VOLUME XIII ISSUE 3 2020

ROUGH The Sons of Confederate Veterans – Camp 265

AND

THE
READYS RANKIN DISPATCH
RANKIN

CAMP
265
Home of the Rankin Rough & Ready’s – Brandon, Mississippi

Commander’s Report
Well we did not place in the Dixie national parade. Competition is
always good and there is no shame in being beaten by the Hinds high
steppers and a 50 piece marching high school band. The crowd along the
parade route was the largest since anyone can remember and they were
waving hundreds of MS flags. These flags were passed out by Butch
Kuriger & Larry Eubanks just before the parade started. I can just tell you
from my experience, it was a very inspirational experience seeing the
crowd waving flags and cheering us on throughout the parade route!
Please keep the Merck family, the Lampkin family, and the Robbins
family in your prayers. These families have had recent losses of loved
ones and I sincerely believe that prayers are answered.
Our speaker this month is our Mississippi division Commander Mr.
Conor Bond. His topic is general Lee and Jackson’s life lessons. Please
plan on attending the meeting to show our support for the Mississippi
division and our upcoming camp events. As always, we will have a good
speaker, good food, good fellowship, and a short informative business
session. So, come early, bring someone with you, and I sure as your vote
counts in our upcoming elections, I’ll probably see you at our next
meeting on March 7th at Fernando’s Mexican restaurant located at 2146
Highway 471 in Brandon, Mississippi 39047.
– Tim Cupit

Meeting Agenda for March 7th:

Agenda For March 7th, 2020 Meeting
- Open with prayer at 7pm sharp
- Pledge of Allegiance to the US flag and salutes led by 2nd Lt.
Commander Tom Lilly
- Trivia by Ralph Smitherman
- Speaker–Div. Commander Mr. Conor Bond; Topic–General Lee’s and
Jackson’s life lessons; Q&A

Unfinished Business
- Adopt minutes from February 1st, Motion, 2nd, Discussion, Vote.
- Did everyone sign in & get a door prize ticket?
- www.scv265.com and Facebook stats from Chris Merck
- First Thursday Coin Club Meeting at the Brandon Library at 6:30pm Our guest speaker for the February 1st
hosted by Ed Lofton & draw for first door prize meeting was Dr. Brandon Beck. Mr. Beck spoke about the CSS Arkansas and
- OCR Report by Brandi Gray the brave men that fought on her and lost their lives in a horrific bloody
- AR15 drawing will be in May–one ticket per $50 of ads sold for our battle on the Mississippi River at Vicksburg.
newsletter
- Report on Dixie National Parade by Larry Eubanks
- Report on Salvation Army “SOUPer Bowl” by Robbie Lewis
- Relic Show update
Keep up with what’s happening in and around
- Report on Brandon Mardi Gras parade by Brandi Gray
- CSS Arkansas dedication on May 3, 2020 Camp 265 by checking out the official
Rankin Rough & Ready’s Facebook page!
New Business http://www.facebook.com/scv265
- 4th Brigade Picnic on March 21
- Robbie Lewis working on our scrapbook for 2019 & 2020
- Pass the hat
- Door Prizes
- Open floor
- Close meeting with prayer at approximately 8:25pm Commander’s Quote:
- Please help with cleanup! “If it’s important to you, you’ll find a way.
If not- you’ll find an excuse.”
 CHAPLAIN’S REPORT
by Tom Fortenberry

SHILOH
Often there occurs events which seem impossible until one is
confronted with facts. At the beginning of what many believed would
be a short conflict. Soldiers both North and South entered into a war
which would last many years and consume hundreds of thousands of
lives and untold money and property lost. It would divide a nation and
yet in the end bring together a people stronger and more unified in faith
and purpose.
Mary Ann Forrest Chapter
of the Order of Confederate Rose
February was a fun month full of activities. We started off with the
Salvation Army “Souper Bowl” and several of our ladies represented
us by serving drinks as well as having SCV Camp 265 member, Butch
Kuriger to handle the steady need for ice. It’s wonderful to work
together with our host camp to serve in the community.

Reflecting back to 1961 while my family lived in Pensacola, Florida I
joined the Cub Scouts, and later the Boy Scouts of America as a member
of troop 365. It was during this time that many groups and individuals
were celebrating the Centennial observance of the of the Civil War. My
troop was like many during that period traveling to historical sites and
Civil War battle fields. Confederate battle flags were everywhere.
On one of our trips we went to the Shiloh battle field in Tennessee. Our
Scout leaders had planned our trip to coincide with the date of the battle
so we could experience the same as close as possible to the season and
the elements surrounding the battle which was fought on April 6 th and
7 th of 1862.
We arrived at the park on April 5 th 1962 and camped on a high hill 23
miles North-East of Corinth, Mississippi just outside the Shiloh Park
park boundary. Up date, there’s a house on that hill now. On the 6 th of
April we entered the park and began our hike which would take us two
separate days walking as we passed battlefield landmarks, peach
orchard, sunken road, bloody pond, and on to the banks of the
Tennessee River. I don’t believe I have walked that far in my life. A lot
of blisters on tired feet. At days end we returned to our camp and sat
around our campfires talking about the events of that day. I was young
then and little could I have understood how hard it was for the soldiers
who had fought here.
One of the most curious observations made during and after the battle of
Shiloh involved the wounded. The unbelievable number of casualties of
both Northern and Southern soldiers were a profound shock to the
battlefield physicians. Many of those wounded could not be removed to
proper care because of the volume and so were left on the field until
room could be make. It was reported by many that even when men were
forced to leave the wounded in the field after the battle, God never left
them.
Next up was our most fun event! The Dixie National Rodeo Parade.
Robbie Lewis, Events Coordinator, put together a western themed
float with stick horses, hay and barb wire, and the float riders helped
get it ready before the line up began. Robbie uses such creativity and
does an absolutely wonderful job, and our ladies and guys are always
there to help prepare for the fun.
Next up was the 2nd Annual Krewe de Roux Mardi Gras Parade in
downtown Brandon. We always have a great time throwing beads and
candy to the kids! I appreciate everyone who helped to get the float
ready while we were in the lineup.
Several of us made our annual trek to West Monroe, LA to the Krewe
of Janus Mardi Gras Parade and Charla Lewis, VP participated with
the LA Division’s march, along with Chapter Member April
Skipworth. A great time was had by all!
March will bring more activities, so be watching the Facebook page
for details.
Last but not least I wanted to extend our Chapter’s condolences on the
loss of Chapter Member Mary Merck. Mary was a ray of sunshine to
all who knew her. Always helping the less fortunate and a pillar of her
community. She will be deeply missed by all of us. Please keep her
family in your prayers in the coming months. We love you Mary. –
Brandi Gray, President, MAFOCR
For more information on the Mary Ann Forrest Chapter of the Order of
Confederate Rose, or to become a member, please visit them online at
www.maryannforrestocr.com
You can also visit them on Facebook at:
www.facebook.com/maryannforrest23/

In 2001 two scientists exploring the Shiloh battle field reports of Union
and Confederate medical doctors discovered why many of the wounded
were found in the dark of night after the battle. Their investigation
revealed that during the night time period the outside temperatures had
fallen low enough to chill the wounded and thus allowed a bacterium,
Photorhabdus Luminescent to grow on the wounds of those left in the
nights air. The effects of the bacterium caused the wounds to heal faster
and also provide a low blueish light by which medical help could
located the injured soldiers. Amazing how God watches over each of us.
Psalm 119:105 Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my
path. He is truly a light unto our path.

May God Bless each of you and keep you.

–Thomas Fortenberry, Chaplain Camp 265
ADJUTANT’S REPORT
by Charles Lewis

"In interpreting the valor of the Southern troops in the Great War full credit must be given to the idea and the fact that he was fighting for
principle the interpretation of the Constitution as held by the fathers." – William Alexander Smith, The Anson Guard, Company C, Fourteenth
Regiment North Carolina Volunteers, 1861-1865

Forty two people signed in at the Feb. meeting. Rabi Tom opened the meeting with prayer and 2nd Lt. Commander Tom Lilly led the pledge and
salutes to the flags.

If you haven't been coming to the meetings, you are missing out on fellowship with like mined people, good food, education of Confederate history,
and some nice door prizes. The prizes range from collectors coins, books, and ceramic pieces to a Jerry McWilliams signed and framed print.

This month's speaker was Dr. Brandon Beck. He gave a very interesting and enlightening talk on the CSS Arkansas, and how it, along with Van Dorn
on land, saved Vicksburg in 1862. He spoke about how Isaac Newton Brown,commanding officer, made the CSS Arkansas into a working war ship
and crew. The crew was mainly made up of Missouri infantry.

Charla Lewis gave the OCR report on upcoming activities for the chapter. Larry Eubanks reported on the 2nd Amendment Rally at the state Capitol
held on Jan. 20th.

Tim updated the camp on the relic show. As of the Feb. meeting 300 tables have been sold, leaving only 30 more to be sold. This will make the
Brandon show the 3rd largest relic show in the southeast.

The camp voted to loan/donate the Jerry McWilliams painting that once hung in the Osyka welcome center to the Elm Springs museum.

Pass the hat took in $57.70.

Condolences to the Merck family on the death of Mary Peacock Merck, wife, mother and friend. Mrs. Mary will be remembered for her deep,
abiding love for her family, tireless work ethics, drive to improve, charitable heart, a keen sense of fair play, and straightforward personality. Mrs.
Mary, you will be missed.

Condolences also to the Eubanks family on the death of Elva Glenda McBride Eubanks. She will be remembered for her intense love for her
family, her commitment to conservatism, pride in her heritage, and her pottery making skills. Wife, mother, grandmother, and friend who will be
missed by all who knew her.

On Feb. 2nd Butch Kuriger helped the OCR ladies serve drinks at the SalvationArmy SOUPer Bowl. The ladies reported he was a big help and lots of
fun to work with.

Then on Feb. 8th the camp and OCR chapter participated in the Dixie National Rodeo Parade. Dressed in late period infantry uniforms several SCV
camp members marched in the parade. Several OCR ladies in period dress fell in behind them and made the march. Other camp and chapter members
rode on the OCR float. Thanks go to Larry Eubanks, Butch Kuriger, Craig Haden, and Bryan Skipworth for helping put the float together.

Before the parade began, Larry Eubanks and Butch Kuriger walked among the spectators giving out MS flags with the camp's card attached to them.

Remember theAR15 drawing at the May meeting. One ticket per every $50.00 ad sold for the camp newsletter. We all need to get to selling ads.

Upcoming Events:
- March 7, 2020 - Camp meeting, Fernando's, 7:00 PM
- March 14, 2020 - Decoration/prayer service. Drake United Methodist Church cemetery, Flowood, MS, 2:00 PM
- March 21, 2020 - 4th brigade Johnston White picnic.American Legion Hut, Decatur, MS 10:00AM - 2:00 PM. Pot luck.
-April 4, 2020 - Camp meeting and candlelight memorial service. Fernando's, 7:00 PM
-April 11, 202 - Confederate Memorial Service. Old Brandon Cemetery, 10:00AM
- June 13 & 14, 2020 - RELIC SHOW

FYI - Of the ten different banners carried to Grenada by the various companies of the Sixth Regiment, the general pattern of the "Rankin Rough
and Readies" was selected to serve as the official regimental standard and all others were ordered furled. Emblazoned upon its tri-colored folds
was the vehement slogan “Victory or Death.” – H. Grady Howell, Jr., “Going to Meet the Yankees”

– Charles Lewis, Adjutant, Camp 265

 Salvation Army SOUPer Bowl 2020!

Tim Cupit attended the Dalton Civil War Relic Show on February 2, and found this
original 400 year old 17th century “Vampire Hunter’s Kit” valued at $50,000. It will
be at the Civil War Relic Show in Brandon in June!

Members of the MAFOCR and SCV Camp 265 had the pleasure of serving drinks at
the annual Salvation Army SOUPer Bowl in Jackson, MS. Such an awesome event,
and the soup is delicious too!

ON THIS DAY IN 1863 CONFEDERATE

For more information about SCV Camp 265,
the Rankin Rough & Ready’s, visit us online at: PRESIDENT JEFFERSON DAVIS ORDERED
CREWS TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION TO WIDEN
ROUGH
AND
http://www.scv265.com HWY 49 BETWEEN JACKSON AND FLORENCE MS.
READYS
RANKIN

CAMP
265
Dixie National Parade - Downtown Jackson, MS - February 8, 2020
 MAFOCR represented in the 2020 Brandon, MS Mardi Gras parade!

Charles Tucker at the Texas Hospital re-enactment.

Mrs. Elva Eubanks, you will be greatly missed!

Susan Jones at the Rodney Cemetery cleanup.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS - THEY SUPPORT US!

CAPTAIN KEVIN NELMS

SCV MECHANIZED CAVALRY
25 COUNTY ROAD 112
MISSISSIPPI 1G
CORINTH, MS 38834
WWW.SCVMC1G.ORG
KEVNELMS@GMAIL.COM
662-603-2140
 The Sons of Confederate Veterans
Camp #265

THE RANKIN DISPATCH NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE PAID
317 Lake Heather Road BRANDON, MS
Brandon, MS 39047 PERMIT NO. 265

Our next meeting is March 7th at:

Fernando’s Mexican Restaurant
2146 Hwy 471
Brandon, MS 39047
at 7:00pm. Come early!