CAMPTALK The monthly Newsletter of the Capt. J.J. Dickison Camp 1387, 10 th Brigade, Florida Division, Army of Tennessee, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Melbourne Florida Vol. 36 No. 02 February 2016 Chartered 28 March 1981 Editor Don Young *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** February 2016 MEETING MEMAW s BBQ 600 East Eau Gallie Blvd. Indian Harbour Beach, Florida 6:00 PM 7:00 PM Order from menu 7:00 8:00 Program 8:00 8:45 Business Meeting. Meetings are the fourth Thursday of each month except November and December. Male descendants of men who served the Confederacy, their wives and others interested in the War For Southern Independence are invited to attend. CAMP OFFICERS CAMP STAFF Chaplain Tim Cobb 321-259-8391 Color Sgt Rob Murray 321-269-7747 Treasurer Tom Watkins 321-254-0241 Q termaster Marc Thornton 321-698-4550 Tew4515@yahoo.com 2 nd Lt. Rick Still 321-984-9967 Judge Advocate Don Lock 321-752-9276 Rickscv1387@att.net 1 st Lt. Larry Thornton Webmaster Tom Watkins 321-254-0241 Adjutant Rob Murray 321-269-7747 Editor Don Young 321-452-3207 rmurray2@cfl.rr.com ducklanding@cfl.rr.com Commander Marc Thornton 321-698-4550 Heritage Don Young 321-452-3207 lmthorn@juno.com Recording Sec. Miss June 321-984-9967 UDC/OCR Liaison Miss June 321-984-9967 Stillvill2@bellsouth.net COMMANDERS CORNER FaceBook Admin Mike Reynolds 321-574-545 Greetings, I look forward to seeing everyone at the February meeting. God Bless the South! Commander L.M. Thornton Note: Cmdr. Thornton has been out of Town.
*************************************************************************** EVENT 06 Feb. Sharpes Cemetery Cleanup 10 am to 1 pm 11 Feb. E-board meeting 12-14 Feb. Battle of Olustee Boycott Lake City businesses and the parade 25 Feb. Camp Meeting 27 Feb. Donate Garage Sale items - Call Miss June for pick up. FLOAT work same time 05 Mar. Robert Lee Weaver Celebration of Life 285 Milford Pt. Merritt Island 05 Mar. Florida Division Confederate Flag and Rally Day Tampa FAF site, see flyer 05 Mar. 9 th Annual Last Battle of Rev. War Commemoration 09 Mar. Finding Confederate Soldier Ancestors, 9:30 am, Trinity Episc 1830 S. Babcock 12 Mar. Melbourne St. Patrick s Day Parade muster at 9, step off 11 18-20 Mar. 23 nd Annual Battle at Narcoossee Mill 27 Mar. St. Augustine Easter Parade muster at Old Jail area 1:30 pm, step off 3:00 pm 09 April Spring Officers Call SE Region 24 April Confederate Memorial Day Ceremony Melbourne Cemetery 05-6 May SCV Chaplains' Conference see article or compatriot Dr. Ray Parker for details 03-5 Jun. Florida Division Reunion *************************************************************************** PROGRAM Florida Secession Our Florida Confederate History series continues with compatriot Justin Murrell presenting an in depth look at events surrounding Florida Secession 10 January 1861. Recall that Justin has already done a program on National Secession last fall; it is a topic we need to understand and be ready to discuss. ************************************************************************** Color Guard Events by Color Sgt. Rob Murray Saturday March 05, 2016 - The annual commemoration of the Last Naval Battle of the Revolutionary War will be held at the Brevard Veterans Center, 400 South Sykes Creek Parkway, Merritt Island, FL 32952-3547. That s south east of, just behind, the Merritt Island Mall. We will muster at 0915 and the program will begin at 1000. This is an easy one folks; all we have to do is carry our flags and march a very short review route. Uniforms and ladies period dress preferred but not required. Saturday March 12, 2016 - Melbourne St. Patrick s Day Parade. We will muster at 0900 AM at the N.E. corner of US 1 and the parking lot of Melbourne Avenue along the railroad tracks. We will have our float available for riders. We will also have our Camp Color Guard. The early muster time is to allow us to get set up and move to the start point west of downtown. Step-off is at 1100. Sunday March 27, EASTER St. Augustine Easter Parade. We will caravan (with camp float) up I-95 and US 1 to the Old Jail area (intersection of San Marco Ave. and Williams Dufferin Streets). Muster will start at 1:00 pm with step off at 3 pm. This is a grand event and last year the SVC/UDC unit had a carriage, mounted living history figures, float, Mechanized Cavalry and Color Guard. If you would like a ride contact Color Sgt. Rob Murray, Cmdr. Marc Thornton or Don Young.
Virginia Flaggers by Susan Hathaway Saturday 13 February http://www.nbc12.com/story/31208298/va-flaggers-another-confederate-flag-to-be-raisedon-i-95 This morning, we woke to temperatures in the low 20's, and as I added layers and gathered cold weather gear, I considered that the frigid temperatures would likely mean a small, but dedicated crowd at the flag raising in Prince George later that morning. The forecast called for cloudy skies and high winds, but by the time we arrived at the site, the sun made an appearance and when the service began at 11:00 a.m., and to our amazement, over 150 folks had gathered to be a part of the dedication ceremony. The Edmund Ruffin Fire-Eaters Camp #3000 Color Guard opened the ceremony, accompanied by Pipe Major David Hinton. Army of Northern Virginia Mechanized Cavalry Major Willie Wells shared information on the history of the Great Beef Steak Raid, and Wayne Jones of South Carolina spoke about General Wade Hampton. Honks of approval from passing vehicles began even before the flag was raised. One trucker actually pulled his rig over right on the side of I-95 to take photos in the middle of the ceremony! This project was a joint effort of the Virginia Flaggers and the Army of Northern Virginia Mechanized Cavalry, and the lion's share of the site work was done by Willie Wells. To honor him for his hard work and dedication the honor of raising the flag was given to four generations of Wellses...Willie Earl Wells, Jr., Willie Earl Wells III, Wade Hampton Wells, and Kamdin
Wayne Wells, all helped hoist her high, while Pipe Major David Hinton played "The Bonnie Blue Flag". The brisk wind meant that she immediately flew at full sail, to the cheers and delight of all who had gathered. After the flag was raised, the Captain William Latane Camp #1690 Color Guard fired a rifle salute, followed by a cannon salute, benediction and a rousing rendition of "Dixie's Land" by all in attendance. The I-95 Wade Hampton Memorial Battle flag was dedicated to the Glory of God and in memory and honor of General Wade Hampton and the Confederate soldiers who fought and died in defense of the Commonwealth. She will also fly as a 24/7 reminder that there are still many of us with Confederate blood flowing through our veins who are no longer willing to sit quietly by while our history and heritage, and the honor of our ancestors is attacked. The visibility of this location is stunning, and we were able to get several good photos from I-95, and with the help of Judy Smith Photography, Jeff Seymour, and Tredegar DroneWorks. The Virginia Flaggers and the Army of Northern Virginia Mechanized Cavalry wish to thank each and every person whose generosity made this project and this glorious day possible, including James Bibb and the folks at "Just Go Detecting", who raffled off a hand made ANV battle flag, the proceeds of which paid for the custom 20' x 20' battle flag that was raised. We were pleased that they could attend the ceremony so that we could thank them in person. Thank you all for your continued support. This was the 18th roadside memorial flag raised in the Commonwealth, and the third on I-95 since the fall of 2013, and we are every day in awe of the way God is moving and working among His people, to further His kingdom and our Cause. God bless Wade Hampton and his Red Shirts...and God save the South! ************************************************************** Membership Applications Approved The Camp 1387 E-board has approved membership applications for Cleveland Austin Grant and Arthur Rogers Hitch. Any questions, comments, or concerns involving these gentlemen should be addressed in writing to Commander Thornton.
***************************************************************** Compatriot Robert Lee Weaver 06 March 1931 to 22 November 2015 Saturday 05 March we will gather at Lee Ann Weaver Phillips Young s and Don s home from 1 pm to 4 pm for a Celebration of Life for Bob. If you have stories or photos of Bob please bring them to share. Soft drinks and snacks will be provided and you are encouraged to bring any special beverage you may want along with that special something covered dish folks just can t keep their hands out of. Casual dress only please, Bob would not appreciate coats or ties. Bob was always moved by SCV Memorial Day ceremonies and treasured his role of reading some of the poems presented; we will repeat a couple of his favorites. All family and friends are welcome; 285 Milford Point Drive, Merritt Island. That s SR 520 at the Banana River and ¼ mile north behind the Lincoln dealership. The Battle Flags that will be flying were given to Don by Bob. Call Lee Ann (Miss Lee to SCV types) 321-452-3207 for more information. Victory for Southern Heritage The Shriner s have pulled back from their PC policy of not participating in any event where a Battle Flag is allowed to be displayed. The revised policy is that the Shrine units are not permitted to display a CBF within their own units. The revision came after the National leadership was slammed with complaints from all over the Confederation. These included Masons and Shriners who were outraged and prepared to quit as well as bombardment from we in the Southern Heritage Community. Hoorah! One for the good guys! Power of the pen! GSSB Program CSA Ancestors by Nick Nichols Members might be interested in a program that the Genealogy Society of South Brevard is going to have on Wednesday 09 March at the Parish Hall of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 1830 S. Babcock St, Melbourne. There will be signs directing you to the Parish Hall. The Program is "Finding your Confederate Soldier Ancestors". A social starts at 9:30AM with the program starting at 10:00AM. They are expecting a large turnout for this program, so I would suggest that you get there early if you want a good seat. SCV Chaplains' Conference The SCV Chaplains' Conference is scheduled for May 5-6, 2016 at the Providence Baptist Church, 1441 Erickson Avenue, Harrisonburg, Virginia. Pastor Lloyd Sprinkle is our host pastor. We thank Pastor Sprinkle and his lovely wife Jacqueline for their willingness to help in this way. The Providence Church is an excellent facility for the Conference. All Chaplains, Compatriots, spouses, and friends are encouraged attend. Ray Parker Chap-in-Chief drparker@mdivs.edu ******************************************************************
Slave Ancestor General Lee s Orderly by Al Arnold, Family Historian, Arnold & Elliott Family Reunion, Monroe County, Mississippi 601-213-8194 http://www.orderlyforlee.com I am a graduate of Ole Miss University and an Alumni of a historical Black college, Jackson State University. I live in Madison, MS and published a book in October, 2015. Robert E. Lee's Orderly A Modern Black Man's Confederate Journey tells the story of my great-great grandfather, Turner Hall Jr., the discovery of my Confederate Heritage and how I reconcile both through my Christian faith. A descendant of a slave, Al Arnold, tells his journey of embracing his Confederate heritage. His ancestor, Turner Hall, Jr., a Black Confederate, served as a body servant for two Confederate soldiers and an orderly for General Robert E. Lee. Turner Hall, Jr. returned to Okolona, Mississippi after the Civil War. Hall served a prominent family in that community for five generations. His life's journey eventually led him to Hugo, Oklahoma where he established himself as the town's most distinguished citizen receiving acclaim from Black and White citizens alike for his service. In 1938, his journey continued to Pennsylvania as the last Civil War veteran from his community to attend the final Civil War veteran reunion, as a Black Confederate. He also traveled to New York City and was interviewed by the national talk radio show, "We, The People" in 1940. One hundred and three years after the Civil War, Hall's great-great grandson, Al Arnold, was born in Okolona, Mississippi. Raised in North Mississippi, Al would later discover the history of his ancestor and began an eight year journey of why, how and for what reasons his ancestor served the Confederate armies? To his amazement, Al discovered that seventy two years after the Civil war, his ancestor was a proud Confederate and held in his possession a cherished gift from the Confederate Civil War general, Nathan Bedford Forrest. Al's personal research discovered that his ancestor was owned by Forrest and was enthusiastically warm toward the general and his service to the Confederate armies. This amazing connection to two famous Confederate generals awakened a new perception of curiosity about Confederate heritage in Al and challenged his traditional thoughts. He grew to accept his heritage and now embraces it with a desire to see African Americans embrace Confederate heritage instead of rejecting it on the notion of modern ideology. This is a deep personal journey of faith, heritage, race and family wrapped around the grace of God through the eyes and honest thoughts of a modern black man. Al tells the story of Turner Hall, Jr., his personal Confederate journey and how family and faith has brought harmony to his new found heritage. Arnold argues for the revitalization of the lost Black history of the Civil War era. He bestows dignity and honor on his Confederate ancestor and challenges the traditional thoughts of modern African Americans. Arnold rests in his faith as the uniting force that reconciles our colorful past to our bright future. *****************************************************************
The Part Black History Month Forgets Tens of Thousands of Black CSA Soldiers This should be part of every Black Pride and celebration event. Lee s Orderly