CAMP DISPATCH            

PRATTVILLE DRAGOONS

CAMP 1524

 

 

Brigade Commander Carl Jones Will Speak at January Meeting

 

December 2011 Was A Month To Remember for Dragoons

December 2011 was a month which will long be remembered by those Dragoons and others who took part in the three events that the Dragoons planned for and participated in:  the Prattville Christmas Parade, the Dragoon Christmas Social, and the Vida Christmas Parade.

Dragoon Entry In Prattville Christmas Parade.  The Prattville Dragoons entry and participation in the Prattville Christmas Parade was a big success thanks to the hard work of devoted individuals.  Billy Leverette helped decorate, provided his truck to pull the float, programmed the music, and helped break the float down.  Billy's wife Cathie and two of his grandchildren threw candy to onlookers.  Others participating were Chris Booth, Bill Myrick (first man there Saturday morning to decorate trailer, which he provided), Stuart Waldo (coordinator of our participation), Tom Snowden, and Tyrone Crowley.  Compatriot Mike Whorton rounded up a nice bunch of folks and brought them over from Wetumpka to help support our Christmas float.  Several ladies in period dress added a nice touch to our entry.  These faithful compatriots show up every year to support us this way.  The Dragoons thank everyone who helped make our effort here a success.  We were, as usual, well received by the crowd.

 

Dragoon Christmas Social Declared To Be "Best Yet".  Thanks to careful planning by your Executive Committee, good execution by all concerned, and the growing reputation of the event, our Christmas Social at Buena Vista was another resounding success this year--said by several to be the best one ever.   Several of our own members and those attending from the Henry C. Semple Camp and other camps voiced this opinion.

First Sue Spears and later Adjutant Wayne Sutherland greeted arrivals with a door-prize ticket and a name tag.  With frequent servings of General Lee Egg Nog as appetizers offered by Communications Officer Tyrone Crowley and Past Commander Larry Spears, early arrivals enjoyed the social hour and Mrs. Ruth Graham’s beautiful piano playing from 6-7 p.m. (Miss Ruth added in some non-Christmas sentimental numbers, enjoyed by those who remember them).  This year Miss Ruth started off with the “Prattville Light Dragoons March”, having it announced to the folks present so that they'd know the importance of the tune.  At 7, Commander Chris Booth welcomed all those present and Chaplain Tom Snowden blessed the delicious catered food so efficiently and graciously provided by three ladies from Red’s Little School House.

At 7:30 Commander Booth repeated his welcome and introduced Communications Officer Tyrone Crowley who offered those present some background on the 180-year-old house and some of its history (sons of the builder were Confederate soldiers and the Dragoons held their first reunion there in July 1901, when the land was still known as the Montgomery Place).  Next, 2Lt Cmdr Stuart Waldo and Carol Crowley pleased the attendees by handing out door prizes.  In keeping with tradition during the evening, Miss Ruth ended by playing “Dixie”, as all present sang along.  This year, due to the extraordinarily high spirit of the entire affair, "Dixie" just about "brought the house down".  Everyone left happy and satisfied, after a fine evening of socializing and enjoying one another's company.

Bill and Peggy Myrick provided nice table centerpieces, which were also given out as prizes, and the Myricks also provided a grand prize of a silver coin.  As always, Lt Commander Wyatt Willis provided a large Battle Flag which earlier in the afternoon Lt Commander Waldo had risked life and limb to hang from the second-floor balcony, thus providing a great backdrop for photos.  This flag, Miss Ruth's piano music, and the complimentary General Lee Egg Nog provided by your Camp officers have become anticipated and requested traditions at the Dragoon Christmas Social.

 

 

Charlie Graham Discusses “Free State of Winston” Column – Part 4 of 4

(If you read the Prattville Progress you know that Dragoon Charlie Graham can lay out the “cold, hard facts” in his letters to the editor.  Here’s his response to a recent column by local political commentator Steve Flowers on the “Free State of Winston”, an episode from Alabama history in 1860.  Pay attention and you will learn some forgotten history from our own “Professor Graham”.  This is the final of 4 Parts.)

            What little I have read on Home Guards during the War Between the States gives me the impression that in many cases they were simply draft dodgers up to no good.  There was a ruthless guard like that in my childhood home of Jones County, Mississippi, headed by a scuzzbag by the name of Newton Knight.  They would rob from the old men, women and children trying to maintain households while the men were away at war.  Some say that Newt Knight made several attempts to join the Union forces but they would not accept him.  Some Harvard writers put a spin on the facts and have attempted to make Newt a pristine crusader for racial equality and the Union because he was miscegenous.  When Confederate Major Amos McLemore came to conscript Newt and his guard in 1863, Newt sneaked up and shot the major in the back while he was visiting at the residence of Representative Amos Deason.  I remember the Deason house in Ellisville where I lived.  It was rumored to be haunted.  My mother told me that they never could get the bloodstain from the floor in front of the fireplace where he was shot.  It would re-appear from time to time, as would an unnerving feeling that Major McLemore was present.

            Though Jones County was also said by legend to be a free state, the county seat of Ellisville produced the Ellisville Invincibles along with seven other Confederate Companies from the immediate area. After the end of the War the Mississippi legislature changed the name of Jones County to Davis (after Jefferson Davis) and Ellisville to Leesburg (after Robert E. Lee).  The 1869 Reconstruction Constitution developed under the auspices of the post-war scalawag legislature under US Army control changed the names back.  Winston County, Alabama, remains named after a Confederate soldier.

            I somehow came away from reading Mr. Flowers' article with the feeling that when he said, “the good people of Winston County decided to secede from Alabama and remain in the Union,” he was at the same time calling the black belt planters and other secessionists something less than good.  He did clarify that it was not cost effective for the 40-acre hill farmers of Winston County to employ slavery but I think that Winston County perhaps is unique in another way. I was surprised to learn that the 2010 census shows the current population to be 95.6% white and only .5% black.

            In 1850 Hancock County which became Winston County in 1858 had no churches, no libraries, only four schools and four teachers.  There were 1480 whites and 62 (4%) slaves.  256 white adults out of the 251 total dwellings could not read or write.  In 1860 there were 3450 whites and 122 (3.5%) slaves.

            With the expertise and vocabulary to write in the politically-correct mode one could easily get published in 27 newspapers. I would not be willing to compromise my soul, heritage and the truth for this status.

 

Commander's Column:  Happy New Year, and Remember the SCV Charge!

Happy New Year.  As the New Year is about to dawn we look forward to the events and ceremonies that we will have this year in honoring and remembering our Confederate ancestors.  Our well-attended monthly meetings will continue with the excellent speakers and dinner at Shoney’s for those who wish to eat.  General Robert E. Lee’s birthday will be celebrated on January 16^th even though we all know his birthday is January 19^th.  Watch for our annual Lee Birthday announcement in local newspapers.  And be sure to get your reservations for the steak dinner being offered Friday January 20^th by the Semple Camp in Montgomery in honor of Generals Lee and Jackson (see "Upcoming Events" near the end of this newsletter).

We plan for the Camp to continue our annual observation of Confederate History Month in April by placing flags on the gravesites of Confederate soldiers and holding a picnic at Confederate Memorial Park (with BBQ provided by Fatman's), as well as our annual ceremony on Confederate Memorial Day which falls on April 23^rd this year.  I would also like to continue our presence at Prattville’s Cityfest which is scheduled for May 5^th this year.  This is a great opportunity to continue to get our name out and to recruit new members.  During the second half of the year we will also continue our many activities in support of educating the public while remembering and honoring our Confederate ancestors. 

            I will end this year's columns with a reminder of the Charge to the Sons of Confederate Veterans as given by Lt. General Stephen Dill at a National Reunion in New Orleans in 1906:

"To you, Sons of Confederate Veterans, we submit the vindication of the Cause for which we fought; to your strength will be given the defense of the Confederate soldier's good name, the guardianship of his history, the emulation of his virtues, the perpetuation of those principles he loved and which made him glorious and which you also cherish. Remember, it is your duty to see that the true history of the South is presented to future generations."

Lt. General Stephen Dill Lee, Commander General

United Confederate Veterans

New Orleans, Louisiana 1906

Chris Booth

 

Chaplain’s Column:  It Is Not Ours to Ask "Why?"

“As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven: He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” 2 Samuel 22:31

             While attending a State Division Reunion, on the 21^st of May, 2011, I heard an SCV member ask our State Chaplain a question which has concerned me ever since that meeting. His question was, Why did God allow the War Between The States to come out like it did and why did God allow the North to win when our side was right? The question concerned me regarding the spiritual well-being of our SCV or at least for part of its membership. I have always been taught to never doubt God and the decisions He makes. I thought the State Chaplain gave an excellent answer to this question and following are my thoughts concerning these questions.

             My friend, when bewilderment enshrouds you and despair looms at your door, when trials storm your life--you may want to ask God:  Why? We may never understand why things are happening the way they are in our life now, or why the war was allowed to come out the way it did but that’s not our job. You see, it is not necessary for you to know why. That is God’s question. Your response is all that matters. When we can’t feel His hand, we must trust His heart. Our job is to simply trust and obey.

             Is there something happening in your life or in the past, for which you have no explanation, but we wish for answers? Ask God to give you peace and grace to trust Him. The biggest thing we must weigh in on is the question of salvation. If you are saved when you go to Heaven, you will then be able to ask God those unanswered questions you have looming in your heart. Let’s lay aside all those burdensome questions and through prayer lay them at His feet, believing that God is good, loving, all knowing and in control.

Yours In Christ,

 

Camp News

Dragoon Newsletter Published Early For January - Your Dragoon Dispatch editor is leaving town right after Christmas to visit grandchildren, so this issue is reaching you about two weeks early.  Be sure to read the next meeting announcement on page 6 and mark your calendar now so that you won't forget the meeting and thereby miss this educational speaker, Alabama Division Northwest Central Brigade Commander Carl Jones.

 

Upcoming Events

Lee-Jackson Dinner, Montgomery – Friday 20 January 2012.   Dalraida Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 3817 Atlanta Highway.  Sponsored by Henry C. Semple Camp SCV Camp 2002.  Dick Brewbaker will be the speaker, and food will be provided by Country Foods Catering of Ozark.  Dragoon Tyrone Crowley will read the poem, "Lee At Jacksonville".  Cost is $20 per person.  The Semple Camp supports our Christmas Social and we reciprocate by attending their Lee-Jackson Dinner the following month.  (A steak dinner for $20 is a bargain these days--editor.)

Please make your reservations before January 15 by sending a check for $20.00 per person made out to “SCV Camp 2002”.  Fellowship begins at 6:30 PM and dinner will be served at 7:00 PM.  Mail your check to: Alan Parker, 336 Mont Vista Drive, Montgomery AL 36109.

Questions:  334-207-3641 or alantparker@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

The Prattville Dragoons, Camp 1524

Sons of Confederate Veterans

D. Tyrone Crowley, Editor

114 William Court

Prattville, Alabama 36066

 

 

Next Meeting will be Thursday, 12 January, at Shoney's in Prattville.  Our speaker will be Alabama Division Northwest Central Brigade Commander Carl Jones, who will speak on "Vindicating the Cause", a discussion of the doctrine of secession from an originalist view of the Constitution as given to us by our Founders.

Deo Vindice

Send comments, suggestions, or contributions to editor D. Tyrone Crowley