The January 23, 2012 meeting of the John M. Jordan Camp #581 Historical Honor Society will be held in the private dining room at The Spare Times Grill commencing at 6 p.m. for a dinner followed by a program. The speakers for this meeting will be 7th Brigade Commander Ronald Graves, past 7th Brigade Commander Jimmy Cox, and dual member of our camp, Commander Lawrence Martin. The subject will be developing a living history demonstration and an actual demonstration of the six demonstrations they are presently using in the Charlotte County and Mecklenburg County school systems. Subjects to be covered would be infantry, artillery, Calvary, medical supply and general life of a Confederate soldier during the War for Southern Independence, 1861-1865. All camp members are encouraged to attend this instructional program and learn how these three compatriots were able to get in the Charlotte County and Mecklenburg County school systems for these living history programs. The take home is how we can accomplish the same Confederate goals as the Compatriots in our joining camps.

Camp members are invited to call The Spare Times Grill at 434-572-6922 and order your meal limited menu by leaving a message on the answering machine or talking to one of the servers. If you leave a message, please leave your name and return number in the event a question arises. You must tell the server how you would like your meal cooked and the side orders. In the future, our meetings will be held directly to the left as you enter The Spare Times Grill and a sign will direct you to the private dining area which I am sure you will enjoy.

I have enclosed a copy from my son and our fellow camp member, Jay Burnett, who has furnished a limited menu but of course you may order any meal that you would like. I am sure any dining facility would have difficulty processing 40-50 meals in a 1 hour time period. Ordering your meal by phone will enable Commander Crews to start our meeting promptly at 7 p.m.

At our November 28, 2011 meeting, Ms. Cassy Gray of Cincinnati, Ohio gave an interesting and informative talk on General John B. Gordon’s attack on Fort Stedman during the days of the siege of Petersburg. Ms. Gray is the owner and publisher of “The Stainless Steele Banner.” I hope all who have computers are receiving her monthly newsletter and if not, you can Google in the “The Stainless Banner” and read her most interesting newsletter.

2012 is going to be an exciting year for John M. Jordan Camp programs. Programs already booked are:
1. Richmond Clothing Bureau – Organization, Operations, Problems, Challenges & Uniform Types produced for the Army of Northern Virginia
2. Life After J.E.B. Stuart: The Memoirs of his Granddaughter, Marrow Stuart Smith
3. The Rebel and The Rose – John Semple & Julia G. Tyler and the Lost Confederate Gold
4. Confederate Currency & Stamps
5. Lee’s Last Casualty: The Life and Letters of Sgt. Robert W. Parker, 2nd Virginia Cavalry
6. Colonel John S. Mosby – Mosby’s Men
7. The Marxist Lincoln & the Infiltration of the Union by the disciples of Carl Marx
8. How the Europeans viewed the War Between the States
9. Handguns of the War Between the States

Of course any member in the camp who would like to suggest a speaker and a program are welcome to discuss this with the Executive Committee.

As part of the 2011-2015, American Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration, the South Boston/Halifax County Museum will be hosting similar exhibits, events, and speakers over the next four years. Whether they fought on the battlefield, endured the hardships at home, or struggled for emancipation, all of our Virginia ancestors shared a common history. As part of these planned exhibits, the Museum would like to purchase 3 complete Civil War period uniforms. Present day costs at Blockade Runners Inc. are:
Coat: $190
Pants: 100
Brogans: 80
Canteen & Strap: 60
Cartridge Box: model 1855 58 cal.: 40
Blanket: 50
Personal items: (mess kit, cup, etc.): 40
Bayonet and Scabbard: 40
Kepi Hat: 30
Cotton Shirt: 25
Haver sack bag (Confederate): 16
Suspenders (cloth type): 15
Belt Buckle: 15
Cap pouch: 15
Cartridge box sling: 15
Leather waste belt: 10
Wool socks: 10

The museum is asking for help to purchase these items. Donations will go directly towards the purchase of specific items and nothing else. I would like to remind the camp that over 1300 visitors toured the Civil War 150 Mobile History Exhibit during its 4 day visit in November. It was a great success and our camp is on record as partnering with the museum in the Sesquicentennial Commemoration.

Congratulations and thanks to our Compatriots Richard Hall and Boyd Archer for representing our camp at the Lee-Jackson Day festivities in Lexington, VA on January 13-14, 2012. They will be a 2 member team holding a Confederate flag at our camp’s designated light pole. This is part of the Division and National SCV “Lexington Lee Jackson Vigil/Protest and Save Our Flag/Boycott Lexington, Virginia.” The Heritage Defense committee of the Sons of Confederate Veterans is sponsoring a Confederation/Wide Visual and Protest in Lexington, Virginia for the city’s passage of an insulting, discriminatory and illegal ordinance that bands Confederate flags from flag holders on city owned light poles. In 1991, SCV was forced to sue the city of Lexington to have their Lee-Jackson parade go forward. The city signed a court enforceable consent decree promising not to interfere with Confederate symbols again. Recently, in an insulting move deliberately aimed at the SCV, the city has passed an ordinance permitting only Government flags, i.e., U.S., Virginia and city flags to fly on city light poles. Unfortunately for the city, legal research has shown that if sued over the unconstitutional ordinance, the city of Lexington will most likely loose. The law suit has been drafted. Until the filing, we must put maximum pressure on the city of Lexington to peacefully re-dress this ongoing insult to our heroes, Lee and Jackson, in the town where their hallowed remains lie. All camp members are encouraged to attend this event if at possible.

Camp members are reminded that the State SCV reunion will be held at the Virginia Beach, Virginia Convention Center March 30-April 1, 2012. The camp will elect a Chairman of the camp delegation at our January 23rd meeting.

Any camp member planning to attend the July 11-14, 2012 SCV reunion at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Murphreesboro, Tennessee should go on the SCV website, download a registration form, and call the Embassy Suites for room accommodations.

Confederate history month is rapidly approaching in April 2012. Members are encouraged to submit articles to Commander Crews or myself to be including in our two local newspapers. Also, John M. Jordan Camp is joining with the UDC to run the annual Lee-Jackson pictures and announcement in both local papers.

On February 3-4, 2012, the SCV will sponsor the 2012 Stephen Dill Lee Institute to be held in the city of Savannah, Georgia. The theme for the 2012 series will be “The Costs of Lincoln’s War” and will be led by Dr. Thomas DiLorenzo, a noted authority on Lincoln.

Congratulations on our camp for retaining all 45 members and 5 dual members. A special thanks to Commander Crews and camp members for all of their hard work in 2011 and as we began the 2012 year, I hope each member will encourage a friend, acquaintance, co-worker or family member to visit our camp. If we do not continue to honor our Confederate Heritage, who will?

The Treasurer’s report effective 1-6-12 is $3,086.89.

Respectfully Submitted In the Bonds of the Old South,


Gerald C. Burnett, M.D.
Camp Adjutant, Treasurer, Editor
John M. Jordan Camp #581