A Brief Overview of Rivers Bridge Camp No. 842 History
Rivers Bridge Camp #842 was first chartered on April 14, 1917. The Camp remained
active until 1944. By then World War II had called many if not most of its members
into military service. The Camp's first officers were as follows: R.E. Kenny,
Commander; William Harter, First Lieutenant Commander; Malcolm O'Neal, 2nd
Lieutenant Commander; Fred O'Neal, Adjutant; Albert Youmans, Surgeon; Doc
Sanders, Chaplain; Harry Lancaster, Color Sergeant; Connor Fennell, Treasurer;
Raymond Hammond, Quartermaster; William Youmans, Historian. Rivers Bridge
Camp #842 met on the 1st Monday evening of each month in a member's home.
Interest began to develop in mid 1994 to re-charter Camp #842. SC Division First
Lieutenant.Commander Bill Bushall and Wade Hampton Camp #273 Commander Brett
Bradshaw were instrumental in reforming the Camp. D. Kenny Cone and M.G.
(Mickey) Smith were members of the Wade Hampton Camp, and through their hard
work combined with the leadership of Bushall and Bradshaw, Rivers Bridge Camp #842
was reborn. The initial meeting took place on August 9, 1994. Ten people joined at
that first meeting. Within five months membership had grown to over 100
Compatriots.
Rivers Bridge Camp #842 re-chartered on January 28, 1995 with 123 Members. At that
time, it was the greatest number of members to ever re-charter a camp. M.G.
(Mickey) Smith was the reborn Camp's first Commander.
Camp Commanders:
M.G. (Mickey) Smith, 1995-1996
Edward S. Floyd, Sr. 1997 -1998
Joseph V. Braxton, II 1998-1999
William E. Moody, Sr. 2000-2002
Joseph V. Braxton, II 2003-2009
Of the many heritage projects that the Camp supports, we are probably most proud of
our co-sponsorship, along with the Rivers Bridge Memorial Association, of Confederate
Memorial Day observances at Rivers Bridge State Historical Site each May. Prior to
Camp #842’s involvement, the Memorial Service at Rivers Bridge was dwindling each
year and seemed destined to be forgotten. Interest has been renewed and we now host
hundreds of people each year at Confederate Memorial Day ceremonies at Rivers
Bridge. It is both a solemn and joyous occasion with a good speaker, good friends and
good barbecue. Oh yes, and a big oak barrel full of Coleman Loadholt’s famous
lemonade.
Since we have a great attachment to Rivers Bridge State Historical Site, we do what we
can to enhance it. The Camp conducted research to identify as many of those interred
in the mass grave as possible. This was done so that Confederate grave markers could
be placed for each one thus identified. After the markers were erected, the cemetery
was cleaned, and the surrounding wrought ironwork was repaired and painted. The
Camp then placed three flag poles near the mass grave and there the flags of the
United States, South Carolina and the Confederate Navy Jack fly each day.
Another of the projects that gives Camp #842 Compatriots great satisfaction is helping
to produce the battle reenactment at Rivers Bridge each January. It is hard work at
times, but it is looked upon as an educational tool and is done in memory of those who
had to endure the real thing so long ago.
The Camp has donated many thousands of dollars toward the restoration of
Confederate Flags, unit flags, the uniform coat of General Micah Jenkins, and many
other worthy causes through such fine organizations as the Confederate Relic Room
and Military Museum.
Rivers Bridge participates in many parades with our float built by Camp members. We
quite often have the collaboration of the fine ladies of the United Daughters of the
Confederacy or Order of the Confederate Rose.
Rivers Bridge was the first camp to establish a Camp Life Membership in which 22
members are currently participating.
The Camp has placed a number of state historical markers and we have plans to do
more in the future.
We maintain Confederate Flags and markers at the crossing of US 301 over the Edisto
River in Orangeburg in commemoration of those who opposed the crossing of the
Edisto by Federal troops in 1865. We also maintain flags at the intersection of US 301
and US 321 at Buford’s Bridge to memorialize the crossing there and the resulting
destruction of the village of Buford's Bridge. There is also a marker in memory of
Captain William Tate Speaks, Jr., who was killed in the Battle of Pocotaligo in 1862.
Rivers Bridge Camp #842 was first chartered on April 14, 1917. The Camp remained
active until 1944. By then World War II had called many if not most of its members
into military service. The Camp's first officers were as follows: R.E. Kenny,
Commander; William Harter, First Lieutenant Commander; Malcolm O'Neal, 2nd
Lieutenant Commander; Fred O'Neal, Adjutant; Albert Youmans, Surgeon; Doc
Sanders, Chaplain; Harry Lancaster, Color Sergeant; Connor Fennell, Treasurer;
Raymond Hammond, Quartermaster; William Youmans, Historian. Rivers Bridge
Camp #842 met on the 1st Monday evening of each month in a member's home.
Interest began to develop in mid 1994 to re-charter Camp #842. SC Division First
Lieutenant.Commander Bill Bushall and Wade Hampton Camp #273 Commander Brett
Bradshaw were instrumental in reforming the Camp. D. Kenny Cone and M.G.
(Mickey) Smith were members of the Wade Hampton Camp, and through their hard
work combined with the leadership of Bushall and Bradshaw, Rivers Bridge Camp #842
was reborn. The initial meeting took place on August 9, 1994. Ten people joined at
that first meeting. Within five months membership had grown to over 100
Compatriots.
Rivers Bridge Camp #842 re-chartered on January 28, 1995 with 123 Members. At that
time, it was the greatest number of members to ever re-charter a camp. M.G.
(Mickey) Smith was the reborn Camp's first Commander.
Camp Commanders:
M.G. (Mickey) Smith, 1995-1996
Edward S. Floyd, Sr. 1997 -1998
Joseph V. Braxton, II 1998-1999
William E. Moody, Sr. 2000-2002
Joseph V. Braxton, II 2003-2009
Of the many heritage projects that the Camp supports, we are probably most proud of
our co-sponsorship, along with the Rivers Bridge Memorial Association, of Confederate
Memorial Day observances at Rivers Bridge State Historical Site each May. Prior to
Camp #842’s involvement, the Memorial Service at Rivers Bridge was dwindling each
year and seemed destined to be forgotten. Interest has been renewed and we now host
hundreds of people each year at Confederate Memorial Day ceremonies at Rivers
Bridge. It is both a solemn and joyous occasion with a good speaker, good friends and
good barbecue. Oh yes, and a big oak barrel full of Coleman Loadholt’s famous
lemonade.
Since we have a great attachment to Rivers Bridge State Historical Site, we do what we
can to enhance it. The Camp conducted research to identify as many of those interred
in the mass grave as possible. This was done so that Confederate grave markers could
be placed for each one thus identified. After the markers were erected, the cemetery
was cleaned, and the surrounding wrought ironwork was repaired and painted. The
Camp then placed three flag poles near the mass grave and there the flags of the
United States, South Carolina and the Confederate Navy Jack fly each day.
Another of the projects that gives Camp #842 Compatriots great satisfaction is helping
to produce the battle reenactment at Rivers Bridge each January. It is hard work at
times, but it is looked upon as an educational tool and is done in memory of those who
had to endure the real thing so long ago.
The Camp has donated many thousands of dollars toward the restoration of
Confederate Flags, unit flags, the uniform coat of General Micah Jenkins, and many
other worthy causes through such fine organizations as the Confederate Relic Room
and Military Museum.
Rivers Bridge participates in many parades with our float built by Camp members. We
quite often have the collaboration of the fine ladies of the United Daughters of the
Confederacy or Order of the Confederate Rose.
Rivers Bridge was the first camp to establish a Camp Life Membership in which 22
members are currently participating.
The Camp has placed a number of state historical markers and we have plans to do
more in the future.
We maintain Confederate Flags and markers at the crossing of US 301 over the Edisto
River in Orangeburg in commemoration of those who opposed the crossing of the
Edisto by Federal troops in 1865. We also maintain flags at the intersection of US 301
and US 321 at Buford’s Bridge to memorialize the crossing there and the resulting
destruction of the village of Buford's Bridge. There is also a marker in memory of
Captain William Tate Speaks, Jr., who was killed in the Battle of Pocotaligo in 1862.
| Peter D. Boineau Commander 2010 |
History Of Rivers Bridge Confederate Memorial Association
The Rivers Bridge Confederate Memorial Association, first known as the Rivers Bridge
Monumental and Memorial Association, was formed in 1876 when local men decided to
re-inter Confederate remains in a mass grave located at what was once the little
settlement of Rivers Bridge. A store and a post office were said to have been located at
this place, operated by a Rivers family.
The grave was placed near the site of Enon Christian Church, destroyed by Federal
troops in the occupation of the area in February, 1865. The church did not rebuild at
Rivers Bridge, but relocated to another site.
The twenty charter members of the Rivers Bridge Confederate Memorial Association
set the annual meeting date for the Friday closest to May 10, the day General
Stonewall Jackson died. Its first president was Dr. Robert C. Brabham. In 1955 the
program was dedicated to Frank O. Brabham, the last man present when the
Confederate dead were moved from scattered graves to the present location.
John D. Jenny gave ninety acres embracing the battle site to the Association in 1938.
Adjoining land was purchased so that 390 acres eventually were passed from the
Association to the State Forestry Commission in 1945.
A monument to the World War II dead from Allendale, Bamberg, Colleton and
Hampton Counties, which converge at a point in the park, was dedicated in 1948 with
an afternoon address by the Honorable James F. Byrnes.
A State Historic Marker given by the Edisto District, SC United Daughters of the
Confederacy was dedicated in 1967.
By 1939 there were no living Confederate Veterans remaining in Allendale and
Hampton Counties. The Association continues to meet to hear patriotic speeches and
music in addition to placing flowers and flags on the mass grave in memory of the
fallen Confederates.
The first re-enactment of the Battle of Rivers Bridge was held in 1965. Rivers Bridge
was the first historic park in the State Park system and the only one that
commemorates the Confederacy.
Information courtesy of Mrs. Betty Jane Miller
The Rivers Bridge Confederate Memorial Association, first known as the Rivers Bridge
Monumental and Memorial Association, was formed in 1876 when local men decided to
re-inter Confederate remains in a mass grave located at what was once the little
settlement of Rivers Bridge. A store and a post office were said to have been located at
this place, operated by a Rivers family.
The grave was placed near the site of Enon Christian Church, destroyed by Federal
troops in the occupation of the area in February, 1865. The church did not rebuild at
Rivers Bridge, but relocated to another site.
The twenty charter members of the Rivers Bridge Confederate Memorial Association
set the annual meeting date for the Friday closest to May 10, the day General
Stonewall Jackson died. Its first president was Dr. Robert C. Brabham. In 1955 the
program was dedicated to Frank O. Brabham, the last man present when the
Confederate dead were moved from scattered graves to the present location.
John D. Jenny gave ninety acres embracing the battle site to the Association in 1938.
Adjoining land was purchased so that 390 acres eventually were passed from the
Association to the State Forestry Commission in 1945.
A monument to the World War II dead from Allendale, Bamberg, Colleton and
Hampton Counties, which converge at a point in the park, was dedicated in 1948 with
an afternoon address by the Honorable James F. Byrnes.
A State Historic Marker given by the Edisto District, SC United Daughters of the
Confederacy was dedicated in 1967.
By 1939 there were no living Confederate Veterans remaining in Allendale and
Hampton Counties. The Association continues to meet to hear patriotic speeches and
music in addition to placing flowers and flags on the mass grave in memory of the
fallen Confederates.
The first re-enactment of the Battle of Rivers Bridge was held in 1965. Rivers Bridge
was the first historic park in the State Park system and the only one that
commemorates the Confederacy.
Information courtesy of Mrs. Betty Jane Miller
| A rifle salute is rendered during a Rivers Bridge Memorial service. |
One of several interpretive
panels placed with the help
of Friends of Rivers Bridge,
many of whom are members
of Camp No. 842.
panels placed with the help
of Friends of Rivers Bridge,
many of whom are members
of Camp No. 842.
| Original Marker placed at the mass grave by the Rivers Bridge Confederate Memorial Association. |
Rivers Bridge Memorial
Services 2008
Services 2008
Uniform coat of General
Micah Jenkins preserved
with help from Camp 842. It
is housed at the
Confederate Relic Room
and Military Museum.
Micah Jenkins preserved
with help from Camp 842. It
is housed at the
Confederate Relic Room
and Military Museum.
| Rivers Bridge Camp No. 842 Sons of Confederate Veterans |
"It is our duty to keep the memory of our heroes green..." Jefferson Davis
 |  |  |  |  |  |
| The 135th Rivers Bridge Confederate Memorial Day observance was on Friday, May 13, 2011. Music was provided by Dr. James Dreyfus and the featured speaker was Mr. Allen Roberson, Curator of the Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum. |
