SCV Camp 1524 compatriots Crowley and Waldo attended the CofC convention at Confederate Memorial Park on Saturday June 8th. The event started with an executive committee meeting of the current officers of the state CofC. The children then hosted a dinner in one of pavilions there at the park including fried chicken, macaroni salad and tossed salad, green beans and sweet tea. Everyone had some of the decorated chocolate chip cookie sheet cake commemorating the event at the break at the intermission later in the afternoon. During the lunchtime, the children worked on crafts including painting and drawings and journal covers. The program following the dinner followed the CofC agenda including pledges and salutes to the US, Alabama state, Confederate 2nd National and Christian flags along with singing the Star Spangled Banner, Alabama, Dixie and a Christian hymn respectively for each. The CofC Creed was recited also. The UDC state officers present were recognized then new Sons of Confederate Veterans Southeast Central Brigade Commander Dakota Dorley brought greetings from the SCV and invited everyone to the dedication of the latest monument at the Tallassee SCV camp HQ on Saturday morning June 29th. Following the presentation by the guest speaker, the minutes from the prior convention were recognized, awards presented to children who had performed exemplary service, and nominations taken for officers for the new year. The announcement of national as well as new state CofC members was good news shared. The newly installed officers had an EC meeting following to exchange contact information and discuss plans and meetings for the upcoming year.
The guest speaker at the CofC convention was Dr. Rob Chumley, South Carolina SCV Legislative Laison who spoke of Confederate Gen. Wade Hampton. Gen. Hampton's is a legendary story. His mother died before he was born...he came from a wealthy family with a number of family members including Henry Hampton fighting in the Revolutionary War. Wade's mother was recently married and soon after the wedding she apparently died; she was dressed for burial and lying in the plantation house. Wade's father was distraught and left the house and walked thru the surrounding field to a magnolia tree where he wanted to gather some blooms when a storm struck. After it cleared and when he started back to the house, the slaves were exclaiming with joy that Mrs Hampton revived. She was mistakenly thought dead as was somewhat common in the 19th century and before modern medicine and care. Gen Hampton's devotion to duty was commendable. He was a lawyer who managed his family's plantations and served in the SC legislator. When war came, he funded and outfitted regiments including uniforms, weapons and horses. There was another story where he killed a bear with a knife in defense of his dogs. So, he carried a large sword in the War. He was wounded at Gettysburg having been surrounded by five Union soldiers and he kept them off with his large sword before they escaped jumping a fence with his horse, but sustaining a wound. After recuperating he returned to service and was in Columbia when Sherman came thru. They had to evacuate leaving the city to be burned including his parents home leaving just burnt masonry columns. After the War his character came into play...instead of leaving the country as many Confederate officers did, despite having lost his fortune and a son in the War, he started rebuilding and ran for governor campaigning with red shirts to remind all of the Confederate blood spilled. He got the US govt out of the state of SC from Reconstruction. Everyone loved him including black SC citizens. He became a US Senator and subsequently lost his home to fire but never lost his sense of leadership and duty to lead SC back from the War and Reconstruction. He lived until 1902 in SC. Our ancestors like Wade Hampton were willing to give it all. Our heroes, heritage and symbols are those of honor.
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