Dixie Defenders Camp #1861 again hosted Thomas L. Jesse A.K.A Robert E. Lee on February 23rd. He spoke about Lee and his activities in Florida. It was an outstanding presentation.
Pictured is Camp Commander Daryl Ratterree presenting Mr. Jesse with a Camp Certificate.
Mr. Bobby Grenier
Mr. Grenier was the guest speaker for the May 2019 S.C.V., Dixie Defenders, Camp #2086 meeting. Bobby is the President of the Lake County Historical Society.
Mr. Grenier provided an excellent presentation on his efforts to obtain the Statue of General Edmund Kirby Smith from Statuary Hall in Washington D.C. to its present status.
The Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp #2086 commends Mr. Bobby Grenier for all of his time and effort in this endeavor.
Mr. Rich Pearce
Mr. Pearce was the guest speaker for the March 2019 S.C.V., Dixie Defenders, Camp #2086 meeting. Rich is the Camp Adjutant for the William Milton Reilly S.C.V. Camp #741 in Lady Lake, Florida.
Mr. Pearce provided an excellent presentation on "The Confederate Constitution." He also brought and distributed a booklet that he has produced which gave in-depth reasons for the cause of The War Between The States.
During the meeting, we held the Chance Drawing for an original 3 Band Enfield Black Powder Musket. This weapon was produced before 1870 and donated by Dr. Warren Feldman, Camp Surgeon for S.C.V. Camp #2086. Mr. Pearce conducted the drawing for us, and the winning ticket was #117. The Enfield will be presented to the currently unnamed winner at a Confederate Memorial Day Service on 27 April 2019 in Oxford, Florida.
We want to express our extreme gratitude to everyone that purchased the Chance Drawing Tickets. The proceeds of this drawing will help support our Camp's Scholarship Program, the Clarence and Wally Patterson Memorial Scholarship administered through the Dixie Education Foundation. The winner will be announced at a later date in the Camp News section.
This year Camp #2086 will be issuing a total of four $500.00 Scholarships to Dixie County High School graduates.
Mr. Rodger Nogaki
Mr. Nogaki was the guest speaker for the February 2019 S.C.V., Dixie Defenders, Camp #2086 meeting.
Mr. Nogaki delivered an excellent program about the Historical Significance of the Japanese Internment Camp's used during World War II in America. He and his parents were housed in one of the Internment camps when he was a young child. One of the things that he pointed out is that both he and his parents were born in America and are American Citizens. His Grandfather legally migrated to America from Japan and became an American Citizen. Even after what he and his parents experienced, he is still a proud U.S. Citizen. He volunteered and served in the U.S. Army.
Mr. Mark Vogel
Mr. Vogel was the guest speaker for the January 2019 S.C.V., Dixie Defenders, Camp #2086 meeting. Mark hails from the great state of Texas. He is a Historian and writer. He delivered an outstanding program on "The War In Texas."
During the meeting, we held the Chance Drawing for the King Size Rocking Chair. The chair was built and donated by Camp Legionnaire, Harvey Resnick. Mr. Vogel conducted the drawing for us, and the proceeds went towards our Camp's Scholarship Program, The Clarence and Wally Patterson Memorial Scholarship administered through the Dixie Education Foundation. Visit the Camp News section to see the winner.
This year Camp #2086 will be issuing a total of four $500.00 Scholarships to Dixie County High School graduates.
Dr. Joshua Goodman
Dr. Joshua Goodman, PhD from the Florida Department of State - Florida Archives was the guest speaker at the August 2018 S.C.V., Dixie Defenders, Camp #2086 meeting in the Dixie County Library Conference Room in Cross City, FL.
Josh Goodman is the Archives Historian for the State Archives of Florida in Tallahassee. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in History from Florida State University, and a Ph.D. in History from Tulane University in New Orleans. As Archives Historian, Josh helps manage the process of digitizing archival records for the Florida Memory website, and promotes the study of Florida history through community outreach and educational programs.
Dr.Goodman gave a very informative presentation on The Salt Works and Blockade Running during the War Between The States. His Program focused mainly on the Salt Works, Blockade Running and Deserter Camps in Dixie and Taylor County's.
Mrs. Marihelen Wheeler
Mrs. Wheeler was the special guest speaker at the May 2017 S.C.V., Dixie Defenders, Camp 2086 meeting. Her presentation was titled, "Letters of The Confederacy." She shared two letters written to her ancestors from President Jefferson Davis, CSA. One letter was the death notification to her family that described how her Second Great Uncle was ordered to surrender his sword, during the issuing of Parole Papers. He refused and instead broke it over his knee and threw it into the river. As punishment a Union soldier struck him in the head several times rendering him unconscious. He was transported to a Union Hospital where he died of his injuries.
Dr. Warren Feldman
Dr. Feldman was the Guest Speaker during S.C.V., Dixie Defenders, Camp 2086 Confederate Memorial Day on 25 April 2017. He is not only a Medical Doctor, but also a Historian, Writer and Re-enactor and an excellent Public Speaker. His latest book is "Blood, Guns and Germs." Dr. Feldman also donated copies of his book "Blood, Guns and Germs" as a fund raiser for our Camp
Mr. Thomas Lee Jessee
Mr. Jessee was the special guest speaker at the S.C.V., Dixie Defenders, Camp 2086 meeting on 25 October 2016.
A native Virginian, Thomas became interested in military history at a young age while living in Hamilton, the heart of Mosby’s Rangers country. After moving to Florida with his family, he joined a local reenactment unit in 1969 at the age of 18. Thomas started out as a Private and worked his way up the ranks to General. He has been a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans for over 30 years.
Over the years, he has attended reenactments of all the major War Between the States battles throughout the U.S. as well as commanding troops at many of the national events. In 1977, Thomas attended the first Olustee Reenactment on the Olustee battle field and has attended every Olustee event since that time. During those early years of Olustee, he was given command of Confederate troops. Then in the early part of the 1980's, he became Commanding General of the Confederate Forces at Olustee, a position he still currently holds.
He was approved by the National Park Service to portray General Robert E. Lee at the 150th Anniversary of Appomattox reenactment in Virginia and the new Appomattox Visitors Center film shown to the public daily. As a longtime student of General Lee, Thomas has presented General Lee in various venues over the years.
Thomas and his wife, Gail Rebecca, have been married for 32 years and currently live in Lakeland, Florida. Professionally, he was a Superintendent for a Tampa electrical contractor, however, he retired in June of 2015.
Ms. Kathryn Palmer and Ms. Anya Grosenbaugh
Ms. Palmer and Ms. Grosenbaugh were the special guest speakers for the S.C.V., Dixie Defenders, Camp 2086 meeting on 27 September 2016. Ms. Palmer is an Archives Historian with the State Archives of Florida and Ms. Grosenbaugh is an Archivist with the Florida Bureau of Archives and Records Management. Their presentation discussed "The Florida Memory Project", an online source and database available to the general public through The Florida Archives in Tallahassee, Florida. Their presentation also covered "The Confederate Pension Files," which is available on The Florida Memory Project.
Pictured (L to R): Ms. Kathryn Palmer, Mr. Daryl Ratterree (Camp Commander, Dixie Defenders #2086), and Ms. Anya Grosenbaugh.
Mrs. Linda Baynard
Mrs. Baynard her grandchildren were the special guest speakers at the S.C.V., Dixie Defenders, Camp 2086 meeting on 23 August 2016. Each of her grandchildren gave a brief overview of one of their Confederate ancestors. Mrs. Baynard gave an overview of the newly formed chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy which has been formed for the Tri-County Area of Dixie, Gilchrist, and Levy Counties.
Pictured (L to R): Mrs. Linda Baynard with her grandchildren Hailey Jenkins, Jordyn Jenkins, and Jakob Jenkins, Mr. Daryl Ratterree (Camp Commander, Dixie Defenders #2086), and Mr. Ferrell Mikell (in rear).
Mr. Graham F. Smith
Mr. Smith was the special guest speaker at the S.C.V., Dixie Defenders, Camp 2086 meeting on 26 July 2016. His presentation was titled "Flag Bearers of the Confederacy." Mr. Smith is a proud descendant of numerous Confederate Soldiers, including Capt. James H. Hicks (GA), Ensign John A. Stikeleather (NC), Pvt. John Stikeleather, Sr. (NC), Pvt. Hezekiah Graham (NC), and Pvt. Edward C. Smith (FL). Ensign John A. Stikeleather, his great great grandfather, was a flag bearer for the 4th North Carolina State Troops during The War.
Pictured (L to R): Mr. Graham Smith and Mr. Daryl Ratterree (Camp Commander, Dixie Defenders #2086).
Mrs. Linda Rosenblatt
Mrs. Rosenblatt was the special guest speaker for the S.C.V., Dixie Defenders, Camp 2086 Confederate Memorial Day meeting on 26 April 2016. Her presentation was titled "The Widow Dugger." The widow was Anne Dugger whose husband died on the battlefield during the Battle of Olustee. Robinson B. Dugger was a private in the 6th Florida Battalion Co. G. under the command of Brigadier General Alfred H. Colquitt. Robinson was the great great grandfather of Mrs. Rosenblatt's husband.
Pictured (L to R): Mr. Larry Rosenblatt, Mrs. Linda Rosenblatt, and Mr. Daryl Ratterree (Camp Commander, Dixie Defenders #2086).