Confederates To Be Honored in Deleware

Delaware Confederates Honored during ceremony May 9th in Georgetown
Contributed by Wayne Yarnall
April 20, 2009

For over 140 years, hardly anyone knew that Delaware had a Confederate history. Delaware citizens who went south to fight during the “War Between the States” 1861-1865 were rarely mentioned in the history books. But now due to research by the “Delaware Grays”, Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 2068 in Seaford, information about an estimated 2,000 Delaware Confederates is getting out. And on Saturday May 9th at 1pm, a “Delaware Confederate Heritage” ceremony will be held at the Soldier's Monument, on the grounds of the Marvel Museum, South Bedford Street, Georgetown.


During the ceremony, newly discovered Delaware Confederate's names will be revealed. The Delaware Grays Color Guard will flank the monument with many of the flags of the South, as well as the Delaware state flag. There will be prayers, speeches, a rifle salute, and a cannon salute courtesy of the Richmond Howitzers Artillery unit. Following the festivities, guests will enjoy refreshments courtesy of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Caleb Ross Chapter # 2635. The event is free and the public is invited.


As many as 2,000 Delawareans went south to fight with the Confederacy; many faced persecution and arrest by Federal authorities upon their return and attempted to keep their identities secret, complicating efforts to identify them. Research is on-going and more names will be added to the monument as evidence is uncovered. Anyone with names of possible Delaware Confederate soldiers is asked to contact the Monument Committee through the “Delaware Grays” website at www.DESCV.org.


The Confederate Soldiers Monument at the Marvel Museum in Georgetown is the only one of its kind, recognizing the sacrifices of Delaware Confederate soldiers. Names on the monument include Governor William Henry Harrison Ross and his son Caleb, Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk, Sergeant George Julian Robinson of Georgetown and many others.


The “Delaware Grays”, SCV Camp #2068, based in Seaford, Delaware, is a non-profit, non-political, non-racial, patriotic community organization whose members are descendents of Confederate veterans who served honorably during the “War Between the States”. The non-profit Nutter B. Marvel Museum is located at 510 South Bedford Street, off Rt. 113 and just down from the inspection lane in Georgetown, Delaware. The museum includes a collection of historic buildings and horse drawn carriages as well as thousands of historical photographs, newspaper clippings, books and other memorabilia about Georgetown, Sussex County, and Delaware.


http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20090420/COMMUNITIES0201/90420040