28 February 2004

Department Commander Charles Engle opened the 9th Encampment of the Department of Tennessee-held at the Highlands Methodist Church, Huntsville, Alabama. Brother Engle thanked all the Brothers for their assistance during the previous year. Brother Gordon Cottrell, acting in place of the Department Chaplin, opened the meeting with prayer. The Pledge of Allegiance, and America’s Creed were recited.

The Department Secretary, Brother Geoffrey Hintze, called the Roll of Officers. In attendance were the Department Commander, Senior Vice Commander, Junior Vice Commander, Secretary/Treasurer, Graves Registration Officer and Council Clyde Getman, PDC. Absent were Council Allan Howey, PDC, Council and Patriotic Instructor David Milam, PCC, Chaplain John Anderson, PDC, Historian Charles Yates, PDC, Counselor Tommy Smith, CC and Webmaster Allen Smith, PDC.

The Department Secretary called the Roll of Camps. In attendance were Sultana (1 member), Farragut (1 member), Missionary Ridge (2 members), Pvt. Richard Taylor (5 members) and Byrd (1 member). Fort Donelson, Wilson and Sanders were absent. Several additional brothers from Camps Missionary Ridge and Richard Taylor attended the meeting during the course of the encampment. Brother Chad Walker (Missionary Ridge) was present and recognized for his overseas tour of duty as a Medical Technician, USAF, at a base in Turkey.

Brother Hintze gave the Necrology Report. Brother Madison Waldon Gadberry passed away 31 October 2003. Brother Gadberry was the son of Milton Granville Gadberry who served as a Private with Co H of the 8^th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. We also lost Mrs. Nello (Nell) Ingle Wilson, daughter of Adam Frank Ingle, Pvt. Co B, 4^th Reg’t Tennessee Mtd. Infantry.

Officers Reports

The Department Officers gave their reports. Copies of the reports of Department Commander, Junior Vice Commander, Secretary/Treasurer and Graves Registration Officer will be included in the Department minutes as appendixes.

Correspondence

Brother Hintze introduced correspondence from Charles E Kuhn, Jr., PDC. Brother Kuhn is a candidate for a seat on Council of Administration. He also is Co-Chairman of the SUVCW National Committee on Civil War Heritage Defense Fund to help combat the loss of our heritage. This committee is raising funds to combat individuals who purchase Civil War monuments for profit.

Brother Engle introduced correspondence to help restore the Traditional Day of observance for Memorial Day. Also, correspondence to help honor Abraham Lincoln to commemorate the 139^th anniversary of the death of Lincoln at the Lincoln Tomb in Springfield. Also a note from the Dept of Wisc. advocating NSVC Steve Michaels for advancement to the of ice of NCiC at the coming National Encampment.

Unfinished Business

At the 8^th Encampment, a offer was presented to the Department of Tennessee to manage the Widow Janeway’s home. Brother John Anderson had the action to look into it. Brother Anderson has not reported back. Brother Hogan suggested that we check with the State of Tennessee for help. It was decided that although this was a most worthy project. It is beyond the resources of the Tenn. Dept to manage it.

New Business

Brother Getman presented a motion to hold the 10^th Encampment at the Shiloh NBP area with Camp Farragut as the host. The motion was seconded and passed.

A motion was presented to hold the Encampment as close to March 1 as possible but must be before April 1, 2005. This motion was seconded and passed.

A discussion was made to possibly getting a medal commemorating the 10^th Encampment in 2005. The cost per medal is projected to be $10 or less. Brother Engle will devise a design and contact a source to produce the medal.

Brother Hogan suggested that the Department get together with the Ladies of Knoxville for grave identification and registration.

A motion was made for the new Department Commander to appoint a Liaison Officer to coordinate details with respect any Allied Orders. The motion carried.

Brother Engle passed around a drawing of the symbol of the Army of the Cumberland and proposed that the Department of Tennessee adopt it as the Departments symbol. Brother Getman gave a motion to adopt the symbol as our symbol. The motion was seconded and carried.

The 2004 National Encampment in Cedar Rapids was discussed. Brother Getman proposed that all members of the Department in good standing be considered as alternates to the Encampment. The motion was seconded and passed.

Awards

Brother Hogan (Camp Taylor) was given the Department outstanding Service Award.
The past Camp Commander awards were handed out.
Brother James Durham (Camp Missionary Ridge) was given an award for his outstanding efforts in graves registration.
Brother Robert Dobbs (Camp Missionary Ridge) was given an award for his efforts in exhibiting the principles Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty in assisting Brother Frank Harned and his wife.
The Wilson Camp, Brother Bush, editor, was given the outstanding newsletter award.
The Missionary Ridge Camp was awarded the Department Most outstanding camp.

Election of Officers

Brother Pearce was nominated for Department Commander

Brother Atchley was nominated for Senior Vice Commander

Brother Hintze was nominated for Junior Vice Commander

Brother Engle was nominated for Secretary/Treasurer with the stipulation that he was not going to pass through the rotation of line officers again; and would cheerfully yield the office if anyone came forward with the approval of the Dept Commander and Council.

Brother Engle and Brother Harned were nominated for Department Council.

The officers were unanimously elected.

Brother Getman installed the officers and Brother Pearce assumed the symbolic gavel and the badge of his office. Commander Pearce thanked those who voted with confidence in his election as Department Commander.

Commander Pearce appointed Brother Charles Engle as Liaison Officer to coordinate details with respect any Allied Orders.

With no unfinished business the Commander closed the 9^th Annual Encampment of the Dept of Tenn., SUVCW, at 12:30 pm with Brother Cottrell closing with prayer.