Sons of Confederate Veterans, Murfreesboro Camp No. 33, was host to the
Tennessee Division Reunion April 27-29, 2007. The
Tennessee Division has 74 camps with more than 2,500 members. The Ramada Ltd.
was the host hotel. The event started with a tour of the Sam Davis Home for the
early arrivals on a Friday.
Compatriot Zack Malpass at Sam Davis Home
Sam Davis grave
Upon returning to the Ramada Ltd., a reception was held, with refreshments
provided by the ladies of the Stones River Chapter of the Order of Confederate
Rose. Chapter President Bettye Anderson was in charge of the decorations and
food arrangements.
Camp #33 Adjutant, James Patterson addresses the group.
Tennessee Divsion Commander Bradley and Commander Barrow.
David Chaltas, a General Robert E. Lee impersonator, gave a program on General
Lee, this being the 200th anniversary of Lee's birth. Then the string band The
Old South played period music and Paula White was the caller for the Confederate
Ball.
On Saturday, the morning started with the SCV business session with Tennessee
Division Commander Michael Bradley presiding. The main topic of discussion was
the creation of a heritage defense endowment fund. The goal being raised was set
at $100,000.
Adjutant James Patterson and 1st Lt. Commander: Todd
Gober
The ladies of the Tennessee Division of the Order of Confederate Rose also held
their state meeting at this time, with OCR Division President Ruby Pruitt
presiding. Afterwards a luncheon catered by Mike's Catfish was held. Mrs. Jo
Hill, United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) president, brought greetings
from the UDC. The guest speaker was John Bridges, who gave a program on "Three
Cousins from Mechanicsville," the story of Dewitt Smith Jobe, Dee Smith and
Thomas Benton Smith. The band "The Coleman Scouts" then performed, playing some
old favorites.
Camp No. 33 member Sam Tune had his award-winning custom show Harley-Davidson on
display in the lobby of the hotel. The bike is Confederate-themed, with murals
of all the great Confederate generals.
A tour of Murfreesboro Civil War sites was taken, with a stop at Oaklands
Historic House Museum and Stones River National Battlefield, where park ranger
Jim Lewis gave a talk on the battle.
Saturday evening, the SCV Tennessee Division
awards banquet was held. Murfreesboro SCV Camp No. 33 won second place in the
Tod Carter Award for best newsletter, "The Monthly Rebel Banner," James G.
Patterson, editor.
Matt Hurtt and Emily McDonald both won the Robert E. Lee Award for people
outside of the SCV who took on a heritage issue — in this case, "Save Forrest
Hall." Oaklands Mansion also won the Robert E. Lee Award for its Civil
War-related events during the past year.
Commander Bradley presents award to Oaklands Mansion
Executive
Director Dennis Jungman
Commanders Barrow and Bradley present "Robert E. Lee
Award" to
Emily McDonald and Matt Hurt for their part in Save
Forrest Hall Campaign.
A Southern-style meal was catered by Karen Goins. Southern heritage activist H.K.
Edgerton gave a stirring speech on Southern Heritage. H.K. and Matt were made
associate members of Camp No. 33 and Emily was made an honorary member of Camp
No. 33.
Compatriot H.K. Edgerton addresses the Reunion
Nationally known Civil War historian Thomas Cartwright from the Carter House in
Franklin was the guest speaker for the evening. Cartwright gave a talk on humor
during the war. Ross Moore performed for the evening's musical entertainment. An
oratory contest was held and Jeff Evans from Savannah won with a poem on Nathan
Bedford Forrest.
Commander Bradley presents Camp #33 with "Sam Davis Award"
for
Camp of the Year for Tennessee Division to Adjutant
Patterson
For the final day of the reunion, a memorial service was held at the Confederate
Circle in Evergreen Cemetery, honoring the 2,000 Confederate soldiers buried
there. Brian Corley and Jim Roberts received the Charge 'em Both Ways Award for
their work renovating the Confederate Circle.
Camp Commander Wayne Wilson and Camp Adjutant James Patterson spoke and the
Caudells played several moving songs, starting with the Irish traditional song "Siul
a Run" and ending with "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," which was the theme of the
reunion.
A wreath was placed at the Confederate monument by Tod and Nila Gober, then the
18th Tennessee Color Guard fired three volleys to end the memorial. To close the
event, the dedication of a historical plaque at Bumpus Harley-Davidson was held.
Bumpus is located on part of the original battlefield. There were 130 members
and guests present during the three-day event.
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