Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Chaplain’s Column for September 2026 - Human Beings Make Plans, but God Remains Sovereign Over the Outcome

 “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.” (Psalm 20:7)

As I write, it is August 28, 2026, the 164th Anniversary of the Second Battle of Manassas, fought August 28–30, 1862, one of the most decisive and storied victories ever to crown Confederate arms. Through bold maneuver, determination, and sheer audacity, the Confederate army drove General John Pope’s Army of Virginia from the field and back toward the defenses of Washington.

For those of us who remember our forefathers and study the history of our people, there is a deeper lesson at Manassas than military strategy. The battle reminds us of an ancient truth: human beings make plans, but God remains sovereign over the outcome.

It was the wisest man in history, after all, who wrote that “A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

The Second Manassas campaign is almost a textbook illustration of this principle.

General Pope believed he had Jackson trapped. After Jackson struck the Federal supply depot at Manassas Junction, Pope gathered his army with the intention of destroying Jackson before Lee and Longstreet could arrive. Jackson, however, had deliberately placed himself where Pope would be encouraged to attack, while Lee hurried northward with Longstreet's corps.

Then, on August 29, Pope repeatedly hurled his troops against Jackson's position along the unfinished railroad. The Confederate line bent but did not break. Meanwhile, Longstreet was arriving on Jackson's right. Pope did not realize that the force he thought was isolated was being reinforced. On August 30, believing the Confederates were retreating, Pope ordered another attack. Instead, he found himself facing an army prepared to strike. Longstreet's great assault then swept across the Federal left and transformed the battle into a decisive Confederate victory.

How easily the whole affair might have appeared otherwise while it was happening. To the soldier in the ranks, much of this must have looked like confusion, exhaustion, danger, and uncertainty. Had every man in the Southern army relied on his own lights and done what was good in his own eyes, the Federals would almost certainly have won the day. But the soldiers trusted their stalwart commanders to know what was best and to do it well, and so they fought to a glorious victory.

We Christians can often be tempted to use worldly lights to judge of this world’s problems and their solutions. It can be tempting to despair as the world goes to Hell in a hand basket around us and no one seems to know or care what can be done to stop it. Whether in politics or religion, the state of the American family or the erosion of American economy, there is much that seems confusing, exhausting, dangerous, and uncertain. But if our ancestors at Second Manassas could trust their commanders with their very lives, may we not trust the Captain of the Lord’s Host? May we not trust the King of Kings to know what is best and to do it well? Christ is reigning on His throne, and nothing that Man can do is too strong for Him or too hard for Him to handle.

The Christian therefore has no need to despair when circumstances seem to be going against him. He must do what is right, remain faithful to his duty, trust in God, and leave the ultimate result in God's hands. For the Battle is the Lords (1 Samuel 17:47) and it is for Him to save, whether by many or by few (1 Samuel 14:6).

We remember the men of the Second Manassas campaign not because they possessed perfect knowledge or because they could see the future. We remember them because, amid confusion and danger, they did what they believed their duty required.

For us, the greater lesson is that our duty is ours; Providence belongs to God. It is said that Stonewall Jackson, when asked the secret of his legendary courage in battle, remarked that “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.” How well the great General understood and trusted the Providence of God!

We cannot know what battles lie ahead for our families, our communities, our nation, or our chapter. We cannot know what circumstances our children and grandchildren will inherit. But we can determine whether we will be faithful with what has been placed into our hands. As Christians and as custodians of memory, we have a responsibility to preserve what is worthy of preservation, to tell the truth about the past, to honor those who came before us, and to pass on to those who follow us the things that are good.

And when the future is uncertain, we can remember the words of the Psalmist:

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”

—Psalm 20:7

The soldiers at Manassas could not see the whole field.

Neither can we.

But God can.

And so, whatever battles may lie before us, let us trust that the Lord who orders the course of history is still Lord over ours.

May God bless our forefathers, preserve the memory of those who came before us, strengthen our families and our chapter, and grant us the courage to remain faithful to our duties in our own time.

            Deo Vindice!

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

Battle of Decatur – free admission September 4^th – 6th, Point Mallard Park, 2901 Point Mallard Cir SE, Decatur, AL

 

Prattville Dragoons September Camp Meeting – Thursday, September 10^th, 6pm Masonic Lodge, Prattville AL

 

Raid on the Little General’s Farm –September 18^th – 20^th, 5535 Old Gallant Road, Gallant AL

 

Autauga County Fair – October 13-17^th, Dragoons booth, Autauga County Fairgrounds, Prattville AL

 

Dragoons Fall Muster – Saturday October 24^th, Philip and Terri Edwards home, 2104 CR 59, Prattville

 

Battles for the Armory – November 6-8^th, Tallassee AL

 

Thanksgiving Food Drive – benefitting the Autauga Interfaith Care Center, throughout the month of October, deliver Nov 17^th

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Indian Hill Cemetery Maintenance Workday

Monday August 24th, SCV Camp 1524 Treasurer John Dennis and his wife Mary Jane and compatriot David Whitehead cut the grass and cleaned the grounds of the historic Indian Hill Cemetery on the west side of Prattville.  This cemetery has graves of a number of original Dragoons who fought in the War Between the States, defending their family and homes in the Confederacy's quest for independence. Camp 1524 peforms these cemetery maintenance activities as part of the SCV Guardian Program to care for the final resting place of Confederate veterans. 

Prattville Dragoons Plant New Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp in Clanton AL

Following a series of meetings over the past few months stoking interest and getting contacts' information, a new SCV camp has been "planted" in Clanton AL.  SCV SWC Brigade and Camp 1524 Commander Waldo and Adjutant Butler helped host organizational meetings at the Confederate Memorial Park SCV Library in Marbury including SCV members and others interested who lived in Clanton and Chilton county.  I65 Flag Chair David Smith and compatriot Todd Rogers expressed interest as they reside close to CMP where these meetings were held.  Earlier this month real traction was established when Todd agreed to take on the role of Commander of this new camp and David Smith agreed to become Adjutant, obviously two key roles in the life of any camp.  Kale Hollon who had been there from the beginning and the conceptualization of a Clanton camp took the role of 1st Lt Commander.  The men agreed the new camp would be named the Confederate Generals James Holt Clanton, the namesake of the city of Clanton.  Four additional Dragoons from Camp 1524 also elected to transfer into this new camp to build up a sustaining number of members, Todd's grandson Carson Abbott who signed onto the role of Color Sgt, and compatriots Philip Edwards, Grady Driver and Earl Edmondson who all live in proximity to CMP.  All valuable active members of Camp 1524 who will certainly be critical in propping up this new camp and recruiting new members.  Two former SCV members were reinstated into this camp, Jeff Jones and Chris Jackson bringing the total charter members of the General James Holt Clanton Camp to nine.  At an organizational meeting on Saturday August 29th the charter was finalized, transfer paperwork signed, dues and applications for reinstated members compiled, a camp constitution penned and finalized and, copies made of all the paperwork so that Division Commander Jimmy Hill who attended this meeting, could take all back to process for the charter to be filed with general headquarters.  It was a lengthy meeting but productive as this long awaited process to establish an SCV camp in Clanton was effectively brought across the finish line.  Congratulations to the charter members of the General James Holt Clanton SCV camp and those who helped with the organization especially those assuming leadership roles in the new camp.  The Prattville Dragoons hope to work closely with the General James Holt Clanton camp in all upcoming events to further the Cause and advance the SCV Charge. 

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Dixie Butt Fundraiser

Members of SCV Camp 1524 held their annual Dixie Butt fundraiser to generate proceeds for the camp treasury with distribution on Saturday August 15th.  Members were asked to " Buy One and Sell One" and a number of compatriots went above and beyond selling many to friends and neighbors.  Saturday morning, compatriot Myrick went by Smokin S BBQ in Wetumpka to pick up the quanitity of hot and cold butts for distribution that morning to purchasers. Smokin S has prepared the butts for the last several years for the camp and they also provide catering services for the camp's Christmas Social.  Delicious product.  Color Sgt Leverette and Commander Waldo set up the canopy and hung an SCV recruiting banner on it to make ready for customers.  Treasurer John Dennis and his wife kept the books, accounting for the butt tickets distributed and the monies paid, a lot of commendable work to keep straight. 2nd Lt Karl Wade and compatriots Darrell Haywood and Commander Waldo helped bag the butts for pickup and transport and Adjutant Doug Butler also worked the morning.  The men greeted camp members and friends of the SCV who arrived to pick up their butts.  Brigade Commander Waldo took a quantity of butts to deliver...compatriot Philip Edwards visited for quite a while with everyone... Skip Ward who always donates a few butts for later camp events dropped in to pick his up and say hello... Allen Herrod whose facility was used for the distribution point stopped in to pick up a couple butts...1st Lt Harold Grooms also stayed a while at the distribution. It was a great opportunity to see members and friends of the camp this morning and proved to be another successful fundraising campaign with butts sold and donations also made.  

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Chaplain’s Column for August 2026 - A Time to Every Purpose

 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1

This Memorial Day, we once again gathered beneath waving flags, among the monuments to our glorious fallen, and with the cherished memories of ancestors and loved ones who paid the ultimate price for our liberties. Across the South and throughout our nation, families paused to honor those who gave their lives in service to country, duty, and conviction. For members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, these observances carry profound historical meaning and spiritual weight.

For in a world that rushes to forget, we remember. We remember, not only the sacrifices made, but also the character of the men who endured hardship, suffering, and death with steadfast devotion. In a world that tears down its monuments, we protect and build them. We recognize that the memories of the past are the guideposts to a brighter future; and in the faithfulness of our Fathers, we find strength to be faithful ourselves.

Scripture reminds us in Revelation 2:10: “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Those words were written to Christians facing persecution we can only imagine here in our peaceful and beloved land. Yet they continue to speak powerfully to every generation that values honor, sacrifice, and perseverance.

Faithfulness unto death is not merely about dying bravely. It involves living faithfully every day beforehand. The faithful Confederate soldier, despite hunger, exhaustion, wounds, and even overwhelming odds, remains committed to his comrades, his homeland, and his beliefs until the very end. His courage and fidelity remain timeless virtues worthy of remembrance.

Memorial Day ceremonies remind us that the things we love best always carry a cost. The rows of markers in our cemeteries testify that freedom, community, and heritage are preserved only when men and women are willing to place duty above comfort and conviction above convenience. As Christians, we understand that the highest example of faithfulness unto death was demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ, who willingly endured the cross for the redemption of mankind. His sacrifice gives eternal meaning to all earthly acts of courage and devotion.

Our task on Memorial Day is not simply to remember the dead, but to emulate the virtues they displayed. We honor them best when we ourselves remain faithful—to God, to family, to truth, and to the preservation of history. In a world increasingly forgetful of sacrifice and tradition, we must be faithful to the ancestors that so faithfully served for the sake of us, their Sons, that the memory of our ancestors be neither erased nor neglected.

As the lingering memories we called up this Memorial Day continue in our minds, may we keep forever in remembrance those who gave up their yesterdays so we could enjoy our tomorrows. May we carefully pass down both the history and the principles those men, our noble ancestors, friends, and loved ones, cherished and died for. And may we never forget those who stood faithfully until death, and may we strive to live lives worthy of their memory.

            Deo Vindice!

 

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Meeting for August 2026 - Founder's Christian Principles on Secession

Twenty two members and guests of the Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 held their monthly meeting on Thursday evening August 13th at the Masonic Lodge downtown.  Chaplain  Johnson opened the meeting with a Benediction followed by Color Sgt Leverette leading everyone in pledges and salutes to the US, Alabama, and Confederate Battle flags.  The SCV Charge was recited by Commander Waldo who then highlighted upcoming events of interest for camp members and other announcements.  The guest speaker for the August camp meeting was Dr. Grover Plunkett, an assistant professor in History and Political Science at Faulkner University who spoke on the founder's Christian ideals affecting their view on secession.

Dr. Plunkett maintained the United States was founded as a Christian nation where verifiably, all but three of the 52 founders were of orthodox Christian faiths.  The foudning documents and democratic replubicanism were based on Biblical principles and accounts most importantly the inate God given pursuit of liberty.  In the Bible for instance, the people with one voice said they woudl accept God's laws when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandements.  A social contract for that pursuit of liberty was entered into by the founders in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.  The founders wished to maintain their liberty they had enjoyed for 150 years and it was England which sought to restrict those liberties including with confiscatory taxation without representation and hence their was a revolution as they sought to preserve their God given liberty. 

The Southerners in the mid-19th century similarly were not tryin to gain liberty but instead were attempting to retain their liberty hence midway thru the War of Northern Aggression the mantra was changed from Lincoln's stated preservation of the Union to a crusade to end slavery as the former likely would jave resulted in more states seceding.  One's name and who you are mean something and your home largely defines you and your life and family so the impetus for the South taking up arms was entirely the invasion of their home soil by Yankee invaders - they were going to fight against foreign invaders coming in and telling them who they are and their place and what to do, restricting their liberties. We all must preserve our  individual liberty as the government can not and will not bestow such - the government seeks power and control and money to sustain and grow.