| 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. While that last sentence may not have been a part of General Lee's original Charge, we at Camp 842 include it because the truth of the statement follows the General's sentiment so logically. It is our belief that if we don't share that true Southern History with others, who will? |
| 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. |
| Click logo above for the Sons of Confederate Veterans website. |
| Click palmetto above for the Sons of Confederate Veterans South Carolina Division website. |
| Updated 05/17/18 |
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| This flag has been carried and flown in many wars around the world as an emblem of Southern pride not hatred. |
| Rivers Bridge Camp No. 842 Sons of Confederate Veterans |
| "It is our duty to keep the memory of our heroes green..." Jefferson Davis |
| True Southerners have never shown a "proper" attitude of defeat. The "victors"will remain displeased because THE FLAG will ALWAYS fly in our hearts! DEO VINDICE! |
| Why would the Sons of Confederate Veterans venerate the memory of General Stephen Dill Lee by honoring him at every SCV meeting and naming the primary educational outreach program of our organization after him? An examination of his life and what motivated him is necessary to understand his importance to his fellow countrymen and American and Southern historiography. In a nutshell, Stephen Dill Lee was an exceptional soldier and important leader in the Confederate Army and, after the war, a leading American educator, historian, and Commander-in-Chief of the United Confederate Veterans from 1904-1908. |
| S.D. Lee |
