Commander Posey,

Carol and I attended the induction ceremony for General Alexander and it was a well-attended and interesting evening. The Museum was only open until 5:00 pm but they let us stay in past closing time because I wanted to video the exhibit for General Alexander. I did not realize that it would already be in place and it is very well done. He is in his artillery uniform in the gondola of the balloon and is depicted in life size, sort of like a mannequin. I have some right decent video footage of it.

The event itself was in the Century of Flight hangar, which was decorated very nicely with low light and moving light projections on the walls. There were approximately 300 in attendance. I have never seen so many generals in one place in my life. The hanger has aircraft displayed within it such as a B-29, an SR71 Blackbird and a "Jolly Green Giant" helicopter to name a few. The event was black tie but I sort of wish I had worn my Confederate dress uniform instead of a tuxedo.

The reception was from 6:00 to 7:00 and they had cash bars set up. The main dinner course was an excellent steak.

The presentations went well and for General Alexander his presenter was Major General John E. Hoover (retired). Mr. Barry Whitney, General Alexander’s great grandson, gave a great but brief enshrinement talk and the plaque was unveiled.

Actually the induction of Gen Alexander was a joint award with Captain Charles Cevor who offered his balloon "Forest City" to the Confederate army. Cevor was commissioned a captain balloonist in the Confederate Army and became the 1st person commissioned as an aviator in our history. General Alexander went up in Captain Cevor's balloon until the Yankees captured it.

I thought the event was well done and we enjoyed it. There were three other inductees but we got to go first. Events like this are valuable because it casts Confederates in a good light and is historically accurate.

Governor Purdue the "Liar" was there and even gave a short talk

With kind regards,

Camp Commander Nick Posey called the monthly meeting of Brigadier General E. Porter Alexander Camp #158 to order at 7:00 PM. Chaplain Tony Carr gave the invocation and led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag. Commander Posey then led the Pledge of Allegiance to the "Real" Georgia State Flag, the salute to the Confederate Flag, and the salute to the Christian Flag. He then read the "SCV Charge."

Commander Posey introduced nearly twenty guests in attendance. These included: our 5th Brigade Commander, Michael Mull of the Ogeechee Rifles Camp #941, Statesboro, Georgia, SCV Field Representative Jack Marlar of the 16^th Regiment South Carolina Volunteers Camp #36, Greenville, SC and representatives from: Berry Benson Chapter 2584 of the UDC from North Augusta, SC; Brigadier General John C. Carter Camp #207 of Waynesboro, GA; and the John C. Breckenridge Camp #100, Lexington, KY.

Commander Posey was the evening's speaker. He presented a thorough and interesting account of the life of our camp's namesake titled, "The Life and Accomplishments of Edward Porter Alexander." This was an educational and reflective account of Alexander's achievements before during and after the War for Southern Independence.

Allen Johnson then reported on Alexander's induction into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame.

Brigade Commander Mike Mull briefed the camp on the Georgia Divisions dealings with the Napier-Hoffman House in Forsyth, GA. This house was soon to become the headquarters for the GA Division; significant donations of funds and labor had been provided by the Division and individual camps for its restoration. The house is owned and controlled by the Southern Cultural Foundation (SCF). In the Division's undocumented agreement with the SCF, it was understood that the SCV would rent a majority of the house for 99 years at a fee of $1. The Georgia Division Executive Council met in Perry on 6 May to discuss a letter sent from Dr. Bickers of the SCF. Via this letter the SCF now is asking for payment of $675 per month for 1000 square feet of space; additionally, the Division would pay for building staff. The Executive Council passed a vote of "No Confidence" in the SCF. A resolution to abandon the house is planned to be introduced at the Georgia Division Reunion on 17 June.

SCV Field Representative Jack Marlar presented positive events and challenged the camp to educate ourselves. He mentioned several heritage violation cases which had been settled out of court in our favor. The National Convention is extremely important because of both elections and constitutional amendments. He encouraged us to read the Chaplains Handbook from the War Between the States, just republished. We must educate ourselves and especially our youth if Southern Heritage is to survive. The Sam Davis Youth Camps are especially important for our Southern sons and daughters.

Carl Mixon invited everyone to Barnwell, SC on Saturday June 10th for the unveiling of a bust of William Gilmore Sims, dubbed the father of Southern Literature. Citadel Professor David Aiken will be the speaker.

1st Lieutenant Commander Ron Udell thanked the camp's reenactors and others who turned out for the living history event at Enterprise Mills on April 15th. He reported that the camp would have a booth at the Barnyard Flea Market on the 26th of May. To date raffle ticket sales are at $340.00 and approximately 1000 tickets are distributed.

Treasurer Lee Herron provided the April camp financial report. He then added that a grave marker dedication service would be held in Saluda, SC, on the 21st of May.

Commander Nick Posey reported on the following:

Brothers Greg & Michael Coots applied for membership through their 2nd great-grandfather, Private Meredith A. Thompson of Company E, 4th Regiment Alabama Cavalry. The camp accepted their memberships by a unanimous voice vote.

A motion was made to send Josh Herron (son of Adjutant Perry Herron) to the Sam Davis Youth Camp in mid June in Jackson, GA, at a cost of $495.00. This passed by voice vote.

Commander Posey reminded all to consult the Meeting Agenda handout for a list of upcoming events. These events as listed in the agenda are repeated here:

■ Saturday, May 20th – SCV Camp #158’s Adopt-A-Highway Litter Pickup: Meet at 9:00 a.m. in the parking lot across the street from the Miyabi Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse Restaurant on Augusta West Parkway.

■ Monday, May 29th – A Memorial Day Observance Ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the "All Wars Monument" located at 4th & Broad Streets. Camp #158 reenactors will fire a black powder salute in honor of Confederate Americans who served and fought in the War Between the States.

■ Thursday, June 8th – Brigadier General E. Porter Alexander Camp #158 Meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. at Sconyers Bar-B-Que Restaurant. Our program speakers will be Jerry and Diann Grigsby. They’ll speak on "Period Dress of Men & Women in the 1860s."

■ Friday, June 2nd & Saturday, June 3rd – The Augusta Richmond County Historical Society plans a commemoration of the 225th anniversary of the Battle of Augusta on Friday and Saturday, June 2nd & 3rd. Three major events, a seminar, a dinner and a battle re-enactment, are planned to commemorate the siege of Fort Cornwallis, which took place 22 May through 5 June 1781, during the American Revolution. The Battle of Augusta Reenactment with 150-175 participants will be held at Pension Field adjacent to Saint Paul's Church on Saturday June 3rd at 4:00 p.m. For more information, search the Internet by entering: 225th anniversary of the Battle of Augusta

The monthly door prize drawing to provide funding to the Southern Legal Resource Center and Lee-Jackson Banquet Fund was conducted.

Brigade Commander Michael Mull informed the camp of the death of the mother-in-law of Commander John Partridge of the Evans Camp. SCV Field Representative Jack Marlar explained the orientation of the Confederate battle flag, which appears to be upside down, on the cover of the March/April 2006 issue of the Confederate Veteran Magazine.

There being no objection to adjourn the meeting, it was so declared by general consent by Commander Posey. Mike Milford provided the Benediction; this was followed by our usual resounding rendition of Dixie.

Respectfully submitted,

Conscripted Secretary

***** Next SCV Camp #158 Meeting *****

Sconyers Bar-B-Que Restaurant - June 8th, 7:00 pm

Come join us at 6:30 to eat Bar-B-Que before the meeting

The Official Monthly Newsletter of

Augusta, Georgia