An important issue at this time is the payment of annual SCV membership dues. It’s of the utmost importance to the SCV and the cause of preserving our Southern heritage that all of our members renew their membership. Each and every member is needed in the fight for our heritage. I’m asking those of you who haven’t sent in your dues, please do not delay in getting them paid on time.

Annual membership dues are payable starting August 1st and must be received by SCV National Headquarters and the Georgia Division SCV by November 1st. If you are going to mail in your dues, they need to be received by October 22nd. The Adjutant and Treasurer need to receive dues by this date in order to give them adequate time to complete the required paperwork and submit payment for dues to SCV National Headquarters and the GA Division SCV Adjutant.

NOTE: Dues not paid in time to be processed by November 1st, or dues paid after November 1st will require the payment of a $5.00 reinstatement fee.

*Regular Membership Dues are $41.00 ($20-SCV National + $12-GA Division + $9-Camp #158)

*GA Division SCV Life Members pay $29.00 ($20-SCV National + $9-Camp #158)

*SCV National Life Members pay $21.00 ($12-GA Division + $9-Camp #158)

*SCV National & GA Division SCV Life Members pay $9.00 ($9-Camp #158)

Dues can be paid at the camp meeting on October 13th, or make checks payable to SCV Camp #158 and mail dues to:

Camp News & Events

Thursday, August 18th – Magnolia Cemetery Workday in the Confederate sections of the cemetery.

Saturday, August 20th – Camp #158 re-enactors went to Statesboro and participated in the Mickell Memorial Cemetery Dedication Service honoring the Confederate soldiers interred in this small family cemetery. Ogeechee Rifles Camp #941 in Statesboro hosted the memorial service.

Friday, August 26th – In celebration of the premiere showing of "The Battle of Aiken" at Augusta’s historic Imperial Theater, members of Camp #158 and members of their families participated in a parade march with other camps from St. Paul's Episcopal Church to the theater on Broad Street. At the end of the march the re-enactors stopped at the Confederate monument on Broad Street and fired several volleys before entering the Imperial Theater to see the movie. Brigadier General Barnard E. Bee Camp #1575 of Aiken, SC, hosted this event.

Thursday, September 1st – Magnolia Cemetery Workday in the Confederate sections of the cemetery.

Commander Posey introduced approximately fifteen guests in attendance. Our 5^th Brigade Commander, Michael Mull, and Deke Cox, the 2^nd Lt. Commander of the Ogeechee Rifles Camp #941, Statesboro, Georgia. Also present were representatives from the Berry Benson Chapter 2584 of the UDC from North Augusta, and several SCV Camps (Confederate Memorial Camp #1432 of Stone Mountain; Maj. Gen. Ambrose Ransom Wright Camp #1914 of Evans; and Wilson Tigers-Company I, 48th Georgia Camp 245 of Hephzibah, GA).

There being no additions or corrections, the meeting minutes of the July meeting were approved as published in the August Wigwag.

Commander Posey then introduced the evening's guest speaker, Dr. Russell K. Brown, a retired army officer who writes and speaks on military and local history and genealogy. He holds a doctorate in U.S. History. This is his fourth book and his third on Georgia in the Civil War. Dr. Brown has also worked at a nuclear power plant and has been an undergraduate and graduate college instructor. He is also a member of the William Few Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Dr. Brown spoke on his new book "Our Connection with Savannah: History of the 1st Battalion Georgia Sharpshooters." His interest in sharpshooters was sparked by visiting a website on the Internet. Having regiments of specialized sharpshooters was a unique concept in the military and alien to the hometown unit tradition. Men were asked to leave the comfortable companionship of their neighbors and friends and go into a unit with people they had never met before. Despite its uncertain beginning, the battalion was molded into a fine unit by the skill and energy of its officers and noncommissioned officers. The battalion played important roles in numerous battles and campaigns, but by the war's end, like all Confederate units, its ranks were decimated.

In appreciation of his efforts to provide our camp with his interesting facts and insights, Commander Posey presented to Dr. Brown a framed photograph of the Confederate Powder Works Chimney taken at its 140^th Anniversary in 2002.

Joe Winstead made application for membership through his great-great grandfather, 1^st Lt. John Bissett of the 7^th North Carolina Infantry. A motion was made to accept Joe into the camp and this passed by a unanimous voice vote.

Tommy Miller, Sr. commended the Augusta Chronicle for their recent Mini Page article. Though normally promoting a politically correct agenda, this lesson on Reconstruction and the Homestead Act, correctly informed the young audience that Indians and Confederate Veterans were not allowed to participate in the benefits of the act.

David Shockey, captain of the 5^th Georgia Infantry, announced the unit's reenactment, "Raid on 1810 West Inn and Rendezvous" in Thomson on October 8^th and 9^th. Volunteers from Camp 158 are needed to help with parking and other activities. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Admission is free. For more information visit: www.gecities.com/fifthgeorgia

Lee Herron passed out copies of a petition requesting Memphis, Tennessee, City Council members not to rename monuments and parks honoring Southern heritage (Forrest, Davis and Confederate).

Woody Highsmith provided a report of the key happenings at the SCV Annual Convention in Nashville where he represented Camp 158.

Commander Posey announced that prints of a new painting of Brigadier General E. Porter Alexander are available for purchase.

A short recess was then taken.

1^st Lieutenant Commander Ron Udell reported a successful Barnyard Flea Market on August 6^th; approximately $83 was taken in at the camp's booth and the "living history" presentation was well received. The camp has received an invitation to the Peanut Festival and Parade in Brooklet, GA, and a memorial service in Statesboro, GA.

Brigade Commander Mull invited all to attend the Memorial Service for the Mickell Family on Saturday, 20 August at the family cemetery east of Statesboro. Seven Mickell brothers fought for the Confederacy and 6 are buried in this cemetery, as well as one family member who served with the Swamp Fox in the American Revolution. A five-foot statue of a Confederate soldier is to be erected in the cemetery.

Treasurer Lee Herron provided the July financial report.

Adjutant Perry Herron reported that camp work details had worked at Magnolia Cemetery on July 21^st, and August 4^th, 5^th and 6^th. The lawn maintenance was completed and the headstones for the two Levy brothers were replaced. Charles Lunsford's transfer papers were submitted to SCV Headquarters. It is time to be thinking of annual membership dues again. For regular members, $41 is required before November 1^st.

2^nd Lieutenant Commander David Powell stated that the Augusta Genealogical Society is seeking the camp's help for tours in Magnolia Cemetery on the 19^th through 21^st of August. His crew will work there on the 18^th to cut the grass in the Confederate sections.

Commander Nick Posey reported on the following:

• The Perdue Flagging at Savannah Rapids Pavilion went well. Approximately 24 were there to provide a special greeting for the Governor. Coverage made the Augusta Chronicle on the 31^st and WGAC Radio on August 1^st.
• Thanks to camp members who participated in the work details at Magnolia Cemetery. The Confederate Sections are clearly the best-kept sections of the cemetery.
• A special thanks to David Powell for making and installing a box by the speakers platform to hold brochures informing heritage visitors and tourists of the locations of the graves of the Confederate generals buried in Magnolia.
• Ben Creech has an idea to install a sign crediting the camp with maintaining the Confederate sections of the cemetery.
• The Berry Benson Camp will hold their annual Stephen D. Lee Banquet on September 16^th.
• Thanks to unsung contributors Phillip Miller for setting up the sound system each meeting and Terry Bowers for taking the meeting minutes.

• A motion was made to stop paying SCE&G for the light at the flag display on U.S. Highway No. 1 in Clearwater. The light is not illuminating the flags properly and is a waste of camp funds. The motion was seconded and 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:

• Friday, August 26th (8:00 p.m.) and Saturday, August 27th (2:00 pm., 4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.) – The Imperial Theater of Augusta, located on 745 Broad Street, will have the premiere showing of "The Battle of Aiken," a full length movie chronicling the events leading up to The Battle of Aiken and the battle itself.
• Saturday, August 27th – The 3rd Quarter Georgia Division SCV Executive Council Meeting will be held at Wick's Tavern Museum at 10:30 a.m., in Villa Rica.
• Thursday, September 8th – Next SCV Camp #158 Meeting at Sconyers Bar-B-Que Restaurant, 7:00 p.m. Our Program Speaker will be Mrs. Tammy Herron. She will give a PowerPoint presentation and talk on historic Oakley Park in Edgefield, SC.

General Comments - None

The monthly door prize drawing to provide funding to the Southern Legal Resource Center was conducted.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Conscripted Secretary

-- President Jefferson Davis

Wig Wag - September 2005 Edition