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March 10, 2008:
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| Contact: Jeff Plummer
Publicity Director 410-829-7060 Delaware Confederates Honored during ceremony May 10 in Georgetown For over 140 years, hardly anyone knew that Delaware had a Confederate history. Delawareans who went south to fight during the “War Between the States” 1861-1865 were never mentioned in the history books. Now thanks to the efforts of the “Delaware Grays”, Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 2068 in Seaford, news of an estimated 2,000 Delaware Confederates is reaching the general public. And on Saturday May 10th at 1pm, a “Delaware Confederate Heritage Month” ceremony will be held at the Soldier's Monument, on the grounds of the Marvel Museum, South Bedford Street, Georgetown. A newly discovered Delaware Confederate's name will be added to the monument. There will be speeches, a rifle salute, cannon salute, prayers and refreshments provided by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Caleb Ross Chapter 2635. The band 'Backwoods' will perform Bluegrass and period style music. The Delaware Grays Color Guard will flank the monument with many of the flags of the South as well as the Delaware state flag. The event is free and the public is invited. An estimated 2,000 Delawareans went south to fight with the Confederacy; many faced persecution and arrest by Federal authorities upon their return and attempted to keep their identities secret, complicating efforts to identify them. Research is on-going and more names will be added to the monument as evidence is uncovered. Anyone with names of possible Delaware Confederate soldiers is asked to contact the Monument Committee through the “Delaware Grays” website at www.DESCV.org. If you or your group is interested in presenting a wreath during this event, contact the Monument Committee through the Delaware Grays website at www.DESCV.org and click on the Monument Committee link. The Confederate Soldiers Monument at the Marvel Museum in Georgetown is the only one of its kind, recognizing the sacrifices of Delaware Confederate soldiers. Names on the monument include Governor William Henry Harrison Ross and his son Caleb, General Leonidas Polk, Sgt George Julian Robinson of Georgetown and many others. The “Delaware Grays”, SCV Camp #2068, based in Seaford, Delaware, is a non-profit, non-political, non-racial, patriotic community organization whose members are descendents of Confederate veterans who served honorably during the “War Between the States”. The Georgetown Historical Society is located at 510 South Bedford Street, off Rt. 113 and just down from the inspection lane in Georgetown, Delaware. The museum includes a collection of historic buildings and horse drawn carriages as well as thousands of historical photographs, newspaper clippings, books and other memorabilia about Georgetown, Sussex County, and Delaware. End |