The following is an article I wrote and had published in the Jan/Feb issue of the Georgia Confederate newspaper. I also submitted several pictures, which I will try to post shortly.
A call to arms is being sent out for re-enactors to join forces with the McLeod-Moring Camp # 1386 of the SCV for the defense of the town of Swainsboro, Georgia from an all out Yankee invasion.
With its roots stretching back some 65 years, the Emanuel County Pine Tree Festival is the oldest, continuously running festival held in the state of Georgia. When the festival events ended in 2007 the Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce obtained rights to the festival. One of the first actions taken by the Chamber was to expand all functions and activities by changing the venue to the much larger Emanuel County Recreation Department.
January 2008 brought perhaps the biggest change to the festival events to date. With its roots richly steeped in its historical past, Festival officials contacted the Mcleod-Moring Camp # 1386 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans in hopes of expanding on that history. With the addition of a Confederate living history camp in May 2008, the stage was set for the Mcleod-Moring camp to bring local Confederate History to life.
Emanuel Rangers, Chapter 2318 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, quickly jumped on board, providing a field hospital complete with locally wounded Confederate Veterans telling their stories. They quickly became an integral part of the living history camp.
With the help we received from neighboring camps, the event was a resounding success. Over the first two days of the living history, some 3,500 Emanuel County students visited the camp and witnessed musket and artillery demonstrations. War relics and artifacts were on display as well.
Festival officials were so impressed with the success of the 2008 Confederate Camp they didn’t hesitate in asking for the return of the SCV in 2009 as a permanent addition to the Festival. In 2009 the event saw positive changes, with participation of students from outside Emanuel County.
On May 9, 2009 at around 2:00 PM, an advanced unit of Sherman’s right wing suddenly launched a surprise attack against our hometown heroes. Being caught completely off guard, the boys in gray quickly swung into action, repelling the Yankees while suffering only minor casualties. Stunned townspeople were shocked as the Yankee forces approached without warning so close to the town. The crowd erupted with loud cheers of affection for our brave Confederate heroes. From that day on, the skirmish became known as the Battle of Pine Hill.
In today’s political atmosphere, it is rare for organizations such as the Sons of Confederate Veterans to be invited to public events, much less to become a permanent part of those ongoing events. We feel that it is our duty, in partial fulfillment of The Charge, to expand the knowledge of our citizens by rightfully portraying the true and honorable actions of our ancestors.
We are seeking any available re-enactors who would like to participate in this year’s events, including the Battle of Pine Hill. The event schedule is as follows:
• Wednesday, April 28, 2010
- Camp setup begins at 3 PM
• Thursday, April 29, and Friday, April 30
- Living History Camp opens at 8:00 AM
• Saturday, May 1
- Living History Camp opens at 8:00 AM
- Pine Tree Festival parade lineup begins at 9:00AM
- The 2nd Annual Battle of Pine Hill will begin at 2:00 PM
For more information and registration contact:
McLeod-Moring Camp # 1386
Attn: Nick Kraus, Adj.
P. O. Box 949
Twin City, GA 30471 Phone: 478-763-2525
OR
David Love
Phone: 478-494-0971
E-Mail: dlove1@ pineland.net
