Twenty Dragoons and compatriots gathers on Thursday March 10th at 6pm for the regular monthly camp meeting held at the Prattville Masonic Lodge. Rob Schwartz played a number of songs on his guitar before the meeting proper as outstanding background music. To open the meetings, Chaplain Brantley provided an Invocation followed by the pledges and salutes to the flags by Color Sgt Dennis. Commander Waldo recited the SCV Charge and then provided information about upcoming events including the flag settings at Oak Hill and the Confederate Memorial Park cemeteries, the spring picnic coinciding with the CMP Living History and the Cityfest where the Dragoons will man a booth. Commander presided over the elections for the camp officers and among other offices for which the current officers remained, Rob was elected the new 1st Lieutenant. Following the elections Commander also provided information from the Treasurer's report as well as highlights of the camp's activities over the past year as part of the Commander's annual report.
Ryan Blocker was the guest speaker for the evening and as has become an annual tradition, the Dragoons presented her with a check for $500 for the continuance of the great work at the Alabama State Archives for preservation and conservation of artifacts from the period of the War Between the States. Ryan is the curator and Collections Coordinator at the Archives. The Archives contains over 530,000 historical artifacts and 91 flags in their collection of flags from the Ware of Northern Aggression. Additionally, they have many other artifacts like the sword of Lt Socrates Spigner which has a jeweled hilt rapier and his troy is told on the scabbard; he was killed mere days before the end of the War and the sword was found years later in the closet of a house in Columbus GA. Ryan expressed how she enjoys learning the story behind the artifacts such as this.
A slide show provided photos showing the use of an electrolysis bath used to remove rust from metal objects including a bomb which was built at the Prattville gin works. Ryan studied at the International Preservation Center specializing in textiles which includes of course the flags in the Archives collection as well as many items of clothing. The efforts around the historic flag conservation began in 1987 under Bob Bradley to conserve those flags which had been on permanent display. Bob worked with some of the preeminent vexillologists in studying and understanding the flag history and conservation methods and technologies. The difference between conservation and restoration is that the former preserves evidence of damage which tells the story of the flag including puncture marks from battles and pieces removed as souvenirs by soldiers.
Some of these flags had been previously conserved but using poor methods including a flag from the 20th Alabama Infantry Regiment which had netting sewn to it, stretching the flag's fabric and required this backing to be painstakingly removed. Another flag was the Flag of The Rifle Scouts captured by the 4th Ohio Cavalry in Selma. It was presented to the UDC in 1909 and came to the Archives mounted in a frame. When removed it was shredded. Thru the conservation process though it was discovered that it was a First National Flag emblazoned with the inscription "Death Before Submission". Through donations the Archives has raised over $554000 and conserved 28 flags. Presently work is paused on these historic flags as additional room is needed for storage and display of these.
Other artifacts include a New York Beauty quilt. The story said a Mrs. Cohen of Pleasant Hill AL defended the quilt from Union raiders with her shotgun. Photos of a wooden canteen and an intricate wooden pipe were also shared. Also two period souvenir scarves sold to raise money for the Confederate defense. Also socks from a courier of General Forrest embroidered with the First National Flag. And a rare bright red artillery kepi. Of course the General Wheeler uniform was shown as the conservation of that coat and trousers is complete in large part due to the donations specifically for this activity made by the Alabama Division Sons of Confederate Veterans.
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