Prattville Dragoons Flag Setting at Oak Hill Cemetery

Camp 1524's first observance of Confederate History and Heritage Month was the flag setting at Oak Hill Cemetery in Prattville.  Eleven Dragoons including Chaplain Tom Snowden, Communications Officer Larry Spears and father James Spears, 1st Lt Harold Grooms, George Jenks, Karl Wade, Louis Turner Jr and Louis Turner Sr, Quartermaster Bill Myrick and Tyrone Crowley set flags at Oak Hill Cemetery in Prattville, the first of the Confederate History and Heritage Month events scheduled for the upcoming month.  Stick flags were purchased by Adjutant Wayne Sutherland who led the flag setting effort on the brisk morning and also compiled and provided cemetery maps showing all the Confederate veteran graves.

     Chaplain Snowden led everyone in prayer before they dispersed to different sections of the cemetery and as our mission was completed, all paused for another prayer led by our distinguished Chaplain who thanked God for the sacrifice of these good Confederates and their families. We then went our separate ways to mark other Confederate veteran graves in other cemeteries. God bless the memory of these brave men who fought desperately for independence and whose blood still flows in our veins.

In Memory of Appomattox - Lee's General Order No.9

Appomattox, April 9, 1865.  Note Lee never surrendered, he yielded hostilities.  He said at the time, "I would rather die a thousand deaths” than to go meet Grant and do what his sense of duty compelled him to do.

General Order
No. 9

After four years of arduous service marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources.

I need not tell the survivors of so many hard fought battles, who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to the result from no distrust of them.

But feeling that valour and devotion could accomplish nothing that could compensate for the loss that must have attended the continuance of the contest, I have determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen.

By the terms of the agreement, officers and men can return to their homes and remain until exchanged. You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed, and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to you his blessing and protection.

With an unceasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your Country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration for myself, I bid you an affectionate farewell.

                                                        — R. E. Lee, General 

Prattville Dragoons Camp 1524 News

Camp News

Confederate History and Heritage Month Electronic Billboard Advertisement - The Dragoons placed an advertisement on the two Glover Media electronic billboards at Main and Hwy-31 and at Hwy 14 and I-65.  Ads will display continuously throughout the month, 20,160 image displays including the SCV logo.  The Alabama Division matched the camp’s advertisement investment.  Look for these billboards throughout the month.

“Retired” Camp Dispatch Editor Tyrone Crowley was recognized for his ten year labor as editor of a superb newsletter during the camp meeting on March 12th. Chris Booth, who has served honorably as Commander and Lt. Commander is also taking a break from a leadership position but will assuredly remain active in the camp. We owe Commander Booth a very special “Thank You” for his leadership and devotion to duty to the Dragoons these past many years.

Prattville Cityfest – The Dragoons will again sponsor an info booth at the annual Prattville Cityfest along Main Street on Saturday May 2^nd.  Come by to say hello or help man the booth and help distribute mini-Battle flags and SCV information to all the festival passers-by.  

H.L. Hunley JROTC Awards – Camp 1524 will again present SCV Hunley awards to two JROTC cadets exhibiting commitment to their units at Prattville and Stanhope-Elmore High Schools. Awards programs will be held the evening of April 9^th and the morning of the 15^th respectively.

SCV Camp Shirts - Golf and dress shirts are still available to Dragoons for $16 and $19 respectively.  These handsome shirts are customized by Sew Fine Embroidery in Wetumpka.  Contact Tyrone Crowley.

Graves Registry on SCV National Website – The National SCV.org website has a graves registry for archiving cemeteries and the Confederate veterans interred there.  Benny Harris has committed to helping get the Indian Hills, Robinson Springs and Rocky Mount cemeteries listed in that database; please contact him regarding any other cemeteries in Autauga and Elmore county.

Robinson Springs Monument Battle Flag – Former Commander Wyatt Willis approached the owner of the property adjacent to the Robinson Springs Confederate Monument in Millbrook and received approval to erect a flagpole including a Confederate Battle flag on a parcel adjacent to the existing monument.  Chris Booth is researching the project from a legal perspective to start.

SCV Television - The first edition of SCV TV's video has been posted at https://vimeo.com/120903649 as Lt CiC Tom Strain notes the output from the Recruiting seminar at Elm Springs on 21 February 2015. More editions will follow. If you have a request for a topic, please send them in to either Lieutenant Commander-in-Chief Tom Strain or Executive Director Mike Landree. 

Confederate History and Heritage Month Billboard Advertisement

The Prattville Dragoons purchased space on 2 digital billboards in the Prattville area to announce Confederate History and Heritage Month. They are located at or near Memorial Dr. and E. Main St. and I-65 and Hwy 14. The message which includes the SCV logo are on digital billboards and will rotate with other messages but will have several thousand potential views during the month. Take a look at them when you are in the area and take pride in the positive exposure of the Sons of Confederate Veterans!

The SCV logo shows up exceptionally well on the bright red background and of course includes our beloved Battle Flag. We thank Brigade Commander David Brantley for obtaining Alabama Division Brigade advertising funds to help the camp with the expense of these billboards. Thanks to Treasurer Leverette for the fantastic idea and the Executive Committee for executing the design and details. 

April is our Confederate History and Heritage month to celebrate and promote the Confederacy and the heroes it produced, including your and my ancestors. This is a great opportunity to attend memorial events, decorate graves of veterans and explain to people why you believe in the Confederacy and what it stood for. We are all encouraged to remember our Confederate ancestors in some positive manner in April.

Prattville Dragoons Chaplains Column for April 2015 - Happy Easter

From the Camp 1524 Dispatch:

Chaplain’s Column:  The First Empty Tomb

            America begins showing signs of Easter earlier and earlier every year. Plastic eggs for sale by the millions, chocolate eggs and bunny rabbits in every store, pastel colored Easter baskets and bundles of plastic green "grass" to fill them -- the world's signs of Easter can't be missed. But today's signs of Easter are a far cry from the signs that proved the reality of the very first Easter morning.

     Even more important for each of us is the fact that Jesus is the only person who has an empty tomb. Everyone else who's died has returned to the dust, but Christ is alive and seated at the Father's right hand. Because He overcame death, His followers are also guaranteed empty tombs someday. When Jesus returns for His church, those who have died in Him will be resurrected into glorious bodies. And believers who are alive at that time will instantaneously be changed.

      Knowing this, we naturally wonder, “What kind of body will I have?” The best way to answer that is to see what Scripture reveals about Christ's body after He rose from the dead. He didn't come invisibly in the form of a ghost but rather had a literal, physical body. He talked, walked, and ate with His disciples. Yet although He was recognizable, He was somehow different, and at times it took His words or actions to jog their recognition.

     Here's one thing I can tell you about the resurrection: you will look better than you do today! God is going to give you a strong, glorious, eternal body which is perfectly fitted for your life in heaven. Believe me, you will not be disappointed, because God has far more in store for us on the other side than we can ever imagine. You will be more alive there than you could ever be here.

     A more important issue we must face is how to get ready for that day. This life is just a puff of wind compared to our eternity. It's my personal opinion that the way we live here on earth will determine our capacity to enjoy heaven. Jesus replaced the sting of sin with salvation and the pain of death with paradise. In Him, we have paradise ahead! The time to begin living for God is now.

     Remember to pray for the Dragoons that all we do will be pleasing to God. We could also pray for growth in membership.

     Please remember all those on our prayer list.

Yours In Christ

Tom Snowden, Chaplain

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

From the April Camp 1524 Dispatch:

Upcoming Events

Work Day at Indian Hills Cemetery - Saturday April 11^th, 2015, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.  All Dragoons are encouraged to come and help, for any amount of time they choose. From the junction of Highways 82 and 14 in west Prattville, go north (toward Tuscaloosa) on Highway 82 for two miles.  Turn left onto County Road 86.  Go 1.6 miles and you'll see Indian Hills Cemetery on your left.

Dragoons Easter Picnic – The annual picnic will be held on Saturday April 4^that Confederate Memorial Park the day before Easter; following the flag setting at 9am at the cemeteries, a program at 10:30am followed by a picnic lunch (meat provided by the camp, bring a covered dish); Easter goodie baskets will be provided for all children so please contact a camp officer if you will be bringing children to get a count for the Easter bunny.

Division Sesquicentrennial Event on April 11^th, 2015 at 1pm at Spanish Fort, dedication of Fort McDermott Confederate Memorial park – scvsemmes@aol.com

Battle of Selma Re-enactment Event April 23-26^th,see battleofselma.com for further information.

Confederate Memorial Day – April 27^th, 2015 10am at the Confederate Monument at the State Capitol, a UDC and Alabama Division SCV event.

Indian Hills Cemetery Rededication on April 27^th starting at 5:30pm, Confederate Memorial Day; event will include reenactments, cannon fire, music, speakers, and bonfires.

150th Anniversary of the Battle of Columbus (GA) on May 2 & 3, contact maintenance@portcolumbus.org or (706) 604-5768

Confederate Circle Dedication, May 23^rd, 2015 1pm, Old Live Oak Cemetery, Selma - This will be the culmination of a couple of years of dedicated effort at this very historic site by the Friends of Forrest. Tours starting at 9:30am.

2015 Alabama Division Reunion – June 5-7^th, 2015 in Tallassee – see aladivscv.com for information

General Forrest’s Birthday Celebration – July 11^th, 2015 at Ft. Dixie

New Battle Flag Near Lexington, Virginia Interstate

Saturday morning,March 28th, in a private ceremony, the Virginia Flaggers raised a 20' x 30' battle flag on an 80' pole on private land on Interstate I-81/I-64 just north/east of Lexington, Virginia.. 

…To the Glory of God and in memory and honor of our gallant Confederate heroes. 

“The world shall yet decide,
In truth’s clear far-off light
That the soldiers who wore the grey and died with Lee
Were in the right.”

She will fly proudly as a living, breathing memorial to our Confederate dead, and a beautiful tribute to our gallant ancestors. But, in the face of constant attacks by those who worship ignorance, historical revisionism, and political correctness, and at a time when the town of Lexington seems determined to completely ignore the sacrifice of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, she will also be a visible reminder to all who see her that there are still many of us with Confederate blood coursing through our veins, who refuse to allow the ignorance and prejudice of others to force us to relinquish our birthright. 

The Lexington I-81 Memorial Battle Flag is the fourth roadside memorial battle flag erected in Virginia by the Va Flaggers since September of 2013, and part of an ongoing project to promote Confederate history and heritage, and honor Confederate Veterans in the Commonwealth. This project, and numerous other heritage defense efforts, is made possible through the generosity of supporters from across America and beyond.

Long may she wave!

Gifts to the Va Flaggers Roadside Memorial Battle Flag Fund can be mailed to:

Virginia Flaggers
P.O. Box 547
Sandston VA 23150
Or through PayPal here:  http://www.vaflaggers.com/i95flagdonate.html