Teresa Reed and a friend had the pleasure of visiting Quaker Cemetery in Camden, SC

Standing amidst 19 unknown Confederate soldiers

Dr. George Rogers Clark Todd was the brother in-law of Abraham Lincoln. He was a Confederate surgeon.

Article of Interest

United Daughters of Confederacy make history with induction

By Katie Martin

The weather may have been gloomy in Savannah Saturday, but Georgia Benton was all smiles as she was inducted into the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
Not only is Benton the first African-American member in the Savannah Chapter, but she’s also the first in the state of Georgia.
“A lot of people when they hear the word ‘confederate’ they run,” said Savannah Chapter 2 president, Elizabeth Piechocinski. “But what they don’t realize is that there were a large number of African-Americans who served in the confederacy. Some were musicians or body servants, but some also fought.”
Benton’s great-grandfather, George W. Washington, a slave in Sumter County, South Carolina, went off to war as the body servant of his master, Lt. Alex McQueen. The pair served in numerous battles together, most notably the Battle of Sharpsburg and the Battle of Gettysburg. Benton said that through the years her grandmother had passed down stories of Washington and his service during the war, so she already had a lot of the documents and information she needed to get started with the process of joining the organization.
“I thought, ‘wait a minute, I deserve the same right to be a part of a group who are honoring their forefathers,’” said Benton. “Very little is known about black confederate soldiers, so if I can be a starting point in letting the world know the history and making them aware that African-Americans have fought in every war in history, then I’m proud to stand up for my great-grandfather. I’m honored because he helped form the United States of America, he was a part of that movement and not too many people are aware of that. I’m standing here with honor and pride.”
Benton said it took her about two months to compile the documents needed to trace her family lineage and because there aren’t a lot of enlistment records for African-American confederate soldiers it did take patience and a lot of digging, but Benton believes that she can help enhance the organization with her knowledge of African-American soldiers’ roles in the Civil War.
“My son tells me I’m a trailblazer, because I was also involved in the community Civil Rights movement in Port Wentworth. So, trailblazing, making a difference, I guess it’s in my blood. It’s just something that you do,” Benton said.

December Christmas Meeting/Celebration at Williamston Town Hall

Beautiful Ladies and Gorgeous Trees

                   

The UDC Honors a Confederate Soldier with a Marker and Cross

  It was a cool, misty rain filled day at Six and Twenty Baptist Church in Pendleton, SC Sunday 17 November 2013, when the ladies and gentlemen gathered at the graveside of Compatriot Private Warren Hymer Watkins. Private Watkins was born 27 June 1833. He felt the call of his homeland and entered the war effort early only to be wounded on 27 June 1862 near Richmond, Virginia. He succumbed to his wounds on 5 July 1862 at the age of 29 years. Honoring him and dedicating the marker placed at his grave were the ladies of the UDC Greenville Chapter 51 and the ladies of the UDC Emmala Reed Miller Chapter 2694 as well as Darlene Dowdy from the Belton UDC Chapter in "widows weed". The Lee Reed Miller Children of the Confederacy placed the wreath at the graveside. The Palmetto Sharpshooters Camp 1428 was also represented by Chad Funk and Jamie Wentsky. The Southern Cross of Honor was donated by the Emmala Reed Miller Chapter and installed by the efforts of Chad Funk and Tom and Teresa Reed prior to the dedication. Thanks to Julia Barnes for ordering the marker from the Veterans Administration. The unveiling of the stone was performed by Ms. Martha Dacus, the 2nd Great Grand Daughter of Private Watkins. Concluding the ceremony was with the Honor Guard salutes of the 2nd Orr’s Rifles Honor Guard contingent. A welcomed and warm reception afterwards was hosted by the Greenville UDC Chapter 51 in church hall.

Janice Waters

Martha Dacus

Peggy Bramlet

Nell Kivet

Mrs Martha Dacus Unveiling the Marker

Lee Reed Miller CofC Ashlyn Fuller and Mendy Fuller Placing the Wreath

Lee Reed Miller CofC Ashlyn Fuller and Mendy Fuller 

Placing a Rose

Placing a Rose

Placing a Rose

2nd SC (Orr's) Rifles Volley Salute

2nd SC (Orr's) Rifles Volley Salute

2nd SC (Orr's) Rifles Honoring their Compatriot with the Last Drink

Ashlyn Fuller, Gale Waters, Mendy Fuller, Darlene Dowdy, 

Teresa Reed, Martha Dacus, and Janice Waters

Emmala Reed Miller Chapter, Greenville 51 Chapter, Belton Chapter of the UDC, and the Lee Reed Miller Children of the Confederacy L-R- Darlene Dowdy, Teresa Reed, Mendy Fuller, Nell Kivett, Peggy Bramlett, Mary Lynn Shore, Mary Wood, Doris Sprout, Janice Waters, Ashlyn Fuller, Gale Waters, Martha Dacus, Candice Morgan, and Luellen Pavluk.

16 Nov. 2013 Pvt.Warren Hymer Watkins

Confederate Cross of Honor

Installation of Pvt.Warren Hymer Watkins Confederate Cross of Honor at Six and Twenty Church Pendleton, SC

In the News Anderson Independent Hometowner November 13, 2013

Emmala Reed Miller UDC and Lee Reed Miller CofC visited with the Veterans at Richard Campbell Nursing Home. Gale Waters, Ashlyn Fuller, Helen Moore, Cameron Fuller, Teresa Welborn, Janice King, Teresa Parker, Mendy Fuller, and Teresa Reed were in attendance.

Happy Veterans Day

Tom and I went to the Six and Twenty Baptist Church Cemetery late this afternoon to install the flat stone for Warren Hymer Watkins. There will be a grave dedication Sunday at 3 PM for anyone that is able to attend. So proud to be able to be a part of this dedication conducted by Emmala Reed Miller UDC, Greenville 51 UDC, and Lee Reed Miller CofC. Tom Reed is part of the Palmetto Sharpshooters of Anderson,SC. 2nd Orr's Rifles will be there to honor Pvt. Watkins. Mr Watkins is the grandfather of Martha Dacus a member of Greenville 51. Darlene Dowdy, Belton UDC Chapter will be in mourning weave.

Our Newest Member of the Lee Reed Miller CofC

Savannah Rae Tucker

Born October 30, 2013 AT 7:36, at Roper St. Francis Hospital, Charleston, SC. Weighed in at 8 lb. 6 0z., 21 inches. Baby birth Child of the Confederacy. Great Granddaughter of Helen J. Moore, Emmala Reed Miller UDC member.

We are in The Electric City News of Anderson, SC