Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 November Meeting

Approximately 26 members and guests attended the November meeting of the Prattville Dragoons, SCV Camp 1524 at Jim’s Restaurant.  A good crowd gathered early for dinner and an attempt was made to show a slide show in the absence of Chaplain Snowden’s who was in attendance but limited dealing with his wife’s illness. But, the chaplain’s video equipment was of a superior quality and the projector used did not provide sufficient brightness and clarity but, everyone nonetheless enjoyed the food and fellowship during the time before the start of the meeting proper.  Chaplain Snowden was able to lead everyone in the opening and closing prayers.  Compatriot George Jenks led everyone in the salutes and pledges to the flags which again, required some improvisation since the camp flags did not make it to the meeting in time. 

Even while working thru these extemporaneous adjustments, the cap meeting was a good one and many members signed up for the Christmas Social and the Thanksgiving smoked turkey fundraiser.  Commander Waldo read the SCV Charge and announced the numerous upcoming holiday events including the canned food drive, Tallassee reenactment (with Beir Butler expounding), Bicentennial Fair in Prattville (with Tyrone Crowley expounding, Christmas parades, Salvation Army kettle bell ringing (with Karl Wade expounding) and, the upcoming Social at Buena Vista.  John Dennis was recognized for again single-handedly working on the Indian Hill Cemetery grounds which should keep it looking good for the rest of the season with colder temperatures coming.  The electronic billboard ad campaign with funds matching from Division as well as the new Indian Hill aluminum historical information sign was also announced. 

Dr. Philip Davis was the keynote speaker who presented a history on Judah P. Benjamin who was a US Senator before following his state of Louisiana in secession to become the Confederacy’s Attorney General then Secretary of War then subsequently Secretary of State and even briefly Secretary of the Treasury when the government was evacuated from Richmond.  Philip said that very little original first person records/documents exist regarding Benjamin as he had the practice of destroying all his case records and correspondence which was actually a common practice in that time.  Nonetheless, Philip was able to weave a wonderful story of Benjamin’s upbringing and education and his later professional and political careers.  Not only did he serve in US and CSA public office but was also a very successful barrister in England where he fled following the collapse of the Confederate government.  He was very accomplished with in law, practicing before being elected to the US Senate, the logistics involved in the provisioning of the Confederate Army, and in diplomacy and negotiations with foreign governments as Sec. of State.  He was a trusted friend to President Jefferson Davis and even was tasked with removing and safeguarding the remaining gold stores from the Confederate Treasury when the cabinet fled Richmond.  Fascinating man of that historical period. 

Photos attached show some of the crowd in attendance as well as Karl and Tyrone speaking on upcoming events and Philip Davis making his presentation on Judah Benjamin.