Nathan Bedford Forrest Birthday Remembered Despite Statue Vandalization in Memphis

The evening of Friday July 8th the N.B.Forrest statue in Forrest Park in Memphis TN was vandalized with "Black Lives Matter" spray painted on the front of the granite base just above the General's and his wife's headstones.  Undetered and with around the clock police protection in the park, the Sons of Confederate Veterans and hundreds of friends observed Forrest's birthday on Sunday July 10th with a celebration in the park at 2pm which included free ice cold watermelon following the program. Nathan Bedford Forrest was born on July 13, 1821 and was one of the most brilliant and successful battlefield generals of the War for Southern Independence.  His monument in the park is threatened by the City of Memphis who wish to dishonor this hero and defender of Memphis and disinter his remains and move them and the statue elsewhere.  The SCV and like minded compatriots are fighting this short sighted bigoted attempt by the city of Memphis to diminish this important historical figure and remain steadfast in efforts to protect this majestic monument as well as the sacred burial site of Forrest and his wife.

Sons of Confederate Veterans National Reunion

The SCV National Reunion was held the week of July 13-16 in Dallas Texas.  Past Alabama Division Commander Tom Strain was elected Commander in Chief of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and Paul Gramling of Shreveport, Louisiana was elected as Lieutenant Commander in Chief.  Alabama Division 1st Lt. Commander Carl Jones was appointed SCV Chief of Heritage Operations (formerly known as Chief of Heritage Defense) at the National level. This is a very demanding, important responsibility to promote our Southern heritage and react to heritage violations nation wide for which Carl is well qualified.

CiC Tom Strain

 

Prattville Dragoons Camp Meeting for July 2016

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 was honored to have the esteemed Dr. Charles Baker as our guest speaker at the Dragoon July meeting. Dr. Baker is the current Alabama Division Chaplain and has served many times in this capacity. He has also been Chaplain In Chief at the National level and is a Past Alabama Division Commander. He pastors an Independent Church in the Center Point area of Birmingham and has been at this location many years.

Dr. Baker spoke on the recent Southern Baptist Convention’s resolution condemning the Confederate Battle Flag which asks Baptists to not allow it to be displayed on Confederate veteran graves in their church controlled cemeteries. Although not a Southern Baptist, he certainly has opinions on this matter and freely shared them with the camp. Dr. Baker asked how these people, who obviously have no regard for the true history of the South and this particular flag, could do such a thing. He emphasized that pastors and delegates should be about telling the truth and if pastors could not tell the Biblical truth, we should not be in their church. He reminded everyone that there are churches where the truth is told and we should seek them out while emphasizing that not all Southern Baptist pastors and delegates were ignorant of the truth and we should support those who do support Biblical truths as well as our shared Southern heritage and traditions. 

Dr. Baker cited the history of the major revivals in the Confederate Army and the fact that these men came home after The War and established churches in their home area because of their conversions experienced in the Army revivals. This led to the South being nicknamed the “Bible Belt”. He questioned how the Southern Baptist delegates could turn their backs on their very founders by condemning the Battle Flag. Dr. Baker said if he was in a church where the pastor supported this resolution, he could not stay there under a pastor who did not acknowledge the truth.

Commander Waldo and others spent a good bit of time explaining our Dixie Butt fund raiser and the details for this year.  Compatriot David Gatch is our Fund Raiser Chairman this year and reports that the fundraiser has gotten off to a strong start.  The monies raised thru this annual fundraiser are used for all the camp's activities including donations to the Alabama Archives for historic flag conservation, heritage defense and monument preservation, community announcements/advertisements, camp stores for cemetery flag settings and community events/parades, and recognition awards such as the JROTC Hunley awards presented at Prattville and Stanhope Elmore High Schools each spring.  

Commander Waldo was the recipient of the Alabama Division Clement C. Clay Newsletter award as (past) editor of our Camp Dispatch. Lt. Brigade Commander Bill Myrick presented the award.

Chaplain Tom Snowden continues to provide an excellent visual presentation via a projection screen of camp members and activities before the meeting. This is reason enough to attend and see this marvelous collection of photos that he has accumulated.  All are encouraged to attend the camp's monthly meetings to enjoy fellowship and educational presentations. The next camp meeting will be August 11 at the Shoney's on Cobbs Ford Rd in Prattville.  

Dr. Baker

Newsletter Award

Dr. Baker's Column Pertaining to the SBC Proclamation

Alabama Division Sons of Confederate Veterans Proclaim Law Enforcement Day

SCV Alabama Division Commander Jimmy Hill has issued a proclamation designating Monday, July 25 as Law Enforcement Day in the Alabama Division. Every camp and individual members of the Alabama Division are encouraged to express our gratitude in some manner to our Law Enforcement personnel on that day.  This recognition is in response to the attacks on law enforcement personnel in some locales around the country.   

The Prattville Dragoons, Camp 1524 officers have been working on a public display of our support for law enforcement in the area. At the suggestion of Compatriot Karl Wade, a retired State Trooper, a rotating digital billboard at Main Street and Memorial Drive (Hwy31) in Prattville will publicly and impressively show our support for Law Enforcement for two weeks (starting this past weekend). This billboard advertisement is similar to what the camp has done for Confederate Memorial Day and Christmas in past years. This location is one of the busiest intersections in Prattville and close to the downtown area.   

Commander Waldo encourages individual camp members and the general public to find ways to show our support for Law Enforcement on July 25.  Please be sure when you show your support to a law enforcement agency you let them know you are doing it as a member or supporter of the Alabama Division SCV and show them the attached proclamation. 

In these troubled times we must band together and protect the rule of law. By the gestures we make on July 25, we as the Alabama Division SCV show support to our Law Enforcement community and wish to thank them for their sacrifices and dedication to service. 

I am the Confederate Battle Flag

I Am the Confederate Battle Flag

by
Charles H. Hayes

www.b17.com/hayes

I am the Battle Flag    of the Confederate States of America.    I am a proud flag.   I have led great armies to great victories.   From tall masts I have saluted,   And been saluted by,   The ablest generals in history.    I am a potent symbol.   I have the power to stir the blood   Of those who carried me in battle   Though that blood be continents away   And generations removed from those battles.    I am an honorable flag.   Do not use me for ignoble purposes.   I am a symbol of pride, not arrogance.   I represent love of homeland, not hatred toward anyone.   But no matter who carries me   Or for what purposes, I cannot be dishonored.  I secured my honor in a hundred battles   Where good men dying passed me to good men still struggling;   Where we prevailed against almost impossible odds;   Where we were beaten by overwhelming numbers;   Where I was as bloody, torn, tired, and soiled   As the men who carried me.    I am a worthy flag.   I have stood watch over the graves of patriots.   I have comforted widows in their loneliness.   As a blood-stained rag I have been passed as a rich legacy   To the heirs of those who had lost all for my sake.    I am the Battle Flag of the Confederate States of America.   Do not forsake me.

Prattville Dragoons Chaplain's Column for July 2016

Pursuit Of Humility

1^st Timothy  1: 12-13

     Some people believe that thinking badly of themselves is a sign of humility. Let’s look in the Bible at Paul and what He has to say about this. Paul does not berate himself and tell God how vile and sinful He is. Instead, Paul talks repeatedly with a spirit of humility about the grace of God.

     To pursue humility, it is necessary that we die to self. We must refuse to put ourselves first and instead ask the Lord what is His will for our situation. God wants us to be devoted to other people because He has made us reservoirs of His truth—something those around us greatly need. And when God blesses others, we who follow Christ are to delight in the good things that come to them (Rom. 12:15).

     For ourselves, we must wholly depend on God. If we want to live with genuine humility, we must rely on Him in every circumstance. The Lord has many good things in store for us. When we direct our thoughts continually to His grace and goodness, our confidence in Him will grow. It is also important that we distance ourselves from whatever appeals to our pride, such as wealth, prestige, applause, or certain relationships—the list is different for every person. Finally, we must determine to obey God regardless of the earthly consequences. When you humble yourself before Him, you can mark that day as the beginning of the best part of your life.

     Jesus lived His earthly days with a humble spirit, and He taught that we should demonstrate humility as well. Jesus promises that those who humble themselves will be exalted by their heavenly Father. However, He warns that those who put themselves first will find that God opposes them (James 4:6).

Please remember to pray for those on our prayer list.

Prattville's Doster Cemetery

DOSTER CEMETERY

It sits by itself in the middle of a farm field in Autauga County, Alabama, about 100 yards north of the US Highway 82 Bypass in Prattville. Actually it sits in what was once the community of Dosterville. “It” is the Doster Family Cemetery. Motorists whizzing by on the busy bypass rarely seem to notice the tall cemetery markers barely visible over tall weeds.

Until June 30, 2016, the Doster Family Cemetery had lain for several years overgrown and forlorn, abandoned by even those local residents alive today who are descendants of those buried there. At one time these were important people. They were important in the founding and growth of Prattville and Autauga County. War heroes. A legislator. Children, too many children.

These people are no longer lying in a forgotten, neglected, abandoned place. The men of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524--the Prattville Dragoons--are seeing to that. One of the many public service projects they work on every year is the maintenance of neglected cemeteries where Confederate Veterans are buried. The effort at the Doster Family Cemetery was led by Camp Quartermaster Bill Myrick. The initial attack was with weed eaters, herbicide and a lawnmower. The cemetery is once again presentable and will honor those interred there. It will improve as the Dragoons continue to care for the cemetery.

One of the notables buried there is Absalom Doster, born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, in 1796. He was married to Sarah E. Alexander Doster and they had two children, Charles Smith Graves Doster and Alexandria Victoria Doster. Absalom Doster was a farmer (one could, based on his sizeable land holdings, call him a planter). He was a Mason and served in the Alabama Legislature.  He also served his country during the War of 1812. He was a private in the Rosser County, Georgia, militia.

Charles Smith Graves Doster, who is buried nearby, served in the Prattville Grays during the War for Southern Independence. He was promoted to major on November 24, 1863. After the war he was given the honorific title of “Colonel,” a title used by most lawyers of the period. He was, after the war, the law partner of Zachariah Abney who also had served in the Bibb Grays, achieving the rank of Captain. Abney was a member of Forney’s Alabama Brigade and was present when General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. After the war he returned to the law practice he had begun in 1859.

Zachariah Abney was married to a member of the Doster family, Alexandria Victoria Doster. She was his law partner’s sister. In addition to his practice of law Abney served as Register in Chancery. He was appointed to that position in 1883 and served until his death in 1911. He is buried in the Doster Family Cemetery.

It's a shame that this cemetery, as other important ones in this county and many others, has been allowed to get into the state it was in until the Dragoons arrived.  The Dragoons will do their best to see that its condition is improved.

Jack Moore and Tryone Crowley

Dragoons Clean Up Prattville Doster Cemetery

The Robinson Springs Cemetery and the Doster cemetery got a thorough clean up and manicure on Thursday June 30th by members of SCV Camp 1524. The Robinson Springs cemetery had already been partially mowed by Carl French of Montgomery’s  Cradle of the Confederacy camp #692.  The Dragoons trimmed around the graves and fences with weed eaters, removed rubbish, etc. so the cemetery looks very good again. 

When work was complete at Robinson Springs, the workers travelled to the Doster cemetery Off Doster Industrial Park Rd. near the paper mill in Prattville. There they tackled an overgrown family burial plot that was rather small compared to the other cemeteries maintained by the Dragoons under the Guardian program. However, it needed extensive clean up of brush and limbs so it could be mowed and weed eated. A small oak tree was also cut and removed.  There are two Confederate veterans buried at the Doster cemeteries in marked graves and others are suspected to be there. There is also a veteran of the War of 1812, Absalom Doster.

Participants included Bill Myrick, Tyrone Crowley, Ryan King, James Spears and Larry Spears. Camp Photographer Jack Wilson came to both cemeteries and recorded the efforts of the work crew. Compatriot Myrick had already made one trip to Doster cemetery and had accomplished a lot which made this day's work easier.

Why Vicksburg Did Not Celebrate The 4th Of July

Why Vicksburg Canceled the Fourth of July – For a Generation

By Karen Stokes on Jul 2, 2014

(http://www.abbevilleinstitute.org/blog/why-vicksburg-canceled-the-fourth-of-july-for-a-generation/)

From May through early July 1863, Vicksburg, Mississippi, a strategically important city on the Mississippi River, was besieged by Federal forces under the command of General Ulysses S. Grant, and by a flotilla of gunboats in the river commanded by Admiral David Porter. The city was surrounded by outlying Confederate lines of defense, but the Union forces also shelled the city itself, which was full of civilians, who dug caves into the clay hills of Vicksburg for protection from the artillery bombardment. The siege lasted 47 days, until the city and its Confederate defenders were at last starved into submission. The Confederate commander, Gen. John C. Pemberton, surrendered on July 4, 1863. So bitter were the feelings and memories of the people of Vicksburg afterward that they did not officially observe the Independence Day holiday for the next 81 years (not returning to its observance until 1945).
In his book Vicksburg 1863, published in 2010, historian Winston Groom noted the following: “From the river, Porter’s mortar boats kept up a regular bombardment of the city’s environs, while from landward Grant’s artillery relentlessly threw barrages of shells into the town. The shocking part of it was that much of the naval firing was deliberately aimed at the civilians.” (emphasis added)
Mary Longborough, a resident of Vicksburg, kept a diary that was later published as My Cave Life in Vicksburg. Her eyewitness accounts attest to many poignant incidents that occurred during the siege of the city:
“A young girl, becoming weary in the confinement of the cave, hastily ran to the house in the interval that elapsed between the slowly falling shells. On returning, an explosion sounded near her—one wild scream, and she ran into her mother’s presence, sinking like a wounded dove, the life blood flowing over the light summer dress in crimson ripples from a death-wound in her side, caused by the shell fragment.”
“One afternoon, amid the rush and explosion of the shells, cries and screams arose—the screams of women amid the shrieks of the falling shells. The servant boy, George…found that a negro man had been buried alive within a cave, he being alone at that time. Workmen were instantly set to deliver him, if possible; but when found, the unfortunate man had evidently been dead some little time. His wife and relations were distressed beyond measure, and filled the air with their cries and groans.”
“A little negro child, playing in the yard, had found a shell; in rolling and turning it, had innocently pounded the fuse; the terrible explosion followed, showing, as the white cloud of smoke floated away, the mangled remains of a life that to the mother’s heart had possessed all of beauty and joy.”
“Sitting in the cave, one evening, I heard the most heartrending screams and moans. I was told that a mother had taken a child into a cave about a hundred yards from us; and having laid it on its little bed, as the poor woman believed, in safety, she took her seat near the entrance of the cave. A mortar shell came rushing through the air, and fell with much force, entering the earth above the sleeping child—cutting through into the cave—oh! most horrible sight to the mother—crushing in the upper part of the little sleeping head, and taking away the young innocent life without a look or word of passing love to be treasured in the mother’s heart.”

Prattville Dragoons Recent Cemetery Clean Ups and Community Service

Several Dragoons completed the clean up of Indian Hill cemetery for the month of June this past Saturday, the 25th. Harold Grooms, Wayne Sutherland, Skip Ward and Tom Crowley pitched in and cut grass, trimmed, etc. while Camp Photographer Jack Moore recroded the day in photos for us. Compatriot Bill Myrick also worked at the cemetery earlier in the week since he could not participate on Saturday. Our sincere thanks to these men for honoring the Confederate veterans (some are Dragoons) interred here along with some notable Autauga county pioneers.  

Additionally, Bill Myrick went to the Doster cemetery on his own this past Wednesday the 22nd and began cleaning this cemetery for the camp. There are some Confederate veterans buried there also. Bill used herbicide plus mechanical tools to battle the underbrush overgrowing the gravesites. Thanks to Compatriot Myrick, for his initiative and willingness to improve this historic burial place. The Doster cemetery is just off Hwy 82 near Prattmont.

Another date will be announced soon to work again at the Robinson Springs cemetery in the Millbrook area. There are seven known Confederate veterans buried there plus more Autauga county pioneers. (That portion of Elmore county was part of Autauga county before The War)

These and other community service projects help keep Camp 1524 in the public eye in a positive way and spread good will in our area. If we all do what we are capable of doing, whether it be manual labor, technical support, attending meetings or keeping our dues current, it goes a long way toward making our camp stronger and accomplishing the Charge to the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

1. General Nathan Bedford Forrest 17th Annual Birthday Party at Fort Dixie near Selma, hosted by Compatriots Butch and Pat Godwin on Saturday July 9 starting at 3:00 PM. Keynote speaker will be Past SCV CIC Chuck McMichale. There will be an auction, door prizes, and ice cold watermelon served all day. At 6:00 PM there will be a Southern-fried catsish supper with all the fixins.

2. The National SCV Reunion will be in Richardson Texas July 13 - 16. Info at http://scv2016.org/index.html

3. Prattville Dragoons annual Dixie Butt fundraiser - sales throughout July/August up until distribution on Saturday August 13th

4. Alabama Division SCV DEC Meeting - Saturday August 13th at Confederate Memorial Park

Dragoons Participate in 2016 Prattville 4th of July Parade

Camp 1524 was well represented in Monday's Prattville Independence Day Parade with twelve Dragoon participants plus family. Compatriot Karl Wade was the Grand Marshall of the parade as the honorees today were active and retired Law Enforcement Personnel. Commander Waldo and his wife and all his children were there to help him celebrate his birthday - he and Adjutant Wayne Sutherland carried the camp banner, wife drove the purple Charger decorated with a U.S. and Confederate flag while the kids threw candy to the parade spectators and oldest son, also a camp member, carried a 3x5 Battle flag and threw Pixie sticks to all the kids along the parade route.  Communications Officer Larry Spears carried another flag while father James rode in the camp's golf cart also adorned with six U.S. and Confederate flags; Tyrone Crowley drove the cart which served as a supply depot for all the mini-Battle flags and SCV coins provided to spectators along the parade route down Main Street.  Over 500 mini-Battle flags were handed out which had SCV and Dragoon informational cards attached to the sticks.  Other Dragoons walking with the entry included Camp Historian Sam Reid, Ryan King, 2nd Lt George Jenks, Bill Gill, and Lt. Brigade Commander (and Dragoon Quartermaster) Bill Myrick and his wife. Jack Moore provided these and other great photos.  Other Dragoons at the event participating with other organizations included Chris Booth, Paul Whaley and 1st Lt Harold Grooms.  The Dragoons entry was warmly greeted all along the parade route often coming to a stop trying to give everyone requesting flags one.  Another great community outreach event for Camp 1524 and an opportunity to provide more information about the camp to our friends and neighbors. 

Karl Wade

The Dragoons before the Start of the Parade

Dragoons Marching Down Main Street

Greeting the Parade Spectators

Informational Card for Flags

Prattville Dragoons Commander's Column for July 2016

Brexit was huge in the recent news, the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union following a referendum in which 72 per cent of the country’s registered voters cast ballots and a narrow majority declared their independence from the EU in which Great Britain had been a member for the past forty years. Interesting statistics showed that younger voters more acclimated to recent progressive policies voted to remain as did, regionally, the London metropolitan, Scotland and Northern Ireland areas. Interestingly, generally more rural areas and older generations voted for Britain’s independence, to leave the EU.  Donald Trump coincidentally was touring Scotland for the opening of his latest Trump golf resort in Turnberry and took the opportunity to comment that this EU departure vote had obvious parallels to the sentiment in the United States where voters are rejecting the status quo for their political representation and the centralized autocracy and placing priority in nationalism and strengthening border protection. 

Trending on Twitter soon thereafter was #Texit where secessionists in Texas seized on the popular sentiment to renew their calls for their state to secede from the U.S. and proclaim their independence. But, Donald Trump responded, “Texas will never do that, because Texas loves me.” (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/06/25/no-texit-trump-says-texas-will-never-secede-amid-renewed-calls.htm_l) “Trump’s comments mark a rebuke from the candidate who has drawn explicit parallels between the anti-establishment sentiments that fueled the Brexit decision and those fueling his campaign on this side of the pond.  The secessionists have long faced setbacks at every level of government.  (Obama’s) White House, in response to a petition, said three years ago that Texas simply cannot leave the union.  The (Texas) state Republican Party took up this same issue at their convention just last month – and defeated a bid to get a Texas independence measure in the party platform.  The Texas Tribune, in an analysis Friday, also said that while Texas could potentially split into separate states it could not legally secede. The Tribune quoted the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who once wrote in a letter, “If there was any constitutional issue resolved by the Civil War, it is that there is no right to secede.”” (foxews.com)  Secession advocates nevertheless maintain it is possible to have a “conversation on independence and let the people have the final say.” (foxnews.com)  “After winning independence from Mexico in 1836, Texas was its own republic until 1845, when it joined the U.S. Secession advocates argue the second-most populous state in the country is burdened by the federal government and has a large-enough economy to survive on its own.” (foxnews.com) 

One might view Obama’s and Trump’s flip dismissal of the idea of secession to be humorously arrogant had Lincoln’s similar arrogance not cost the lives of 600,000 men in the War for Southern Independence 150 years ago.   If anyone ever believed that “state’s rights” was strictly a code-word for preserving the institution of slavery and that the Confederate states were unjustified in seceding from the burdensome overreaching strong arm of Lincoln’s federal government need only look at this recent Brexit initiative and persistent secessionist movements in Texas, Vermont and elsewhere and the outrageous oppressive federal actions over the last 7+ years to grasp and appreciate the understandable sentiment which drove our Confederate ancestors to declare their independence and seek to return to a Constitutional limited central government. We talk of Southern values including hard work, self-sufficient, God-fearing people and certainly the massive federal Wall Street bailouts, federal socialist programs, federal attacks on entire economic sectors and entrepreneurs, federal policy espousing Biblical abominations and weakening our nation’s defense would and should cause concern tantamount to that our forebears felt causing their secession movement culminating in the Confederate States of America.  But, according to Obama, Trump and Scalia, secession is a settled issue and we should just like them and our predicament. Always and in this July 4^th period of celebration, we need to appreciate our great country and the liberty and opportunity for which we are blessed but we need to remember that our Confederate ancestors were right and justified and honor their struggle and sacrifice in their quest for a more perfect constitutional representative republic.  

Richmond, Va.Confederate Old Soldier's Home

In 1883 the R. E. Lee Camp No. 1, an organization of Confederate veterans, was established in Richmond, and on January 1, 1885, the group opened a soldiers' home for financially needy, often disabled, veterans of the war. The complex was established on an old farm in the West End of Richmond. In addition to housing for the men, the grounds included a mess hall (seen in the background of the photo), a hospital, recreation center, print shop, laundry, and other support buildings. A nondenominational chapel was built in 1887. At the height of the home's popularity, from 1890 to 1910, roughly 300 veterans resided there. The last resident died In 1941.

Residents of the R. E. Lee Camp Soldiers' Home, many of them holding Confederate battle flags, assemble during a Confederate reunion in Richmond, Virginia, in 1911.