The camp held it's first meeting December 13,
1990 and received it's charter on January 17, 1991 with a charter membership of 14.
The primary focus and driving purpose of the new camp was to be active in
promoting, and defending, the good name of the Confederate Soldier in
accordance with the SCV charge, goals and guidelines. Secession Camp
chartered with Camp #1542. In 1992, Commander Randall B. Burbage placed a
request to have Camp 4 re-issued. An original Charter camp of the USCV, Moultrie Camp
4, was being reserved in the event another camp in the area of it's
original chartered area requested the number. Headquarters granted the
request and reissued Camp 4 to Secession Camp. Since being chartered, the camp has grown to
over 250 members. There are a good many re-enactors in the camp. The camp
remains active significantly expanding its presence in the Charleston area by the high
visibility of many of its projects. Regular monthly meetings continue to
number around 100 in attendance.
In 1999, Secession Camp 4 became an integral
part of the Confederate Heritage Trust (CHT) as one of the founding members. The CHT is an organization of
several Southern Heritage groups in the Charleston area which work together
on major projects and lend expertise, manpower and support for projects that
would be too large for a single group to handle. Collectively, these groups
enhance history for posterity, public awareness, and education on matters
pertaining to the Confederate Soldier, his cause and Southern Heritage in
general. By co-sponsoring these events, we are able to spread our message
and obtain much favorable publicity and recognition in addition to
performing valuable service.
Special projects over the year have included
the observance of Confederate Memorial Day and the annual Confederate Ghost
Walk at old beautiful Magnolia Cemetery where over 1,000 Confederate
Soldiers, Sailors and Marines are buried. Proceeds from the Confederate
Ghost Walk are used for maintenance of the Soldiers' markers at the cemetery
and the purchase of flags flying at the Confederate Soldier Memorial at the
Soldiers ground section of the cemetery.
With the help of the CHT, and after more than
ten years of recovery efforts from the Mariners Cemetery beneath The
Citadel's Johnson Hagood Stadium, the remains of the first Hunley crew and
59 other Confederate Mariners were re-interred in Magnolia Cemetery. The
final H.L. Hunley Crew were re-interred in 2004 resting along side the first
two crews that participated in the testing of the worlds first submarine to
successfully sink an enemy ship in combat.
Other special events and projects included:
| A restoration and dedication of Battery Number Five, James
Island, SC in 1992 |
| Fundraising provided $2,000.00 for UDC's Confederate Museum in
Charleston after Hurricane Hugo severely damaged the building |
| Cleanups of Ft. Sumter and Castle Pinckney |
| Hosted the 1993 South Carolina Division Convention |
| Hosted the 2000 SCV National Reunion in Charleston |
| Hosted the 2003 South Carolina Division Convention
aboard the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point |
| Confederate Heritage Ride (started in 2005 - 4th
event in 2008) |
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Secession Camp 4 has many other projects and
activities for its members which are positive in nature and promote the good
name of the Confederate Soldier. Camp members have established a reputation
of availability and dedication in seeing these projects completed. Regular
highway cleanups, living histories at local schools and a camp color guard
available for appropriate special ceremonies or functions present a
community minded image. Further, many of our Camp members have had letters
regarding Southern Heritage, Confederate Flag issues or related matters
published in local newspapers. Members are frequently asked to speak as a
guest in schools or at meetings of other organizations on matters relating
to the Confederate soldier. The Camp has setup information and recruiting
booths at many functions in the local community to raise awareness and
recruit the future members of The Cause.
The camp looks forward many more years of
dedication to SCV and our Confederate Heritage.
