Charge!!!

Compatriots,

Here are the charges as printed in the minutes of the 1906 United Confederate Veterans Reunion in New Orleans, LA. Below are the TRUE CHARGES as given by General Lee. Also this is the order in which they were given.

1. To you, mothers of the Memorial Association, will be given the service of commemorating the soldier's virtues in the hearts of those who come after us by the story of the illustrious dead, of comforting the hearts of those that morn our lost heroes, with such ministrations as bespeak the sympathy of the patriot and the loving kindness of those who are familiar with the same sorrow.
2. To you, Sons of Confederate Veterans, we will commit the vindication of the cause for which we fought. To your strength will be given the defense of the Confederate soldiers' good name, the guardianship of his history, the emulation of his virtues, the perpetuation of those principles which he loved, and which you love also, and those ideals which made him glorious, and which you also cherish.
3. To you, Daughters of the Confederacy, will be given the loving service of remembering the Confederate dead, and of ministering to the living, who were dear to him, and are in need of your help and tenderness. Worthy daughters you shall be of the immortal women, your mothers, who gave to womanhood a new perfection of heroism and a more divine expression of sacrifice and devotion.
4. To you, brave people of the South, to you, true-hearted Americans everywhere; to you, world conquering race from which he sprung; to all men everywhere, who prize in a man the manliest deeds, who love in man the love of country, who praise fidelity and courage, who honor self-sacrifice and noble devotion, will be given an incomparable inheritance, the memory of our prince of men, the Confederate soldier. (Thunders of applause)

In the meantime the Sons had arrived. They remained outside until the conclusion of General Lee's address, and then marched in, Commander Thomas McA. Owen, of Montgomery, Alabama, in the lead, headed by a band. Each officer was accompanied by a beautiful young lady, a sponsor or maid, and their appearance was the signal for the greatest enthusiasm yet manifested in the Convention. The younger generation should feel proud of the tender sentiments manifested towards them by their sires. When the band played "See the Conquering Hero Comes," the old veterans went wild in their enthusiasm and applause.


What you have just read are the last few paragraphs of the rather lengthy 5 to 6 page speech that was given by General Stephen Dill Lee at the Convention/Reunion of the United Confederate Veterans in New Orleans, Louisiana, Wednesday April 25th, 1906.

These are the TRUE CHARGES that have been given to US ALL ! ! ! !

M. Todd Owens
Commander, Northeast Brigade
Louisiana Division
Sons of Confederate Veterans