Halloween in Confederate History

Happy Halloween from the Prattville Dragoons, Camp 1524 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.  Researched this date in history during the War Between the States and found some interesting Confederate naval highlights for this Halloween date.  These are appropriate given the topic of our last Dragoons camp meeting on the H.L. Hunley.  On October 31st, 1862, the Congress of the Confederacy passed legislation authorizing the creation of two new divisions of the navy Department.  Brig.Gen. Gabriel J. Rains was placed in charge of the new Torpedo Bureau and Lt. Hunter Davidson was named to command the new Naval Submarine Battery Service. The purpose of both divisions was to "investigate, organize and improve creative methods of torpedo warfare" (known as mines today). On October 31st, 1863, the CSS Patrick Henry was brought to its moorings at Drewry's Bluff on the James River for use at the Confederate Naval Academy.  The ship would later be moved closer to Richmond to protect it during the latter stages of the war.

Prattville Dragoons October Camp Meeting

The Prattville Dragoons October camp meeting was postponed from the usual second Thursday date to Wednesday October 26th this month to accomodate a special guest speaker, JM who gave an inspired speech on the Confederate H.L.Hunley, the first submarine to ever sink an enemy ship.  A subsequent blog post will provide some of the information from J's presentation regarding this technological marvel of the War Between the States.  The announcements from the camp meeting included upcoming events.  The Christmas Social will be held Friday December 9th at Beuna Vista with dinner catered by Red's Little Schoolhouse.  Cost is $35 per couple, $20 for individuals.  This is a great time to fellowship with fellow SCV members from the Prattville and Montgomery camps.  Saturday December 3rd is the Prattville Christmas Parade which starts at 4:30pm in downtown Prattville; the theme of the parade is "Cooking Up a Christmas to Remember" and the Dragoons will enter a float.  Contact one of the Dragoons camp officers if you wish to participate and/or ride on the float.  November 5-6th is a gun show at the Shriners Temple in Montgomery - the Prattville Dragoons will have a recruiting table set up at the show.  Also Saturday, the Goodwin's Camp Dixie will host a bonfire which will be timely with the cold front pushing thru.  Mid-November the Tallasee SCV Camp will host the annual Battle for the Armory reenactment.  Two new Prattville Dragoons members were recognized and welcomed, Mike Williamson of Autaugaville and Chad Rowton of Prattville.

An Elegant Victorian Era

The Prattville Dragoons annual Christmas banquet will be held on Friday December 9th at the beautiful historic Buena Vista mansion in Prattville.  In preparation for this annual camp social gathering, my wife and I decided to follow the example of some attendees from last year who wore period dress to the banquet.  I am not a reenactor so I didn't feel comfortable donning a Confederate uniform as undoubtedly I would not have accurately depicted the period uniform and with the fabulous job reenactors do in presenting historically accurate depictions, I did not feel I could do that justice.  So I opted for civilian dress.  Wool was the predominant material for men's trousers and coats; long fitted frock coats were used for more formal occassions.  Cravats were used and tied as bowties and scrunchie ties and were made of cotton and silk and satin.  Beautiful top hats and dress gloves were standard apparel but I don't look good in hats so decided against those dress appointments.  But, I was more excited about choosing a gown for my wife.  The hoop skirts and bodice were elegant apparel for a long ago time of romance and fairy tales (if it wasn't for the terrible carnage of the ongoing War Between the States).  I looked for hours at websites which offered beautiful tailored dresses and ultimately found Recollections.  They have a "Civil War" section which provided some historical facts about women's dress of the 1860s.  Wealthy ladies would sometimes change attire five times during the day wearing a day dress, a walking dress, evening dress, ball gowns as well as their night time sleeping gown.  The large hoop skirts often took up to 5 yards of fabric to cover the entire circumference.  Of course the tragic death toll claiming over 600,000 lives on both sides of the Mason Dixon line meant black mourning dresses were common place.  For my wife, we chose a beautiful ball gown called the Amorette inspired by fashion of this period and perfect for a holiday gathering.  "Simmering teal taffeta is embellished with a rich flocked velvet design on this Civil War inspired off the shoulder gown.  Plush black velvet trims out the neckline and velvet bows top the short sleeves at the shoulders.  A wide velvet belt accents the waist.  The very full floor length skirt is generous enough to accomodate a hoop and deep fringe sets off the overskirt.  The bodice and belt both button up the back." I can't wait to escort my beautiful wife in this stunning elegant ball gown to the Christmas banquet.

General Robert E. Lee's Death October 12th, 1870

General Robert E. Lee, Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia was one of the most admired leaders of the Confederacy.  Lee died on October 12th, 1870, shortly after 9 in the morning in Lexington VA.  The anniversary of his passing is worthy of remembering this great man.  A great military mind.  A great Christian man.  An honorable leader of the Confederacy.  The following recounts the events of his passing.  Lee suffered a stroke two weeks prior to his death and succumbed to pneumonia.  Just five years following Lee's surrender at Appomatox but five long years of Reconstruction which prolonged the agony of the Southern States after their defeat in the War for Southern Independence.

Midnight, October 12, it was raining. Agnes woke Mildred (his daughters), Lee was slipping away. Mary  (his wife) said later, "He wandered to those dreadful battlefields." Lee was delirious in his last hours. He calls out "Tell A. P Hill he must come up!" Pendleton was at Lee's bedside, saying prayers for the dying. At his side was Mary in her wheelchair, Custis (his son) was kneeling beside the bed and Agnes and Mildred knelt beside Custis.

Mildred remembered Lee "breathing hard and painfully." Agnes kneeling by his side-moistening his lips-fanning him-he lying on his right side--drawing long, hard breaths.

The storm broke and the sun lit up the chamber. His final words were "Strike the tent."

Prattville Dragoons October 2011 EC Meeting

Wednesday night, October 5th, the Executive Committee of the Prattville Dragoons, Camp 1524 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans held their monthly meeting.  In attendance were Commander Chris Booth, 1st Lt Harold Grooms, 2nd Lt Stuart Waldo, Commander Bill Myrick, Adjutant Wayne Sutherland and Communications Officer Tyrone Crowley.  The list of members of the camp was reviewed and those Dragoons who had not yet paid their annual dues were assigned for follow-up contact.  During this Sesquicentennial, it is of utmost importance that we encourage membership and retention.  The Christmas banquet was discussed and Reds Little School House catering will be contacted to confirm the costs which will largely determine the price for attendance.  The Christmas banquet will be held at Buena Vista on Friday night, December 9th.  Wyatt Willis will be contacted about bringing the large Confederate Battle Flag which has adorned the front of the mansion for the past events.  December 2nd is the Prattville Christmas parade and a float will be built by the camp for entry.  2nd Lt Waldo will contact the City of Prattville for an entry application.  The next regular monthly meeting will be held on a different date than normal - for October the camp meeting will be held at Shoneys on Wednesday October 26th, dinner at 6pm and meeting at 7pm.  A special guest speaker will make a presentation on the CSS H.L.Hunley.  He will be travelling around the Southeast and addressing other SCV camps but this is our opportunity to hear a great presentation on this marvelous technological innovation of the CSA during the War Between the States.  2nd Lt Waldo also communicated to the EC that the GE Foundation recently sent the matching funds check for the SCV donation made for the Road to War insert, an encouraging development for raising funds for the SCV and the camp. A Google + account has also been established to share information about the camp on this online networking community.

SCV Annual Convention Lt. Commander Barrow’s Speech

The Sons of Confederate Veterans Annual Convention and Reunion was held July 13-17, 2011 at the Embassy Suites hotel in downtown Montgomery AL. 

On Thursday July 14^th, Lt. Commander Charles Kelly Barrow, following a welcome to the Cradle of the Confederacy for all attendees, provided an outstanding message on SCV recruitment and retention.  The following outlines his message.

The SCV is a family oriented organization sponsoring events for fellowship with people of like mind.  Retention should be easy for folks who have developed genuine friendships thru frequent social gatherings and work together.

The South needs the SCV for hope just as the USA needs the South for hope just as the world needs the USA for hope.

Lt. Commander Barrow’s personal mission is to assist the SCV to grow and be the best it has ever been.

There are an estimated 50 million people in the US eligible for membership in the SCV but the majority of these people know nothing about the SCV.

Lt. Commander Barrow’s responsibilities include SCV advertisements for getting the word out about the SCV and to promote recruitment.  Unfortunately, some advertisement efforts are more successful than others.  An attempt to advertise with Southern fraternities at universities in the South was rejected for political correctness but we must continue to reach out to schools to educate students and the youth.

The West Point Assembly magazine ran an SCV advertisement but it was subsequently pulled following a complaint.

The Citadel was contacted but they maintained that they allow no advertisements from outside advertisements.

A Texas law enforcement magazine ran the SCV ad and actually contacted the SCV about the opportunity.

The National SCV maintains two websites, 1-800-MY-SOUTH.com for recruitment and SCV.org as a more informational website for members.

A Facebook SCV page has many friends and “likes”.

An SCV educational site is desired to provide material for commanders and adjutants.

Television ads run on COX cable television networks in Georgia, Washington DC and Pensacola FL have planted  the seed to inform people about the SCV.  These ads are scheduled to run soon in Gainesville FL.

SCV Leadership workshops are being held throughout the southeast – the first was in Chickamauga GA and provided seven hours of information on how to be a better camp and how to be better commanders.  The next will be in October 2011 and in February 2012 the workshop scheduled for Monroe LA will conclude with a Confederate friendly Mardi Gras parade.

Advertisements have been run in the American History magazine.

A very successful advertisement initiative was including an SCV card in ultimate survival packs provided to subscribers of Field and Stream magazine.

SCV involvement in scholarships and awards provides great community relations opportunities and an obvious grateful beneficiary in the recipient.  The H.L.Hunley JROTC award is awarded by the SC Division to JROTC cadets who have demonstrated the values of honor, courage and commitment.  This award is sponsored by local SCV camps throughout the country and in any JROTC branch.

Lt. Commander Barrow concluded by stating that just as each Christian is the best means to show the love of Christ, each SCV member if the best spokesman for the SCV and he challenged each member to recruit just one new member, looking for folks with Confederate apparel or flying the Confederate falg or Confederate license plates and approach them offering information or write them a letter of invitation. 

He quoted Jefferson Davis who in April 1865 stated, “I have sacrificed so much to the Confederacy.” What have we sacrificed?

He reminded us that tomorrow is not promised to anyone and that we need to start today to renew and pledge ourselves to recruit and retain and double the SCV membership.

Opening Ceremonies of the SCV Convention

The Sons of Confederate Veterans Annual Convention and Reunion was held July 13-17, 2011 at the Embassy Suites hotel in downtown Montgomery AL. 

Philip Davis, Commander of the host Montgomery SCV Captain Henry C. Semple Camp opened the convention as master of ceremonies.

The colors were posted by Confederate re-enactors to officially open the convention.

An opening prayer was led by the chaplain. Pledges to the flags of the United States and the Confederate States of America were then stated.  The SCV Charge was also recited. 

Then a representative of the United Daughters of the Confederacy said a few words followed by the President of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Youth organization.

Tonnia Maddox of the Order of Confederate Rose then said a few words.  The OCR is a support organization for the SCV providing ladies to help organize social events and other SCV activities and boasts members in independent chapters throughout the US in a Confederation of State Societies.  She spoke about Leaders, Ethics, Attitude, Passion and Purpose in SCV and OCR goals and activities.

The manager of the Embassy Suites of Montgomery welcomed the convention attendees as did a Montgomery City Councilman.

The 52^nd Regimental String Band then led the entire reunion in a rendition of Dixie as re-enactors entered including the Prattville Dragoons own Tyrone Crowley depicting Pres. Jefferson Davis.

Camp Commander Philip Davis then presented the gavel to SCV National Commander in Chief Michael Givens who brought the convention to order. 

The budget was the first order of business and handouts were distributed which provided a summary of the financials. 

A report  was provided on one of the Sons of Confederate Veterans prime projects, Beauvoir, the Jefferson Davis Home and Presidential Library, owned and operated by the SCV Mississippi Division.  It will be opening October 2011 followed by a dedication.  It’s mission is to tell the story of Jefferson Davis, to tell the story of the Confederate soldier including Black Confederates and to tell the story of the Cause.  The restoration follows the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.  The facilities will be most impressive including lighted grounds which will project a Confederate Battle Flag into the night sky.  The website is Beauvoir.org.

An equally important project for the SCV is the Oakwood Cemetary in Richmond VA.  The preservation and marking of the twelve thousand Confederate graves at Oakwood with vertical tombstones to replace small numbered markers has long been a mission of the national organization and the Virginia Division.  Budget cuts of and questionable policy shifts enacted by the Veterans Administration has diverted funds earmarked for this project; Senator Webb of Virginia had indicated an agreement was enacted with the federal government for the grave marking at Oakwood.  A plea was made for every SCV member to contact their US Senator and Congressman to fund the continuation of this work to honor the dignity of these Confederate Veterans buried here.   

Commander Michael Givens challenged each camp to create a Media Action Committee to contact government representatives as well as media outlets in regards to initiatives like continued funding for the Oakwood Cemetary project.  Commander Givens maintained that the SCV is the only heritage organization recognizing the Sesquicentennial and that Washington DC knows it and they respect the SCV for their position.