“My Fellow Compatriots,
This summer I had the opportunity to be a junior counselor at the Sam Davis Christian Youth Camp. First and foremost, I would like to thank Mr. Jim Becker the former Camp Commander, Mr. Jim Whitehead the current Camp Commander, and the Camp at large for making this experience possible. My attendance and experience would not have been possible without the support of the Camp. Over the course of the week I was able to lead and guide many young men physically, mentally and most importantly morally. We began and ended everyday with firing an era canon. In doing so I was able to teach and command the cannon crew. Every afternoon there was recreation where the campers could participate in a variety of activities including fishing and musket shooting. During the evenings, there was period dancing and fellowship. Throughout the week, we had numerous speakers visit and speak to us on a wide range of topics. The campers and counselors, including myself, were able to gain important knowledge and truths that are not taught in today’s school system. The main topic for this year was Christianity in the Confederacy. The campers were able to learn the importance of Christianity to the South and how there was a great revival of Christianity during the war. We learned about Confederate hero’s like Jack Henson, Sam Davis, and Stonewall Jackson. On Thursday we took a trip to Lexington, Virginia where we visited Stonewall Jackson’s home, his grave, the Washington and Lee Chapel, and The Virginia Military Institute. It’s sad that the history of some of these locations is at risk of being removed, violated, or torn down. It is of utmost importance, that we continue to fight to keep the legacy and history of these honorable men alive.
If you have never heard the story of Sam Davis, or Jack Henson I would greatly encourage it. Their stories, when read, may bring you to tears or cause a chill down your spine. Unfortunately, men with the integrity, bravery and faith of Sam and Jack are few and far between today. Sam Davis was a young Confederate martyr who was captured, illegally charged, and murdered at the hands of the Yankees! Jack Henson, a friend of Ulysses S. Grant, was drawn into the war after his two sons were murdered and their bodies gruesomely desecrated by Yankees in front of him. In return, Jack Henson became the most feared Confederate sniper of the war, with over one hundred and thirty confirmed kills starting with the Union officer who killed his sons. Unfortunately, history is written by the victor. It is sad that sickening men with no morals, like Abraham Lincoln and William T. Sherman, are glorified as the heroes in today’s history books. Whereas southern, Christian heroes and generals are proclaimed racists who fought solely to keep slavery alive and well.
In conclusion, I should say that I always enjoy my time at the Sam Davis Christian Youth Camp. This year I had the pleasure of leading and receiving. I was able to teach younger boys how we are to carry ourselves as Southern Christian men. The education of the youth on the truth of the War Between the States is of utmost importance. Today, without boldness, guidance and such opportunities the lies of the Yankee agenda will succeed. Everything Christian and Southern are being crucified and our values are being thrown out the window while immorality and lies are encouraged. If the truth is not passed from generation to generation then the cause for remembering our ancestors and passing their truths will be lost! I ask of you, my fellow brothers where is the next generation? Where are your sons, daughters, grandsons and granddaughters? I would ask of you to encourage your children and grandchildren to consider attending The Sam Davis Christian Youth Camp. It is there they will learn the greater truths of their heritage and be surrounded by other young people of like mind. They will make friendships and experience era military drills, traditions, garb, and dancing. I would greatly recommend the Sam Davis Christian Youth Camp and hope the Camp and its members would continue sending its children and grandchildren. I can only hope that in the future other youth and young adults can share in the same experience and learn about the great heritage we have.
Most Sincerely,”…Reuben B.
“My Week at Sam Davis Christian Youth Camp
The week I attended Sam Davis Christian Youth Camp was truly a great experience. I was able to learn more about our Confederate Heritage and hear great stories about our Confederate ancestors and heroes. I also enjoyed making new friends of like mind and taking part in fun and enjoyable activities. I especially liked the musket shooting and the evening dancing. I would definitely recommend this camp to other young men and ladies. Finally, I want to thank our SCV Camp for offering me this wonderful opportunity to attend this special camp. I am most grateful and truly hope that many other young people can enjoy the same great experience that I had.
Thank you,” …Caleb B.
“Over the past week I have not just learned about my heritage but Christ and life lessons as well. I learned about Confederate currency and how they are called notes. I learned about Robert E. Lee and Sam Davis, and the women of the Confederacy. I learned about the massive prison in Maryland called Point Lookout. I learned the truth about my heritage and how to stand up for it. I met new people and formed unbreakable bonds. This week was full of fun, knowledge and amazing memories. I am glad God blessed me with the chance to come to this camp.”… Scarlett G.
“My favorite activity was the redneck waterslide because everyone participated. My favorite speaker was the lady who spoke about the bonnets, Mrs. Nancy Graham. I really love fashion and clothing, so that was especially interesting to me. I learned exactly what the war was fought for and why it started to begin with. I also learned that the cause of the war and the cause of secession were two different things. Camp was so much fun and I can’t wait to come back here next year.” …Maryjane P.
“My favorite speakers were Sgt. Major Haymes and General Lafayette and my favorite activities were the waterslide, canoes and shooting muskets. As a seventh year camper here, I think I’ve seen it all. I can’t really suggest anything new because there hasn’t been a bad year. Things have changed and different events have taken place but I still love this camp unconditionally.” …Bailey F.
“This week was amazing and I loved everything. Sgt. Major James Haymes was my favorite speaker of the entire week. Archery was fun along with the fact that everyone was so kind. The speaker’s etiquette was fabulous. Everyone seemed to be interested but I would love to see more young folks like myself in this camp to be educated on the Confederate side of the War of Northern Aggression. Camp, as always, was intriguing.”…Maggie M.
“My favorite part of the camp were the lectures and the dancing. The speeches were all amazing and my favorite speakers were all of the Pastors. I learned so very much, more than I can probably write here. All of the Counselors were very kind as well. I learned so much that I will remember forever. This camp has to continue. It has to. Me and my peers will not get this necessary information anywhere else.” …Brigette S.
“This week at camp I learned so many new things about my heritage as I do every year. Some of the most useful information was how to defend my heritage to people who try to defame it. I made many new friends and of course, I’m excited about coming back next year. The story of Sam Davis has always inspired me to be the best I can be. I love this camp and I can’t wait to come back!” …Savannah C.
“For five years now, I have attended the Sam Davis Youth Camp in Thaxton, Virginia and it still continues to improve. This year, I learned about vexillology, the integrated Confederate army where whites and blacks lived and worked side by side, and the cost of the war. I also made some huge accomplishments and got to grow stronger bonds with friends and other historically likeminded young people.
Vexillology is the study of flags. We were told by speaker Hub Clapper the importance of flags during the war. An important point that I didn’t put in my camp oratory but would like to add here concerning the cost of the war is the forgotten history and meanings behind some of the most important symbols to date. The Confederacy had three national flags and the “Battle Flag” that is causing such a fuss today was not one of them, to the surprise of the people who dislike it. It was actually the battle flag for the Army of Northern Virginia, not a national one. Mr. Clapper made a very good point in his talk, “there were twenty-two hundred flags that represented the Confederate States of America, not just one. If you’re going to hate one, you might as well hate them all.” Some of those twenty-two hundred are lost today. I think that this is important because of what’s happening now, with some wanting to take down our flags. If someone says they don’t like the flag, I’ll remember what Mr. Clapper told me and give the offender a historically accurate lesson.
The cost of the war was our main topic of the week, and the subject of the camp’s oratory contest, which I won first place in the girls’ division. It explains not just the money cost, but other aspects of the term “cost”. I’d like to share it with you now:
The War Between the States was very costly to our ancestors and is still impacting the South today. It was not just monetary, but costs also included emotional, familial, physical, and historical costs. We lost the original meanings of the Constitution too where the states were supposed to handle their domestic issues internally so we did not have a one size fits all system as today.
Our ancestors had lost many people from their families due to the war. Fathers, brothers, uncles, and sons were pulled from families and drawn to fight. They were all brave men who did what they knew was right for their people. An example was the namesake of our camp, Sam Davis. He was captured by Yankee soldiers and was told to give the true identity of his superior officer, Henry Shaw, alias E. Coleman. Even after the Yankees’ threats to kill him and begging Sam to save his own life, he told them he would rather die a thousand deaths than betray a friend. He was hung by those same Yankees and his body taken home to his grieving parents. Many other Southern boys died at the hands of Yankees, and this sometimes wiped out entire families. The cost of the war was the lives of those courageous men and boys who died defending their homes, friends, and their Southland.
The new total estimate of war deaths is around eight hundred fifty thousand for both sides. Out of these eight hundred fifty thousand dead, many of them are now known today as simply “Unknown”. These unknown soldiers paid the ultimate price for the war. They were courageous men and boys who are now forgotten by history.
Homes, public properties and land were all destroyed by Yankee forces throughout the war. The physical devastation of the South was far worse than any other. In some instances, the Yankees destroyed entire towns. Whole families were made to leave so that Yankee generals and staff could make headquarters in their homes. Railroads and streets were torn up beyond use. This is another cost of the war. People were treated as animals and turned out into the elements after losing their homes.
Cost is not solely monetary, but also covers many other aspects including physical, emotional, and historical. If we don’t remember their sacrifices, what will become of their bravery? The cost of the war will be the loss of our history.
This camp is very worthwhile and educational, but still can be lots of fun. It has activities like musket shooting, dancing, canoeing, archery, and rock wall climbing. One of the camp favorites is the nightly dance lessons. We learn to waltz, how to be proper ladies and gentlemen, and how to properly sing songs of the era. Campers and counselors alike enjoy it, and I’m one of them.
I now know many more things than I did two weeks ago, and I can’t wait to learn more next year. I want to thank the Wade Hampton camp, Camp 51, and the Louisa McCord OCR Chapter for funding me to go and learn much more than I could anywhere else. So when next June comes around, be sure to sponsor a camper or send your kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, or even yourself to get some American history the schools barely touch if at all and some fresh air.
God bless South Carolina and God save the South!”
BAILEY F.