A great number of members and friends of SCV Camp 1524 gathered on Thursday evening November 11th at the Prattville Masonic Lodge for the monthly meeting despite the stormy conditions and road construction approaching the Lodge. Rob Schwartz volunteered to play his guitar and sing "The Ballad of the Rebel Soldier" to open the meeting in superb fashion. 1st Lt Harold Grooms led everyone in an Invocation in the absence of the chaplain. Color Sgt John Dennis led everyone in the pledge to the US Flag and salutes to the Alabama State Flag and Confederate Battle Flag; Commander Stuart Waldo then recited the SCV Charge. As the camp meeting night coincided with Veterans Day, Harold then provided a special recognition of all the many Army, Navy and Air Force veterans in the camp, playing the service song for each of the branches of the Armed Forces while he gave a rousing brief history of the song and the respective branch. Stuart then highlighted the upcoming events including the wrap-up of the camp's canned food drive, the Tallassee Battles for the Amory reenactment the coming weekend and the Christmas season activities. It was just learned of the passing of former Commander Wyatt Willis' wife Betty and so he and I-65 Flag Chair David Smith (in the passing of his father) were mentioned as special prayer requests. Final thoughts regarding the recent successful Fall Muster and Autauga County Fair booth were expressed as fantastic events.
Col. Jayson Altieri provided the presentation on the Vexillology (Study) of the Confederate and (period) Alabama State Flags. The Confederate flags expressed and reflected the prevailing attitude of states rights and varied greatly across the Confederacy initially. The First National Flag, the Stars and Bars was first flown on March 4, 1861 in Montgomery and was inspired by the Austrian National Flag, designed by Prussian Nicola Marschall. One of the first acts of the Provisional Confederate Congress was to create a national flag and seal. This committee was chaired by William Porcher Miles. The sentiment for many was that they wanted to retain the design elements of Old Glory which reflected the values of the founding fathers to which the Cause ascribed.
The First National Flag actually went thru four iterations as starts were added for additional states admitted to the Confederacy, first seven (in Montgomery), then nine (from May 21-July 2, 1861) then eleven (from July 2 - Nov 28, 1861), and finally thirteen (from Nov 28, 1861 - May 1, 1863). The Stars and Bars led the Confederate troops into the early battles of the War for Southern Independence but it was soon realized that in the "Fog and Friction" of war, such as at the Battle of Manassas that the First National was difficult o differentiate from Old Glory especially when laying limp. The soldiers wearing similar uniforms further confused the issue of identification of the troops; Home Guards across the US and Confederacy wore grey cloth for instance. Following Manassas, Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard commissioned a new Battle Flag with the saltire cross of St. Andrews on a red background representing the good Christian fight.
The Battle Flag was eventually incorporated into the Second National Flag or Stainless Banner. The problem again with the Stainless Banner in battle was that when limp, the white cloth symbolizing purity could be mistaken for a flag of surrender. The Stainless Banner was that laid on the casket of Gen. Stonewall Jackson. Even with these standardized National Flags, there were many others used by Confederate units with interesting symbolism. The Bonnie Blue flag has a single white star on a blue background; the star represented the state seceding from the Union. Van Dorn's flag from Missouri incorporated a crescent moon which symbolized a new birth and beginning. The crescent moon on the South Carolina flag represented medieval armor, a gorget worn around the neck to protect that vital area. Native Americans were an integral part of the Confederate fighting force and Gen. Stan Waite who led the Cherokee Braves was the last Confederate General to surrender; the flag of the Cherokee Braves incorporated five red stars which represented the five civilized tribes. The Choctaw Brigade from Northern Mississippi had their unique flag. Polk's flag incorporating the St. George's cross conveyed his strong Christian faith as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana before the War and founder of the Episcopal Church in the Confederacy. Confederate units would often paint the names of the battles in which they fought on their banners, the precursor of the later streamers. Yankee forced largely fought under the U.S. flag. The Prattville Dragoons flag which is of a swallowtail design was also highlighted as of a Prussian cavalry design. The infantry used a larger square Battle Flag and the artillery generally used a smaller square flag.
It was another interesting educational presentation by Col. Altieri and a wonderful time of fellowship. Commander Waldo recited the SCV Closing to wrap up the meeting and Lt. Grooms sent everyone off with a Benediction and safe passage.
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