Vol. XXVIII No.8 August 2007 Editor: Art Green |
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112th SCV Reunion is a Success
The Admiral Semmes Camp did not meet in July as the National Convention/Reunion had just been completed with much success.
The camp will meet on the 2nd Floor at the Admiral Semmes Hotel on August 27, 2007, at 7 p.m. The program will be announced.
From the Commander’s Desk
Gentlemen of Raphael Semmes Camp 11:
Congratulations to you all in the successful completion of the 2007 National Reunion held in Mobile July 26-28. I saw many of our membership working hard in various locations and must say how very proud I was to see everyone making sure Camp 11 was honorably represented. The vendor area and registration tables were well coordinated and presented the best of our membership as they went about the business of making sure everything went smoothly. The tours were sold out, and all comments were very positive from those visiting Mobile, Alabama.
The Reunion Committee and their support staff of Camp 11 membership did an outstanding job in maintaining the dignity and professionalism of the entire Reunion. It was impressive to see our membership greeting everyone with smiles and a firm handshake, asking each attendee if they could assist them or their families during their stay.
While all events were important, perhaps the most important was the burial services for the CSS Alabama crewman. Camp 11 had the opportunity to work with the CSS Alabama Association; the Alabama Division of Reenactors, Inc.; the Raphael Semmes Home; the U.S. Navy; the U.S. Coast Guard; Radney Funeral Home; Magnolia Cemetery; the City of Mobile and Mobile County Sheriff's Department just to name a few.
We all know of the commitment of Compatriots Joe Ringhoffer and Joe Dupree, and without their hard work and dedication, the entire event would fallen short of expectations. Our camp membership supported the funeral procession and burial by escorting the funeral caisson, placing flags, setting up equipment and coordinating reenactor participation. Special thanks to John Brewer and Steve Kennedy for their work with the 21st Alabama Infantry in meeting the requirements of flag corps and honor guard. Great appreciation is extended to our good friend Brien McWilliams of the Alabama Division of Reenactors, Inc., and all of the reenactors that came to Mobile to assist us in honoring the crewman killed in action aboard the CSS Alabama.
Captain Oliver Semmes and the Semmes family made the burial services a memorable event by honoring their ancestor and our camp namesake, Raphael Semmes. The CSS Alabama Association also made this event possible by their work in having the crewman's remains sent to Mobile for burial.
So many of you helped make this event so memorable and "thank you" seems such an inadequate word of appreciation to you. A UDC Chaplain and her husband traveled to Mobile from the Tampa, Florida, area to see the funeral. She summed up the thoughts of many when she said to me at Raphael Semmes' home Saturday morning, "We missed the Hunley Funeral but made a promise that we would not miss the CSS Alabama crewman's funeral. This means the world to us to be here in Mobile to remember the sacrifices of our Confederate ancestors."
Best regards, Phil Law, Commander
Raphael Semmes Comp 11, Mobile, Alabama
Announcements
The 112th National SCV Reunion was held July 25-28 at the Battle House Hotel on Royal Street. Raphael Semmes Camp 11 was the sponsor and many dignitaries were present for the business secessions and festivities. The high point was a full military funeral and procession for an unknown Confederate whose body was found aboard Admiral Semmes flagship the CSS Alabama. His body lay in state at the Raphael Semmes home, and he was interred at Confederate Rest along with 1109 other of his Confederate compatriots. The march up Government Street with a horse drawn caisson bearing the wooden casket was striking and drew positive news coverage. The casket was made by members of the Raphael Semmes Camp 11. Too many members of our camp did too much to try to thank them all but special thanks and recognition go to Joe Ringhoffer for his tireless leadership through the planning and execution of this memorable experience. Pat yourself on the back and thanks to Joe R. Approx 450 members registered to attend and 330 paid attendance to the grand ball. There were many positive comments from the community on our behavior and presence in Mobile. The local television and newspapers gave good positive coverage.
Photos can be viewed and copied for personal use at the following web sites. The owners ask that you give them credit if reproduced and used in a publication.
http://imageevent.com/whipgrey/cssalabamacrewmanfuneral
http://tedbowling.smugmug.com/gallery/3223041#177979001
http://www.cssalabama.shutterfly.com/action/
Camp dues are now due. If you have not paid, please remit $42.
Send payment to Paymaster Charles Christmas at 12 North Springbank Road, Mobile, AL 36608.
A National Life Member only owes $22, $10 to Division and $12 to Camp
A Division Life Member only owes $32, $20 to National and $12 to Camp.
Division and National Life Members owe $12 to Camp.
New Members dues are $47.
NATIONAL LIFE MEMBERSHIP DUES: $500 AGES 12 - 64
$250 AGES 65 – 79
$125 AGES 80+
DIVISION LIFE MEMBERSHIP DUES: $200
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August 31-Sept. 2, 2007, Decatur, AL – 143rd Battle of Decatur
Sept. 7-9, 2007, Tunnel Hill, GA – Battle of Tunnel Hill
Sept. 14-16, Alabama – Skirmish at Buckhorn Tavern (Cavalry)
Sept. 14-16, Virginia – 145th Anniversary of Battle of Antietam
Sept. 22, Georgia – Auction of WBTS at the NW Georgia Trade Center. Mikekentauctions.com
October 5-7, Mississippi - 145th Battle for Davis’ Mill
October 6-7, Georgia - Battle of Andersonville.
October 12-14, Alabama – Skirmish at Buckhorn Tavern
Featured Alabama Infantry Regiment – 41st Alabama Infantry Volunteers
The 41st Alabama Infantry regiment, 1250 strong, was organized in May 1862. It was ordered from Tuscaloosa to Chattanooga and was in middle Tennessee for some months doing guard duty. It was sent to Kentucky in September and brigaded under General Hanson and was the only Alabama regiment in his Kentucky brigade. It fought valiantly under Colonel M. L. Stansel at Murfreesboro where General
Hanson was killed. Colonel Stansel remained in command of the 41st throughout its existence. The regiment was assigned to General Helm in May 1863 and moved to Tullahoma, Tennessee, in Breckinridge’s Army. The regiment took part in the relief of Vicksburg and was in the trenches at Jackson through the summer of 1863. They rejoined the army in Tennessee and immortalized themselves at Chickamauga. Of the 350 men who went into battle, 147 were killed or wounded. Again it lost its brigade commander when General Helm was killed. In November the 41st was brigaded with Hillard’s Legion and Stallworth’s sharpshooters under the command of General Gracie. They took part in the campaign in East Tennessee and went north with Gracie to Virginia. Here they fought at Drewrey’s Bluff and Dutch Gap and were in the long siege at Petersburg. They were fighting at Appomattox when the flag of truce ended the fight. Of the 1454 names on the rolls, there were only 270 in this last fight.
Captain Robert H. McCord died in the service. Captain B. A. Hudgins was wounded, and Lt’s J. T. Hardaway and N. B. Lenderman were killed at Murfreesboro. Captain L. M. Clements was wounded, and Lt. A. Hawkins and Sgt. Major Ira Tarrant were killed at Chickamauga. Captain H. M. Bell was wounded at Hatcher’s Run. Lt. Col. T. G. Trimmer laid down his life at White Oak Road, and Major L. D. Hudgins was killed at Petersburg.
This was handed to an officer on Saturday morning before the procession by a gray-clad chap.
The C.S.S Alabama, she struck such fear
Reviled by the North but in the South revered.
Declared the greatest sea raider of all time
And foremost commerce decimator two years in prime.
Travailed with disrepair and munitions weak
The Federals mounted an exploitative war feat.
Unwavered and unwilling to surrender without a fight
The fearless sailors fired back with all their might.
Now we pay homage to a vestige of days of yore
None of which an event has occurred before.
The interment of a devoted seaman brave
Who for 120 years lay in a watery grave.
His death from the hundred rounds of the Kearsaarge guns
Sinking the relentless Alabama armed with Confederate sons.
Today we honor this mariner's memory and that of his mates
Who valiantly sailed their ship into the jaws of fate.
What a privilege to carry the remains of one
who gave full measure for his cause
And to the venerable Confederacy, we give pause.
YOS Cpl Langston
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Lest We Forget
“To you Sons of Confederate Veterans, we will 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.” Lt. General S. D. Lee
MINUTES OF THE RAPHAEL SEMMES CAMP # 11
SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS MEETING OF JUNE 25, 2007
The meeting was held in the Cove Room at the Admiral Semmes Hotel. There were 34 compatriots and three guests in attendance. The invocation was given by Assistant Chaplain Steve Kennedy. The flag pledge and salutes were led by Treasurer Charlie Christmas.
PROGRAM
There was not a featured program at the meeting, as this was the last meeting before the 2007 national reunion. An in-depth and very detailed report of all the final preparations, schedule and plans was made by Reunion Chairman Joe Ringhoffer. He called for volunteers to assist in the various areas as needed. The areas of registration, Camp 11 silent auction, vending area assistance and security, assistance on the various tours, ticket collection at the various meals, will all need volunteers from Camp 11.
OLD BUSINESS
The tabled motion to continue meeting at the Admiral Semmes Hotel instead of moving to the home of Raphael Semmes was tabled again until the August meeting. The August 27, 2007, meeting will be held at the Admiral Semmes Hotel.
NEW BUSINESS
The application of one candidate for membership in the Raphael Semmes Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans, was unanimously approved. Our newest member is A. J. Dupree III, on the record of his ancestor Henry Harms.
Four amendments to the SCV Constitution will be considered at the upcoming reunion. The camp decided to give our delegates the discretion to vote for or against the amendments as would be best for the camp. The lead delegate will be Judge Advocate Ken Stanton.
The benediction was given by Chaplain Fr Edwin Beecham.
Submitted by David Mader, Adjutant