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The citizen soldiers who fought for the Confederacy personified the best qualities
of America. The preservation of liberty and freedom was the motivating factor in the South's decision to fight
the second American Revolution. The tenacity with which Confederate soldiers fought underscored their belief in
the rights guaranteed by the Constitution. These attributes are the underpinning of our democratic society and
represent the foundation on which this nation was built. Today the Sons of Confederate Veterans is preserving the
history and legacy of these heroes, so future generations can understand the motives that animated the Southern
Cause.
The SCV is the direct heir of the United Confederate Veterans, and the oldest hereditary organization
for male descendants of Confederate soldiers. Organized at Richmond, Virginia, in 1896, the SCV continues to serve
as a historical, patriotic, and non-political organization dedicated to insuring that a true history of the 1861-1865
period is preserved.
Membership in the Sons of Confederate Veterans is open to all male descendants of any veteran who served honorably
in the Confederate armed forces. Membership can be obtained through either direct or collateral family lines and
kinship to a veteran must be documented genealogically. The minimum age for membership is 12 years of age.
 
Proof of kinship to a Confederate soldier can take many forms. The easiest method is to contact
the archives of the state from which the soldier fought and obtain a copy of the veteran's military service record.
All Southern states' archives have microfilm records of the soldiers who fought from that state, and a copy of
the information can be obtained for a nominal fee. In addition, the former Confederate States awarded pensions
to veterans and their widows. All of these records contain a wealth of information that can be used to document
military service. The SCV has a network of genealogists to assist you in tracing your ancestor's Confederate service.
The SCV has ongoing programs at the local, state, and national levels which offer members a wide range of activities.
Preservation work, marking Confederate Solders' graves, historical re-enactments, scholarly publications, and regular
meetings to discuss the military and political history of the War Between the States are only a few of the activities
sponsored by local units, called camps.
All state organizations, know as Divisions, hold annual conventions, and many publish regular newsletters to the
membership dealing with statewide issues. Each Division has a corps of officers elected by the membership who coordinate
the work of camps and the national organization.
Elms Springs, Sons of Confederate VeteransNationally, the SCV is governed by its members acting through elected
delegates to the annual convention. The General Executive Council, composed of elected and appointed officers,
conducts the organization's business between conventions. The administrative work of the SCV is conducted at the
national headquarters, "Elm Springs" a restored ante-bellum home at Columbia, Tennessee.
In addition to the privilege of belonging to an organization devoted exclusively to commemorating and honoring
Confederate soldiers, members are eligible for other benefits. Every member receives the Confederate Veteran, the
BI-monthly national magazine which contains in-depth historical articles on the war along with news affecting Southern
heritage. The programs of the SCV range from assistance to undergraduate students through the General Stand Watie
Scholarship to medical research grants given through the Brooks Fund. National historical symposiums, reprinting
of rare historical books, and the erection of monuments are just a few of the other projects endorsed by the SCV.
Confederate Soldier's Prayer
I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked God for health, that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for -but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among men, most richly blessed.
Found on the body of a valeant Southern soldier 1861-1865
Known but to God.
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The SCV works in conjunction with other historical groups to preserve Confederate history. However,
it is not affiliated with any organization other than the Military Order of the Stars and Bars, composed of male
descendants of the Southern officer corps. The SCV rejects any group whose actions tarnish or distort the image
of the Confederate soldier or his reasons for fighting.
If you are interested in perpetuating the ideals that motivated your Confederate ancestor, the SCV needs you. The
memory and reputation of the Confederate soldier, as well as the motives for 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 nation's cultural heritage will cease to exist.
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