Local CSA Veterans History & WBTS in Tuscaloosa County
The
initial Tuscaloosa organization for CSA veterans was the Tuscaloosa
Confederate Veterans Association. Like thousands of other
veterans, Tuscaloosa's brave former soldiers felt the need to join
together for fraternal and historical reasons. When ex-CSA General John
Gordon, then Virginia's governor, issued a call to form the United
Confederate Veterans in New Orleans in 1889, Tuscaloosa answered. This
new national association basically united the local veterans groups.
Camp #262 of the SCV was the
original camp in Tuscaloosa. It was founded on June 5,1893 and named for
Gen. Robert Rodes, Tuscaloosa's highest ranking officer. Eighty three
veterans answered that original call for membership. A.C. Hargrove was
elected as the first Camp Commander. Throughout its history, Camp
#262 performed worthwhile charitable works, collected relics, and
recorded historical material. Of greater importance, these veterans
served as a constant inspiration to the citizens of Tuscaloosa. The last
surviving Tuscaloosa Confederate veteran was John Roble Kennedy who died
February 14, 1941.
The Camp never formally
dissolved, but died a natural death as fewer and fewer veterans
survived. By the death of its last member, the Camp no longer was
active.
Fortunately, the A.
Cole Hargrove Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp #381 had been founded on
July 19, 1902. This Camp was active for years and gave Tuscaloosa some
of its finest citizens. The first camp First Lieutenant William
Brandon was elected Alabama's Governor in 1923. Robert Jemison Hargrove
was Tuscaloosa's Health Officer, James Brown was a prominent State
Senator as was Frank Moody. J. Manley Foster was a delegate to the 1901
State Constitutional Convention as well as a State Legislator. W.B.
Oliver served in the United States House of Representatives. Col.
Woolsey Finnell was Tuscaloosa's highest ranked officer in World War One
and received the French Legion of Honor and a Special Citation for
Exceptionally Meritorious Service from General John Pershing. Other
members were prominent lawyers, educators, farmers, businessmen, and
local politicians.
There were
two special True Sons in this Camp. One was Robert Rodes,Jr., son of the
Camp's namesake. The other was George Johnston, son of CSA Brigadier
General George E. Johnston.
The
Lambert-Gray Camp #1376 was organized in March, 1980. On April 16,
1986, by-laws were drawn up and the national SCV agreed to change the
name to the General Robert Rodes Camp and to give the Camp the original
#262. Since that time, the Camp has had tremendous growth and has been
named as the outstanding Camp in the Alabama Division. In 1986 the Rodes
Camp hosted what is generally agreed as the greatest State Convention
held in the division's history.
The War Between The States
in
Tuscaloosa County
Tuscaloosa County Units
|
Artillery: |
2nd
Bn |
Fowler's
(Phelan) |
Lumsden's |
|
|
|
Cavalry: |
2nd |
5th,
b |
7th,
f |
8th
(Ball-Hatch), a, b, d, i, k |
51st |
|
Infantry: |
5th,
a (1st) |
11th |
18th,
e |
20th |
26th |
| |
26th-50th |
32nd,
i |
36th,
d, h, k |
41st,
a, f, g |
43rd,
d, h, i, k |
|
Other
Alabama Units
Source:
http://www.tarleton.edu/~kjones/alcounty.html
. Please forward any corrections or omissions to the webmaster. |
