April 2009
scvcamp15.org
(828) 684-5735
in our daily lives. Most of us went to Church and
enjoyed a quiet Sunday on the front porch of our
house after a hearty meal of fried chicken, mashed
potatoes and green beans (for some reason I am
feeling
hungry..........hmmmmmmmmmmmm).
BACK TO THE WRITING!
But I see our old lifestyle slowly slipping or
being taken away daily. Why is it that we have
allowed this to happen? Have we embraced the
yankee way of money and wealth? Can we ever go
back to our simple lives of God, family and fried
chicken.......(sorry.....still hungry for some reason). I
guess what I am saying to everyone is that we have a
battle brewing. No, this is not necessarily a battle for
power or money or other assorted yankee reasons. I
guess you could say that this is a battle for
freedom.....once again. This is a battle to be able to
go back to our lifestyle of laid back Southern
existence.
How many of you miss those Sundays on the
porch? Better yet, how many of you miss loading up
and driving down an old dirt road with the windows
down (yeah, no air conditioning)? I realize there
aren’t many dirt roads left to ride on.....but can you
remember those simpler days? I like many others,
sometimes miss one of the greatest blessings God
gave Southerners. The ability to slow down and see
life for what it is.....a fleeting moment in time. We
must live our lives in a way that reflects what
Southerners have always stood for....God, freedom,
love, family, honor and fried chicken! Let us gird up
our loins for battle boys.....we must begin preparing
for a war for freedom....and fried chicken! God bless
all of you, your memories of the South and the South
we will rebuild!
In This Issue
Page - 1
Commander’s Corner
Page – 2
Adjutant/Treasurer’s Report
Chaplain’s Column
Page – 3
Thur., April 23rd
6 PM at Ryan’s
See you there!!!
News from the OCR
Featured Member of the Month
Member Activities
North Carolina Generals – Brig-General Lawrence S. Baker
Page – 5
Camp 15 Programs
Looking Back
Looking Forward
Page – 6
Gun Show Information
Flag Salutes & The Charge
Get your Onion orders
in at the meeting on
the 23rd if possible but
no later than the 29th.
Page – 7
Vidalia Onion Order Form
Commander’s Corner
Dear Camp 15 Compatriots,
As I write this column, we have experienced our
second shooting in the nation within (2) days. This
shooting took the lives of (3) Police officers in
Pennsylvania. Just yesterday, a gunman took the
lives of thirteen people in New York. All told, I
believe this is the seventh "mass" shooting we have
had since January. I guess you would be wondering
what this would have to do with the SCV or Camp 15.
Well, we all know what the political and socio
economic factors were that we endured after the war.
Well, what about the societal factors? Will the South
face the same issues that are beleaguering the rest of
the country? We must seek our past and go back to
our Southern lifestyles. If we do not, we will be
destroyed.....just like the rest of America!
The South has long enjoyed an agrarian
lifestyle. In other words we have enjoyed a heritage
of farming and living off the land. The North with its
industrial and market base has not. It could be said
that most Southerners lived a simple lifestyle. Our
need for money, wealth and title were not foremost
Onion Sales
Gentlemen, I know all of you are not aware of
the ongoing drive for our annual onion sales. On our
website you will find a link to a flyer for these sales.
You should be able to print and post this flyer if you
need it. You can also utilize the Camp phone number
for use in sales. I must urge each of you to press
forward with as many sales as possible. This is a
bread and butter thing for Camp 15. Do your best to
sell these onions to everyone you meet. I know
everyone will put forth their best effort in helping us
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to raise money for our projects and planning. This is
an easy sale as our prices will beat ANY grocery store.
Good luck and let’s move 'em out!
probably feel some what like Joseph with everybody
losing their jobs and the economy in bad shape like it
is. He had lived upright and faithful before God and
man, he was innocent of any wrong doing, but now he
was in prison. He may have wondered why this had
happened to him when he was on the side of the truth.
He may have also felt like God had abandoned him, as
we all might feel the same way today. But, God had a
plan.
Most of us know what happened next. Under
God's guidance, Joseph went from the king's prison to
being the second most powerful man in Egypt. As it
goes on, Joseph was able to save his father, brothers,
and their families from a great famine and bring them
to Egypt where they multiplied and flourished. Of
course, after the death of Joseph there would be
generations of Egyptian bondage, and the Hebrews did
despair. Also as most of us might know, many thought
that God had forgotten them in their plight. But again,
God had a plan.
We can go on to talk about Moses, who went from
living in the luxury of a king's palace to a desert
shepherd. We can also think of David, the Babylonian
captivity, and all the trials of the Hebrew Nation. We
are told in the New Testament of the imprisonment
and death of John the Baptist, the Lord's Apostles and
other Christian Saints. But most importantly, the
crucifixion of Christ. Even in all of this, God had a
Plan.
We also know the South was right and was on the
side of truth. The Southern Armies were more
Christian, moral and honorable. As we all know the
South lost its bid for independence. Then followed the
suffering and humiliation of Union occupation. Since
then we all know how the Union has constantly and with
determination
mocked
and
vilified
everything
Southern. So now, many Southerners agree and believe
what they have been taught (I was one of those until I
found out the truth) and brought up to believe, that
the South was wrong, their Confederate forefathers
were criminals, (as I too once believed) Robert E. Lee
was a traitor, Abe Lincoln was a great man, and our
Southern heritage is a legacy of shame. It seems that
the bad guys are winning. All of that being said, we
should not despair because I believe with all of my
heart and soul that God has a plan.
We may not know what God's plan is, and we all
want things done our way and when we want it done.
But, we do know that there is a purpose in everything
God does. God always has a plan and a purpose. The
Yankee Bologna
Gentlemen, this is a new feature I hope you
will enjoy. Below you will find a common Yankee
point of view or statement on the war. If you choose
to accept this assignment it will be your job as a true
Southern soldier to refute this point or argument.
We must remember to do so in a respectful and well
researched manner. During our regular meeting I
will again pose this Yankee point to the Camp and
see who has done their homework and will rise to do
battle. Good luck!
Now youz rebs all know why we fought
the war. Youz guys was all just rich planters
wanting to keep slaves and beat em. Why else
would you have wanted to start a war with Ol' Glory
and the peaceful North? Ol' Lincoln showed you
rebs didn't he!
Yessirrrrreeeeeeeeee he showed
you.......SLAVERY WAS WHY YOU ALL DECLARED
WAR ON THE NORTH!
Sincerely,
Pete Allen, Commander
Adjutant/Treasurer’s Report
No report available this month...but
The checkbook balance is $858.41 as of April 6, 2009.
Chaplain’s Column
My Christian Brothers and Fellow Compatriots:
May God keep Blessing you all for His service and
for our service for our common cause.
I Believe that God has a plan and it includes us all
if we are willing to be obedient to His will.
God Always Has A Plan
In Genesis 12:2, God promised Abraham that He
would make of him a great nation, and I will bless thee,
and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.
This promise, or covenant, is repeated in Chapter 17.
Then Abraham begot Isaac, and Isaac begot Jacob,
and Jacob had twelve sons, the second to the youngest
being named Joseph. Joseph was then sold by his
brothers to Midianite merchants and then again to the
Ishmeelites and he was taken to Egypt and then a
Potiphar bought Joseph as a slave. (Gen. 37:28 & 39:1)
Although the scripture doesn't indicate it, we all
might understand how Joseph may have despaired. We
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Member Activities
Bible tells so, "And we know that all things work
together for good to them that love God, to them who
are the called according to his purpose." (Rom. 8:28) I
do believe that God has a plan and purpose for each
and everyone. I also believe that God has a plan for
The Sons of Confederate Veterans. What we all need
to do is pull together and trust God, and most of all
follow His guidance, understand that God is still in
control of every situation, that He is still alive and
accept His authority and Lordship in our lives.
In closing I will say that it is one of my deepest
prayers that every member of the Sons of
Confederate Veterans would turn to Christ and put
their life and future in His hands. May God also bless
each and every one of you as you serve God in faith and
last but not least our just and most worthy Southern
Cause with honor.
I will always keep my Christian brothers and fellow
Compatriots in prayer and always remember, I am just
a phone call away if you need anything. I love each and
every one of you.
(A service opportunity for Camp 15 members!)
A cemetery cleanup has been scheduled for
Saturday, April 19th by Capt. Walter M.
Bryson-George Mills, Camp 70 in
Hendersonville.
They will be cleaning the
Bryson Family Cemetery which is located in
Buncombe County.
Camp 15 members are
urged to take an active part in this project. Any
member who can help with this project will be
welcome. If you will be available and want to be
part of a local SCV project, contact Camp 70
Commander Curtiss Poteat at
mpoteat2@bellsouth.net or (828) 891-7074.
North Carolina Generals
15th in a Series
Brig-General Lawrence S. Baker
distinguished as a cavalry officer
in the service of the Confederate
States, was born in Gates
County, N. C., in May, 1830.
His family is an old and
honorable one, founded in
America by Lawrence Baker,
who came to Virginia from
England early in the seventeenth
century and became a member of
the House of Burgesses.
His descendant, Gen. Lawrence Baker, of
North Carolina, was a leader in the movement for
independence, served in the Revolutionary war, and
was one of the two representatives of North Carolina in
the Continental Congress. His son, John B. Baker, M.
D., father of Gen. L. S. Baker, was a well known
physician and prominent citizen of North Carolina, in
the legislature of which he sat as a member from Gates
County.
General Baker received his early education in
his native State and at Norfolk academy, and then
entered the United States military academy at West
Point, where he was graduated in the class of 1851. At
his graduation he was promoted second lieutenant of
the Third cavalry, and by meritorious and gallant
service he had passed the grade of first lieutenant, and
had been promoted captain, when he resigned after his
State had announced its adherence to the Confederacy,
in order that he might tender his services for the defense
of North Carolina.
Chaplain, David Keever
News from the OCR
Sorry, nothing from Cindy this month...
Featured Member of the Month
Will return next month, instead here is an
update on the Zebulon Baird Vance Camp 15
web page, scvcamp15.org
As of noon on April 2, 2009 the web page has had:
584 Total Visitors
3 countries /territories have visited our site
United States
Italy
India
15 different states have accessed the site
43.32 % of the visitors accessed the site directly
33.22% of the visitors found our site by first
visiting another site and linking to our site
23.46% found our site through a search engine
such as Google or Yahoo
Our thanks to Webmaster Steve Crews and Designer John Davis.
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He was commissioned lieutenant-colonel,
Confederate States cavalry, to date from March 16,
1861, and on May 8th was appointed lieutenant-colonel
of the Ninth North Carolina regiment, afterward known
as the First North Carolina cavalry.
With this command he joined the cavalry
brigade of Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, in 1861, and on March
1, 1862, he was promoted colonel of his regiment.
During the opening of the Seven Days' battles which
followed, he served upon the right wing of the army,
and on June 29th commanded the Confederate cavalry
in the affair on the Charles City road, which was, in
fact, a reconnaissance in which the Federal cavalry
were driven back until reinforced by heavy bodies of
infantry, when Colonel Baker was compelled to retire.
After this campaign the cavalry division was
organized and Colonel Baker and his regiment were
assigned to the brigade of Gen. Wade Hampton. With
the active and heroic work of this brigade through the
campaigns of Manassas and Sharpsburg, Colonel Baker
was gallantly identified.
He fought with his regiment at Frederick City,
Md., and in defense of the South Mountain passes; took
part in the battle of Sharpsburg, and subsequently
skirmished with the enemy at Williamsport. During the
many cavalry affairs that preceded and followed the
battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, he
rendered valuable service.
Particularly at the battle of Fleetwood Hill,
preceding the movement into Pennsylvania, he
displayed his soldierly qualities. Here, on June 9, 1863,
in command of his regiment and supported by the Jeff
Davis legion, he charged upon the enemy, and after
what may truly be said to have been in point of the
number of men who crossed sabers, the most important
hand-to-hand contest of cavalry in the war, drove the
Federals from their position.
At Upperville he was again distinguished, and
it was to his regiment that Hampton turned in the
moment of greatest peril, drawing his saber and crying,
"First North Carolina, follow me!"
The regiment participated in Stuart's
Pennsylvania raid, and reaching the field of Gettysburg
on July 3rd, engaged in the desperate hand-to-hand
cavalry fight on the right of the army. In this bloody
action Hampton was twice wounded, and Colonel
Baker was given command of the brigade during the
subsequent important work of protecting the retreat of
the army, including fighting about Hagerstown and
Falling Waters.
After the army had crossed into Virginia,
Colonel Baker was assigned the duty of picketing the
Potomac from Falling Waters to Hedgesville, and had
frequent skirmishes with the enemy until withdrawn to
the line of the Rappahannock.
Here, on July 31st, the Federal cavalry
crossed the river in force and advanced toward Brandy
Station, stubbornly resisted by Hampton's brigade of
cavalry under command of Colonel Baker, General
Stuart also being at the front. In his report of this affair,
Gen. R. E. Lee wrote: "Hampton's brigade behaved
with its usual gallantry and was very skillfully handled
by Colonel Baker. Our loss was small, but among our
wounded, I regret to say, are those brave officers,
Colonel Baker, commanding the brigade; Colonel
Young, of Cobb's legion, and Colonel Black, of the
First South Carolina cavalry."
On the same day General Lee recommended
Colonel Baker for promotion to the rank of brigadiergeneral, which was promptly confirmed, and in the
subsequent reorganization of the cavalry he was
assigned to the command of a brigade composed
exclusively of North Carolina regiments, the First,
Second, Fourth and Fifth.
But the wound he had received at Brandy
Station was a serious one -- the bones of his arm being
completely shattered, and the use of it lost to him, in
consequence of which he was unable to continue his
service with the cavalry.
When General Wade Hampton became chief
of the cavalry in the spring of 1864, he desired General
Baker to accept division command under him with
promotion to major-general, but the disability
prevented, and he was assigned by the war department
to the responsible command of the Second military
district of South Carolina, in which capacity he had the
duties of a major-general, in charge of the forces at
Goldsboro, Kinston, Wilmington, Plymouth and
Weldon, and was particularly entrusted with the
protection of the Weldon railroad.
Later he was called to confront Sherman's
advance in the vicinity of Savannah and Augusta, GA,
and then being recalled to North Carolina by Bragg, he
commanded in the final campaign the First brigade of
Junior reserves, in Hoke's division of Hardee's corps.
He surrendered at Raleigh, after the capitulation of
Johnston, and then, having spent all his life, so far, in
military employment, was confronted by the difficult
task of finding a place in civil life in a country ravaged
by war.
He lived at New Bern for awhile, and near
Norfolk, Va., carried on a trucking business, after
which he returned to North Carolina, and was engaged
in insurance until 1877. At the latter date he was
offered the position of agent of the Seaboard Air Line
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beliefs will never be forgotten or
consigned to the trash heap of politically
correct history!!
railroad at Suffolk, Va., a position he has since
occupied.
General Baker is held in warm remembrance
by Confederates everywhere, particularly in Virginia
and North Carolina, where his bravery and devotion are
most intimately known. He maintains a membership in
Tom Smith camp, United Confederate Veterans, at
Suffolk, and keeps alive his comradeship with the
survivors of the great struggle.
In 1855 he was married to Elizabeth E.,
daughter of Dr. Alex. Henderson, of North Carolina,
and they have three children living: Alexander Baker,
sheriff of Nansemond county, Va.; Stuart A. Baker, of
Richmond, and Elizabeth E. Baker.
Also at our March meeting, Compatriot
Joel Fesperman, the Commander of the
Ivy Ritchie Camp #1734 in Albemarle, NC
held our attention with his presentation.
His pride in his Southern roots and
ancestors was obvious as he recounted
stories
of
their
service
to
the
Confederacy and suffering at the hands
of yankee tyranny.
Thank you, Joel, for making the long trip
to the mountains and the great program.
All who were at the meeting will
remember many of the stories and
relationships just as you told them.
Source: Confederate Military History, vol. V, p. 291
Source Article by permission of:
Historical Data Systems, Inc.
www.civilwardata.com
Camp 15 Programs
Looking Forward
April’s program on Thursday, the
23rd will find Camp 15 Compatriot George
Cooper back at the podium to share his
knowledge with us. George always has
some valuable information to share so
let’s look forward to his program and
show up to lend him and Camp 15 our
support.
Saturday, May 9th: Confederate
Memorial Day! Where: The SmithMcDowell House! When: 2PM!!!!!!!
Let’s have the entire Camp there!!
Program Calendar for 2009:
May 28th: NCDiv Lt. Commander, Danny
Bolick
June 25th: Compatriot Ray Elingburg
July 23rd: Compatriot Steve Adams
August: Camp 15 Picnic (tba)
September24th: SCV Field Rep., Jack Marlar
October 22nd: Camp 15 “Show & Tell”
November 19th: Southern Highlands Brigade
Commander, Michael Hardy
December: Camp 15 Christmas Party (tba)
Looking Back
Camp 15 welcomed 4 new compatriots at
our March meeting. Pictured below are,
Left to right: Homer Sales, Larry Carter,
Commander Pete Allen, Kenneth Towe
and Glenn Gasperson.
As noted on page 1, this year’s Vidalia
Onion crop is almost ready! The Camp will
have a supply for sale as our Spring fund
raiser. Use the form on page 7 for orders.
Also, in the heading on the first page
you will notice that the Camp has a new web
page address. It is simply “scvcamp15.org”
so if you are online take a look and be sure to
get John Davis your Confederate relatives for
inclusion on the page. He is looking for
relatives through your 1st cousins, of
whatever degree. Once John has collected
We welcome these men into an elite
organization that continues to honor our
brave ancestors so that their virtues and
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enough names and relationships, Steve Crews
will get them onto the web page.
And still on page 1; if you noticed the
phone number under the web page address
then you are probably wondering what that is
all about. That is a new number to be used by
men who are interested in finding out about
the SCV and Camp 15. If you know someone,
and all of us should be recruiting every day in
every way, then pass them the number. They
can leave information about how to contact
them and who or what they are looking for
and someone will get back to them in short
order.
calendars and be ready to serve by letting those
who stop by know what we are all about!
Bill can always use extra help with this activity
so let him know you appreciate his work and
support him Camp 15 by volunteering when the
next list comes around. Those who have helped
in the past can tell you how much they have
enjoyed spreading the word about our Honored
Confederate Veterans and the Southern Heritage
cause.
(Ed’s note: Somehow I got incorrect dates for the March Gun
Show in last month’s newsletter. I apologize but I’m too realistic
to say it won’t happen again...
Help keep me honest by
communicating with me about what is in the newsletter and what
you would like to see in it.)
GUN SHOW Information- 2009
Asheville Civic Center
May 16 – 17
August 22 - 23
October 31 – November 1
This is your Newsletter, if you
know of events that need to be publicized in
the newsletter, please let me know..... Also
articles of interest and pictures are gratefully
appreciated.
PLEASE NOTE:
1st Lt. Commander, Bill Best would like to thank
everyone for continuing to support him and your
Camp by volunteering to man our table at the
Gun Shows. Keep the above dates on your
The Salute to the Confederate Flag
I salute the Confederate flag with affection, reverence, and undying devotion to the cause for which it stands.
The Pledge to the North Carolina Flag
I salute the North Carolina flag and pledge to the Old North State love, loyalty and faith.
The Charge!
"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, and 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."
RECRUIT your friends and family!!!!
If you need recruiting help, contact Past Commander Chick Dillingham.
Contact Info
Please make sure your contact information is correct. It is important that your address, etc. be kept up-to-date…..
You may contact me at (828) 252-0907 or scvcamp15ronb@bellsouth.net
Use the form below for taking advance orders for the Vidalia Onions. Ask at church, work, or where ever you
interact with people. You’ll be surprised how easy it is and how many will tell you later they sure are glad you
ask them.
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My SCV Camp’s 3rd Annual "Onion Sale in the Mountains" has started.
$10
for a 10 lb. bag!!!
These are Vidalia Onions that are being purchased from the producer in Georgia. You can’t get
fresher unless you pull your own!! Delicious no matter how you use them!!!! Try the grill....
If you ordered these last year, you know what a treat they are. If you didn’t get in on last years crop,
ask someone who did. Everyone who bought them loved them!!
Even though prices have increased this year, we are continuing to hold our price at last year’s price.
Unless there is a weather related delay, we should be able to deliver around MAY 9th or 10th.
Remember that you don’t pay until you receive your order. Just signup below so I will know how
many to order for you......
Thanks,
NAME
Number of 10# Bags ordered
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