
Secession Camp 4
It is the duty of the Sons of Confederate Veterans to defend the Confederate Soldier’s good name, and to ensure that the true history of the South is presented to future generations
Secession Camp #4 is based in Charleston, South Carolina, and was chartered with the SCV in January of 1991. Camp #4 is active in our community and State and supports many historical projects and activities that help ensure that the true history of the South and the Confederate Soldier is passed down to future generations. Special projects over the year include the observance of Confederate Memorial Day, the Confederate Heritage Motorcycle Ride, and the annual Confederate Ghost Walk at beautiful Magnolia Cemetery. Regular projects include adopt-a-highway cleanups, cemetery cleanups, along with re-enacting and teaching living histories at local schools.
Meetings are on the third Tuesday in Charleston, South Carolina. There will be an inspirational and educational guest speaker at every meeting, and we welcome all visitors and guests to come to join us. We also welcome any verifiable male descendant of a Confederate Soldier to apply for membership and offer Associate membership to those that are unable to provide a verifiable ancestor.
If you are interested in perpetuating the ideals that motivated your Confederate ancestor, Secession Camp #4 – Sons of Confederate Veterans needs you! The memory and reputation of the Confederate soldier, as well as the motives for his suffering and sacrifice, are being consciously distorted by some in an attempt to alter history. Unless the descendants of Southern soldiers resist those efforts, a unique part of our nations & cultural heritage will cease to exist. Come join us!
History of Secession Camp #4
The Camp held its first meeting on December 13, 1990, and received its 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 following 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 its original chartered area requested the number. Headquarters granted the request and reissued Camp #4 to Secession Camp #4. Since being chartered, the camp has grown to over 150 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.
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 about the Confederate Soldier, his cause, and Southern Heritage in general. By co-sponsoring these events, we can spread our message and obtain much favorable publicity and recognition in addition to performing valuable service. Secession Camp #4 is pleased to assist the Confederate Heritage Trust with the yearly Hunley Housatonic Memorial Service, Confederate Ghost Walk, and Battle of Secessionville Commemoration.
Special projects over the year have included the observance of Confederate Memorial Day and the annual Confederate Ghost Walk at 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 Soldier’s 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 Citadels 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 was re-interred in 2004 resting alongside the first two crews that participated in the testing of the world’s first submarine to successfully sink an enemy ship in combat.
Other special events and projects include:
* A restoration and dedication of Battery Number Five, James Island, SC in 1992.
* Fundraising provided $2,000.00 for UDCs 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 2003 South Carolina Division Convention aboard the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point
* Hosted 2011, 2014, 2016, 2018 & 2022 South Carolina Division Conventions
* Hosted the 2000 SCV National Reunion
* Co-hosted the 2014 SCV National Reunion
* Hosted the 2024 SCV National Reunion
* The Confederate Heritage Ride (started in 2005)
Secession Camp #4 has many other projects and activities for its members which are positive and promote the good name of the Confederate Soldier. Camp members have established a reputation for availability and dedication to 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 to many more years of dedication to the SCV and our Confederate Heritage.
Charter Members of Secession Camp
Randall B. Burbage
William H. Creech III
Anderson S. Langdale
Drew McDonald
Larry Steedly
Phillip Bradley
Manning Williams Sr.(deceased)
Clay Martin
Phillip Ramsey
Leon “Buddy” Ward
Don Clanton
Bob Hunt(deceased)
Mark Blalock
James Speicher
Past Commanders
Randall B. Burbage
1991 – 1992
Clayton S. Martin
1998 – 1999
David Rentz
2004 – 2005
William P. Norris
2008 – 2009
David Rentz
2015 – 2017
Michael Dixon
2024 – 2028
Don Clanton
1993 – 1995
Randall B. Burbage
2000 – 2001
William J. Baber
2006 – 2007
E. C. Moon
2012 – 2013
Randall B. Burbage
2017 – 2019
William H. Creech III
1996 – 1997
E. C. Moon
2002 – 2003
John Genes
2010 – 2011
Alan Baillie
2014 – 2015
Charles Long
2019 – 2024
White Star Award
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 these criteria when they were presented with this prestigious award.
Larry Steedly
1994
Gene Patrick
1997
Robert Moorer
2000
Randall B. Burbage
2003
Andy Langdale
2006
Paul Brown
2009
Michael Dixon
2012
Randy Lesemann
2015
Walter Carr
2017
Leon Wilson
2019
Glenn F. McConnell
2022
Charles Fox
2025
Manning Williams
1995
Rick Hatcher
1998
John L. Dangerfield
2001
Benny A. Slay
2004
Wayne Dukes
2007
Robert Gormane
2010
Perry Gene Patrick II
2013
Don Petty
2016
Don Pace
2018
Michael Thomas
2020
Fred Polston
2023
Wayne Tallent
1996
Jim Dickerson
1999
Bill Norris
2002
Loren O’Donnell
2005
Brian Riddle
2008
John Kohr
2011
Perry Gene Patrick I
2014
Randy Lesemann
2017
James Lawrence Walker
2019
Richard W. Hatcher
2021
William Sharbrough
2024
Compatriot of the Year
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 these 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.
Andy Langdale
1994
George Naumann *
1997
Sy Mabie *
2000
John L. Dangerfield
2003
Andy Langdale
2007
David E. Rentz
2010
Robert Gorman
2013
Bobby Gorman
2016
Michael Dixon
2019
Rick Little
2022
Paul Murray
2025
Philip Bradley
1995
Elmore Marlow
1998
William P. Norris
2001
Don Pace
2005
Andy Langdale
2008
Michael Dixon
2011
David E. Rentz
2014
Charles Long
2017
Michael Dixon
2020
Rob Dillon
2023
Glenn McConnell
1996
John L. Dangerfield
1999
Andy Langdale
2002
Jimmy Wheeler
2006
Don Pace
2009
John Kohr
2012
Bobby Gorman
2015
Bobby Gorman
2018
Wes Reynolds
2021
Rick Little
2024
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.
David Rentz
2005
Elmore Marlow
2008
Not Awarded
2011
John Ball Waring
2014
Charles Long
2018
Cain Griffin
2020
John Waring
2023
Kevin Cunningham
2025
Sy Mabie
2006
John Genes
2009
John Ball Waring
2012
Gene Patrick
2016
John Waring
2019
Gene Patrick
2021
Cane Griffin
2024
Gene Patrick
2007
William P. Norris
2010
Jack Stroman
2013
Randy Burbage
2017
Charles Long
2019
Sid H, Shingler
2022
Paul Murray
2024
Sponsored Camps
Continuing to follow the traditions that were outlined 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 members 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. Secession Camp #4 has sponsored the following SCV camps.
Colonel Olin M. Dantzler 73
Orangeburg
Colleton Rangers 1643
Walterboro
Pvt. John S. Bird 38
North Charleston (disbanded)
Moultrie Camp 27
Mt. Pleasant
Gen Ellison Capers 1212
Moncks Corner
Ft. Johnson 1201
James Island (disbanded)
H.L. Hunley Camp 143
Summerville
Star of the West 1253
The Citadel – Charleston
