Membership

The citizen - soldiers who fought for the Confederacy personified the best qualities of America. The preservation of liberty and freedom was the motivating factor in the South's decision to fight the Second American Revolution. The tenacity with which Confederate soldiers fought underscored their belief in the rights guaranteed by the Constitution. These attributes are the underpinning of our democratic society and foundation on which this nation was built. Today the Sons of Confederate Veterans is preserving the history and legacy of these heroes, so future generations can understand the motives that animated the Southern Cause.
The SCV is the direct heir of the United Confederate Veterans, and the oldest hereditary organization for male descendants of Confederate soldiers. Organized at Richmond, Virginia in 1896, the initial duties were:
(1) assisting the SCV and its elderly members at their conventions and other activities and
(2) ensuring that the true history of the Confederacy and its struggle be accurately documented. The SCV continues to serve as a historical, patriotic, and non-political organization dedicated to insuring that a true history of the 1861 - 1865 period is preserved.
Membership in the Sons of Confederate Veterans is open to all male descendants of any veteran who served honorably in the Confederate armed forces. Membership can be obtained through either direct or collateral family lines and kinship to a veteran must be documented genealogically. The minimum age for membership is 12. There are two classes of membership available:
(1) Standard SCV membership,
(2) Associated members (membership in at least one other SCV Camp). Delaware Grays also has a "Friends of the Camp" membership available for those who cannot prove their genealogy. For more information, contact the camp genealogist.
Proof of kinship to a Confederate soldier can take many forms. The easiest method of is to contact the archives of the state from which the soldier fought and obtain a copy of the veteran's military service record. All Southern state's archives have microfilm records of the soldiers who fought from that state, and a copy of the information can be obtained for a nominal fee. In addition, the former Confederate states awarded pensions to veterans and their widows. All of these records contain a wealth of information that can be used to document military service.
In addition to the privilege of belonging to an organization devoted exclusively to commemorating and honoring Confederate soldiers, members are eligible for other benefits. Every member receives The Confederate Veteran, the bi-monthly national magazine which contains articles in-depth on the war along with news affecting Southern heritage. The programs of the SCV range from assistance to undergraduate students though the General Stand Watie Scholarship to medical research grants given through the Brooks Fund. National historical symposiums, reprinting of rare books and the erection of monuments are just a few of the other projects endorsed by the SCV.
If you are interested in perpetuating the ideals that motivated your Confederate ancestor, then we need you! If you need help to begin your search, we can assist all that have a desire to find their Confederate ancestors. Just click on the camp link below to send us your info.
Please include your name, address, e-mail, how you found us, interests, and if you can participate in camp functions.