Meet the Sons of Confederate Veterans
Within months following the cessation of hostilities between the North and South in
1865, groups of male descendants of those who served in the Confederate Army and
Navy were formed throughout the South. Their main objective was the welfare and
comfort of the veterans who had "worn the gray." They soon realized their efforts
would be more effective if they joined together in some sort of federation. In this
way, they could render assistance to support the United Confederate Veterans
which had been organized in New Orleans on June 10, 1889.
Such a federation became a reality on July 1, 1896 in Richmond, Virginia during
the annual re-union of the United Confederate Veterans. On this date twenty-four
"camps" from five Southern states, approved the formation of the "United Sons of
Confederate Veterans." J.E.B. Stuart, Jr., was elected the first leader.
The United Sons of Confederate Veterans declared certain objectives. Because they
had initially formed camps to assist the Confederate veterans, it was only natural
that they were committed "... to comfort, succor, and assist needy, Confederate
Veterans, their wives, widows and orphans." Their annual meetings were held on
the same date and site as that of the United Confederate Veterans.
However, these farsighted young men realized that the day would come when there
would be no more veterans, widows or orphans to assist. Therefore one of their
declared objectives was to see" ...that the events of the War Between the States are
authentically and dearly written..." remembered and defended.
In 1912 the name was shortened to "Sons of Confederate Veterans.” Today the
Sons of the Confederate Veterans [SCV] is growing throughout the South and the
nation.
The SCV is a voluntary organization of direct and collateral descendants of those
who served honorably in the Army and Navy of the Confederate States of America.
It is patriotic, historic.al, educational, benevolent, non-political and non-sectarian.
The SCV is organized into three departments as was the Confederate Army. The
Army of Northern Virginia Department, comprising the states of Virginia,
Maryland, North and South Carolina, West Virginia, the District of Columbia and
those states located east of Ohio and North of Virginia. The Army of Tennessee
Department consisting of Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi,
Florida and those states not included in the other departments. The Army of Trans-
Mississippi consisting of Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, New
Mexico and all other states west of the Mississippi River.
The SCV is led by a Commander-in-Chief and Lieutenant Commander-in-Chief,
both of whom are elected in even years, for a term of two years. Between the
annual re-unions the administrative responsibilities are vested in the General
Executive Council.
SCV general headquarters is located in Columbia, Tennessee. Elm Springs, an ante-
bellum mansion, is the site of our national offices. Member's records and ancestry
are maintained here. Daily business affairs are conducted by an Executive Director
chosen by the General Executive Council.
The Confederate Veteran, official magazine of the SCV, is published 6 times per
year. The cost of the magazine is included in membership dues.
Each Army Department is divided into Divisions. Unless otherwise authorized by
the Commander-in-Chief each division must contain at least 5 camps. A division is
composed of camps found within a respective state.
The Camp is the basic unit of the SCV. Seven or more men who are eligible for
membership may apply for a Camp charter. These camps elect a Commander, Lt.
Commander, Adjutant, Chaplain and such other officers as they choose.
Camps meet monthly for a program and fellowship. Camps sponsor social events
for members and their families.
Camps select their own projects. These may include maintaining and preserving
Confederate monuments and memorials; marking graves of Confederate veterans,
field trips, living history encampments, re-enactments, scholarships and always
includes Confederate Memorial Day services.
Our goals remain those found in the commission given to us by General Stephen D.
Lee, "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."
General Stephen D. Lee in 1862.
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Following the War Between the States, General Lee served as the first president of what would become Mississippi State University.
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South Carolina Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans
Policy on Hate Groups
The Sons of Confederate Veterans is not a hate group. The South Carolina Division
SCV does not knowingly allow anyone with ties to hate groups to join and has
removed, and will remove, anyone from its ranks who expresses racist sentiments.
Specifically, the following is not allowed and will be grounds for immediate
dismissal:
* Attempting to recruit fellow members for racist organizations such as
the Ku Klux Klan, American Nazi Party or National Alliance.
* Membership in any racist organization such as, but not limited to,
the Ku Klux Klan, American Nazi Party or National Alliance.
* Disseminating racist literature to fellow SCV members by mail or in
person.
* Membership in any organization promoting a violent overthrow of
the United States Government.
ALL MEMBERS MUST BE AWARE OF THESE RESTRICTIONS, AS THEY WILL
BE RIGOROUSLY ENFORCED.
Loving the South and defending its culture, symbols, and heritage does not mean
hate. In fact, many SCV members are descendants of African-American, Jewish,
Native American, Hispanic, and Asian Confederates. These groups' contributions to
Southern culture have made it a beautiful and unique region. To deny their
descendants membership in our organization would betray our principles and the
very Ancestors we honor. We welcome all descendants of Confederate Soldiers,
Sailors, and Marines or those who materially aided the South in its struggle for
independence.
Rivers Bridge Camp No. 842 Welcomes You
The members of Rivers Bridge Camp No. 842, Sons of Confederate Veterans
welcome you. It is our hope that we may encourage your interest in the history of
the Confederate soldier and the South in general. As you come to know us better,
you will find that both are very near and dear to our hearts. It is a given that the
Confederate Soldier and the Confederate Battle Flag are inseparable; our
reverence for the Battle Flag therefore is based entirely upon that connection. Not
only do we stand in defense of the Confederate Soldier’s good name, but also of
those things which he cherished and for which he fought and died.
Arthur Fremantle wrote, "After having lived with the veterans of Bragg and Lee, I was
able to form a still higher estimate of Confederate soldiers. Their obedience and
forbearance in success, their discipline under disaster, their patience under suffering,
under hardships, or when wounded, and their boundless devotion to their country under
all circumstances, are beyond all praise." We concur with his estimate.
The Sesquicentennial of the War Between the States is here; are you prepared to be bombarded with politically correct coverage? Demand the truth. Click above for more information.
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Click above for the Sons of Confederate Veterans website.
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Click above for the Sons of Confederate Veterans South Carolina Division website.
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Rivers Bridge Camp No. 842 Sons of Confederate Veterans
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"It is our duty to keep the memory of our heroes green..." Jefferson Davis
Updated 5/13/13
Click above for more information on the Monument for the Signers of the SC Ordinance of Secession.
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