We also seek to educate those around us concerning the true history of the South and our heritage. We accomplish these goals through preservation work, identifying and placing markers on Confederate graves, by cleaning and straightening existing markers, by providing Confederate grave dedication services, by participating in historical re-enactments and living history presentations, by providing s
cholarly publications to schools and groups, and by meeting monthly to discuss the military and political history of the War Between the States, and other like activities. Specifically, here in Cleburne and Johnson County, which included Somervell and Hood Counties in 1861-1865, we have provided numerous grave dedication services and continue to work in county cemeteries. We continually place grave markers, clean and repair those already in place, as well as those of their family members, and generally beautify cemeteries where Confederate veterans are buried. Between 2002 and 2011 we cleaned hundreds of Confederate markers in numerous Johnson County cemeteries. Since we began in mid 1997, we have installed over 280 Confederate grave markers. In the year 2004/2005 we continued that as a project. We successfully researched and obtained two bronze markers for 26 Johnson County Confederate soldiers who died as POW’s at Camp Douglas in Illinois and designed and constructed a monument incorporating these markers. This monument was dedicated March 13, 2004 at Cleburne Memorial Cemetery. Westhill Construction provided concrete for the base of the monument. Lynn Steelman of Trey S Construction of Burleson assisted us in the Rock Work and Arnold Stone provided the “Picture Frame” at a discount. Near General Pat Cleburne’s birthday in March, we hold “ Pat Cleburne Day “ Everyone in the community is invited to enjoy living history with period civil war camps, live cannon demonstrations, western gun fighters, classic cars, music and much more. This is an annual event for us. Our camp is very fortunate to have 3 cannons and a Gatlin gun in its arsenal. One cannon owned and also built by camp member Mike Smith is an 1841 6 pounder complete with limber. We also have a 3 inch ordnance rifle complete with limber owned by Wesley and James Neeley. Then there is the massive 12 pounder owned by member Wes Thorne. Camp member Mike Smith also owns and displays a working ( Beautiful ) Gatlin gun that he hand built. Where ever it goes it is the center of attention. We are proud to have these fine items associated with camp 1937. Further, we go to area schools during April “Texas Confederate History month” as well as the month of March, “Pat Cleburne’s birthday“, to provide programs, literature and books about our Confederate heritage. Periodically, during the year, we provide speakers and artillery displays to schools when invited.; This being the sesquicentennial of the War for Southern Independence we have many members attending national events all over the country. Our members have attended the 150th battle of the 1st Manassas in Virginia, the 150th battle of Wilson’s creek , and in 2012 will be at the 150th battle of Shiloh. We also attend many local reenactments. We participated in parades such as the July 4th Keene parade, Hamilton Dove Fest, Weatherford Christmas parade, July 4th Cleburne parade as well as the General Granbury parade held each year. We participate in annual celebrations in many Johnson County towns including Cleburne, Burleson, Grandview, Alvarado and Godley and Whitney in Hill County. We do participate in parades and events in other Counties when invited to do so and our schedule permits. We work locally with the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Johnson County Historical Commission, the Johnson County Genealogical Society, the Johnson County Cemetery Association and various individual cemetery associations to preserve and promote county history. We had representation on the Committee for the Johnson County Sesquicentennial celebration during 2004. We also have members on the JC Historical Commission, and the Texas State Historical Commission. We participated with Cody Allen in his Eagle Scout project to finish the restoration of old historic Buchanan Cemetery. We provide news releases to local newspapers in order to educate and interest the local population in our efforts. We take every opportunity to be interviewed for newspaper columns, and have had a lot of good press since we came on the scene in late 1996, primarily due to the efforts of Shirley McKee, formerly of the Cleburne Eagle and Pam Jetsel, past writer for the Cleburne Times Review. We respond to various Confederate Heritage violations in Texas and throughout the country by appropriate letter writing campaigns and various other efforts. We meet monthly, presently the 2nd Monday at The West End Grill in Cleburne at 6:30 PM. We have had speakers discuss various WBTS battles, equipment and leaders. Some have spoken on their own ancestors. We have had speakers on the flags of the Confederacy and on how to do Confederate genealogical research. We have had music of the Confederacy presented, DVD’s on the war and many other things. The public is invited. Our meetings begin with the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag, the Pledge of Allegiance to Texas and the salute to the Confederate flag and a prayer. We are a non-profit organization and survive on the donations of members and others that appreciate our efforts on behalf of their ancestors and/or Texas and southern heritage. The donations are spent on supplies to support our cemetery work, such as concrete, rebar, epoxy, tools and flags. Any funds left over are spent for literature, cemetery dedication programs and items to distribute at no cost to the receiver as well as selected civil war preservation efforts. We thank those who have been so generous in their support, both financially and through gifts in kind. Johnson County Heritage Assembly, Vacuums West, HEB Grocery, Wal-Mart, Westhill Construction and many individual members of our Camp and community have made donations. We also thank the Cleburne Chamber of Commerce for their support. Preserving our Heritage – Honoring our Ancestors. That is our goal. We take to heart the plea and the charge of Confederate General Stephen D. Lee to the Sons of Confederate Veterans as he said: “To you, sons of Confederate veterans, we submit the vindication of the cause for which we fought. To your strength will be given the defense of the Confederate soldier’s good name, the guardianship of history, the emulation of his virtues, the perpetuation of those principles he loved and which made him glorious and which you also cherish. Remember it is your duty to see that the true history of the South is presented to future generations.”
We are proud to be Southern and American and love and support this country, and many of us have served proudly in its military. We also are proud of our Southern heritage and our Confederate ancestors and seek only to honor that heritage and legacy. God Bless America! God Save the South! DO YOU have a confederate ancestor ? We welcome you to join us.
