2009 REUNION - A GREAT SUCCESS

See the 2009 Reunion photos

Click on the Reunions link above. You will find links to several pages of photos for each reunion. If you have additional photos you would like to contribute to this website feature, please see this page for instructions.

NEW! October 2009 Addition. See more 2009 Reunion photos on Picasa

Many thanks to Wiliam C. "Will" Davis who contributed this album of photos.

Comments

Art Green says, "We want to thank those descendants that came to our reunion. It is especially touching to meet mess mates of our ancestors. We have a special bond as they suffered through so much together from 1862-1865. We are also special as we descended from the survivors. Many did not make it through the war, and some lie far away from home in a place strange to them. It's good to remember those especially.

"Thanks to the City of Grove Hill for its hospitality and use of facilities. Thanks to Kerry Reid and the Clarke County Historical Society for its support and use of facilities and thanks to James C. Anderson Camp 1489 Sons of Confederate Veterans for all the hard work they put into the entire reunion.

"Our speakers were terrific. David Weaver shared his research on the Battle of 1863 at Chickamauga, and his actual experiences in two re-enactments on the same grounds. His uniform was stained with the muddy water of Chickamauga Creek. Leah Meador has done a especially fine job on transcribing and researching Lt. Cole's letters home, and we appreciated her sharing her work and the handouts with some copies of his material. Ms. Ellen Williams didn't leave a dry eye in the crowd when she described her heartfelt talk with her son at his Resaca gravesite.

"Thank you to the individuals who brought actual artifacts and photos of our ancestors. The re-enactors were especially touching at Corporal Davis's grave in Chance on Sunday, and thank you, Ms. Susie Kennedy, for bringing this event to such a memorable occasion. Like Minnie Pearl, I was just so proud to be there."

Terry W. "Beetle" Bailey, (l) Southwest Brigade Commander, Alabama Division, SCV,Mobile, Alabama, participated in the 2009 Reunion events.

He had some very complimentary remarks to make about the reunion: "This past weekend...can be summed up in one word....blessed. The opportunity to be a part of the reunion of the descendants of the 38th Alabama Infantry was nothing short of a blessing. The thought of a group of people getting together for a reunion based solely on the fact that they are descendants of a Confederate infantry regiment is nothing short of wonderful."

During Saturday's program Bailey was called upon to discuss the concept of 'messmates.' He writes, "...This little program was based on the information I have gathered from the writings of Pvt. Carlton McCarthy. It was well received and I was honored to be an active participant in the program."

About the Saturday evening entertainment he had this to say, "Compatriot Winky Hicks and friends provided the musical entertainment. They played one of my favorite songs, The Rebel Soldier. I always get a chill when I hear that song. The Anderson Camp boys had a space cleared in front of the porch of the cabin and it wasn't long before the Virginia Reel was being performed. My, my! What a good fellowship we had!"

"The Anderson Camp was at their very best with this ceremony. (Confederate Memorial Service and Marker Dedication) Some of the other participants were Compatriots Stephen Ellison, Steve Kennedy, John Brewer, and Claude Turberville, all of the Semmes Camp. David Weaver, our Texas compatriot also participated as a reenactor. Claude had the 'Bull Pup' and I fired the Semmes Camp mortar, 'Matilda.' Needless to say that the firing of rifles and cannon is always a crowd pleaser.

"The reenactors at the graveside performed the libation ceremony. Oh, how I love that part of the service. They also folded and presented the flag to a descendant of Cpl. Davis. This was truly an outstanding ceremony."

His closing remarks were, "Dear friends and compatriots, life does not get much better than what I experienced this weekend. I offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to all of you who made this experience possible. God Bless all of you!!"

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