Prattville Dragoons Attend Sons of Confederate Veterans Unknown Soldier Monument Dedication in Luverne AL

The Alabama Division Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Ben Bricken Camp 296, along with Clanton's Battery hosted a very successful, honorable monument dedication at Confederate Veteran Park in Luverne today.  Estimated attendance was 500 with ten compatriots from Camp 1524, the Prattville Dragoons among that count including Commander Stuart Waldo, Adjutant Wayne Sutherland, Ryan King, Tyrone Crowley, Bill Myrick, Bill Gill, Jerry Clay Lyle, Rob and Cameron Heyward and Larry Spears.  The crowd was large, enthusiastic and sported all kinds of Southern Heritage dress from ladies and gentlemen in period dress to Mechanized Cavalry members in biker gear to Confederate themed t-shirts and SCV shirts.  The event was very peaceful and enjoyable with no disturbance and no antagonizing protesters.  The park is located on US Hwy 331 adjacent to the Dry Creek Campground in Luverne AL.  The campground is beautifully shaded and provided a pleasant area to congregate before the event.  The Confederate Veteran Park has a 60ft tall main flagpole flying the Confederate Battle flag and in back of this (from the highway) are shorter flagpoles flying the historic First, Second and Third National flags with educational placards at the base of each.   A couple of granite monuments were preexisting including one depicting the Great Seal of the Confederate States of America with George Washington atop his horse and another emblazoned with crossed Confederate Battle flags honoring Confederate soldiers with the inscription, "In remembrance of those who served, who gladly wore the grey, a way of life he fought to preserve, he lived it every day, 1861-1865, Confederate soldiers of Alabama, lest we forget."  The new monument appears as a headstone with the inscription "Unknown AL Soldier, CSA, Mother I have been found, I am home".  The program included a welcome by David Coggins who is owner of the park and Captain of Clanton's Battery.  David proclaimed, "I am just a country boy from Alabama who loves his heritage.  Then SE Alabama Brigade Commander Joe Clark of Elba gave a statement of how important recognizing these unknown Confederate soldiers is to him personally by enumerating eleven of his ancestors who fought and died in the War and were not accounted for in battlefields, POW prisons or cemeteries from Ohio throughout the South.  This was followed by a roll call of Confederate veteran ancestors from those who wished to call their names from the assembled crowd.  A bell was rung after each name.  Alabama Division Commander Jimmy Hill then spoke to the crowd and included a recitation of the new SCV Statement of Purpose, "We, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, having been commissioned by the Confederate Veterans themselves, retain our responsibility and right to adhere to the founding principles of the United States of America remembering the bravery, defending the honor and protecting the memory of our beloved Confederate Veterans, which includes memorials, images, symbols, monuments and gravesites for ourselves and future generations."  The unveiling of the new monument followed and three men from Clanton's Battery provided a ceremony including salute volleys with muskets.  The program wrapped up with a series of "rolling thunder" volleys from the five cannon facing Hwy 331 which produced reverberations and smoke which surely startled the passersby on the highway. A beautiful meaningful memorial dedication program for unknown Confederate soldiers.

Southern Heritage Festival and Ball

A number of Dragoons from SCV Camp 1524 attended the Southern Heritage Festival on Saturday August 19th at the Southern Cultural Center in Wetumpka AL.  Commander Waldo along with compatriots Larry Spears and Bill Gill attended.  There were a number of speakers including Dragoons compatriot Tyrone Crowley who provided a history of Jefferson Davis' life in period dress.  Bill Anthony of the Tallassee camp along with his wife Nickey gave a waltz dance demonstration and instruction which was awesome to see with everyone in period dress and the women in their hoop skirts.  That night there was a ball with the Un-Reconstructed String Band where everyone could practice what they learned earlier in the day.  There was food including hot dogs with all the fixin's and red beans and rice with cornbread.  Outside a period primitive camp was exhibited and Ron and son Caleb Carpenter camped there and then provided a presentation/discussion on the age extremes of the soldiers in the war Between the States.  There was also a cross cut saw demonstration and lard rendering with cracklin'.  A highlight for the youngsters was the mule and wagon rides thru the woods around the property. All was to benefit the Alabama I-85 Confederate Battle Flag Project.  Donations for this project can be made to the First Capitol Flaggers.

Mike Whorton Drives the Mule Drawn Wagon with Commander Waldo's Children

Tyrone Crowley as Jefferson Davis

Prattville Dragoons Workday at Millbrook's Historic Robinson Springs Cemetery

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 conducted another workday at the Robinson Springs cemetery on Hwy 14 in Millbrook AL on Saturday August 19th.  Workers included Commander Stuart Waldo, Quartermaster Bill Myrick, Mike Stanley, James Spears, Bill Gill, Carl French from the Cradle of Confederacy camp in Montgomery, 1st Lt Harold Grooms and compatriot Jerry Clay Lyle.  The grass had not been mowed in the past month so spots were tall and tough to mow thru but, Jerry Lyle brought his “Dixie Chopper" adorned with flags and stickers which made short work of it along with Carl French's big fast Turf Tiger.   Carl, after making some repairs to his machine on Friday, was able to coax some work from his zero turn mower.  The cemetery looks better than at any time this year thanks to all the hard work from those who participated as part of the Alabama Division cemtery guardian program.  Also, on Tuesday August 22nd, Bill Myrick cleaned the Doster family cemetery.  There are at least 2 Confederate veterans buried there and a War of 1812 veteran.

Prattville Dragoons Lawncare of Historic Robinson Springs Cemetery

Three compatriots from SCV Camp 1524 showed up at Robinson Springs cemetery on Tuesday August 15th to get a head start on the workday scheduled for this coming Saturday August 19th. Tyrone Crowley brought his riding mower, Bill Gill brought his trusty weed eater and Larry Spears brought a walk behind mower. Approximately 1/3 of the cemetery was cleaned up concentrating on the front part, closest to Highway 14, so that the improvements could be seen by the public. 

Pictured is Bill Gill with his head down and working, Tyrone on his mower, partial results of our clean up and Larry with Tyrone’s mower. 

Dragoons of Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Have Successful Dixie Butt Fundraiser

Saturday morning August 12th, the Dragoons met at Herrod’s Chevron in Prattville to distribute Dixie butts and ribs that were sold during for the camp's annual fundraiser. Many members arrived early and helped bag the smoked butts and ribs which were purchased from Smokin S in preparation for the rush of customers that came between 8 AM and 10 AM. Thanks to Allen Herrod for allowing us to use a portion of his lot at Herrod’s Chevron for the distribution. Several Dragoons participated in the distribution including Commander Waldo,  1st Lt Grooms, 2nd Lt Jenks, Chaplain Snowden, Treasurer Leverette, Quartermaster Myrick, Adjutant Sutherland who handled the receipts and master list for distribution as well as compatriots Larry and James Spears, Bill Gill and Will Dismukes. Fundraiser chairman Sutherland worked extremely hard to keep up with the money and tickets so the process would go smoothly on Saturday.  Commander Waldo and Quartermaster Myrick met at Smokin S Bar B Q and brought the boxes of meat to the distribution site.  The morning of the distribution is always a fun gathering as we get to gather around the trucks holding our bounty of meat and fellowship and celebrate the culmination of our fundraiser.  Many folks to thank for a successful fundraiser but, most of all, we appreciate our members and friends who bought meat and/or made donations to our fundraiser. This is where we get the bulk of our money to spend on Confederate Heritage projects during the coming year. The Executive Committee makes every effort to stretch every dollar received so that we fulfill the Charge by General Steven D. Lee.  Deo Vindice!

Prattville Dragoons Camp Meeting for August 2017

Despite a stormy night with flash flood warnings, the Dragoons, SCV Camp 1524, held another enjoyable and impressive meeting last night. More fundraiser money was collected including several donations; collected dues and accepted donations for  the Confederate Museum being built at SCV HQ in Columbia, Tennessee on our property. The camp is close to reaching the goal of $1000 for the museum donation for which a commemorative plaque in the camp’s name will be placed in the museum.  After Chaplain Snowden opened the meeting with a devotional and prayer, Color Sgt Dismukes led everyone in the pledge and salutes to the flags and Commander Waldo recited the SCV Charge and went thru the list of upcoming events and announcements for the camp. 

Dragoon Sam Reid presented what was arguably the best of several presentations he has shared with the camp. Sam created and printed some extensive handouts for those in attendance. He talked about his Confederate ancestors, particularly 1 Lt. Thomas Taylor, who wrote several letters home which the family has kept in their possession as historic treasures. Sam detailed Thomas' career with the 6th Alabama Regiment in the Army of Northern Virginia. Sadly, the last letter that Sam referenced was one from Lt. Taylor’s Commanding Officer notifying the family of his death in 1864. A touching, magnificent presentation. 

The Dragoons welcomed several visitors and 4 potential new members including Mrs. Jean Bradley, President of the Montgomery UDC chapter, who brought her 2 nephews.  R. Hayward and his son also attended as potential members. Josh Stover, who has already submitted his SCV application was also scheduled to attend but was not able to due to the weather which caused a serious wreck blocking his route.  Always pleased when potential members visit for camp meetings and hope all return and join the SCV.

Below are some photos from the meeting: A pre-meeting crowd view; Chaplain Snowden giving a devotional; Sam Reid during his presentation;  Mrs. Jean Bradley and her nephews.

Prattville Dragoons Join Alabama Sons of Confederate Veterans for Tour "Civil War" Naval Museum

Some Dragoons of SCV Camp 1524 toured the Naval Museum in Columbus on Saturday, August 5. The event was organized by the Alabama Division. Alabama SCV member and Confederate Naval expert Shannon Fontaine served as the tour guide for the event. Alabama Division Commander Jimmy Hill reported that it was a great day with over 50 people in attendance.  He thanked Shannon Fontaine, Ol' Jack, for giving the tour of the Museum.  SCV members were greeted by Georgia Division Commander Scott Gilbert and the local SCV Camp Commander to welcoming everyone to Georgia. Dragoon compatriot Tyrone Crowley noted that Shannon Fontaine was in full Confederate Naval dress and provided a fine tour, with many details provided from his wide knowledge of ships, boats, and events of the WBTS naval history.   The tour lasted about two hours.  Bill Branch and Dede, Tyrone Crowley, Karl Wade and Harold Grooms attended the Museum tour from the Dragoons. 1st Lt Grooms reported that it is an excellent facility featuring exhibits from virtually every naval engagement in the war.  Harold noted that Shannon Fontaine, when providing details on the Battle of Mobile Bay, stated Farragut did not say, "Damn the torpedos!"  but in reality said, "Torpedos?  Damn!"  which was followed by a detailed report on casualties sustained by both sides. The badly outnumbered Confederates gave a good account of themselves during this and all the naval skirmishes.  Harold and Karl took in the Infantry Museum tour outside Ft Benning following the tour of the naval museum.