Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War in Houston, TX

07/05/2026

Why we protect, preserve, and defend our Constitution…

The Founding Fathers drew from Western political philosophies to create a republic that would stand the test of time.

07/04/2026

Independence Day parade at the Woodlands was HOT! Huzzah! to all those who braved the early morning start and heat in wool uniforms to honor our Union army ancestors and all veterans! Thanks to the 20,000+ spectators who also braved the heat to show their patriotism and cheer us on!

From SUVCW LCDR Edward Lea Camp 2: PDCs Stephen Schulze and Michael Lance, PCC Harrold and Henry Henck from El Paso, TX, CC Dan Pourreau, SVC Herb Powers, JVC Robert Riley, and Treasurer Jason Hoffman. Also marching were Sarah Emma Seelye Auxiliary Vice President Lisa Riley, Arthur Porras and Ryan Hall from the 13th US/Texas rifles civil war reenactment group.

https://www.camplea.org/

https://hellowoodlands.com/50th-annual-south-county-fourth-of-july-parade-celebrates-america250/

https://www.texasrifles.org/reenact.html

07/03/2026

Gettysburg humor. 😀 🗡️

Bayonets

06/20/2026

Yesterday was Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when General Gordon Granger read general order no 3 to the assembled Galvestonians at Ashton Villa. Brother Stephen Duncan of camp 2 once again impersonated General Granger. He was accompanied by a uniformed SVR detachment from SUVCW camp 2. Brothers Richard Carson and Robert Riley also attended in camp attire, and assisted taking pictures and videos.

In recognition for his outstanding involvement with Galveston and representation and contributions to Camp 2 over the years, Brother Duncan was awarded the title of Chaplain Emeritus by camp commander Dan Pourreau.

Head Quarters District of Texas

Galveston Texas June 10th 1865.

General Orders

No. 3.

The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor.

The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.

https://www.camplea.org/brother-dr-stephen-duncan-named-chaplain-emeritus/

06/13/2026

In 1861, when the General Quartemaster was scrambling to equip thousands of volunteers for the Civil War, 10,000 model 1860 leather Shakos and chasseur uniforms were imported from France. The unlucky recipients were regiments like the 18th Massachusetts, 83rd and 62nd Pennsylania and New York's Excelsior Brigade. The Shakos were quickly replaced by cotton forage caps for field use, but these Shakos were often used for parades and can still be found today, albeit sans plunes or pompoms. So, I recreated a plume from green rooster feathers to create a parade look for this shako.

06/13/2026

In 1861, as the Union was scrambling to equip their volunteers, 10,000 french Shakos and Chasseur uniforms were imported from France. The unlucky recipients were regiments like the 18th Massachusetts, 83rd and 62nd Pennsylvania regiments and the New York Excelsior brigade. The shakos were quickly discarded in the field and replaced by forage caps, but they can still be found today. The plumes and pompoms were often lost or destroyed and it is hard to find data on what the regiments wore. This is a plume I fashioned from green rooster's feathers to recreate a possible parade look for one of these regiments.

06/12/2026

On Thursday, June 11th, Camp 2 was honored to participate in the dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the 1861 Federal Customs House in Galveston TX, hosted by Shaun and Natalie Hodge. Camp Commander Pourreau presented our gracious hosts with a certificate of recognition from the Camp and the Department of Texas, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil war for their outstanding contribution to the preservation of this historic building, where General order Number 3 was printed after the war declaring the emancipation of enslaved people in Texas. It was a grand event, attended by President Lincoln and First Lady Mary, General Granger, and Galveston's finest!

https://www.galvnews.com/news/restoration-revives-one-of-galvestons-oldest-landmarks/article_255da910-19a0-47bf-8b2c-3cf01e78a872.html