Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Spring Picnic

The Prattville Dragoons held their annual spring picnic at Confederate Memorial Park on Saturday April 18th with a great turnout on a beautiful Alabama spring day! The Children of the Confederacy held their Confederate Memorial Day program in the CMP chapel just prior including reenactors posting colors, salutes to the flags, recitation of the CofC Creed and tributes to soldiers from of all wars as well as to the women of the UDC and men of the SCV.  There were a number of SCV members in attendance supporting the CofC and participated in the naming of their Confederate ancestor for that roll call.  Following, they dedicated a wreath at the cemetery with a reenactment honor guard.  A number of folks visited the library at CMP while there and toured the museum which is a treasure trove of historical artifacts including flags and weapons from the WBTS and amazing stories of the veterans who lived at CMP when it was the Alabama Confederate Veterans' Home.  During this time before the picnic, compatriot Rob Schwartz entertained everyone playing his guitar and singing many country and historic Southern songs including of course leading everyone in Dixie.  To start the camp's program, outgoing Commander Harold Grooms said a few words and presented each of his officers with a framed certificate.  Then, newly elected officers were officially sworn in for the coming year.  Many old flags that had been collected from area cemeteries were destroyed properly in a flag retirement ceremony; new flags were placed at these vetereans' graves in cemeteries including at CMP and around the Prattville area.   Once the official duties were completed, a blessing on the food was offered by compatriot Bill Branch and everyone commenced to enjoying a good old fashioned community picnic! The food was amazing including smoked pork butt BBQ, camp stew, conecuh sausages, potato salad, cole slaw, beans, corn casserole, deviled eggs and many delicious desserts.  It was a very enjoyable spring picnic with lots of good food and fellowship.  

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Chaplain's Columns for April 2026 - Resurrection!

 

“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).

 

            I would be remiss if I did not use this column to meditate upon the single greatest event of this month of April 2026: Easter is finally upon us! Christ is risen from the dead, and may we all rejoice forever in this single glorious fact, if in nothing else. Hallelujah!

            This past Sunday, we celebrated arguably the most sacred holiday in the Christian calendar: Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This was the moment in history that truly changed everything. History is divided into two great periods, B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini, “in the Year of our Lord”). Well, this is why.

            Thousands of great men have lived in the world. Every one of them has met his death, or soon will. Only one of them has defeated death, and He did so not only for Himself, but for every one of us. It’s easy to forget how truly earth-shattering this event was, amid all the hustle, routine, work/life balancing, financial matters, and logistics that together make up the cocktail of modern life. But when you truly stop to think about it, the Resurrection of Christ is really the hinge on which all of history turns, just as Christ is the Door that opens wide to admit His own sheep into Heaven.

            For us as Prattville Dragoons, this message carries a special weight. We are a people who remember sacrifice, who honor those who came before us, and who understand that redemption can follow even the greatest loss. The resurrection reminds us that no struggle, no loss, no grave, and no calumny has the final word when placed in God’s hands.

The Resurrection reminds us that Christ is sovereign, not only over all living things, but even over Death itself.  It is said of General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson that, when asked the secret of his legendary courage in battle, replied, “Captain, 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.”

General Jackson’s storied bravery came from his equally famous dedication to the principles of Christianity. A devout Presbyterian, Jackson firmly believed that the Resurrection of Christ was a living hope that he, as a Believer shared in. As such, Jackson believed that not only was the timing and manner of his death completely ordered by God, but that even his death would not be permanent. And thus believing, Jackson lived as a shining example of honorable manhood, soldierly virtue, and the joy and boldness worthy of a Christian and a gentleman.

For us, the question remains: seeing that we have such a strong assurance of the power and sovereignty of our Lord and Savior, are we living in the joyful courage that such assurance can give? In the light of Christ’s Resurrection, we need fear no man; not only no man, but no opinion, no lies or propaganda, no soiling of our good name and heritage, not even our death itself. The Resurrection of Christ turned twelve men from timid cowards hiding in an upper room in Jerusalem to lion-like Apostles of the Christian Faith, each of whom boldly and joyfully preached his way into martyrdom or exile, and built the Christian Church in the process. May each of us derive from this blessed Eastertide a little of that courage, that boldness, and that joy, to brighten our hearts and enliven our minds, and motivate each of us to act to God’s glory and our neighbors’ good.

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans at the Chronicle of America Event in Prattville

The city of Prattville kicked off their celebration of America’s 250th anniversary with the "Chronicle of America" event held April 11-13, at the Doster Center.  The event featured over 250 displays covering US, Alabama, and local history and included special school days for area students.  Prattville Dragoons Adjutant Doug Butler and fellow members of the Alabama SCV reenactors provided a gimpse into the War Between the States period, donning their Confederate uniforms and showing off rifles and weapons from the War.  Dragoon Tyrone Crowley and his wife also were in period dress with Tyrone portraying Daniel Pratt, founder of Prattville who established a cotton gin factory there and was a supporter of the Confederacy, outfitting the Dragoons company in 1860 before they joined the 3rd Alabama Cavalry.  Larry Caver, president of the Old Autauga Historical Society helped organize the event to bring history to  life.  

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

From the Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Dispatch:

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

 

Battle of Fort Harker Reenactment – April 10-12^th, Stevenson, AL

 

Children of the Confederacy Confederate Memorial Day – Saturday, Apr 18^th, 9am CMP

 

Dragoons Spring Picnic – Saturday, Apr 18^th, 10am, Conf Memorial Park

 

Thunder on the Bay Ft Gaines Reenactment – April 24-26^th, Dauphin Island AL

 

AL Div SCV Confederate Memorial Day – Saturday, Apr 25^th, 10am at the state capitol, downtown Montgomery

 

Prattville Cityfest – Saturday, May 2^nd, 9am til 4pm, Main St downtown Prattville

 

AL Div SCV Reunion – Friday and Saturday, DEC June 5, Convention June 6 at Old South Clays, 27246

Wooley Springs Rd, Athens AL

 

SCV National Reunion – July 15-19, Griffin Gate Resort and Conference Center, Lexington KY

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Serve at Confederate Veteran Grave Marker Dedication

Members of the Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 served at the grave marker dedication of Confederate veteran Ransom Guy Ray who served in the 6th Alabama Infantry and died defending his state during the War of Northern Aggression.  The marker was set during a program at Cain's Chapel in Deatsville AL on Saturday March 28th.  Claire Gray, long time pianist for the church requested the headstone in honor of her great great grandfather who died and was buried at Point Lookout POW camp in Maryland.  Camp 1524 Commander Harold Grooms spoke at the ceremony, Chaplain Johnson provided wonderful prayers and a devotional.  Adjutant Butler and Treasurer Dennis provided a period reenactment color guard.  Compatriot Bill Myrick was also in attendance.  It is a rare event to be able to dedicate a Confederate veteran's grave marker and the men of SCV Camp 1524 did a splendid job honoring this hero's memory.  

Prattville Dragoons Place Battle Flags at Cemeteries for Confederate History and Heritage Month

Members of the Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 placed small Battle flags at the graves of all the Confederate Veterans at Prattville's Oak Hill cemetery and at Confederate Memorial Park in Marbury on Saturday March 28th.  Compatriot Wayne Sutherland brought maps of the Oak Hill cemetery which highlighted the Confederate veterans graves and also brought new flags to put out. Treasurer John Dennis, Color Sgt Billy Leverette, Comms Officer Eric Davis and compatriots Todd Rogers, Daryl Haywood, Bill Myrick and Larry Spears helped Wayne with this effort.  Commander Harold Grooms put the hundreds of flags out at Confederate Memorial Park single handedly.  This activity is meant to honor these Confederate heroes in April for the start of Confederate History and Heritage Month.  

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Perform First Cemetery Groundskeeping of the Season

As part of the SCV Guardian program, Camp 1524 maintains the grounds at Indian Hill Cemetery in Prattville and Robinson Springs Cemetery in Millbrook.  The first leaf cutting of the season was just completed on Friday March 20 at Indian Hill including cutting down and up three leaning trees.  Camp Treasurer John Dennis  led the effort with his wife Mary Jane helping too.  In addition, prospective member David Whitehead largely did the tree cutting.  Confederate flags placed at graves in the cemetery were replaced.  Much thanks to these compatriots for leading this effort to care for the final resting place of these Confederate veterans including original WBTS Dragoons and many early city founders.