Sons of Confederate Veterans facts for kids
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| Abbreviation | SCV |
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| Established | July 1, 1896 |
| Founder | R. E. Lee Camp, No. 1, Confederate Veterans |
| Founded at | Richmond, Virginia |
| Type | nonprofit |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) |
| Headquarters | Elm Springs, Columbia, Tennessee |
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Area served
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Worldwide |
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Membership (2019)
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c. 30,000 |
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Commander-in-Chief
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Jason Boshers |
| Donnie Kennedy | |
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Adjutant-in-Chief
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Dan McCaskill |
| General Executive Council | |
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Key people
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| Publication | Confederate Veteran |
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Formerly called
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United Sons of Confederate Veterans |
The Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) is a group in America. It is made up of men whose ancestors were soldiers in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. The SCV works to remember these ancestors. They also help fund and build monuments to them. The group promotes an idea called the Lost Cause. This idea is a way of looking at the Civil War and its history.
The SCV started on July 1, 1896. This happened in Richmond, Virginia. It was founded by a group called R. E. Lee Camp, No. 1, of the United Confederate Veterans. The main office for the SCV is at Elm Springs. This location is in Columbia, Tennessee.
In recent years, there has been a lot of discussion. This discussion is about showing Confederate symbols in public. The SCV has sometimes responded by displaying larger Confederate flags. Some of these displays are meant to show disagreement with those who want the symbols removed.
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What is the SCV's Purpose?
The SCV promotes an idea known as the Lost Cause of the Confederacy. This idea is a specific way of understanding the Civil War. It also explains the time after the war, called the Reconstruction.
One main part of the Lost Cause idea is that the Civil War was fought over states' rights. It claims the war was not fought over slavery. The SCV's website states that "The preservation of liberty and freedom was the motivating factor in the South’s decision to fight the Second American Revolution."
The SCV says its goal is to "encourage the preservation of history." They also want to "perpetuate the hallowed memories of brave men." This means keeping the memory of soldiers alive. They help with Confederate Memorial Day. They also aim to record the service of every Southern soldier.
Who Can Join the SCV?
To join the SCV, you must be a male descendant. This means you are related to someone who served in the Confederate armed forces. Your ancestor must have served until the end of the war. Or, they might have died in prison or while serving. They could also have been killed in battle. Or, they were honorably retired or discharged.
You can join through direct family lines. This means your parent, grandparent, and so on. You can also join through other family lines. You must show proof of your family connection. The youngest age to be a full member is 12 years old. There is no age limit for cadet membership.
History of the SCV
How the SCV Started
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After the Confederacy lost the Civil War, groups formed to remember the soldiers. In the 1890s, the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the United Confederate Veterans became very important.
On July 1, 1896, delegates from different Southern states met. They gathered in Richmond, Virginia. Their goal was to create a national organization. They wanted it to be similar to the United Confederate Veterans. They decided to call it the United Sons of Confederate Veterans.
The group's first constitution explained their goals. They wanted to "encourage the preservation of history." They also aimed to "perpetuate the hallowed memories of brave men." This meant keeping the memory of soldiers alive. They also wanted to help with Memorial Day. Their purpose was "not to create or foster, in any manner, any feeling against the North." Instead, they wanted to "hand down to posterity the story of the glory of the men who wore the gray."
On July 1, the delegates chose J. E. B. Stuart as their first leader. He was the son of a famous Confederate general.
In 1919, the SCV worked with other groups. These included the United Daughters of the Confederacy. They formed a committee. This committee aimed to influence history textbooks. They wanted to make sure Southern schools used certain books.
Changes and Challenges
In the 1990s, members of the SCV had different ideas. Some wanted to focus on traditional activities. These included caring for gravestones and studying Civil War history. Others wanted to be more active. They wanted to fight for the right to display Confederate symbols. These members used protests and lawsuits. They wanted to prevent what they called "heritage violations." This meant any attack on their Confederate heritage or symbols.
More active members started to be elected to leadership roles. Some members who preferred traditional activities formed a separate group. This group was called Save the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
By 2003, most disagreements within the SCV had ended. Most members agreed with the new leaders' focus on heritage preservation. One of these leaders was Ron Wilson. He served as Commander-in-Chief from 2002 to 2004.
In 2005, there were more internal disputes. The SCV's General Executive Council tried to remove their leader, Dennis Sweeney. A court eventually returned power to Sweeney. After this, many council members were removed. Some of these were former leaders who usually had lifetime positions.
The SCV also changed its relationship with another group. This group was the Military Order of the Stars and Bars (MOSB). The MOSB had worked closely with the SCV for many years. They even shared headquarters. But in 2005, the MOSB decided to separate. They moved out of the shared office. They also stopped publishing a magazine together. In 2006, the two groups held separate meetings for the first time.
SCV and SUVCW
The SCV has a friendly relationship with another group. This group is the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW). The SUVCW represents descendants of Union soldiers. The leader of the SUVCW has attended SCV meetings many times. Both groups work together to preserve Civil War graves and monuments.
Buildings and Sites
The SCV operates the National Confederate Museum. This museum is located at the Elm Springs house. Elm Springs is in Columbia, Tennessee. When the museum opened in 2018, an SCV leader said it would be free from "political correctness."
The SCV also owns and maintains the Nathan Bedford Forrest Boyhood Home. This home is in Chapel Hill. It is where Nathan Bedford Forrest, a future Confederate general, spent parts of his childhood.
Notable Members
Many well-known people have been members of the SCV. These include former President Harry S. Truman. Other members include former senators Strom Thurmond and Jesse Helms. Political commentator Pat Buchanan and actor Clint Eastwood have also been members.
William D. McCain is seen by some as a very important figure in the SCV's history. He was a leader of the organization from 1953 to 1993. During this time, he also led the University of Southern Mississippi. He always defended the Confederacy. He was very influential in the SCV for many years.
Images for kids
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Badge
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Sons of Confederate Veterans representatives with President Calvin Coolidge at the White House on November 21, 1923
See Also
In Spanish: Sons of Confederate Veterans para niños
- Jefferson Davis Presidential Library
- Confederate Medal of Honor
- Flaggers (Confederate flag erectors)
- List of fraternal service organizations
- List of members of the SCV
- Military Order of the Stars and Bars
