Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Meeting for June 2025 - Jefferson Davis

The Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 met on Thursday night June 12th at the Masonic Lodge downtwon for their monthly meeting.  Compatriot Rob Schwartz entertained everyone playing his guitar and singing songs of the South for everyone before the meeting started.  Commander Grooms led the meeting providing updates for upcoming events including the camp's booth at the Peach Jam Festival in Clanton upcoming.   Dixie butt tickets were distributed to kick off the annual camp fundraiser.  The guest speaker for this meeting was the camp's own Compatriot Tyrone Crowley who gave a presentation on Jefferson Davis and the reenactment of his 1861 presidential inauguration for the Confederate States of America. Mr. Crowley was selected to play the part of Jefferson Davis for the event, which was held in downtown Montgomery on Feb 19, 2011 as part of the SCV Confederate States of America and War for Southern Independence Sesquicentennial Celebration. https://youtu.be/Cb13I7F4uqY?si=BQFfGZzqprDe

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Chaplain's Column for June - In the Depths of Despair, Seek God

 

Excerpted from Billy Graham Evangelical Association:

 

. . . when troubles come . . . sing his praises with much joy.

—PSALM 27: 5-6 (TLB)

Christians are not altogether immune from depression.

The fact is: the trend of events and the mounting tide of evil are enough to give one sobering thoughts—Christian or not. David, the sweet singer of Israel, was not always on top of his depression. Sometimes his glad song was turned into a depressive mourning. “My tears have been my meat day and night, while continually they say unto me, Where is thy God? Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou disquieted in me?” I find that the cure for depression is praise. In other words: be so busy counting your blessings, that thoughts of gloom and despair will be crowded out.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Thank You, heavenly Father, for the Psalms which help me see that even in the depths David talked with You. Whatever my circumstances, I will learn to praise You.

AMEN.

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

 

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

 

Peach Jam Jubilee – Saturday, June 14^th , Dragoons booth, Hwy 31 and Ollie Ave., Clanton, AL

 

Prattville Independence Day Parade – Friday July 4^th, Dragoons entry, downtown Prattville

 

Prattville Cityfest –Saturday, July 19^th, Dragoons booth, Autuaga Cty fairgrounds

 

National Reunion - July 16-20^th, Houston, TX (For more information: https://scv130.com)

 

Dragoons Dixie Butt Fundraiser –Saturday, August 16th

SCV Camps Combine Efforts for Indian Hill Cemetery Cleanup

Samuel Reynolds & Allen Taunton from Tallassee Armory Guard Camp 1921 along with members of the Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 including Commander Grooms, Treasurer Dennis, and Quartermaster Myrick picked up two large loads of wood from Indian Hill Cemetery for the Battles for the Armory reenactment which is held in Tallassee in November.  The wood was left from the felling of a dead hickory tree at the cemetery.  Indian Hill Cemetery grounds maintenance is performed by Camp 1524 as part of the Alabama Division Guardian Program to care for the final resting place of Confederate Veterans.

Historic Confederate Flag Conservation by the Alabama Department of Archives and History (ADAH)

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Dragoon Tyrone Crowley attended a presentation on Flag Conservation made today at the Confederate Memorial Park Museum.  The speaker, Ryan Blocker of the Alabama Department of Archives and History (ADAH), was introduced by Park Director Calvin Chappelle.  She gave a brief history of ADAH, which was founded in 1901 by Thomas McAdory Owen, then proceeded to explain all the effort it takes to conserve the many flags from the War Between the States that are in the collection at the ADAH.  She then described in detail the conservation of three flags used by Alabama units during the War.  It was an interesting meeting and appreciated by all present, evidenced by the various questions during the Q&A that ended the event. 

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Prattville Dragoons Chaplain's Column for May 2025 - Rest and Rejuvenation in the Word of God and Reflections on Those Who Came Before Us

"I give thanks to Him who...granted me...strength and made me able (for) the ministry."

1 Timothy 1:12

 

Are you feeling burned out? Are you tired and want to give up? It could be work, church, family, SCV, or something else, or all the above? Feel worn out?

You are not alone. As a matter of fact, you are in the majority. Some interesting facts I picked up in my research. Did you know that people in the "helping professions" have a higher rate of drug abuse, alcoholism, and suicide than other professions? A major contributing factor is they only hear and see the troubles and negative side of people's lives.

How do we combat these statistics? "The Word for you Today" devotional offers some helpful hints:

 

1. Cultivate New Disciplines. Shut the door, turn off the television, and let your calls go to voicemail. Above all don't be surprised when troubles come, Jesus said they would (John 16:33).

2.Take time off regularly. And on your days off, do something different. As Spurgeon said, "If we do not rest, we shall break down." My Dad would go to the beach for a week each year to forget his problems.

3. Exercise and get enough sleep. Walk, swim, and breathe deeply. A difficult one in this era, but so necessary.

4. Learn to Relax. The opposite of 'fight or flight' syndrome. Rest for at least 20 minutes during the day with no distractions. Also, use it to spend time in prayer and conversation with God.

Some other helpful hints include to join a support group- God never intended for us to do this battle alone. Others include learning to say <NO!>, and finally, learn to remember that it's okay to have fun. I have met many in the SCV who could use a reminder on this one!

All of these are helpful hints and can be used to avoid the "burn-out," or the refreshing of the Spirit.

None of these, however, will replace time spent in the word with God and surrounding yourself with time of worship, with praise music, and daily prayer - for AT LEAST 15 minutes a day. Either in the morning or the evening. Make it a daily practice.

Finally, I would add one of my own. When I am feeling I cannot do it anymore or feel sorry for myself, I remind myself of the heroes in my life. There are many. My Dad, who, no matter how many times he got knocked down, he got back up. Even when Dementia was robbing him of everything, he kept his head up and kept fighting. I think of him everyday.

As far as the SCV goes, I can think of nobody ahead of H.K. Edgerton. HK was at the Confederate Memorial Service in Montgomery on April 26th. I have known HK for a long time. HK is a black man who wears a Confederate uniform and carries a Rebel Flag (please see picture). He's been called every imaginable racial slur, usually by his own people, but he never complains. He keeps going, he smiles and keeps moving forward.

Every time I see HK, I am re-energized. I have no excuses to not march forward with him.

We/ you need people in this life to inspire us and keep us above ground. They are sent by the Almighty to rally us.

 

Please know that I pray for this camp and each member and wish nothing but the blessings of peace and love in your life for many years to come.

Amen.

Prattville Dragoons Camp Meeting for May 2025 - Nullification

Camp 1524 Sons of Confederate Veterans held their monthly meeting on Thursday May 8th at the Masonic Lodge in downtown Prattville.  Commander Grooms was not able to attend so 1st Lt Spears ably stood in for him.  Larry also provided the opening Invocation and closing Benediction.  Following the pledge to the US flag and salutes to the Alabama state flag and Confederate Battle flag, the SCV Charge was recited by Lt Commander Spears.  A special presentation, a Brigade Recognition Award  was made by Larry for Wayne Sutherland who completed  very long service as the camp's Adjutant.  A brief report on recent activities was made by attendees including the Confederate Memorial Day programs and the spring picnic at Confederate Memorial Park.  Upcoming events and dates were then enumerated.  

The guest speaker was Editor Emeritus of the Alabama Confederate magazine and frequent columnist for the Alabama Gazette, John M. Taylor provided a presentation on Nullification. John began his discussion stating that this is not the country we were raised in where local radio stations would come on the air playing the Star Spangled Banner and sign off at night playing Dixie. John offered a definition of nullification as the right of the state to nullify federal legislation which is in violation of the Constitution. The states predated the United States government and voluntarily formed a Union preserving states' sovereignty and rights of secession and nullifcation. Jefferson in the Kentucky Resolution and Madison in the Virginia Resolution of 1798 in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts which made it against the law to criticize the federal government or the President, which was signed into law by John Adams, argued for this principle of nullification.  The Sedition Act was an abomination and direct threat to constitutional freedom of speech. 

During the Viginia Ratifying Conference of 1788, Patrick Henry and Jefferson had warned of an all powerful central federal governement.  Statists can't fathom the idea of a limited central government, including wanting military enforcement.  Frank Zappa called the federal government the entertainment arm of the military-industrial complex. Jefferson and the libertarians believe that if teh federal governement overstepped their authority, any such laws would be unenforceable.  Nullification sought to keep the Union together whereas the concept of secession allows seperation and dissolution. 

The Tariff of Abominations of 1828 was met by fierce opposition and John C. Calhoun argued for nullification of this legislation.  In response, President Andrew Jackson had a use of force bill passed for the military to collect these tariffs.  But cooler heads prevailed and a compromise was struck in 1833 and South Carolina repealed its Ordinance of Nullification refusing the Tariff. The supremacy clause of the Constitution is often cited as proof nullification is invalid but Article 1 Section 8 limits the federal governments authority. Any matter settled by force or that threat is not settled so the concept of nullification and secession is not settled.  The War for Southern Independence was a war for Northern bankers demanding continued tariff revenue. 

The Treaty of Paris of 1783 and the Articles of Confederation say states have sovereignty, that the states enjoy such if they are able to retain it as the Articles maintain. Even Alexander Hamilton a staunch federalist, stated that state's having their own constitutions infers sovereignty.  There are two definitions of nullification, one to wipe it off the books and secondly, to make the law unenforceable.  State and local governments are often the enforcement bodies of federal laws so such unconstitutional laws can be practically nullified. 

Lord Acton in his correspondence with Robert E. Lee after the War said state sovereignty was what kept the federal government in check. More and more it is clear why our Revolutionary and Confederate ancestors seceded because of the consolidation of power into a central government authority. The US came into being thru secession - such a concept is fundamentally American and patriotic. Jefferson warned that the federal government can not be the determinant of the limits to its own power.  Today with the attacks on free speech, gun ownership and confiscatory taxation, we need to derial the authoritarian regime/federal government. 

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

                                    Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

 

 

Dragoons Camp Meeting – at Prattville Masonic Lodge on Thursday May 8^th at 6:45pm

 

Division Reunion – Friday and Saturday, June 6-7^th - Athens, AL

 

Prattville Independence Day Parade – Friday July 4^th, downtown Prattville

 

Prattville Cityfest –Saturday,  July 19^th, fairgrounds

 

National Reunion - July 16-20^th, Houston, TX (For more information: https://scv130.com)

 

Dragoons Dixie Butt Fundraiser –Saturday, August 16th

Prattville Dragoons at the Alabama Division Confederate Memorial Division Program in Montgomery

Members of the Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 attended the Alabama Division Confederate Memorial Day program at the state capital on Saturday April 26th.  Members in attendance included camp Commander Grooms, Brigade Commander Waldo, 1st Lt Spears, Quartermaster Myrick, Comms Officer Davis, Adjutant Butler, Chaplain Brantley and compatriots Tyrone Crowley and Louis Turner. The rpgram started at 10am with Commander Barrett opening  the program with greetings followed by introductions of those in attendance representing other heritage organizations including the UDC, Order of Confederate Rose, Order of the Stars and Bars, and the Mechanized Cavalry.  H.K. Edgerton donned his Confederate uniform and carrying the Battle flag called out those groups that hate our Southern heritage and brave Confederate ancestors including those with offices nearby in downtown Montgomery.  Div 1st Lt Hill led everyone in the pledge to the US flag and salute to the Confederate Battle flag.  Former SCV Commander in Chief Paul Gramling presented the keynote address, a challenge to everyone to support SCV functions and events to honor our ancestors and meet the challenge of those who would wish our organization and the Charge to fail.  A commemorative callout of everyone's Confederate ancesotrs with a bell ringing followed and the program wrapped with a great singing of Dixie by everyone on the steps of the state capital building. There was firing of cannons down Dexter Avenue to punctuate the rousing celebration of our Confederate history and heritage.  Beautiful day and wonderful program for Confederate Memorial Day 2025 in Montgomery Alabama. 

Sons of Confederate Veterans Clean Historic Indian Hill Cemetery in Prattville AL

Three men from SCV Camp 1524 cleaned the Indian Hill Cemetery in Prattville on Saturday April 19th as part of the SCV Guardian Program to care for the final resting place of Confederate veterans.  Among thos buried at Indian Hill is Lt. Alfred Y. Smith who was an original Dragoon and was presented with the company flag by the ladies of Prattville before carrying it into the western theatre of Lincoln's War.   Camp 1524 Commander Grooms, Comms Ofc Davis and Treasurer Dennis pur forth the effort this Saturday to ready the cemetery for Easter Sunday.  

Dragoons Place Billboard Ad for April, Confederate History and Heritage Month

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 placed two advertisements on billboards in Prattville and Clanton to run throughout the month of April which is Confederate History and Heritage Month. 

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Spring Picnic at Confederate Memorial Park

Members and friends of the Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 enjoyed a beautiful spring day for their annual spring picnic held at Confederate Memorial Park in Marbury on Saturday April 12th.  There was a program including music to greet everyone arriving and then after an introduction, new officers were sworn in and a flag retirement cermeony was conducted to burn old flags removed from Confederate veterans graves during recent flag setting efforts at local cemeteries for Confederate History and Heritage month.  A certificate of appreciation was prsented to the Walker sisters who attended as special guests; these ladies maintained the Robinson Springs cemetery for yars before Camp 1524 took it over as part of the SCV Guardian program to care for the final resting places of Confederate veterans. Brigade certificates of appredciation were also presented to a few of the men of Camp 1524 for their lomg faithful service in advancing the Charge. The camp provided a couple smoked Dixie pork butts and attendees brought sides to share including Conecuh sausage, camp stew, beans and desserts.  The new I-65 flag site banner recently created was also posted on the wall of the pavilion prior to it being hung on the fence at the flag site by a few of the guys after the picnic wrapped on the way back to Prattville.  

"Gone with the Wind" Showing to Benefit the Talisi Historical Preservation Society

On Saturday April 5th (two showings) and Sunday April 6th, "Gone with the WInd" hit the big screen with showings at the historic Mount Vernon theater in Tallassee, Alabama.  This was part of a Talisi Historical Preservation Society fundraiser as proceeds from the ticket sales benefitted the organizations work.  Members of local SCV and UDC and other historical organizations attended including Tyrone and Carol Crowley from Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524. Tyrone donned his period dress and served as President Jefferson Davis to draw the winning ticket for the afghan raffled again as part of the fundraising effort.   Wonderful opportunity to help an historical organization while viewing one of teh all-time great movies. 

Prattville Dragoons Set Flags on Confederate Veteran Graves for April, Confederate History and Heritage Month

Members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Dragoons placed flags on the graves of the Confederate veterans at Oak Hill Cemetery in Prattville on Saturday March 29th.  Former camp Adjutant Wayne Sutherland led the effort providing maps of the veterans' graves in the historic cemetery and purchasing the Confederate Battle flags set out.  It was a rainy morning but in addition to Wayne, Brigade Commander Waldo camp Treasurer John Dennis and compatriots Billy Leverette, Darell Haywood, Louis Turner (not pictured) and Todd Rogers participated in this great annual camp event which ushers in Confederate History and Heritage month.  Many flags were still there from last year's flag setting and these were removed and will be retired in a ceremony at the camp's spring picnic upcoming in April.  

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Canp 1524 Robinson Springs Cemetery Grounds Maintenance

 Members of the Dragoons of SCV Camp 1524 performed the first grounds maintenance and cleanup of the season on Friday and Saturday March 21-22, 2025.  Camp Commander Harold Grooms cut the large portions of the cemetery on a riding lawn mower on Friday and then a small group of compatriots finished weed eating and leaf blowing, cleanup and placement of new flags on the veterans' graves on Saturday morning.  Members participating that morning included Quartermaster Bill Myrick, Adjutant Doug Butler, Comms Ofc Eric Davis and compatriot Thomas Griffith.  Robinson Springs is an historic cemetery in Millbrook AL and the final resting place of a number of veterans from the War for Southern Independence as well as 20th century conflicts.  The Dragoons care for historic cemeteries like this as part of the SCV Guardian Program to care for the gravesites of Confederate veterans. 

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Chaplains Column for March 2025 - Peace Thru a Relationship with God

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

John 14:27

 

In the Theology class I take through Samford we most often gather together online. But once or twice a month our instructor affords us the opportunity to meet in person. We meet at the Alabama Baptist Association building here in Montgomery. When there I love to grab myself a copy of the Alabama Baptist to read during breaks. I usually skim the articles and head straight to the Wordsearch. I am a word search junkie. The words are biblical and related to the articles in the issue. Recently, I was almost done with it, but I simply could not find the last word. Peace. After a lengthy struggle, I found it. Satisfied, I put the newspaper away in my backpack and went on with my night.

But I quickly returned to the search. The hardest thing to find was peace. This was so true in my life as well. The hardest thing in all our lives is to find  peace.

Studies show that one of the top issues today is mental health and happiness. We are more connected than ever before with each other, but each successive generation is lonelier than the last. The world tells us we will be happy if we buy the latest gadget, car or clothes. Or if we constantly travel. If we go online we can "find" happiness and peace through alleged connections with strangers in social media or images of a naked girl to temporarily please us. But, the joy, happiness, and peace quickly leave us. So we go and look for something else to help- drugs, alcohol, or sex. But still we are miserable. Nothing fills us up and gives us permanent peace.

Why?

Pastor Chris Hodges of The Church of the Highlands often says it is because we have a "God-sized hole in our hearts and souls" when we are not connected to God. In Phillipians 4:7, Paul writes that a connection to God, to have a relationship with God, gives us "a peace that supasses all understanding."

In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, finding peace can seem like an elusive pursuit. But one thing to keep in mind- peace is not the absence of conflict or turmoil. Peace is a deep sense of calm and contentment that can only be found in our relationship with God. We must put not just our faith in God, but our complete trust as well. And when you trust in Him, that means casting your fears and worries on Him. This is a complete act of surrender.  “Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.” – Isaiah 26:4

Trusting in Him can help bring you peace through uncertainty. You cannot solve all the problems in your life. You must cast your worries on him and trust Him to carry you through. Our Southern ancestors looked to the Lord for help during the invasion and occupation of reconstruction. They went to Church and let God handle all that was ahead of them. We must do the same.

If you feel you have wandered away from God too much for Him to care about you, then go and read Psalm 51. King David had sinned horribly. He went to the Lord with a repentant and contrite heart, asking God to blot out his transgressions and give Him peace. After everything David had done, he went to the Lord and was forgiven. David rededicated himself to a God- driven life and found more peace in his later years.

This could be an example for all of us. Let us go to the Lord with a repentant heart and ask for forgiveness. Let us then seek to live our lives with a dedication to casting our worries and fears to Him and find peace in our lives moving forward.

Amen.

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

Dragoons Camp Meeting – at the Prattville Masonic Lodge, Thursday March 13^th, 6:45 pm; social hour at 6 pm.

 

Flagging Oak Hill Cemetery for Confederate History Month – Saturday, Mar 29^th , 8am Oak Hill Cemetery, Prattville

 

Alabama Education Conference – Saturday, Mar 29^th  - Southside Community Center, Southside AL

 

Gone with the Wind -  Noon and 5pm, Saturday, April 5^th  -  Mt. Vernon Performing Arts Center in Tallassee

 

2nd annual Yellowhammer Jammer -  Saturday, April 12^th  -  Cedar Bluff, Alabama

 

Prattville Dragoons Spring Picnic -  Saturday, April 12^th  -  10am at CMP

 

Living History and Skirmish – Friday- Sunday April 25-27^th, 9am-3pm, Confederate Memorial Park, Marbury AL

 

Confederate Memorial Day at Alabama State Capital – Saturday  April 26^th. Starts at 10am

 

Division Reunion – Friday and Saturday, June 6-7^th  - Athens, AL

 

National Reunion - July 16-20^th, Houston, TX (For more information: https://scv130.com)

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Historic William B. Smith Family Cemetery Cleanup

Saturday morning February 22, a handful of  Dragoons of Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 overcame poor road conditions including slick, soupy, red mud to access the grounds of the William B. Smith Family Cemetery just off County Road 3 west of Prattville AL.  CR3 is a dirt road itself running between Hwy 14 and Hwy 82 and the access road to the cemetery is a rough track off that maintained road.  The historic cemetery is the final resting place of Dr. Arch Smith McKeithen who was the son of Callie Smith.  Arch was an original enlistee of the Prattville Dragoons, a Private but having graduated from the Medical College of Virginia prior to the War, he subsequently became the Assistant Surgeon of the CSA Provisional Army.  The men used chainsaws and other hand tools, spending about three hours cutting trees and clearing the original fence line to the cemetery.   Camp Treasurer John Dennis led teh cemetery cleanijng effort and coordinated the workday.  He was joined by Commander Harold Grooms, Adjutant Douglas Butler, Quartermaster Bill Myrick and compatriots Todd Rogers and his grandson Carson Rogers.  The men did a commendable job with first clean up.  Cemetery maintenance is a community service that the Dragoons perform and is also codified by the SCV Guardian Program to care for historic cemeteries which are the final resting place for Confederate veterans.  

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 at the Millbrook Revelers Mardi Gras Festival and Parade

Members of the Dragoons of SCV Camp 1524 participated in the Millbrook Mardi Gras festival and parade on Saturday February 15th.  Despite a misting rain shower first thing in the morning, a number of members showed up at Village Green Park at 7:30am to set up the camp's booth for the festival including a canopy, banners and tables to display all the items for sale and giveaways.  Commander Grooms, Brigade Commander Waldo, 2nd Lt Karl Wade, Quartermaster Myrick, Treasurer Billy Leverette, Color Sgt John Dennis, new Communications Officer Eric Davis, and compatriot Darrell Haywood helped set up the booth to ready it for the opening of the festival at 9am.  Mini-Battle Flags and Alabama Division educational posters and SCV literature were offered to passers-by for free and the camp had extensive stores available for purchase including car tags, ball caps, 3x5ft flags, lapel pins, patches, shot glasses, bandanas and totes emblazened with Confederate flags.  At 11am Commanders Groom and Waldo departed for the parade lineup at Mill Creek Park.  Commander Waldo's family participated riding in a Mardi Gras-apprpriately colored purple Dodge Charger flying Confederate flags and Commander Grooms drove his pickup truck onto which the camp's Mardi Grass banner was affixed.  Compatriot Thomas Griffith walked with Commander Waldo handing out candy, hundreds of mini-Battle Flags and SCV coins.  It was a fun successful Mardi Gras event and the Drgoons got the SCV and the Confederate flag out in front of all their friends and neighbors.