Prattville Dragoon Visits Beauvoir in Biloxi and the Confederate Memorial Hall in New Orleans

Dragoon DB recently visited Beauvoir in Biloxi, Mississippi, the last home of CSA President Jefferson Davis. He also visited the Confederate Memorial Hall museum in New Orleans.  He shared these photos from his trip.  

Robinson Springs Cemetery Discovery of Prattville Dragoon Confederate Veteran Gravesite

Compatriots,

While working at Robinson Springs Cemetery this past Tuesday, Dragoon Tyrone Crowley noticed a name on a grave marker that looked familiar. After further investigation, he determined that it is the grave of Prattville Light Dragoon 1st Lieutenant Samuel D. Oliver. The grave has no markings indicating that he was a Confederate veteran but the birth and death dates check out and it was verified on Find A Grave website. They list him as a Captain and it is very possible that he was promoted later in his service.  A Battle Flag was placed at his grave the same day Tyrone made this discovery. Many Dragoons have trimmed grass around his grave over the months and years maintaining the Robinson Springs cemetery and never realized the significance of this grave. 

Tyrone provides this narrative from Jesse Booth at a Dragoon Reunion in 1904:

Where is the dragoon now living that does not remember the serious countenance of Capt. Jesse Cox, as in his neat and tasty uniform he would gallop about our lines, as we drilled in that big old field out west of Pensacola.  Captain Cox and Lieutenants Oliver, Smith, and Montgomery, were all good men and good officers and much loved and respected by all the company. Captain Cox and Lieutenant Oliver were several years ago called to their cold, cold graves to sleep that sleep that knows no waking until the last trump shall sound. Lieutenants Smith and Montgomery are still living, both old and feeble, but let us hope and pray that they may live to be with us at many more of our reunions. Lieutenant Smith was then, as now, noted for his kindness of heart and the general courtesy and politeness with which he treated all soldiers, be they privates or officers. While at Pensacola the ladies of Prattville presented our entire company with a fatigue uniform, made with their own hands, and made of the best and most serviceable cloth, and also a most handsome dress uniform.

This is an incredible discovery. As previously noted, the Robinson Springs area was part of Autauga County before The War for Southern Independence.  There are at least 8 Confederate veterans in this cemetery; one of whom was a Dragoon officer. 

Maintenance Of Robinson Springs Cemetery by SCV Camp 1524

Dragoon camp members met at Robinson Springs cemetery on Tuesday morning 14 August and completed the maintenance of the grounds. Compatriot Connor Lee had cut the grass with his zero turn mower on Saturday so the Tuesday crew focused on weed eating, debris removal and other chores. The Tuesday morning work was completed in about an hour with 7 Dragoons present. They were Don Owens, Bill Gill, Bill Myrick, Tyrone Crowley, James Spears, Jerry Clay Lyle and Larry Spears. Jerry was a welcome sight as he has had some health problems but was volunteering for what he could do for the clean up.

There are at least 7 Confederate veterans buried in this cemetery that was once a part of Autauga county. Other war veterans are buried here also along with some early inhabitants of the area. All flags were checked for wear and replaced as necessary. 

The camp will also conduct a clean up at Indian Hill cemetery this coming Saturday the 18th. Official start time is 8 AM but come earlier if desired. Some Dragoons have already been working at Indian Hill this week to give us a head start for Saturday.

The workers pictured are Bill Gill and Don Owens; James Spears; and Tyrone Crowley. 

"Gone with the Wind" Showing in Birmingham

The August 12, 2018 showing of “Gone With the Wind” was a resounding success. Each year the Alabama Theater on 3rd Avenue North in Birmingham Alabama presents the award winning movie about the tragic events surrounding the War of Northern Aggression and Reconstruction. According to theater management 2018 was one of the most attended presentations of many years.

While many theaters in cities of hate banned the movie, Birmingham should be commended for continuing the Alabama Theater’s tradition of showing the movie in August each year. Attendees include those fromMemphis, Tennessee where the movie has been cancelled. With a seating capacity of 1800, the movie was a sell out this year. Many period costumes were present, worn by members of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and Sons of Confederate Veterans. Hundreds of pictures were taken of the Southern Bells and their Confederate escorts in attendance.

The Major John C. Hutto Camp and the Fighting Joe Wheeler Camp were proud to sponsor this years event by displaying a replica of a 1841 Mountain Howitzer, used by both sides during the war, and
presenting a favorable atmosphere for truth in a world that is increasingly centered on censoring the historical truth about this most important time in our nation’s history. A sincere thanks goes out to all the camp members who help make this event possible.

A resounding good time was had by all attendees who proclaimed their desire to attend “Gone With the Wind” next year. The Orpheum Theater in Memphis, Tennessee dropped the 1939 film “Gone
With the Wind” from the 2018 summer lineup. The classic movie was dropped over concerns it is “insensitive” to minorities. Given the level of hate for Southern history in Memphis, is anyone surprised at the Memphis theater’s action?
(from "The Rebel Underground", August 2018 newsletter of the SCV Hutto Camp 443)

Dragoons Dixie Butt Fundraiser

Camp 1524 successfully distributed all the Dixie butts on Saturday morning August 11th for their annual fundraiser and had a lot of fun doing it. Many compatriots met at Herrod’s Chevron arriving between 7 and 8am to help hand out the smoked butts; thanks to Allen Herrod for providing the space for our distribution convenient off Memorial Drive in Prattville.  Adjutant Wayne Sutherland did an outstanding job keeping up with the butt tickets, money, etc and handling the distribution checklist on Saturday morning. Thanks to all who sold/bought butt tickets and/or made/solicited donations. These efforts have given the camp treasury a tremendous boost for the next 12 months - these funds are used for the purchase of flags, charitable donations such as Tate Swanner's Blanket Fort Hope Eagle Scout project and the camp's annual donation to the Alabama State Archives for historic flag conservation, entries to parades and festivals and advertisements. We also appreciate Tom and Stacey, owners of Smokin S Bar B Que in Wetumpka for their excellent cooperation and service and delicious product which is recognized in the positive reaction to sales solicitation.   Photos below 1) Compatriots enjoying a good laugh with Adjutant Sutherland  2)  Commander Waldo sorts through Dixie butts and tickets. 3) Young grandson of Todd Rauschenberger proudly displaying Battle Flag stickers while helping his grandparents pick up their Dixie Butt. 4) Skip Ward accepts the 3rd place prize for selling Dixie butts in our fundraiser.

Prattville Dragoons Camp Meeting for August 2018

Some 35 compatriots were in attendance for the Dragoons monthly camp meeting on Thursday August 9th to enjoy the food, business, program and fellowship.  Jim’s Restaurant as the camp's new meeting venue is working out very well serving delicious food and affording plenty of room for everyone.

Prizes were presented to the top 3 sellers of Dixie butt tickets for the camp's annual fundraiser with Edward Morgan running away with first place by making 40 sales. He selected the book “Prey For Us” by Ellen Williams as his prize. He is shown being congratulated by Commander Waldo in the 3rd picture. Commander Waldo and Skip Ward followed with Skip claiming a Battle Flag car tag and a smaller Battle Flag tag as awards. Don Owens finished a very close 4th place purchasing ten butts himself. 

Compatriot Richard Leya from South Carolina surprised everyone with a visit for the camp meeting.  Richard has supported Camp 1524 for years and even owns a Dragoon camp shirt. His home camp is the H.L. Hunley camp in Summerville, S.C.. He has supported Camp 1524 in the annual Dixie butt fundraiser many times and has donated herbicide for vegetation control in our cemetery work. 

Commander Waldo was presented a plaque by Brigade Commander Josh Stover as the recipient of the General Joe Wheeler award from the Alabama Division. This is the 3rd highest award that the Alabama Division presents each year. 

Compatriot Tate Swanner gave an update on his Eagle Scout program, Blanket Fort Hope, and said that he has all the donations he needs to finish this very worthwhile project.  Camp 1524 and several individual members donated to Tate’s project and were thanked by Tate for the support to complete this terrific charitable work. 

Brigade Commander Josh Stover presented a part of his program on Iron Works in Alabama but time constraints necessitated an early end to the program. It will be continued at some point in the future. Communications Officer Larry Spears also gave a report on the 2018 SCV National Reunion at Franklin Tennessee. Next year’s Reunion will be in Mobile. 

Brother Earl Edmonson was in attendance and he and his wife are congratulated in the birth of a baby daughter - they are finally parents after 18 years. 

SCV Camp 1524 August 2018 Camp Meeting Announcement

August Camp Meeting

The Dragoons next meeting will be on Thursday August 9th at Jim’s restaurant on Hwy 31 in Prattville in the back right area which will be cordoned off for our camp.   Come early and enjoy a delicious dinner at Jim’s where the specials are very reasonably priced under $10 for some good downhome Southern cooking.  Chaplain Snowden will again provide his enjoyable updated slide show presentation during the dinner hour.  The camp meeting will begin at 7:00 and will feature reports from Larry Spears and Brigade Commander Josh Stover from their attendance at the SCV National Reunion in Tennessee.