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. 

Prattville Dragoons Commander's Column for August 2018

Commander's Column – Offended by Truth

Found an interesting Twitter account, @OffendedBand which is the official Twitter feed for the band Offended by Everything out of Dallas Texas.  I suppose they can start writing a song about the recent movement to rename their state capital to rid themselves of the offensive history of “Stephen F. Austin, who played a central part in the founding of Texas. Though he owned no slaves and died long before the Civil War, the report notes that he “fought to defend slavery in spite of Mexico’s effort to ban it” and feared that freed slaves would be “a nuisance and a menace.” Among the things named after him are a street, a high school, a recreation center and ... a city of nearly a million people. The Austin Equity Office, you see, recently published a report on Confederate monuments. It compiled a list of parks, streets and facilities named for slaveholders, Confederate veterans and other symbols of the antebellum South, and it provided cost estimates for changing names and removing statues.” (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chapman/ct-perspec-chapman-austin-rename-slavery-confederate-statues-20180802-story.html) The author continues, “In much of the Lone Star State, “Austin” is shorthand for “crazy liberals.””  He revealed in the article that he hails from Austin, now resides in Chicago and writes for the Tribune and apparently is describing himself as a “crazy liberal” as he goes on to predictably express his offense at Confederate flags and monuments as well as Andrew Jackson.  But, thankfully he has reached his limit with the preposterous notion of renaming his hometown. Not even recognizing his ignorant hypocrisy he proclaims,  “If re-christening is obligatory there, signmakers are going to be working overtime across the country. The nation’s capital and dozens of other Washingtons were named for a slaveholder. So were Madison, Wis., and Jefferson City, Mo. Anything called “Columbus” or “Columbia” would need a replacement, given the fate of Native Americans once the explorer arrived.  And let’s not forget the big enchilada: America. Its name came from Amerigo Vespucci, who on one of his voyages to the New World captured a couple of hundred natives to sell as slaves.  This is not to say the campaign against Confederate symbols is mistaken. On the contrary, it’s long overdue. The University of Texas has taken down statues of four Confederate leaders. The city of Austin has renamed Robert E. Lee Road and Jeff Davis Avenue. Confederate Avenue and Dixie Drive could be next. The reasoning behind such changes is unassailable. It’s an abomination to honor the Confederacy, whose chief purpose was preserving white supremacy and African-American bondage. There is no way to think of Lee or Davis without recalling the vast monstrosity they upheld.  You know why they call the Confederacy the Lost Cause? Because it lost.  Changes like this don’t “erase history” as some critics charge. On the contrary, they expand our appreciation of history to include oppressed groups that were once rendered invisible. Confederate statues can serve an educational purpose — in museums. A Jeff Davis Avenue, however, makes about as much sense as a Benedict Arnold Drive.  It’s important that Americans have begun to rid ourselves of monuments to avoid glorifying evil and folly. It’s equally useful to know where to stop.”  We are so fortunate to have the esteemed Steve Chapman, editor of the Chicago Tribune to educate us as to his unquestionable moral clarity and his truths of historical perspective.  I tweeted on this subject saying, “The insanity these insane people are propagating must stop. Who is to say these "enlightened" elites possess the eternally righteous values? Those coming 200 years after us may condemn them. Preserve history.” We are not alone in our perception of how crazy this PC pacification, this purging of history and heritage has become. “People today have been taught to be offended, people live to be offended. That’s why they need a ‘safe space’ and a ‘cry closet,’ and what they mean by that seems to be a space where they can be safe from hearing the voice of reason and truth.  If you speak the truth, you might not be safe.” Speaking basic truths today requires courage, Catholic Bishop Robert Morlino from Madison, Wisconsin, told graduates of Thomas Aquinas College graduates.  (http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/05/29/speaker-urges-graduates-to-be-politically-incorrect-in-era-cry-closets-and-safe-spaces.html) 

Prattville Dragoons Chaplain's Column for August 2018

Chaplain’s Column – A Heart of Compassion

Colossians 3:12-14

Have you ever noticed that some people are more naturally compassionate than others? Maybe it’s their personality or upbringing. Nevertheless, in the church, every believer is told to “put on a heart of compassion” (Col. 3:12). When empathy doesn’t come naturally, some Christians may wonder if something is wrong with them. So, what can we do to develop a greater sense of caring?

While emotions cannot be manufactured on demand, we can change our thoughts, which in turn affect our emotions. Compassion, like all the other qualities listed in today’s passage, is possible only when we think of others before ourselves. Self-centeredness keeps us from seeing the needs and hurts of those around us and acting on their behalf. What we need is a renewed mind.

We are all born with a selfish, sinful nature, referred to as the “old self.” But when a person puts his trust in Jesus, he receives a “new self” created in righteousness by God. (See Eph. 4:22-24.) As our minds are renewed with His Word and we grow in obedience, Christ’s love and compassion begin to flow through us. Instead of our being oblivious to the pain and suffering around us, God will open our eyes and use us to comfort those in need.

A heart of compassion is achieved not through self-effort but through a God-focused life. As we draw near to Him through His Word and His Son, He transforms our focus, thoughts, and feelings. What a relief to know that God has provided everything we need to follow Jesus’ example of caring. He always equips us to obey His every command.

   Please remember all those that are on our prayer list 

Upcoming Events for Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Compatriots

Upcoming Events

Prattville Dragoons August Camp Meeting – Thursday August 10^th at 7pm

Prattville Dragoons Dixie Butt Sale Distribution – Saturday August 11^th 8-10am at Herrod’s Chevron, 101 N. Memorial Dr, Prattville

“Gone with the Wind” - Sunday, 12 August 2018, 2:00 p.m. - Alabama Theater in Birmingham

Fall Muster – Clay shoot and cookout, October TBD

Autauga County Fair – The Dragoons will sponsor a booth, October 9-13^th, 5-9pm each night, all day Saturday

Prattville Bicentennial Fair - Friday and Saturday November 16-17, 2018 at the Doster Center, Prattville