Rivers Bridge Camp No. 842

Rivers Bridge Camp No. 842
Sons of Confederate Veterans

"It is our duty to keep the memory of our heroes green..." Jefferson Davis

Rivers Bridge Camp No. 842 members photographed at the
2004 Rivers Bridge Memorial. A number of these
compatriots have crossed over the river in the
intervening sixteen years.

This is their
heritage too. It is
your duty to
present the
history of the
South to future
generations.

Greetings to the Rivers Bridge Confederate Memorial Association members and friends; We did it !!! Our annual commemoration was
conducted despite all of the obstacles that we had to face.

Bart Chassereau came through for us and helped us take advantage of the Varn's generous offer to hold our event at Broxton Bridge
Plantation.   Our Chaplain Charles Carlson, conducted a thoughtful religious service and the superb music provided by Dr. Jim
Dreyfuss along with Edward Floyd's golden voice was a joy to hear.

My thanks also go out to Mrs. Betty Jane Miller, the other ladies of the UDC, and to Commander Peter Boineau, Compatriot Donnie
Webster, and the men of the SCV.

Captain Fred Polston and the men of the 10th SC Volunteer Infantry, along with the men of the 3rd SC Cavalry and the "Georgia men,"
provided a memorable salute at the little cemetery along the banks of the Salkehatchie near Bateau Landing.

Jerry Chesser and Bart Chassereau delivered a poignant service at the cemetery, which was witnessed by many members of the
Association and their friends.

The ceremonial volleys that were fired under Captain Polston's command were perfect.

I want to thank the officers of the Rivers Bridge Confederate Memorial Association, Vice-President Charles Lafitte, Secretary Durena
Hiers, Treasurer Bob Connelly, and Chaplain Charles Carlson for their patience with me as I wound my way through the logistics of the
CV 19 guidelines. I could not have done it without them.   A heartfelt thanks goes out to the other members and friends of the
Memorial Association who attended and followed the social distancing rules from Governor McMasters.

I would also like to thank Rangers Russ and Brendan for their guidance, as well as PRT Cultural Resources Manager, Dan Bell, who
made the trip from Charleston for the wreath laying ceremony at the Rivers Bridge Memorial Grounds.

Finally, I would like to thank Craig Wix for his video work, capturing our ceremonies for posterity. Also, a shout out to Jessica Phillips
who captured some of the most beautiful digital images of our program that I have ever seen. I can't wait to see Craig's finished
product. We will announce when it will be released to the public.

I am blessed beyond my worthiness.

With warmest regards,
Jerry Morris
President, RBCMA

Compatriots who have "crossed
over the river" since Camp No.
842's Re-chartering in 1995.

Edgar Boyles – Real Son
James Boyles – Real Son
Williams Boyles – Real Son
Murice Cave – Real Son
Owen W. Barker, Sr. – Real Son

Stanley Ward
G. Horace Cone
Francis Stanley
Clark Ryder
James J. Jowers
Robert E. Connelly, Sr.
Alfred Ken Formby
R. Loyd Sandifer
Stanley O. “Gus” Eubanks
Stephan A. Lewis
Jerome Wilson
Sammy Lee
Jack Horger
Burney Chappell
Sandy A. Jennings
G.D. "Jerry" Varn, Jr.
Mannie G. "Mickey" Smith III

David Keller
James Dunbar “Bars” Ray
H. Gregory Hiers
William P. Edenfield
Gene Stanley
Harold DuPree Crim
Robert F. “Bob” Loadholt, Sr.
George Harold “Rip” Kearse
J.V. “Joe” Braxton
Dr. Eugene Gehry, Jr.
Kenny Cone
Barry Sheetz
Derriel Champagne
Glenn Cope
Robert E. Connelly, Jr.
John Miles Loadholt
Jasper Brabham Varn, Jr.
Claude Ashton Manuel
Francis Marion Dwight III
John Mack Barnes
Douglas Mitchell Gore, Jr.
James Herman Smith

Deo Vindice

We have always maintained that difficult times are nothing new to
Southerners. As evidence we particularly look to the period 1861-1865
and the ten years following which is commonly but questionably called
"Reconstruction." Some folks seemingly get irritated with us because we
do not look back on these times with a proper attitude of defeat, but
rather a sense of pride that they cannot fathom. Can I explain it? Not to
the satisfaction of all; let us just say it seems to be something in our
Southern makeup.
Many of us choose to look back upon the challenging times which faced
the South and recall that, “In the midst of disasters, and under the
thickening gloom of war clouds, the people of the South lifted up their voices
to Him that rules the nations.” President Davis, in accordance with a
resolution of the Confederate Congress, appointed the 10th day of March
1865 as a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer, with thanksgiving. In the
spirit of a Christian patriot he addressed his proclamation to the suffering
people of the Confederate States; we can now, from our vantage point,
appreciate how meaningful and appropriate the sentiment would become
for a defeated South. It read, "It is our solemn duty, at all times, and more
especially in a season of public trial and adversity, to acknowledge our
dependence on His mercy, and to bow in humble submission before His
footstool, confessing our manifold sins, supplicating His gracious pardon,
imploring His divine help, and devoutly rendering thanks for the many and
great blessings which he has vouchsafed to us. Let the hearts of our people
turn contritely and trustfully unto God; let us recognize in his chastening
hand the correction of a Father, and submissively pray that the trials and
sufferings which have so long borne heavily upon us may be turned away by
his merciful love; that his sustaining grace be given to our people, and his
Divine wisdom imparted to our rulers; that the Lord of Hosts will be with our
armies, and fight for us against our enemies; and that he will graciously take
our cause into his own hand and mercifully establish for us a lasting, just,
and honorable peace and independence. And let us not forget to render unto
his holy name the thanks and praise which are so justly due for his great
goodness and for the many mercies which he has extended to us amid the
trials and sufferings of protracted and bloody war."
When we consider the evil that was visited upon the South during “so
called reconstruction,” we are apt to develop a spirit of anger and ill will
toward the perpetrators of it. But, to kindle anger for past wrongs is not
our purpose; rather, We want us to appreciate better what our ancestors
endured and to realize the source of the strength that enabled them to
carry on.
We read of the Great Revivals in the Southern Army and find that a great
number of our soldiers in gray took comfort in and received strength from
the promises of God. It was written that, “Thousands who were participants
in that glorious and, to some, strange work, have passed the flood of death
and are seen no more among men, but the seed they sowed in trench and
camp and hospital, in the bivouac, and on the weary march, was watered
from above and has borne a rich harvest.” Many who survived the war
returned home with their new-found faith to supplement that of their
families as church leaders and pastors. With hope and strength derived
from their trust in God the South survived and in time even began to
flourish.
We are here today to remember. We are here to remember the soldiers
and their sacrifice; we are here to remember the families who joined with
their returning soldiers, sustained by a steadfast trust in God, to resurrect
and bring new life to the South. And we are here to remember that the
same God that they trusted, He that is the same yesterday, today and
tomorrow, is the same God who will deliver us in our present time of
trouble. Our ancestors heard these words in their day and they are still
relevant today. “Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou
disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of
his countenance. O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I
remember thee” (Ps. 42:5-6). I have always loved Robert E. Lee’s favorite
hymn; How Firm a Foundation. The last stanza I find particularly
reassuring; “The soul that on Jesus still leans for repose, I will not, I will not
desert to his foes; That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll
never, no never, no never forsake!” Let us today truly remember and be
inspired by the example of those gone before and be comforted that
though We know not what the future holds, we do know who holds the
future.

A Time to Remember

No Annual Banquet 2020

Circumstances prevented us this year from celebrating
as usual our Annual Banquet. Typically we would have
had a special event with a featured speaker, a catered
dinner, and the honored presence of all the wives of our
Compatriots. At this time we would have recalled the
memory of those of our membership who have crossed
over the river this year and back to our rechartering in
1995. Also our Compatriot of the Year would be
recognized and the drawing for our raffle prize would be
made. At last we were able to draw for our raffle winner
and it turned out to be Compatriot Ira Beach. It is nice to
have a winner from within the Camp and since Ira was
not present, the Adjutant had the pleasure of notifying
him of his good fortune. We thank our Camp members for
remaining stedfast and being an encouragement with
one another during these difficult time. Looking forward
to the day that we can return to normal operations, we
give thanks for the blessings of the past.