by John Messer
Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp #68, Sgt. Adam W. Ballenger, Spartanburg, recently located, verified and marked appropriately the graves of 11 Confederate soldiers interred in the Campobello United Methodist Church cemetery. On Sunday, 11 Dec at 3:00 pm, members and family of Camp #68, members and family from SCV Camps S. R. Gist. West Springs, and the 16th Regiment, Greenville, joined members of the congregation for a dedication ceremony by 45 attendees for these 11 soldiers, long gone but not forgotten.
The program follows: Welcome and Recognition of Guests by Ron Crawley (including South Carolina Division Commander Mark Simpson of Spartanburg), music by Liz and Hunter Crawley (tunes from the times of WBTS, while in dress of this period), Invocation by Rev. Dr. Howard Shockley, Pledge, Salute Flags and reading the SCV charge by Ray Crawley, Guardians (those who pledge to maintain the graves of Confederate soldiers), by Lt. Commander Jim Crocker, Keynote Speaker, Camp #68 Commander Randy McGuinn, music by Liz and Taylor Crawley, Reading names of veterans honored, Carolyn Thompson, member and historian, CUMC, Gun Salute, (four gun, 3 volley salute by Re-enactors Ron Crawley, Jim Crocker, Henry Dobey, and Henry McMillan (photo), Taps by Arnie Diaz, Benediction by Chaplain Howard Shockley, singing of Dixie by the congregation.
Veterans honored included Pvt. Isaac A. Bishop, Pvt. Elijah L. Pope, Pvt. Charles A Wallace, Sgt. David G. Rudasail, Pvt. George Harvey Shands, Pvt. J. B. Bonham, Pvt. Henry F. King, Cpl. A. J. Ragan, Pvt. Samuel McCarter, Pvt. David A. Layne, Pvt. Augustus G. Brannon,
and 2nd Lt. J. H. Humphreys.
Theme of Commander McGuinn’s address was
the Charge to Sons of Confederate veterans by Lt. Gen.
Steven Lee in 1896, which follows: “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.” This charge is taken quite seriously by
all members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and is
repeated by all at SCV functions.
Organized at Richmond VA, the SCV continues to serve as a historical, patriotic, and non-political organization dedicated to insuring that a true history of the 1861-1865 period is preserved.
Commander McGuinn thanked all who participated in this impressive ceremony, particularly host church CUMC. The weather was chilly, but didn’t dampen the enthusiasm and spirit very much in evidence.
Parties wishing to learn more about the SCV are encouraged to log in to the Camp #68 website:
http://scv68.org
