This month represents an historic milestone for the Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 as we host the Alabama Division SCV Reunion. The Reunion will be held on Friday and Saturday June 4th and 5th as our camp and the Prattville community welcome over a hundred guests to the events of the Division Reunion including business meetings, a Reception, meals including a Division Awards banquet, and a Memorial Service for compatriots who have crossed over during the past year. A number of camp members have invested many hours in planning for this event to make it a seamless, enjoyable and meaningful Reunion for all the attendees. We have nearly twenty members registered to attend some portion(s) of the Reunion which is a solid number but all members are encouraged to come to the business meeting on Saturday morning as this meeting is open to all members in good standing free of charge. Our camp will also be hosting the Friday Reception, opening the Reunion including posting the colors with a period reenactment group and welcoming attendees, and hosting the meals . Much has been done around the planning and preparations for this Reunion and many have been involved in hard work over the past many months. I wanted to share with those in the camp what was penned for the Reunion program for those not able to attend or get a copy of this collectible publication which the Dennises worked tirelessly to produce. This reflects on many of the reasons we are proud of our camp and our community in which we live.
The Dragoons of Prattville’s Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524
welcome everyone to the 2021 Alabama Division Reunion. We hope everyone enjoys the events of the
Reunion and some of what our local community has to offer as you visit the
Fountain City, named for the artesian wells found in the area. Downtown merchants as well as the businesses
at the Prattville and High Point Town Centers offer myriad dining and shopping
options. City parks and the Robert Trent
Jones golf facility offer ample recreation.
Prattville has a wonderful rich history, founded in 1839 by
industrialist Daniel Pratt who established what became the world’s largest
cotton gin manufacturer here. The former
gin works still dominates the landscape on the southwest side of Autauga Creek
downtown. Pratt did not favor secession
but ultimately supported the Cause including funding the outfitting of the
original Dragoons as they prepared for War in 1861. There are many structures in downtown
Prattville which date from the antebellum period including the
McWilliams-Smith-Rice House, built in 1849, which now houses the Prattaugan
Museum, centerpiece of our featured tour, and was the first meeting place of
the Dragoons cavalry unit.
The COVID pandemic affected our community as it did the state and the
Dragoons as it did the camps throughout the Division and the SCV. The restrictions have prevented us from
enjoying fellowship at a few regular monthly meetings and also has presented a
real challenge in hosting the 2021 Alabama Division Reunion and planning for
the event. We believe the wonderful
venues offer beautiful
accommodations which along with our caterers are sure to make this a memorable
event.
While the COVID closures and restrictions presented challenges for
event planning, the River region also did not entirely escape the social unrest
and pointed political climate which has inflamed our nation. The Dragoons have sought to continue to be a
positive influence and contributor to our community, participating in local
events including parades and festivals, Salvation Army bell ringing, food bank
donations, cemetery maintenance, the I-65 Battle Flag site restoration and, and
other activities. This Division Reunion
represents our boldest efforts, hosting compatriots from across the state in
this important annual event to conduct our business, support local
establishments and show our community leaders the positive value of the Sons of
Confederate Veterans in Prattville and throughout the state of Alabama. Welcome to Prattville and the 2021 Sons of
Confederate Veterans Alabama Division Reunion.
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