2017 Missouri Division Reunion Flyer

Travis Archie Camp Commander of Campbell's Company #2252 will be our speaker Friday evening. The Woman's tour Saturday morning will be the Downtown Fulton "The Brick District", Art House, Brick District Playhouse, Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society Museum and several retail shops. The afternoon tour we will visit 8-10 of the Gray Ghost Trail interpretive panels in Callaway County and if time allows The Battle of Moore's Mill and the mass grave site also if time allows the Halton Cemetery. All tours will have free bus to take everyone around.

2017 Missouri Division Reunion Flyer

MO House Bill 2476 -- Missouri Heritage Protection Act of 2016

Gentlemen,

Missouri House Bill 2476 has been filed by Representative Warren Love.  Attached is a copy of the bill.  Please note - this is by no means of a guarantee of ANYTHING.  As with all bills, it must clear several hurdles.  It must receive several "readings", then be assigned to a committee, get voted on and passed by the committee, before being brought to a vote of the House.  It can also be amended during this process as well.   It would then have to pass the House before being moved to the Senate. 

This bill is probably not perfect, but it is a start.  Let us hope it does not die in committee and gets to the floor and beyond.  Let us also thank Representative Love for his efforts and hard work.

I suggesting that you contact your State Representatives at this time and let your voices be heard.  Again this is:

House Bill 2476 -  Establishes the Missouri Heritage Protection Act of 2016 to preserve any state historic military monument or memorial, marker, designated veterans' grave marker, and statutorily designated monument or memorial.

I am also copying Bruce Hillis on this as he has worked hard and also understands the Missouri Legislative Process probably better than any of us.

I will continue to work very hard on this and keep you posted as to any developments.

Darrell L. Maples - Commander

Missouri Division - SCV

See text of the bill here: HB2476I.PDF

Missouri State Guard Flag coming down at Lexington

Gentleman,

I just spoke with Commander Maples and am sending this out on his behalf. Commander Maples has spoke with Rep. Warren Love, who is an SCV Member and Mo. State Rep, about the Missouri State Guard Flag coming down at Lexington. The order to remove the flag came down to the Lexington site from the head of the Missouri State Parks-Bill Bryan. He takes his orders from the Department of Natural Resources, who takes their orders from Gov. Nixon. 

Here's what our starting response will be, please hammer your State Reps and Senators, and the Governor's office complaining about the removal of the flag. I would suggest to tell them that you will not be disenfranchised as a voter and it's not acceptable to not have representation.  Also, that  while there is a State statute that says only the US, Missouri, and POW flags can fly at State owned facilities, there is also something called the status quo, in this case the Missouri State Guard has flown at Lexington for years with no complaints. And since it has been flying all along, that is the status quo. The Governor has changed the status quo with no debate, public comment period etc. Be blunt, tell them to put the flag back up, and that you will not allow further attacks on our families, history, heritage, and that you won't allow our history to be erased or lied about. You could also urge them to pass legislation that protects all monuments, flags, historical sites to be protected. We've urged this for 15 years now, and they've sat on their duffs and never brought it to the floor for a vote, and now everything is under attack due to their lack of action. 

Here is a link to find your State Rep and Senator: http://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/default.aspx/leg_lookup.aspx

Here's a link to email Nixon: https://governor.mo.gov/get-involved/contact-the-governors-office

Call him or mail letters to: Office of Governor Jay Nixon

P.O. Box 720
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: (573) 751-3222

Last, Commander Maples says he will call for an emergency executive cancel pretty quick. If Camp Commanders could be prepared to be there that will be great, so look for a message from the Commander soon on that. 

Feel free to send this to friends and supporters of history, heritage, Veterans and freedom of speech. If there are those that read this that don't care about the rights of Confederate Descendants, stand with us, because sooner or later the tyrants will come after something you do care about! To defend Confederate Veterans, who are American Veterans by Federal Law, is to defend all Veterans. 

For Commander Maples, Missouri Division SCV Commander

Larry Yeatman, Commander, Missouri Society MOS&B

Online petition for our Cause

Gents,

We don't know if this will do any good or not, but please share with your camp members... this is an online petition for our Cause...

https://www.change.org/p/missouri-state-house-and-missouri-state-senate-protect-and-leave-in-place-all-existing-civil-war-monuments-both-confederate-and-union-as-well-as-all-civil-war-flags-and-or-flag-displays-and-to-restore-all-civil-war-flags-that-previously-flew-or-monum

Darrell Maples - Cmdr.
MO Division - SCV

Just a short update from Commander Maples

Gents,

Just a short update.  I want to take this opportunity to thank you and to commend all of you and your camp memberships for staying steadfast in defending the flags and symbols of our Confederate ancestors, and for staying firm in your defense of our Confederate ancestors themselves.  It has been quite a ride the last week or so to be sure.  Although I am still getting a few contacts from the media, it has now waned considerably... thankfully.  I'm pretty tired - at least mentally... making sure I'm saying the right things, etc.  But - we're hanging in there.  I want to tell all of you to keep the faith - we speak the truth and truth can always be defended. 

Again, thanks to all of you for your words of support and for your prayers.  I am so proud of the MO Division and of you -- my Compatriots.  Blessings to you all.

Darrell Maples - Commander

Missouri Division - SCV

There ought to be a battle flag flying on every members front porch

Unless one is ashamed of his heritage or a coward, it would seem to me that now more then any other time, there should be battle flags flying on homes and displayed on vehicles. Let’s just cut to the chase here. We can choose to cower to political and socialists manipulations, (I’m too scared to display the flag…might upset my neighbor) or we can fly the flag many of our ancestors died for defending liberty and freedom and be PROUD to display it.

There ought to be a battle flag flying on every members front porch, every day, 365 days a year.  Hughes Camp will be happy to sell you one if you don’t have one.

I will provide a bumper sticker with a battle flag on it FREE to any member of the Missouri Division who will display it on their vehicle if they are too tight to pay a dollar for it. I will even pay the postage for the extreme tightwads out there. 

I’m not one to mince words. It is time to man up and fly the flag.

Tim Borron

Missouri Western Brigade Commander

Confederate Monument at Forest Park was vandalized

Gentlemen,

The hits just keep on coming.  Overnight, the Confederate Monument at Forest Park was vandalized.... "black lives matter", etc.  Who didn't see this coming, right?!?!?  I am furious.  I have called the Mayors Office and have demanded to be contacted in return.  I personally hold Mayor Slay at the very least ... partially responsible for this act of vandalism.  I am demanding to know what will be done to restore this monument to its previous condition, and I have also volunteered to assist in that cleanup.  If we are allowed to do so, I would suggest that we all attempt to go and clean the monument up.   I will keep you posted in that regard.

Now... let's take a deep breath or two... for all of our detractors, etc., we are seeing a flood of support as well.  I can tell you that I am getting quite a few folks wanting to now join the SCV and as you probably know, Confederate flag sales have incredibly spiked.  Let's hold on to the positives, we have to do so!

More to come later I'm sure.  Please share with your memberships.

Darrell Maples - Commander

Missouri Division - SCV

South Carolina Events Spread to Missouri

Gentlemen,

In light of all that has taken place in South Carolina recently, and the memorial service we conducted to honor  5 Missouri Partisan Rangers this past weekend, we the SCV here in Missouri just came under attack again.  At the memorial service this past weekend, as we do at just about all of our events, the Salute to the Confederate flag was said by those SCV members in attendance.  Well... the Columbia, MO newspapers got wind of this and I have been inundated with contacts from various media outlets.  If your camp is contacted, please attempt to route those contacts to and through me.  By doing this, we are giving one, consistent message to the press.  I ask you for your prayers as I deal with these people, that God might give me the right words to say.  Please also pray for all of us in the SCV and for the organization itself.  We are NOT what they say we are.  We MUST stand firm in our beliefs and our knowledge of the truth.  Please share with your camp memberships.

Darrell L. Maples - Commander

Missouri Division - SCV

SILENT AUCTION - MISSOURI DIVISION REUNION

Gentlemen and Camps,

It is my pleasure to inform you that the Missouri Division has just received an incredible donation of many Confederate items.  This collection is from the late Ron Casteel, who was a past Lt. Commander-in-Chief of the SCV.  Ron's wife Dianne has indicated that she would like for all proceeds to go to the Missouri Division.  With that in mind, we will have numerous items available at the upcoming Missouri Division Reunion -- to be offered in the form of a SILENT AUCTION.  The picture of Gen. Robert E. Lee shown below (and also attached to this email) is just a sample of this vast collection... although this particular picture may be raffled off over the course of the next year, with the assistance of the MO Society - MOSB.  It will be on display at the Reunion, however.  Please share this information IMMEDIATELY with your camp memberships.  This collection is AWESOME... clothing, books, pictures/prints and on and on and on. 

Tell your memberships to register right away or the Reunion... this is one they do not want to miss!

MO SCV Reunion - TOUR TRANSPORATION!

Gentlemen,

Once again, I am pleased to let you know that at NO COST to the MO Division, we will have transportation provided for the Tour of the Sappington Home (Prairie Park), which is located near Arrow Rock.  We will be able to board a school bus at the hotel and ride together to the historic home.  Great job Lt. Commander Larry Smith for working this all out for us!  Please share this with your Camp Memberships!

Darrell Maples - Commander
Missouri Division - SCV

Five Unknown Soldiers Monument Dedication Ceremony by Maj. Gen. J.O. Shelby SCV Camp #191

When: November 8, 2014

Time: 2 p.m.

Location:

The Adkins Couts cemetery is located on Venture Road in Morgan county, Mo. Venture Road ends in a loop that goes through a residential area on the Lake of the Ozarks. The cemetery is at the top of the hill on the loop.

Directions:

To get to the cemetery go to Stover, Mo. on Highway 52. Turn south on highway 135 at Stover. Proceed to Ivy Bend Road and turn right. Follow Ivy Bend Road to Webb Loop and turn right at the GEM mini mall. Follow this road for about two miles. Stay to the right when the road forks. the street sign says Venture Road. Follow Venture Road to the cemetery.  The cemetery has a metal fence around it. Park along the road on the same side as the cemetery.

 Perhaps I should mention that the Missouri Department of Conservation has a public fishing area on Webb Loop called Wigwam School Access.  There is a sign for Wigwam School Access across from the Gem mini mall.  If you can find Wigwam School Access you are almost to Venture Road and the cemetery.

A little History about this Cemeterey:

Five Unknown Soldiers

Some thirty years ago the residents of Venture Valley were clearing brush from an overgrown cemetery in their neighborhood, when they found a common fieldstone bearing the inscription “Five Rebel Soldiers.” Since then the stone has disappeared, but the memory of it has not. The question remains to this day; who were they?

There were no skirmishes reported in the immediate area of the cemetery during the war. There were, however, a few small skirmishes reported on Deer Creek, farther to the west. The largest of these occurred on October 16, 1863, but it is unlikely that the dead from these skirmishes would have been transported to the north side of the Osage River, and then another nine miles as the crow flies to the Adkins-Couts cemetery.

So how did the five Rebel soldiers come to be buried in the Adkins-Couts cemetery? The most plausible explanation stems from a sweep of the town of Versailles and the surrounding neighborhoods on March 25, 1862, by a company of the Federal Sixth Missouri Volunteers, with the assistance of a detachment of Missouri State Militia Cavalry. They had been sent to root out a band of fifteen or twenty Southern recruits who had been stealing horses and harassing the Union citizens of the town at night. This detachment took a number of suspects into custody and attempted to extract information from them. Lt. Col. James H. Blood, reported that some of these captives were suspended with a rope by the neck. One young male, described by his captors as a boy, was hung the most. After repeated hangings he “confessed his complicity with the gang…told five names connected with it…described some of the horses they had stolen and said the gang left that morning and would camp that night on Buffalo Creek twenty miles distant.”

The most important part of Blood’s report concerning the actions of the Federal detachment sent to Versailles is what he did not say. He wrote his report because he had been ordered by his superiors to investigate accusations that his troops had acted improperly at Versailles by hoisting several of their prisoners by their necks. Blood defended his men’s actions, by maintaining they had gotten valuable information from their prisoners.

Blood had reported his men knew the names of five recruits who would camp on Buffalo Creek on the evening of March 25^th. His men had been sent to Versailles to put and end to the harassment of the Union citizens by the recruits. This begs the question; did his men pursue them? The obvious answer is they probably did. Had his troops skirmished with the recruits, he certainly would have reported it. However, if they had captured the recruits and executed them without a trial, Blood would have had good reason not to make the admission in writing. This would have been especially so, since his superior, Maj. Gen. Henry Halleck in St. Louis had issued a death order on March 13, 1862, for individuals who joined guerrilla bands. Halleck, however, backtracked in April and clarified the meaning of his order to require a legal process before the death penalty could be enforced.

No report has been found which states who the five Confederate soldiers were who are buried at the Adkins-Couts cemetery or how they died. Had it not been for the words “Five Rebel Soldiers” inscribed on a common field stone to mark their grave, we would not know these men ever existed or endeavored to serve their then divided country. Once again a stone has been inscribed in their memory, may it long remain.

Everyone is welcome to join this event of a dedication on the unknown Confederate Soldiers.

Confederatly Yours,

Paul Lawrence, Commander Maj. Gen. J. O. Shelby camp #191

“Cole Younger and Frank James Wild West Show!”

Wild West Show

Join the MOS&B at the Secession Day Dinner on November 1, 2014 -- You won’t want to miss the “Cole Younger and Frank James Wild West Show”! This year we will have Dave Bears as 
Cole Younger and Gregg Higginbotham as Frank James, as 
they reminisce about the good old days! Both Dave and Gregg 
are actors for Wide Awake Films and have appeared in many documentary movies about the War. 

 http://hughescamp.org/Documents/2014SecessionDayDinnerflyer.pdf

Secession Day Dinner registration flyer

Our November 1 Secession Day Dinner date is rapidly approaching! If you could, please email this flyer to your Chapter and Camp email distribution list. Cast as far and wide as you can in your email list!

Thanks!
Larry Yeatman
Missouri Society Commander


Secession Day Dinner Flyer

Secession Day Dinner

Dear Commanders,
 
Our November 1 Secession Day Dinner date is rapidly approaching! If you could, please email this flyer to your Chapter and Camp email distribution list. Cast as far and wide as you can in your email list! 
 
Thanks!
Larry Yeatman
Missouri Society Commander

Get the Dinner Flyer Here

SCV Dues/Fiscal Year - August 1

Gentlemen,

August 1st is the new SCV Fiscal Year.  It is that time once again.  I would encourage you and your camps to start the dues collections process early in an effort to retain our membership.  Last year, several camps retained 100% of their memberships, something I hope we can do once again this year. 

On a similar line, I want to let you and your camps know that if a member can help to get five (5) members that have been in "delinquent status" for at least one fiscal year, they would qualify for the SCV's J.O. Shelby Award/Medal.  Can you think of a better award to win?... one named after Missouri's own J. O. Shelby!  To qualify this award, a member would need to download the form from the SCV website, complete it and submit it to the awards committee as instructed on the form.  What a great incentive to go out there and get some of those members who have let their memberships lapse.

Good luck during the dues process and let's do our best to keep our members, we are VERY near having 500 members for the first time in many years.

Darrell Maples - Cmdr.
MO Division - SCV

Uniforms for Confederate Chaplains Monument Dedication

Gents,

Please pass along to your camp memberships... if anyone that is attending the Confederate Chaplains Monument Dedication on June 14, at 1:00 p.m. and can come in Confederate Uniform, that would be great.  The more the better!

Darrell Maples

2014 Confederate Memorial Day at Higginsville, Missouri

This is set in stone UNLESS you contact someone listed below with your suggestion.

CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL DAY 2014

115^th Anniversary of Supporting our Confederate Veterans

“Lest we forget.”

WHEN - Saturday, June 7, 2014, four days after Jefferson Davis’ Birthday. Let’s make the old Veterans proud! 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please bring your own lunch. You will need to eat a little earlier than usual. Lightning, fierce rain or a tornado will be the only reasons to move into the Chapel.

WHAT - The annual Missouri Confederate Memorial Day observance, with emphasis on the 800 souls who are buried in the Confederate Memorial State Historical Site. This year we will also be emphasizing the 150^th Anniversary of many Civil War battles including Price’s Raid.

WHERE - Just north of Higginsville, MO at the Confederate Memorial State Historical Site. From I-70 go north on 13 Hwy, through Higginsville to AA and turn right (east). This site is under the control of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Allow extra time to see the new National Veterans Cemetery adjoining this site.

WHO MAY ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE - Any man, woman, or child who wishes to sincerely pay their respects to the Confederate soldiers and their families that are buried here. These 800 Southerners represent all those who participated in the “late, great unpleasantness”. They all suffered and sacrificed a great deal. The Memorial is open to all races, genders, creeds, religions, and residents from all states. It is respectfully requested that Northern state flags not be used. The American flag and all Southern flags, including the misused and misunderstood “Battle Flag” may be used. The more flags the better. We have had a great response from those wishing to participate but we want YOU. Call the coordinator as soon as possible. If you know of any children who might be interested in joining the Children of the Confederacy call Velma Cole, 660-343-3622(H) OR 660-221-5056 (C). Everyone in attendance will be given a flower in memory of their ancestor.

WHY - Memorial Day is meant to be more than a three day weekend. The State of Missouri does not have an official Confederate Memorial date. The men at the Home tried to use the Sunday closest to Jefferson Davis’ birthday on June 3^th. We are trying to carry on that tradition but are using the Saturday closest to Davis’ birthday. The Sons and the Daughters of Confederate Veterans are charged with “NOT FORGETTING”. Our Missouri site, which is in the top three in the country, is unique, special, and better preserved. Let’s take advantage of this great facility. The 800 souls here deserve one day of our attention. If those of us with Southern heritage do not care WHO WILL?

RULES -

1. All final decisions will be made through Jim Rehard, Northern Missouri Historic District Supervisor.
2. This is a MEMORIAL SERVICE not a forum for politics or political correctness.
3. The DNR does not allow black powder, ammunition or modern weapons of any kind on these grounds. ALL weapons are subject to inspection by Jim Beckner or any DNR employee. Do not let children of any age under 16 handle any kind of weapon. Cannon are welcome but cannot be fired so do not bring the ammunition.

Wade Ankesheiln - Site Administrator for the Confederate Memorial State Historical Site - 660-584-2853 FAX 660-584-5134 or 573-489-6415

Don Aprill - CMFA President - 660-584-2094: 1704 North Main, Higginsville, MO 64037

Jim Beckner - Coordinator/ MC - 816-322-3736 - jandjrnch@hotmail.com FAX 816-322-3736

Children of the Confederacy / Velma - 660-343-3622

Mary Bess Green - Missouri UDC president - 573-999-9450

Darrell Maples MO SCV Division Commander – 573-635-8815

Janae Fuller - Administrator, Battle of Lexington and Confederate Memorial Sites - 660-259-4654

RESPONSIBILITIES:

CMFA – Permission to use flag plaza, all flags up, publicity, information on Bed & Breakfasts/motels/RV parking, information booth, and all monies go through their treasury.

DNR - Grounds mowed, 50 chairs, speaker system, restroom facilities, security, handicapped parking, and checking those who wish to have information booths or sell items by May 20, 2014.

COORDINATOR & MC - Marketing, public relations, setting final program, period music, getting sponsors, the Color Guard, TAPS, and securing flowers.

WADE – Shares responsibility of the DNR, program printing, and three stories of the old inmates.

CW Reenacting Units that wish to set up tents and/or do living history and recruiting are welcome.

CHILDREN OF THE CONFEDERACY - laying of wreath, handing out flowers, and helping in any other way needed.

BOOTHS AND SPONSORSHIPS:

Those wishing to have informational booths or sell items should check with Wade Ankesheiln by May 20, 2014.

To be listed as a sponsor on the program the cost is $15.00. Individual chapters and camps can list themselves separately, individuals and other related organizations may also be sponsors. The money will help to defray expenses. Any funds left over will go to the CMFA. Please make checks to CMFA and send to CMFA, PO Box 332, Higginsville, MO, 64037.

If you wish to be a sponsor send your money by May 20, 2014.

Dear Darrell and Mary Bess,

We are very hopeful that this year each unit and chapter will be a sponsor as well as the Missouri State Divisions. We are also trying to involve more historical organizations such as the County Historical Society and the Higginsville Historical Society both of which Wade is going to contact. Jim will contact all the Round Tables and Harold will contact fringe groups such as the Younger Association. LET’S MAKE THIS THE BEST YEAR EVER!

CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL DAY 2014

“Lest we forget.

CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM

9:00 A.M. - Children of the Confederacy, MO State Meeting in Married Couple’s Home

10:00 - Need a meeting time?/ Visit Vendors, friends, look at displays, Period Music.

10:30 - Chapel – Don Ross “The Story of the Confederate Brazil”

11:00 - Chapel – Wade Ankelsheiln “Naval History”

11:30 - Lunch - bring your own lunch

12:15 P.M. - Parade to the Cemetery

12:45 - Confederate Memorial Day Service - Parade enters

1:00 - Color Guard presents Colors, Pledge, Salute, & Charges

1:10 - Welcome

1:15 - Invocation

1:18 - Recognition of Groups

1:21 - “Why we Gather”

1:23 - 3 Stories of real Confederate Heroes

1:35 - Responsive Reading

1:40 - Commander’s Comments

1:45 - President’s Comments

1:50 - Children of the Confederacy Comments

1:54 - Recognition of Confederate Ancestors - everyone

2:00 - “Dixie”

2:02 - Closing

2:04 - Benediction

2:06 - Retire Colors

STAY AS LONG AS YOU WANT AND PLEASE DRIVE SAFELY GOING HOME.

DETAILS FOR CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL DAY AT THE CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL STATE HISTORICAL SITE

1. Responsible for grounds keeping, chairs, program printing, speaker system, and restroom facilities – Department of Natural Resources.
2. DNR and Jim Beckner will be responsible for coordinating all the entities.
3. Anyone interested in participating in the program itself should immediately inform the program coordinator, Jim Beckner at 816-322-3736.
4. The Program Coordinator has volunteered to be the Master of Ceremonies for 2014.
5. The CMFA and the DNR will be responsible for placing the 800 flags and local publicity.
6. The Friends Association will run all funds through their treasury. PC will be responsible for obtaining the flowers and wreath.
7. Every attempt will be made to keep the program traditional and meaningful. The final decisions on the program will be made by Jim Rehard, Northern MO Historic Dist. Supervisor; Janae Fuller; Wade Ankesheiln; and the program coordinator.
8. Civil War Reenacting Units that wish to set-up tents, and/or do living history and recruit are welcome.
9. To be listed as a sponsor on the program the cost is $15.00. Please make check to CMFA and mail to: CMFA, PO Box 332, Higginsville, MO, 64037
10. It is hoped that the Missouri Division of SCV and the UDC will be sponsors as well as individual camps and chapters throughout the state.
11. Individual chapters and camps will be listed separately.
12. Individuals and other related organizations may also be sponsors.
13. The money goes to defray expenses. Any funds left over will go to the CMFA.
14. All deadlines must be met by May 20, 2014.
15. Every person in attendance will be given a flower in memory of their ancestor to be placed on a grave or the Memorial Lion.
16. The color guard will be under the control of the Missouri SCV Color Guard officer.
17. The responsibility for inviting the Governor/other politicians to attend and/or speak will be up to the DNR.
18. The near-by fair grounds will be available for RV parking.
19. Call Arlene at the Friends Association – 660-584-2031 - for Bed-and-Breakfasts and motels in the area.
20. Jim Beckner will provide period musicians to play before and during the program.
21. Those wishing to have informational booths or sell items should check with Wade Ankesheiln, 660-584-2853, before the deadline of May 20, 2014.
22. Please do not park in spaces reserved for the Handicapped.
23. IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS TO MAKE THIS A BETTER PROGRAM PLEASE CONTACT JIM BECKNER IMMEDIATELY.

CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL DAY 2014

CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL DAY 2014
115^th Anniversary of Supporting our Confederate Veterans
“Lest we forget.”

WHEN - Saturday, June 7, 2014, four days after Jefferson Davis’ Birthday. Let’s make the old Veterans proud! 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.Please bring your own lunch. You will need to eat a little earlier than usual. Lightning, fierce rain or a tornado will be the only reasons to move into the Chapel.

WHAT - The annual Missouri Confederate Memorial Day observance, with emphasis on the 800 souls who are buried in the Confederate Memorial State Historical Site. This year we will also be emphasizing the150^th Anniversary of many Civil War battles including Price’s Raid.

WHERE - Just north of Higginsville, MO at the Confederate Memorial State Historical Site. From I-70 go north on 13 Hwy, through Higginsville to AA and turn right (east). This site is under the control of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Allow extra time to see the new 

2014 Coffee Camp Heritage Dinner

This year’s dinner will be our 14^th.  It will be held on 12 April 2014 at the Assembly of God Church in Osceola (where we have had it for the past many years.)

 

Our guest speaker will be Tom Rafiner.  Tom will be speaking about Order #11 and some of the families affected by it.

Reservations must be made to Camp Adjutant

Willie Lawler

701 E Hwy 7

Clinton, Missouri 64735

Phone # 660-477-3683

 

We will have many items for drawings.  To name just a few—a Rossi 12 gauge shotgun with a matching interchangeable black powder barrel and carry case; 4 Flag themed lap blankets which were hand-quilted.

 

Tickets are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00.  The Gov. Jackson Chapter of the MOS&B will be handling the drawings.

 

The dinner is RSVP so make sure you reserve your seat with Willie.  The deadline for making reservations is 5 April. The cost is $16.00 per plate.

 

Fellowship starts at 5PM with the dinner at 6PM and the program right after.

Remembrance Ceremony at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery

Gentlemen,

 

I wanted to see if anyone would be interested in helping out with a Remembrance Ceremony at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery (outside of Camden Point, Missouri) on June 28 (Saturday) at 2:00 in the afternoon. As some of you may or may not know, there was a small battle fought here in the summer of 1864. It’s said that around 15 Confederate men were killed in this engagement (some of them may have been sympathizers in Camden Point). Six of these soldiers are buried at Pleasant Grove with one of the oldest Confederate Memorial Stones west of the Mississippi located here (placed in 1871).

 

What I would  like to do is have a half hour to one hour ceremony with someone representing the SCV for speeches, prayer, a hymn, and a color-guard (with a gun salute). I would also like to discuss the recognition of the other veterans who are buried in the nearby Camden Point cemetery by having small flags placed by their graves. A handout could be provided so that attendees could walk the short distance from Pleasant Grove cemetery to Camden Point cemetery to view the graves. If possible, a cannon might also be nice to fire (such as at the Handley event). Also, I was curious about the replica “Protect Missouri” flag (Camden Point’s battle flag) that Key Camp has, and wondering if they would be willing to have this on hand as part of the ceremony?

 

There is also opportunity to be in the town parade that afternoon, which is at 5:00 (line-up will be around 4:30 at the school). If anyone would like to bring a car, wear uniforms,or walk with an SCV banner or flags, that would be excellent. I’m planning on walking in period attire with a Missouri battle flag. This would be an great avenue to advertise for the SCV and honor the many Confederates who are at rest in this area. Additionally, there will be space for a booth – for a small fee of around 30 dollars - at the Freedom Festival after the parade (which is located in the town park).

 

This would be covered by local media, and would be attended by local people. It’s also on the agenda as part of Platte County’s 175th line-up of events. So there is potential for a fairly large crowd. If anyone knows of folks (such as JM Herman) who would like to come and pass out small flags or have items for sale, that would be fantastic too. I have been working with the Freedom Festival committee, local media, the 175th committee, and local reenactors for the event.

 

I am hoping to be able to come by and talk with Key Camp and Hughes camp about the event. The more SCV folks we could get to come out for this important marker in the northern part of Little Dixie, the better! Platte County really had a tough time of it in the war. Our county seat was burned twice (including our courthouse the second time around), and many folks were shot on their doorsteps or along the roads for their beliefs – thus the importance in continuing to honor, recognize and educate as to our history.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions. If you think it appropriate to forward this on to anyone who would be interested in helping or participating, please do so.

 

Thank you,

 

Matthew Silber