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Virginia Division
Whereas, in April 1861, the Commonwealth of Virginia, in order to retain her honor, exercised her Constitutional Right to secede from the Union. Whereas, Virginia, known as the Mother of Presidents, did not make this decision lightly but only after exhaustive efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution to the issues which divided Southern and Northern States failed. Whereas, when Abraham Lincoln called for 75,000 troops to put down, what he described as, the rebellion in the South, the Old Dominion, in good consciousness, refused to raise her sword against other Southern States and voted then and only then to defend herself if attacked. Whereas, the sons of Virginia heeded the call of their Mother State by the tens of thousands to defend their country, their Commonwealth, their home and their family from an invading army. Whereas, these brave Virginians of all races and religions fought in the Confederate Armed Forces alongside other men from across the South. Whereas, these men sacrificed their all and spilled their blood defending the sacred soil of Virginia. Whereas, their sacrifices Hallowed the Grounds of Manassas, Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Malvern Hill, Winchester, Shenandoah, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, New Market, Yellow Tavern, Cloyd's Mountain, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Bermuda Hundred, Reams Station, Cedar Creek, Five Forks, Fort Greg, High Bridge, Sayler's Creek, Appomattox and many other battlefields. Whereas, Virginians also fought and died serving onboard Naval vessels such as the C.S.S. Virginia, the C.S.S. Alabama and the submarine C.S.S. Hunley. Whereas, Richmond, Virginia, was the Capitol of the Confederate States of America and the wartime home of our beloved President Jefferson Davis. Whereas, we must never forget the sacrifices made by the women of the South, who with every ounce of their being supported their men in uniform, undertook the duties normally performed by men, and suffered along with their children, and other citizens untold horrors in a war torn land. Whereas, "After four years of arduous service marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude," as General Robert E. Lee so eloquently wrote, the war for Southern Independence ended for the fabled Army of Northern Virginia on April 9, 1865. Whereas, the honorable blood of such brave Virginians as Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, J.E.B. Stuart and the thousands of known and unknown Heroes of Dixie from every State in the South flows through the veins of thousands of Virginia citizens. Whereas, it is the sworn duty and privilege of the Sons of Confederate Veterans to defend the good name of the Confederate soldiers and sailors and to teach the true history of the South to future generations. Therefore, I, Henry E. Kidd, Commander of the Virginia Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans, do hereby order that from this day forward through eternity, the month of April will be celebrated as Confederate History and Heritage Month in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I call this observance to the attention of all citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia and all members of the Virginia Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans.
This General
Order is issued under the Hand and Seal of the
Henry E. Kidd Virginia Division, SCV (Commander 2000 - 2002)
Here is the latest on the localities who have declared April as Confederate History and Heritage Month. Bedford County is the most recent and there is a correction that has to be made for City of Colonial Heights. I was given the proclamation by Mayor Kollman tonight and was pleasantly surprised when I found that it was in perpetuity and not just for 2002. The proclamation was signed by the mayor and every member of city council.
Alleghany County — passed 2002
Thanks to all the men who have worked hard with these localities on their proclamations.
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