The 132^nd Annual Celebration of the River's Bridge Confederate Memorial Association

May 9, 2008

By James Banfield

Betty Jane Miller, as most folks know, is a walking history book of the south's history, and so with the Confederate History of Bamberg County. I, too, am some what of a history buff myself, Betty Jane knows that as well. Because of that relationship of having a hunger for history, Betty Jane is usually the one who shows up at these functions in South Carolina and Georgia. Everyone Knows Betty Jane Miller, local historian. I found that out on the 9 of May 2008 while attending the 132^nd Annual River's Bridge Confederate Memorial Association, commemorating and honoring the Confederacy and its dead who fought in the war between the states.

Betty asked me to attend in her stead, because she wasn't feeling up to par to attend. I said sure, no problem. I made new friends, saw a couple of friends that I knew from last year and the year before's  River's Bridge Meetings at the home of the Sons of the Confererate Veterans River's Bridge Post.

I met Roy Hart who is the president of the River's Bridge Confederate Memorial Association. He was a pleasant man to talk to. Dr. Jim Dreyfuss is an avid guitarist who specializes on the Civil War American Folk Songs of the era. I found him to be interesting and honestly able to listen as well as being able to present a wonderful case of supporting the South's deep roots in folk lore and the Civil War music of the time.


Randy Burbage & James Banfield in Magnolia Cemetary,
Charleston, SC
(photo by Marty Clayton Banfield)

Having done an article on the Hunley last year, I knew Randy Burbage from Charleston, and was told that he had a very busy schedule that weekend and that he was not expected to be there.  Randy surprised them all, and showed up at the River's Bridge Confederate Memorial Assocation meeting that day. Mr. Burbage is The South Carolina State  Commander for the Sons of the Confederate Veteran's. As I talked with this man of quiet stature, I found that he indeed had an incredible schedule to keep for the whole weekend.

What was amazing was to see “old Friends” getting together all dressed in red, red and white, red southern hats by the women, while some men wore their white Panama Hats. Everyone I talked to, when they found out I was in Betty Jane's place, asked about her, without exception~ all asked how Betty Jane was doing. Even Randy Burbage said to tell her that he had been thinking of her during the whole week. I also ran into Eddie Hightower, journalist and photographer for the Advertizer – Hearld. It was indeed an experience for this Californian to witness Southern Tradition and care for their people at its very finest.

Dr. Jim Dreyfess blessed us with some of the Southern Civil War songs of the era, and being a musician myself, I enjoyed his presentation of the music and song. There was a poem read entitled “Grandpa followed Lee” which was read by Mr. Bill Humpries. What a poem, it was really a very moving poem.

It was noted that Magnolia Cemetary in Charleston was the site of the reading of 18,266 names of the South Carolina Civil War Veterans who died. South Carolina took a heavy hit amongest its young men in that war.

Teresa Pitman,  Division President, South Carolina UDC, gave the main address. She spoke of  how South Carolina's people needed to be willing to stand when it came to certain issues. It was truly an emotional and certainly pointed message.

In this meeting, everyone was in unison and all on the same page with each other, whether it was the speakers, the audience or both. That was nice to see. After the official ceremonies, the Color Guard fired a 9 Gun Salute with Canon Fire and Taps was sung with the words. Beautiful, just beautiful.

We were blessed with a good ol' fashioned southern bar-b-que, with everyone enjoying the common blessing of fellowship at its best. Oh, and there was that special homemade lemonade in the old time keg, that is always present at the River's Bridge meetings, made by compatriot Mr. Coleman Loadholdt.


Coleman Loadholt with a barrel of his locally famous
Lemonade.  John & Michaella Campbell are in attendance
for some of the wonderful, fresh made lemonade!

I recommend that next year you take in The 133^rd Annual Celebration of the Rivers Bridge Confederate Memorial Association's Commemorating and Honoring the Confederacy, for a good time was had by all.


James Banfield with
grandkids



Lin Price, Civil War Reenactor,
Rivers Bridge SCV Camp,
with little John Campbell

James Banfield

Contributing  Writer
The Light Of The Low Country Magazine