Prattville Dragoons at the 131st Alabama Division UDC Convention in Prattville AL

The ladies of the Alabama Division UDC had their 131st annual convention at the Marriott in Prattville this past week.  During the Historical Banquet on Friday night September 11th, Alabama Division SCV Commander Jimmy Hill brought greetings from the SCV.  SWC Brigade and Prattville Dragoons  SCVCamp 1524 Commander Waldo brought greetings from the Children of the Confederacy in the absence of his son who is the President of the Alabama Division CofC as he had a conflicting engagement.  Dragoons Adjutant Butler acted as part of the color guard for leading the procession into the convention ballroom after the evening's supper.  He and  SCV Brigade Commander Jeremy Boothe were both dressed in period reenactrment uniforms as the color guard. It was a meaningful formal occassion as part of the UDC annual convention as they recognized men who had served in our nation's armed forces and who had lineal ancestry to Confederate veterans. 

  

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Meeting for September 2026 - Muskets and Rifles of the War Between the States

The Dragoons of SCV Camp 1524 held their monthly meeting on September 10th at the Prattville Masonic Lodge on Maple Street downtown.  Chaplain Johnson opened the meeting with an Invocation followed by Color Sgt Leverette leading everyone in the pledges and salutes to the flags.  Then Commander Waldo highlighted camp business and upcoming events. The guest speaker for this camp meeting was our own compatriot John Hayes who gave an engaging and interesting close up look at many of the weapon types used in the War Between the States.  John developed an interest early in his childhood on the War Between the States after his father took him to the Shiloh battlefield at the age of 7.  John is a retired police officer and member of the NRA, the Sons of Union Veterans (as well as the SCV), the Old Autauga Historical Society, the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association and, the North-South Skirmish Association so he stays busy in related organizations.  He resided in Marion in the circa 1832 Huntington-Watters house which served as Confederate General Forrest's headquarters after the Battle of Selma.  He made his address in a Confederate reenactment uniform.   His presentation was fast paced and fascinating as he discussed the development of guns from muzzle loading to different types of breech loading muskets to rifles and showed original examples of the latter he owns.  Commander Waldo closed the meeting and Chaplain Johnson showed everyone off with a Benediction.  

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Commander’s Column– Planting the New General James Holt Clanton SCV Camp in Clanton

Wonderful development in the Alabama Division and the Southwest Central Brigade with the chartering of a General James Holt Clanton Sons of Confederate Veterans camp.  On Saturday August 29th, Division Commander Hill and the Clanton SCV Camp team met at the CMP SCV Library to sign the charter, transfers and compile the camp constitution which Jimmy took to file at General headquarters.  The Prattville Dragoons played a primary role in the planting of this new camp.  Camp 1524 hosted an informational booth at the Clanton Peach Jam Festival the past two years and Commander Waldo and Adjutant Butler helped lead organizational meetings over the past few months with local men interested in forming the new camp.  The critical mass (minimum of seven members required for chartering a new camp) was achieved when we shifted away from conceptualizing a new camp with primarily new members and instead focused on developing the camp with members local to the area but already active in Camp 1524, effectively planting a new camp from the parent Dragoons camp.  Things moved quickly when compatriots Todd Rogers and David Smith expressed interest in transferring into the new camp and in assuming leadership roles.  Todd will be the camp commandeer and David the adjutant for the General James Holt Clanton Camp.  Clanton compatriot Alex Hollon who is actually a member of the Foley Camp Blakely camp has been instrumental in developing interest in the new camp over the past couple of years.  Alex (Kale) will be the 1st Lt Commander for the Clanton camp.   A number of additional Dragoons who have been outstanding active members in Camp 1524 also volunteered to transfer into the camp as charter members.  The quick progression in the formation of the camp demonstrated a key to the success of that process but also in the workings of all SCV camps.  Members transferring into a new camp and stepping into leadership are already familiar with what is needed in the operations of a camp, the goings-on and what is expected of members of the camp and perhaps even in specific officers’ roles.  It is critical for planting a camp that existing members of parent camps are willing to transfer into the new camp to provide that knowledge and leadership.  Best to plant stronger plants (seedlings or grafts) rather than newbie seeds.  The whole process reminded me of our church which was the parent church and planted a church in Wetumpka, a nearby community.   When it was announced that our church was planting a new church in another community, it was announced that our youth minister would be leaving to lead that new church as the pastor and that a number of families active in our church would also be leaving to help act as the foundational families in that church.  That new church is thriving and growing today.  Planting a church or an SCV camp is best achieved by transferring key leadership and members to the new body who can provide knowledge, stability and energy to establish and move the new camp or church forward.  Although the parent may lose members in the short term, planting a new camp or church is valuable for the organization to eventually canvas new areas and reach new neighbors and grow membership for greater overall growth for the larger organization.  Camp 1524 should look forward to having a thriving sister camp in a neighboring town and county with which we can have bigger and better joint activities like a Brigade fall muster and spring picnic and other events.  Clanton is a great town with a great history including a Confederate namesake in General James Holt Clanton and the community and Chilton county has great folks which should be ready to grow membership in their SCV camp and be active in advancing the Cause and following the SCV Charge.  Great stuff.

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Chaplain’s Column for September 2026 - Human Beings Make Plans, but God Remains Sovereign Over the Outcome

 “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.” (Psalm 20:7)

As I write, it is August 28, 2026, the 164th Anniversary of the Second Battle of Manassas, fought August 28–30, 1862, one of the most decisive and storied victories ever to crown Confederate arms. Through bold maneuver, determination, and sheer audacity, the Confederate army drove General John Pope’s Army of Virginia from the field and back toward the defenses of Washington.

For those of us who remember our forefathers and study the history of our people, there is a deeper lesson at Manassas than military strategy. The battle reminds us of an ancient truth: human beings make plans, but God remains sovereign over the outcome.

It was the wisest man in history, after all, who wrote that “A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

The Second Manassas campaign is almost a textbook illustration of this principle.

General Pope believed he had Jackson trapped. After Jackson struck the Federal supply depot at Manassas Junction, Pope gathered his army with the intention of destroying Jackson before Lee and Longstreet could arrive. Jackson, however, had deliberately placed himself where Pope would be encouraged to attack, while Lee hurried northward with Longstreet's corps.

Then, on August 29, Pope repeatedly hurled his troops against Jackson's position along the unfinished railroad. The Confederate line bent but did not break. Meanwhile, Longstreet was arriving on Jackson's right. Pope did not realize that the force he thought was isolated was being reinforced. On August 30, believing the Confederates were retreating, Pope ordered another attack. Instead, he found himself facing an army prepared to strike. Longstreet's great assault then swept across the Federal left and transformed the battle into a decisive Confederate victory.

How easily the whole affair might have appeared otherwise while it was happening. To the soldier in the ranks, much of this must have looked like confusion, exhaustion, danger, and uncertainty. Had every man in the Southern army relied on his own lights and done what was good in his own eyes, the Federals would almost certainly have won the day. But the soldiers trusted their stalwart commanders to know what was best and to do it well, and so they fought to a glorious victory.

We Christians can often be tempted to use worldly lights to judge of this world’s problems and their solutions. It can be tempting to despair as the world goes to Hell in a hand basket around us and no one seems to know or care what can be done to stop it. Whether in politics or religion, the state of the American family or the erosion of American economy, there is much that seems confusing, exhausting, dangerous, and uncertain. But if our ancestors at Second Manassas could trust their commanders with their very lives, may we not trust the Captain of the Lord’s Host? May we not trust the King of Kings to know what is best and to do it well? Christ is reigning on His throne, and nothing that Man can do is too strong for Him or too hard for Him to handle.

The Christian therefore has no need to despair when circumstances seem to be going against him. He must do what is right, remain faithful to his duty, trust in God, and leave the ultimate result in God's hands. For the Battle is the Lords (1 Samuel 17:47) and it is for Him to save, whether by many or by few (1 Samuel 14:6).

We remember the men of the Second Manassas campaign not because they possessed perfect knowledge or because they could see the future. We remember them because, amid confusion and danger, they did what they believed their duty required.

For us, the greater lesson is that our duty is ours; Providence belongs to God. It is said that Stonewall Jackson, when asked the secret of his legendary courage in battle, remarked that “my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave.” How well the great General understood and trusted the Providence of God!

We cannot know what battles lie ahead for our families, our communities, our nation, or our chapter. We cannot know what circumstances our children and grandchildren will inherit. But we can determine whether we will be faithful with what has been placed into our hands. As Christians and as custodians of memory, we have a responsibility to preserve what is worthy of preservation, to tell the truth about the past, to honor those who came before us, and to pass on to those who follow us the things that are good.

And when the future is uncertain, we can remember the words of the Psalmist:

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”

—Psalm 20:7

The soldiers at Manassas could not see the whole field.

Neither can we.

But God can.

And so, whatever battles may lie before us, let us trust that the Lord who orders the course of history is still Lord over ours.

May God bless our forefathers, preserve the memory of those who came before us, strengthen our families and our chapter, and grant us the courage to remain faithful to our duties in our own time.

            Deo Vindice!

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

Battle of Decatur – free admission September 4^th – 6th, Point Mallard Park, 2901 Point Mallard Cir SE, Decatur, AL

 

Prattville Dragoons September Camp Meeting – Thursday, September 10^th, 6pm Masonic Lodge, Prattville AL

 

Raid on the Little General’s Farm –September 18^th – 20^th, 5535 Old Gallant Road, Gallant AL

 

Autauga County Fair – October 13-17^th, Dragoons booth, Autauga County Fairgrounds, Prattville AL

 

Dragoons Fall Muster – Saturday October 24^th, Philip and Terri Edwards home, 2104 CR 59, Prattville

 

Battles for the Armory – November 6-8^th, Tallassee AL

 

Thanksgiving Food Drive – benefitting the Autauga Interfaith Care Center, throughout the month of October, deliver Nov 17^th

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Indian Hill Cemetery Maintenance Workday

Monday August 24th, SCV Camp 1524 Treasurer John Dennis and his wife Mary Jane and compatriot David Whitehead cut the grass and cleaned the grounds of the historic Indian Hill Cemetery on the west side of Prattville.  This cemetery has graves of a number of original Dragoons who fought in the War Between the States, defending their family and homes in the Confederacy's quest for independence. Camp 1524 peforms these cemetery maintenance activities as part of the SCV Guardian Program to care for the final resting place of Confederate veterans.