Pigeon Forge TN - Old Mill

Spent the Christmas holidays in Pigeon Forge with my family and for lunch one day we went to the Old Mill Restaurant.  The Old Mill has two restaurants, a forging workshop, a pottery store (for pottery made on the premises) and of course the grist mill with everything from flour to grits offered in their country store.  After enjoying a delicious country lunch of fried catfish, okra, corn fritters, mashed potatoes and, corn chowder we looked around a little and found these educational displays (below) providing the history of the Old Mill area. The first was just outside the Old Mill Restaurant and and has two panes, one entitled "A Civil War Secret" and the second "Antebellum Tennessee: A State Divided". The former detailed the history of the Old Mill during the War for Southern Independence indicating that the Pigeon Forge area was occupied by Union forces thru a period of the War and that at one time uniforms were made in the facility as the mill owner (John Sevier Trotter) supported the North as apparently did most of the residents of Sevier with less than 5% supporting secession as they had no trade interests with the Northern industries/factories and no plantations which were affected by the changing Northern tax and trade policies which fueled the Southern states secession.  The son of the mill owner William Trotter actually fought as a Captain in the Union Army and survived the War but died in 1865 of disease.  The display provided further statistics such as the number of Tennesseans who fought for the Confederacy (approx 180,000) and the Union (approx 50,000) and that Tennessee was the last state to secede from the Union and join the Confederacy. More battles were fought in Tennessee than any other state except Virginia.

The second display was outside the country store and gave the history of the Old Mill which is on the National Register of Historic Places.  The Old Mill was part of a grant of land made to Mordecai Lewis in 1810 who served as a judge and coroner in Sevier County.  Following his death, his children built a mill on the river here in 1830.  Iron ore was also mined here and provided material for a forging operation.  The post office was located in the mill and it became the focal point for the area farmers to gather to share news.  In 1849 John Sevier Trotter bought the Mill and named in the Trotter Mill.  In 1859 a bridge was built across the Pigeon River and a number of homes were built along the river bank. During the War, uniforms were made for the occupying Union soldiers at the mill but leather shoes were also made for the Confederate Home Guard and a hospital was even set up on one floor of the mill to treat wounded from the battles.  In 1875 a huge flood wiped out the bridge and damaged the mill.  The mill was refitted as a flour mill in 1885 and a grain room built where the general store now stands before another flood caused damage in the community including destroying the bridge in 1920.  The mill and its wheel was used for electricity generation for the small community from 1921 thru 1933.

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Salvation Army Kettle Bell Ringing

On a cool clear Saturday 10 December, members of Camp 1524 participated in the Salvation Army Kettle Bell Ringing at Winn Dixie in Prattville to raise money for this worthy charity. Many thanks to compatriot Karl Wade who suggested this community service project and organized the volunteers into shifts.  The kettle ringing is the primary fundraiser for the great work that the Salvation Army does including community shelters and kitchens and disaster relief all advancing a Christian message of giving. The kettle the Dragoons manned on December 10th raised over $1405 in donations, a fantastic total. Over 85% of donations made to the Salvation Army go directly to needy beneficiaries. 

Pictured below are Wayne Sutherland, Louis Turner, Larry Spears, Edward Morgan, Bill Branch, Stuart Waldo, Bill Myrick and Karl Wade. Also participating but not pictured was Ryan King. Thanks to all who participated. This was a great way to get in the spirit of the season as we met many gracious, friendly and generous members of the Prattville community who cheerfully donated or at least gave us a smile and a "Merry Christmas!”

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Merry Christmas Wishes

Prattville Dragoons Christmas Social 2016

Mrs. Cathie Leverette was kind enough to be our roving photographer at our Christmas social on Friday December 9. Just follow the link below and you should be able to see all the pictures she took. Thank you Cathie for sharing these with us! 

 Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 had over 60 attending their Christmas Social and a most joyful time was had by all. The event was held at the beautiful Buena Vista antebellum mansion which had holiday greenery decorating the exterior. The catered meal was furnished by Smokin S restaurant and included smoked turkey, dressing, sweet potato casserole and green bean casserole along with desserts and beverages.  Chaplain Tom Snowden led everyone in singing Christmas carols and also sang himself.  1st Lt. Harold Grooms’ Red Neck Christmas was hysterical especially with Harold dressed in his overalls and carrying a shotgun to dress the part. General Lee egg nog was made again by Tyrone and Carol Crowley with ingredients furnished by the camp officers.  Just good ole Southern socializing during the social hour, dinner and afterward was also a highlight of the evening. Thanks to Division Commander Jimmy Hill for attending as well as Division 2nd Lt. Commander Randall Hughey and Brigade Commander Butch Godwin. The Dragoons also welcomed guests from the Henry Semple camp, the Tallassee camp and other camps. Jean Bradley, President of the Cradle of Confederacy Chapter, UDC and her daughter were also in attendance.  Quartermaster Myrick and his wife provided the pretty table centerpieces which were drawn as doorprizes along with nice gifts including books, stuffed animals, pictures and a knife set. 

Enjoy the photos compliments of Treasurer Leverette's wife Cathie and have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Carol Crowley Mixing the General Lee Eggnog

1st Lt Grooms and Bill Branch

Commander Waldo and Karl Wade

Those Enjoying the Evening in Period Dress

Montgomery's Philip Davis with the Dragoons Newest Member

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1st Lt Grooms 

Foyer as Guests Arrive

Officers of the Prattville Dragoons

Guests in the Parlor

Banquet Supper Line

Dragoons Participate in Vida Community Christmas Parade

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Prattville Dragoons participated in the unique Christmas Parade in the small, serene town of Vida in Autauga county on Saturday 17 December. The parade was a fantastic success with many entries including several local politicians, fire and EMS, classic cars and homemade floats. There was a delicious meal for parade participants served in the Vida Community Center after the parade including camp stew cooked in a large cast iron pot outside over an open fire, smoked pork butt and the fixins and, even a large assortment of homemade desserts.  

Pictured below with the camp Christmas banner are 2nd Lt. Commander George Jenks, Karl Wade, Bill Gill, Don Drasheff, Ryan King, James Spears and Commander Stuart Waldo. Compatriot Chris Booth rode with his wife, Judge Joy Booth and Tyrone Crowley arrived too late to participate due to another Christmas related obligation he had that day.  Dragoon James Spears, our camp's World War II vet helped carry the banner the entire length of the parade route along with 1st Lt Jenks.  Karl Wade rode in the Commander's Charger which was flying a couple of Confederate Battle flags.  Bags of candy and hundreds of SCV coins and mini-Battle flags were handed out to the spectators lining CR-19 thru the community. 

Merry Christmas!

SCV Camp 1524 in the Prattville Christmas Parade 2016

The Dragoons participated in the Prattville Christmas parade Friday night December 2 with a lively group of about 20 members and family. We were very well received, as usual, and the most exciting time of the evening was probably when a spontaneous cheer arose from the very large crowd on Main St. as we approached with flags flying proudly in the breeze and the cheer continued for a great distance as we continued on the route. The crowd of spectators was huge and crowded onto the road frantically screaming for candy.  Many specifically asked for our usual mini-Battle flags and SCV coins which we were forced to withhold this event due to special rules.  Member James Spears, at age 89 and a WWII veteran, insisted on carrying the banner (with compatriot Louis Turner) to lead our procession and walked the entire route. Dragoon Ryan King stood on the back of the float waving a 3 X 5 Battle Flag from side to side and yelling "Merry Christmas."  Commander Waldo drove and his family rode in the truck pulling the trailer float which was adorned with a Christmas tree, lights and tinsel.  Adjutant Sutherland and Comms Officer Larry Spears walked along the side of the truck greeting spectators and acting to move them clear of the truck and trailer.  Other members were just as spirited and dedicated to showing our colors including Color Sgt Edward Morgan, his son and mother along with Tyrone Crowley who rode the float.  1st Lt Grooms, SCV compatriot Shannon Fontaine, Dragoon Bill Gill and of course Quartermaster Myrick walked along the float handing out candy and showing Christmas cheer. We were mobbed with children asking for candy, adults saluting us and shaking hands and cries of encouragement and thanks for our participation could be heard.  The Dragoons conducted themselves as Southern ladies and gentlemen and were extremely pleased with the reception we received.  The parade ended all too soon and everyone enjoyed feeding off the enthusiasm of the biggest crowd any of us could remember in this parade. A grand way to kick off the Christmas holiday season. 

Prattville Dragoons Christmas Parade Float Preparations

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 fielded an entry in this season's Prattville Christmas parade.  So the morning of the parade, a number of Dragoons and family gathered to help assemble our float which consists of an arrangement of historical flags from the period of the War Between the States as well as a Christmas tree in the center of the trailer decorated with tinsel and lights and more tinsel and lights hung down both sides of the trailer.  Communications Officer Larry Spears and his father James Spears, Quartermaster Bill Myrick, Color Sgt Edward Morgan and his mother, and compatriots Tyrone Crowley and Bill Gill met downtown to help decorate the float.  Edward helped pull the float to the parade start area after storing the trailer for the week.  Quartermaster Myrick constructed the flag and the tree stands and provided the hay which is set down the center of the trailer and provides seating for those riding on the float. The Dragoons' float did not win an award but it looked very good lighted up in the darkness during the parade and decorating the float was an enjoyable activity for those members who participated.