March 2024 our guest speaker was Compatriot Ken Temples. Due to technical issues he was not able to present his talk as scheduled. He will bring us his talk at a later date. Commander Moore used the remaining time to discuss business as well as our upcoming Ladies Night and our Annual Meeting held at the Osteen Cabin located at the Battle of Aiken Site.
January and February 2024 the camp did not have a regular meeting we held our Annual Prayer Breakfast. All photos and decripsion of the day is under our Prayer Breakfast Tab.
November 2023 Camp meeting with Compatriot Blake Moore speaking
Commander Blake Moore brought us an interesting talk on the Battle of the Wilderness. Even though it was a lot of information to shrink down into the time allotted Commander Blake did an exceptional job explaining exactly what happened in the Battle of the Wilderness. This was a needed discussion as to what happened there led to the Battle of Spotsylvania.
October 2023 Camp meeting with Compatriots Nathan Oxner and Chad Hett
Compatriot Oxner gave a brief histroy about his Great, Great, Great Grandfather Nathaniel Oxner of Company C, 15th South Carolina. He enlisted in March of 1862 with two major battles being confirmed in his records. The Battle of Sharpsburg/Antietam and The Battle of the Wilderness in 1864. He fought his last battle at Bentonville. His homestead had several mills including the following: saw mill, brick mill, shingle mill, flour mill and one of the first roller mill in the state.
Compatriot Chad Hett brought us information from his family. One story of his ancestors is that Union General Kilpatrick used the Cheely house as his headquarters for a brief time in 1864. As they were leaving the house orders were given to "Burn the fields, kill the livestock, and burn the grist mill." The house was not touched. In the war his 3rd Great Grandfather fought in the battle of Powder Springs, GA. A great , great uncle who was 16 at the time was not seen after the union troops came through. And another 3rd great grandfather Jasper Wilcher was medically discharged and he signed back up and was later killed in battle.
September 2023 Camp meeting with guest Tom Plowden speaking
Mr. Plowden came and told us about Private Charles E. Whilden from South Carolina. His permanent and lasting mark in the War for Southern Independence occurred at Spotsylvania, Virginia on May 12, 1864. During the breakthrough of the Federals at "The Bloody Angle", the forty-year old Private of Company I, 1st South Carolina infantry was aware of the tragedy that had befallen his fellow comrades in gray. Witnessing the fall of this vital ground to the Federals, he grasped the staff of his regiment's colors, and led a contrasting group of Confederates toward to recapture the angle.
August 2023 camp meeting with 1st Lieutenant Commander Lee Duvall speaking
Our August meeting was one of fellowship and great conversation. Lee brought a wonderful talk on the prisoner of war camp, Camp Chase, Ohio. His ancestor died there in December of 1864 from pneumonia. The camp heard news of what happened at the national reunion across the organization. We celebrated in the great job Blake does on our camp newsletter and for bringing 1st place back to the camp. Thank you Blake for all your hard work.
June 2023 camp meeting with guest Bing Chambers speaking.
At our June meeting we had SCV member and author Bing Chambers come and discuss his work on the South Carolina Soldiers that died in battle. He has done extensive research and has found around an additional 5000 soldiers that were not listed in the book Broken Fortunes. He has three volumes out with the 1st and 2nd being dedicated to the Artillery and the Calvary. The next volumes to follow are based on the infantry members and their units. The camp has bought volume 3 for the Aiken County Public Library.
Camp members attended the Jack Marlar Bench Dedication on June 3rd.
May 1, 2023: A step back to the yesteryears
For our May meeting we were once again back at the J.W. Osteen Cabin that had been moved to the Battle of Aiken Site. Before J.W. had passed our camp would have annual meetings at his cabin and would talk about the years long ago before things got hectic. Long before people were attached to technology and when respect was a way of life. At the meeting Commander Blake Moore brought a short history and presentation about the SC Division Guardianship Program. He challenged us all to tend to a Confederate Soldiers Grave and register as a guardian. We want to extend our thanks to the Brigadier General Barnard E. Bee Camp #1575 for allowing us to meet at the site.
April 9, 2023: Annual Camp Ladies Night at the Outing Club
Guest Speaker Author Tom Poland
At our annual ladies night author Tom Poland came and gave a talk about the Backroads of South Carolina. Tom is always brings a wonderful talk about his trips around the great state of South Carolina.
Author Tom Poland
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Commander Blake Moore presented Julie Hardaway and Janice Moore the SCV Ladies Appreciation Award for their continued support for our camp and our heritage for many years. The two ladies deserved the award and the honor.
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Commander Blake Moore awarded Tony Venetz the Friends of the SCV Certificate and Pin. Mr. Venetz has worked with the General Joe Wheeler Camp with the Wreaths Across America Program. The General Joe Wheeler Camp was the first in the Nation to recognize Confederate Soldiers with this program with the help of Mr. Venetz.
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March 6, 2023: Guest Speaker Joe Long
Mr. Long has worked at the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room for 22 years. He spoke on the topic of Cruises of the CSS Florida and Ship’s Captain Lt. John Newland Maffitt. Everyone enjoyed hearing about Captain Lt. Maffitt. In our camp newsletter for the month of April is an article about Captain Lt. Maffitt.
January 2023 : Our Annual Prayer Breakfast
For information and photos of the Annual Prayer Breakfast look under our Projects tab.
December camp meeting 2022
At the camp meeting in December we had our annual pot luck dinner. We had a wonderful time of fellowship. Our chaplain led us in a few Christmas songs. Commander Temples read a poem and about the Great Snowball fight on Christmas Eve as recorded in the history of Kershaws Brigade. Commander Temples then presented two compatriots the Prestigious Mr.Osteen Medal. Only a few are awarded such an honor. Nathan Oxner (left) and Danny Brown (right) were the recipients. Newly elected Commander Blake Moore presented Past Commander Temples with a Second National Flag that flew over Fort Sumter during he 150 years remembrance of the War for Southern Independence. Blake brought us the history of General Wheelers Calvary Flag. In the picture below you can see our camps flag as Ken Temples holds it out for all to see.
At our October 3, 2022 meeting compatriot Dan Reese from the Berry Benson Camp came and delivered a great talk on Hamburg, South Carolina.