VOLUME XIII ISSUE 12 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
Yes, we are going to have our December 5th meeting. To have
this meeting we will need to follow CDC guidelines. The tables
will be 6 feet apart, everyone will be needs to wear a mask, we
will have hand sanitizer available, and there should be no contact
allowed! Instead of shaking hands, maybe fist bump! If you do not
feel comfortable attending the meeting, please continue doing
what you think is best for yourself and your family. I look forward
to seeing everyone!
Our December meeting will be short on business and long on
getting in the Christmas Sprint And being thankful for what God
has blessed us with! We have Mr. Scott McQuaid lined up to play
music for us, Ralph Smitherman will deliver the Christmas Story
from his Braille Bible, and more! We will have good food, good
friends, a very short business session, and as sure as we will defeat
this Coronavirus, I will probably see you at Fernando’s in Brandon
on December 5th, 2020. – Tim Cupit

Meeting Agenda for December 5th:

Agenda For December 5th, 2020 Meeting
- Open with prayer at 7pm sharp
- Pledge of Allegiance to the US flag and salutes led by 2nd Lt.
Commander Tom Lilly
- Vote to accept our newest member
- Open floor
- Close meeting at approx. 7:15pm
- Introduce entertainer & fellow SCV member, Mr. Scott
McQuaid!
- Mr. Ralph Smitherman presents The Christmas Story
- Desserts
- Touch on the upcoming year
- Closing prayer
- Adjourn at approx. 8:15pm

Keep up with what’s happening in and around

Camp 265 by checking out the official
Rankin Rough & Ready’s Facebook page!
http://www.facebook.com/scv265

Commander’s Quote:
“If it’s important to you, you’ll find a way.
If not- you’ll find an excuse.”
 For more information about SCV Camp 265,
the Rankin Rough & Ready’s, visit us online at:

ROUGH
AND
http://www.scv265.com
READYS
RANKIN

CAMP
265
 CHAPLAIN’S REPORT
by Tom Fortenberry

THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD

Many places in scripture, more than I can count, give us comfort in knowing that the battle has been
won.Asoldier of faith knows that their flesh and blood may fail and yet they still enter the battlefield
with confidence. You may ask the question, Why? The answer is the assurance at the end of this
dispatch from one who stands on the front lines.

Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that raises against thee in
judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is
of Me, saith the Lord.”

“In heavenly armor we enter the land

The battle belongs to the Lord
No weapon that fashioned against us will stand
The battle belongs to the Lord
And we sing glory, honor, power and strength to the Lord
And we sing glory, honor, power and strength to the Lord

When the power of darkness comes in like a flood

The battle belongs to the Lord
He’s raised up a standard the power of His blood
The battle belongs to the Lord
And we sing glory, honor, power and strength to the Lord
And we sing glory, honor, power and strength to the Lord

When your enemy presses in hard do not fear

The battle belongs to the Lord
Take courage my friend, your redemption is near
The battle belongs to the Lord
And we sing glory, honor, power and strength to the Lord
And we sing, glory, honor, power and strength to the Lord
And we sing, glory, honor, power and strength to the Lord
And we sing, glory, honor, power and strength to the Lord”*

This year will soon be at an end. Many people, if not all of us wonder what the new year will bring.
Certainly this year has and continues to test each of us.And all are tested, believers and nonbelievers in
Jesus. The world looks at you and asks why are you different? “We see no fear in your eyes.”

I promised an answer at the end of this dispatch, here it is.

This is a true story. I have never heard or read of an event where a lamb was eaten by a wolf when the
lamb was close to the Shepherd. Where do you stand?

Our Shepherd, Jesus, is more than able to keep those who trust in Him. Do you?
May God Bless each of you and keep you during these times of testing.
*“THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD" by the Maranatha Singers

May God bless each of you and keep you. Hold to what is good and forsake evil.

– Thomas Fortenberry, Chaplain, Camp 265

ADJUTANT’S REPORT
by Charles Lewis

"This is Christmas and a very dull Christmas it has been to me. Had an egg-nog tonight but did not enjoy it much as we had no ladies to
share it with us." – From the diary of Private Robert A. Moore, Confederate soldier

Thirty six signed in at the Nov. meeting.

Rabbi Tom Fortenberry opened the meeting with prayer. Second Lt. Tom Lilly led the pledge and salutes to the flags.

Mr. Ross Aldridge was the guest speaker. He spoke on the history, meaning, current events surrounding the 1894 Mississippi flag, and gave a brief history
of flag votes. He also reminded us of all the great things that have happened to Mississippi under this flag.

Charla Lewis gave the OCR report, Robbie Lewis reported on the bake sale and Mr. Larry Eubanks gave a report on Fall Muster. He noted approximately
90 people shot at the Turkey Shoot. Participation at the Turkey Shoot was up from last year, as was the amount of people who just stopped by our tent to
visit.

Tim updated the camp on the 2021 Relic Show. Flyers are printed and being handed out, ads designed for 14 newspapers, ad for the 2021 SCV Mississippi
Division Reunion program designed and paid for, room for the show reserved, around 300 tables sold, motel rooms reserved, living history reenactors and
musicians booked, and a grant secured to help with the expenses.

Tim presented Butch Kuriger his SCV National Lifetime membership certificate, and Michael S. Jones his camp membership certificate. Congratulations
Butch and welcome Michael.

Once again, Tim reiterated any clothing, or gear of any kind, with the SCV or Camp 265 logos on them are not to be worn to protests, rallies, etc. The SCV
in not a political organization.

Camp officers for 2021/2022 were elected at the Nov. meeting. They are as follows:
Comdr. - Tim Cupit Chaplin - Tom Fortenberry
Adj. - Charles Lewis Sgt-at-Arms - Butch Kuriger
1st Lt. - Chris Merck Quartermaster - Lynn Gaskin
2nd Lt. - Tom Lilly Parliamentarian - Ralph Smitherman
3rd Lt. - Larry Eubanks Color Guard - Craig Hayden
Artist - Robert Williams Genealogist - Robert Meyers

Don't forget the drawing for the AR15 at the May 2021 meeting. One ticket per $50.00 of ads sold for the camp newsletter gets your name entered into the
drawing. So, the more you sale the more your name will be entered into the drawing.

We made another $175.00 off the Nov. bake sale. For the combined Oct. and Nov. sale we made $533.00. Thank you to everyone who brought items to sale
and to those who purchased them. While at Fall Muster, the camp donated $300.00 of the money raised from this sale to the Beauvoir fence project.

Then on Wed. Nov. 18th I drove to Beauvoir and presented them another $300.00 check to sponsor another section of the fence project. This money was
raised through the Turkey Shoot at Fall Muster.

Camp member, Miley Austin Puckett, of Pearl, 83, passed away on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020 at Merit Health River Oaks, Flowood. Visitation and funeral
services were held Thurs., Nov, 19 at Baldwin Lee Funeral Home in Pearl, with graveside services Fri., Nov. 20 at the White Oak Cemetery in Smith
County. Our condolences to Mrs. Evelyn and the Puckett family.

On Nov. 15th an Iron Cross dedication for Sergeant John C. Jones, Co. E 4th Regiment, LA Cavalry C.S.A. was held at the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Vernon,
Louisiana. He was the great grandfather of Robbie Lewis and great great grandfather of Charla Lewis. Around 50 people were in attendance. Charles
Tucker and Charles Lewis represented Camp 265. Members from 5 other MS SCV camps were in attendance, as well as MS Division Commander, Connor
Bond. Numerous Louisiana camps attended and participated in the dedication service.

By the time you receive this newsletter, some OCR and SCV members will have rang the Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell at Ramey's in Florence. This is
such a good cause and good exposure for the camp.

Upcoming Events
- Camp meeting and Christmas party - Dec 5th - 7:00 PM
- The VA Christmas Shoppe will be held this year, however they will be done a little different this year. The patients or residents will not be shopping.
Volunteers will be shopping for them. Then the gifts will be mailed to their families. So when buying gifts think small, lightweight, and foldable. If you
would prefer to bring a monetary donation, to be used to help cover postage, it would be greatly appreciated. NO glass items of any kind, NO candles or
candy that would melt.
- VA Hospital Christmas Shoppe - Dec. 5, 2020 - 8:00 AM
- VA State Nursing Home - Dec. 12, 2020 - time to be announced ( I will have Chris post it on the website as soon as I know )
- Swearing in of Officers and camp meeting - Jan. 2, 2021

Happy Hanukkah & Merry Christmas! See you at the next meeting!
– Charles Lewis, Adjutant, Camp 265
CIVIL WAR FORT BLAKELEY,
ALABAMA - Part VI
THE BATTLE FOR FORT BLAKELEY

LAST QUESTION:
Why should SCV Camp 265 members care about an Alabama ghost
town?

Today, Camp 265 represents both Rankin County, MS, and the
Brandon area. Company B, 39th Regiment, Mississippi Infantry
represented Rankin County, MS, and the Brandon area.

At an Alabama ghost town, Blakeley, which was renamed “Fort

Blakeley”, is where the last vestiges of Company B, 39th Regiment,
Mississippi Infantry, from Brandon, Mississippi, finally ceased to
be a fighting unit.

Were they important to “the cause”? They were. Why?

Miley Austin Puckett
At the top of Mobile Bay and almost directly east, Fort Blakeley and
its two northern river-island cannon emplacements were Mobile’s
Dec 24, 1936 - Nov 6, 2020
last level of protection. Without Fort Blakeley, Mobile was sure to
fall and it did, along with what was left of Brandon MS’s Company
B, 39 th Regiment, Mississippi Infantry.

ADDITIONALINFORMATION

The State of Alabama is restoring the embattlements at Blakeley

State Park and looking for support in its efforts. So far, they’ve done
a good job, but there’s a lot more to do.

The SCV Camps in Missouri and Alabama have erected

commemorative markers down near where the County Courthouse
and town once stood. In their little museum at the gate, is a photo of
my great-great-grandfather, Rankin County/Goshen Springs native,
William Solomon Baker wearing his “Southern Cross” lapel medal.

While the park rangers and I were discussing the Battle, I offered to
show them a picture of the former combatant. And after learning I
had multiple pictures of William Solomon (Bill) Baker with me,
they, in good fun, would not allow my wife and me to exit the park
unless I donated the photo…their first Confederate photo for their
work-in-progress museum. It was smiles all round when I gave them
their ransom.

Looking for a nice weekend outing? I recommend Blakeley State

Park and then, later head a few minutes south to Fort Morgan’s
ramparts. It’s fun and stimulating.

Lots of hotels/motels, restaurants, and attractions close by and

camping/camper spaces on the property.
Call ahead.

The ceremonial “Empty Chair” dedicated to SCV Camp #265 member Mr. Miley
Austin Puckett. You will be missed!
STAY TUNED NEXT MONTH FOR PART VII...
 Several folks dressed up and attended the events at Camp Moore.

On Nov. 15th an Iron Cross dedication for Sergeant John C. Jones, Co. E 4th Regiment, LA Cavalry C.S.A. was held at the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Vernon, Louisiana. He was the
great grandfather of Robbie Lewis and great great grandfather of Charla Lewis. Around 50 people were in attendance. Charles Tucker and Charles Lewis represented Camp 265.
Members from 5 other MS SCV camps were in attendance, as well as MS Division Commander, Connor Bond. Numerous Louisiana camps attended and participated in the
dedication service.
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
[email protected]
662-603-2140
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 December 5th at:

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