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History of Secession Camp 4
Charter Members Past Commanders White Star Award
Compatriot of the Year Johnson Hagood Award Sponsored Camps
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 2005 - 250 participants were given historical information about the Confederacy. Confederate Heritage Ride 2006 - 400 participants were given historical information about the Confederacy. 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.
Charter Members of Secession Camp
Randall B. Burbage Phillip Bradley Don Clanton William H. Creech III Bob Hunt Anderson S. Langdale Clay Martin Drew McDonald Phillip Ramsey James Speicher Larry Steedly Leon "Buddy" Ward Manning Williams Sr.(deceased) Manning Williams Jr.
| 1991 - 1992 | Randall B. Burbage |
| 1993 - 1995 | Don Clanton |
| 1996 - 1997 | William H. Creech III |
| 1998 - 1999 | Clayton S. Martin |
| 2000 - 2001 | Randall B. Burbage |
| 2002 - 2003 | E. C. Moon |
| 2004 - 2005 | David E. Rentz |
| 2006 - 2007 | William J. Baber |
The White Star is awarded by the officers of Secession Camp 4. The very first White Star was given for a year or more of dedication to activities outside the Camp which promotes and helps preserve Confederate history. The following compatriots embodied this criteria when they were presented with this prestigious award.
1994 Larry Steedly 1995 Manning Williams 1996 Wayne Tallent 1997 Gene Patrick 1998 Rick Hatcher 1999 Jim Dickerson 2000 Robert Moorer 2001 John L. Dangerfield 2002 Bill Norris 2003 Randall B. Burbage 2004 Benny A. Slay 2005 Loren O'Donnell 2006 Andy Langdale 2007 Wayne Dukes
Compatriot of the Year is awarded by Secession Camp 4 members. The Compatriot that is presented this award has shown that he actively supports the activities of the camp and that he promotes the history of the Confederacy and the Confederate Soldiers. The following compatriots embodied this criteria when they were presented with this prestigious award. On two occasions, the members of Secession Camp 4 felt two associate members deserved the honor and they were awarded the title of Compatriot of the Year.
| 1994 | Andy Langdale |
| 1995 | Philip Bradley |
| 1996 | Glenn McConnell |
| 1997 | George Naumann * |
| 1998 | Elmore Marlow |
| 1999 | John L. Dangerfield |
| 2000 | Sy Mabie * |
| 2001 | Bill Norris |
| 2002 | Andy Langdale |
| 2003 | John L. Dangerfield |
| 2004 | John L. Dangerfield |
| 2005 | Don Pace |
| 2006 | Jimmy Wheeler |
| 2007 | Andy Langdale |
*Associate members (Sy Mabie found his ancestors paperwork in 2004)
Brigadier General Johnson Hagood Award
Awarded by the Commander and the Executive Committee to an Officer who goes above and beyond his assigned duties within Secession Camp 4 and the SCV.
| 2005 | David Rentz |
| 2006 | Sy Mabie |
| 2007 | Gene Patrick |
Continuing to follow the traditions that were set forth in the SCV by the men who founded this Heritage of Honor organization, Secession Camp continues to grow and expand in many ways. One of the most successful ways the membership of the SCV continues to grow is by the formation of active camps that are willing to put forth the effort to protect our Confederate Heritage. Over the years, several Secession Camp 4 Compatriots have left Secession Camp to charter the following camps under the sponsorship of Secession Camp 4 and have continued to expand their membership.
| Colleton Rangers 1643 | Walterboro |
| Gen Ellison Capers 1212 | Moncks Corner |
| Star of the West 1253 | The Citadel - Charleston |
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| Colonel Olin M. Dantzler 73 | Orangeburg |
| Moultrie Camp 27 | Mt. Pleasant |
| H.L. Hunley Camp 143 | Summerville |
| Pvt. John S. Bird Camp 38* | North Charleston |
*Pvt. John Bird Camp 38 chartered in 2006
Special thanks to Compatriot Mike Thomas for the documentation on Camp 4.
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Background music 'Requiem for Stonewall Jackson'