lunch including chicken fingers and nuggets, sandwiches, potato salad, coleslaw and lots of desserts including cakes and brownies.  The program started with the presentation and posting of the colors with the Color Guard led by the Dragoons' own Doug Butler and then salutes and pledges to the flags were made.  The Creed was read in unison and then a welcome to all guests was made by the current CofC President.  Reports for each of the officers were also presented.  The President's initiative for her term was music and literature to honor and celebrate our Southern heritage so each officer read a selection including period poems about the Confederate soldiers fight for their home defense and independence.  Two UDC ladies also took the opportunity to share readings with the assembled group.  An executive council meeting then nominated officers for the new term and these children were subsequently sworn into their positions.  The Dragoons' SCV SWC Brigade Commander's children were chosen to leadership positions in the Alabama state CofC so it is the hope and intent to bring CofC and SCV events together which might grow the involvement of youth in both organizations.  In addition Dragoon Scott Roberson was in attendance and he brought all his significant others to enjoy the CofC event.  

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Meeting for June 2025 - Jefferson Davis

The Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 met on Thursday night June 12th at the Masonic Lodge downtwon for their monthly meeting.  Compatriot Rob Schwartz entertained everyone playing his guitar and singing songs of the South for everyone before the meeting started.  Commander Grooms led the meeting providing updates for upcoming events including the camp's booth at the Peach Jam Festival in Clanton upcoming.   Dixie butt tickets were distributed to kick off the annual camp fundraiser.  The guest speaker for this meeting was the camp's own Compatriot Tyrone Crowley who gave a presentation on Jefferson Davis and the reenactment of his 1861 presidential inauguration for the Confederate States of America. Mr. Crowley was selected to play the part of Jefferson Davis for the event, which was held in downtown Montgomery on Feb 19, 2011 as part of the SCV Confederate States of America and War for Southern Independence Sesquicentennial Celebration. https://youtu.be/Cb13I7F4uqY?si=BQFfGZzqprDe

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Chaplain's Column for June - In the Depths of Despair, Seek God

 

Excerpted from Billy Graham Evangelical Association:

 

. . . when troubles come . . . sing his praises with much joy.

—PSALM 27: 5-6 (TLB)

Christians are not altogether immune from depression.

The fact is: the trend of events and the mounting tide of evil are enough to give one sobering thoughts—Christian or not. David, the sweet singer of Israel, was not always on top of his depression. Sometimes his glad song was turned into a depressive mourning. “My tears have been my meat day and night, while continually they say unto me, Where is thy God? Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou disquieted in me?” I find that the cure for depression is praise. In other words: be so busy counting your blessings, that thoughts of gloom and despair will be crowded out.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Thank You, heavenly Father, for the Psalms which help me see that even in the depths David talked with You. Whatever my circumstances, I will learn to praise You.

AMEN.

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

 

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

 

Peach Jam Jubilee – Saturday, June 14^th , Dragoons booth, Hwy 31 and Ollie Ave., Clanton, AL

 

Prattville Independence Day Parade – Friday July 4^th, Dragoons entry, downtown Prattville

 

Prattville Cityfest –Saturday, July 19^th, Dragoons booth, Autuaga Cty fairgrounds

 

National Reunion - July 16-20^th, Houston, TX (For more information: https://scv130.com)

 

Dragoons Dixie Butt Fundraiser –Saturday, August 16th

SCV Camps Combine Efforts for Indian Hill Cemetery Cleanup

Samuel Reynolds & Allen Taunton from Tallassee Armory Guard Camp 1921 along with members of the Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 including Commander Grooms, Treasurer Dennis, and Quartermaster Myrick picked up two large loads of wood from Indian Hill Cemetery for the Battles for the Armory reenactment which is held in Tallassee in November.  The wood was left from the felling of a dead hickory tree at the cemetery.  Indian Hill Cemetery grounds maintenance is performed by Camp 1524 as part of the Alabama Division Guardian Program to care for the final resting place of Confederate Veterans.

Historic Confederate Flag Conservation by the Alabama Department of Archives and History (ADAH)

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Dragoon Tyrone Crowley attended a presentation on Flag Conservation made today at the Confederate Memorial Park Museum.  The speaker, Ryan Blocker of the Alabama Department of Archives and History (ADAH), was introduced by Park Director Calvin Chappelle.  She gave a brief history of ADAH, which was founded in 1901 by Thomas McAdory Owen, then proceeded to explain all the effort it takes to conserve the many flags from the War Between the States that are in the collection at the ADAH.  She then described in detail the conservation of three flags used by Alabama units during the War.  It was an interesting meeting and appreciated by all present, evidenced by the various questions during the Q&A that ended the event. 

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Prattville Dragoons Chaplain's Column for May 2025 - Rest and Rejuvenation in the Word of God and Reflections on Those Who Came Before Us

"I give thanks to Him who...granted me...strength and made me able (for) the ministry."

1 Timothy 1:12

 

Are you feeling burned out? Are you tired and want to give up? It could be work, church, family, SCV, or something else, or all the above? Feel worn out?

You are not alone. As a matter of fact, you are in the majority. Some interesting facts I picked up in my research. Did you know that people in the "helping professions" have a higher rate of drug abuse, alcoholism, and suicide than other professions? A major contributing factor is they only hear and see the troubles and negative side of people's lives.

How do we combat these statistics? "The Word for you Today" devotional offers some helpful hints:

 

1. Cultivate New Disciplines. Shut the door, turn off the television, and let your calls go to voicemail. Above all don't be surprised when troubles come, Jesus said they would (John 16:33).

2.Take time off regularly. And on your days off, do something different. As Spurgeon said, "If we do not rest, we shall break down." My Dad would go to the beach for a week each year to forget his problems.

3. Exercise and get enough sleep. Walk, swim, and breathe deeply. A difficult one in this era, but so necessary.

4. Learn to Relax. The opposite of 'fight or flight' syndrome. Rest for at least 20 minutes during the day with no distractions. Also, use it to spend time in prayer and conversation with God.

Some other helpful hints include to join a support group- God never intended for us to do this battle alone. Others include learning to say <NO!>, and finally, learn to remember that it's okay to have fun. I have met many in the SCV who could use a reminder on this one!

All of these are helpful hints and can be used to avoid the "burn-out," or the refreshing of the Spirit.

None of these, however, will replace time spent in the word with God and surrounding yourself with time of worship, with praise music, and daily prayer - for AT LEAST 15 minutes a day. Either in the morning or the evening. Make it a daily practice.

Finally, I would add one of my own. When I am feeling I cannot do it anymore or feel sorry for myself, I remind myself of the heroes in my life. There are many. My Dad, who, no matter how many times he got knocked down, he got back up. Even when Dementia was robbing him of everything, he kept his head up and kept fighting. I think of him everyday.

As far as the SCV goes, I can think of nobody ahead of H.K. Edgerton. HK was at the Confederate Memorial Service in Montgomery on April 26th. I have known HK for a long time. HK is a black man who wears a Confederate uniform and carries a Rebel Flag (please see picture). He's been called every imaginable racial slur, usually by his own people, but he never complains. He keeps going, he smiles and keeps moving forward.

Every time I see HK, I am re-energized. I have no excuses to not march forward with him.

We/ you need people in this life to inspire us and keep us above ground. They are sent by the Almighty to rally us.

 

Please know that I pray for this camp and each member and wish nothing but the blessings of peace and love in your life for many years to come.

Amen.

Prattville Dragoons Camp Meeting for May 2025 - Nullification

Camp 1524 Sons of Confederate Veterans held their monthly meeting on Thursday May 8th at the Masonic Lodge in downtown Prattville.  Commander Grooms was not able to attend so 1st Lt Spears ably stood in for him.  Larry also provided the opening Invocation and closing Benediction.  Following the pledge to the US flag and salutes to the Alabama state flag and Confederate Battle flag, the SCV Charge was recited by Lt Commander Spears.  A special presentation, a Brigade Recognition Award  was made by Larry for Wayne Sutherland who completed  very long service as the camp's Adjutant.  A brief report on recent activities was made by attendees including the Confederate Memorial Day programs and the spring picnic at Confederate Memorial Park.  Upcoming events and dates were then enumerated.  

The guest speaker was Editor Emeritus of the Alabama Confederate magazine and frequent columnist for the Alabama Gazette, John M. Taylor provided a presentation on Nullification. John began his discussion stating that this is not the country we were raised in where local radio stations would come on the air playing the Star Spangled Banner and sign off at night playing Dixie. John offered a definition of nullification as the right of the state to nullify federal legislation which is in violation of the Constitution. The states predated the United States government and voluntarily formed a Union preserving states' sovereignty and rights of secession and nullifcation. Jefferson in the Kentucky Resolution and Madison in the Virginia Resolution of 1798 in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts which made it against the law to criticize the federal government or the President, which was signed into law by John Adams, argued for this principle of nullification.  The Sedition Act was an abomination and direct threat to constitutional freedom of speech. 

During the Viginia Ratifying Conference of 1788, Patrick Henry and Jefferson had warned of an all powerful central federal governement.  Statists can't fathom the idea of a limited central government, including wanting military enforcement.  Frank Zappa called the federal government the entertainment arm of the military-industrial complex. Jefferson and the libertarians believe that if teh federal governement overstepped their authority, any such laws would be unenforceable.  Nullification sought to keep the Union together whereas the concept of secession allows seperation and dissolution. 

The Tariff of Abominations of 1828 was met by fierce opposition and John C. Calhoun argued for nullification of this legislation.  In response, President Andrew Jackson had a use of force bill passed for the military to collect these tariffs.  But cooler heads prevailed and a compromise was struck in 1833 and South Carolina repealed its Ordinance of Nullification refusing the Tariff. The supremacy clause of the Constitution is often cited as proof nullification is invalid but Article 1 Section 8 limits the federal governments authority. Any matter settled by force or that threat is not settled so the concept of nullification and secession is not settled.  The War for Southern Independence was a war for Northern bankers demanding continued tariff revenue. 

The Treaty of Paris of 1783 and the Articles of Confederation say states have sovereignty, that the states enjoy such if they are able to retain it as the Articles maintain. Even Alexander Hamilton a staunch federalist, stated that state's having their own constitutions infers sovereignty.  There are two definitions of nullification, one to wipe it off the books and secondly, to make the law unenforceable.  State and local governments are often the enforcement bodies of federal laws so such unconstitutional laws can be practically nullified. 

Lord Acton in his correspondence with Robert E. Lee after the War said state sovereignty was what kept the federal government in check. More and more it is clear why our Revolutionary and Confederate ancestors seceded because of the consolidation of power into a central government authority. The US came into being thru secession - such a concept is fundamentally American and patriotic. Jefferson warned that the federal government can not be the determinant of the limits to its own power.  Today with the attacks on free speech, gun ownership and confiscatory taxation, we need to derial the authoritarian regime/federal government. 

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

                                    Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

 

 

Dragoons Camp Meeting – at Prattville Masonic Lodge on Thursday May 8^th at 6:45pm

 

Division Reunion – Friday and Saturday, June 6-7^th - Athens, AL

 

Prattville Independence Day Parade – Friday July 4^th, downtown Prattville

 

Prattville Cityfest –Saturday,  July 19^th, fairgrounds

 

National Reunion - July 16-20^th, Houston, TX (For more information: https://scv130.com)

 

Dragoons Dixie Butt Fundraiser –Saturday, August 16th

Prattville Dragoons at the Alabama Division Confederate Memorial Division Program in Montgomery

Members of the Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 attended the Alabama Division Confederate Memorial Day program at the state capital on Saturday April 26th.  Members in attendance included camp Commander Grooms, Brigade Commander Waldo, 1st Lt Spears, Quartermaster Myrick, Comms Officer Davis, Adjutant Butler, Chaplain Brantley and compatriots Tyrone Crowley and Louis Turner. The rpgram started at 10am with Commander Barrett opening  the program with greetings followed by introductions of those in attendance representing other heritage organizations including the UDC, Order of Confederate Rose, Order of the Stars and Bars, and the Mechanized Cavalry.  H.K. Edgerton donned his Confederate uniform and carrying the Battle flag called out those groups that hate our Southern heritage and brave Confederate ancestors including those with offices nearby in downtown Montgomery.  Div 1st Lt Hill led everyone in the pledge to the US flag and salute to the Confederate Battle flag.  Former SCV Commander in Chief Paul Gramling presented the keynote address, a challenge to everyone to support SCV functions and events to honor our ancestors and meet the challenge of those who would wish our organization and the Charge to fail.  A commemorative callout of everyone's Confederate ancesotrs with a bell ringing followed and the program wrapped with a great singing of Dixie by everyone on the steps of the state capital building. There was firing of cannons down Dexter Avenue to punctuate the rousing celebration of our Confederate history and heritage.  Beautiful day and wonderful program for Confederate Memorial Day 2025 in Montgomery Alabama. 

Sons of Confederate Veterans Clean Historic Indian Hill Cemetery in Prattville AL

Three men from SCV Camp 1524 cleaned the Indian Hill Cemetery in Prattville on Saturday April 19th as part of the SCV Guardian Program to care for the final resting place of Confederate veterans.  Among thos buried at Indian Hill is Lt. Alfred Y. Smith who was an original Dragoon and was presented with the company flag by the ladies of Prattville before carrying it into the western theatre of Lincoln's War.   Camp 1524 Commander Grooms, Comms Ofc Davis and Treasurer Dennis pur forth the effort this Saturday to ready the cemetery for Easter Sunday.