History of the SCV

The Sons of Confederate Veterans was founded in 1896. Sons and other descendants of Confederate Veterans had formed the habit of attending the annual reunions held by the veterans over the years after the war, and, as the veterans aged, the sons became part of the reunions since they usually were there in numbers to assist their aged fathers.  On April 25, 1906, the veterans gave a Charge to their sons.  Lieutenant General Stephen D. Lee, Commander-in-Chief, United Confederate Veterans at the Reunion in New Orleans, Louisiana, said the following:  "Commission to the Sons.  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 Soldier's 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."