Sumner A Cunningham

Sumner A. Cunningham – The founder of the “Confederate Veteran” magazine. Our Shelbyville, TN. Camp #1620 was named in his honor.

Sumner Archibald Cunningham was born in Bedford County, Tennessee on July 21, 1843. When the war erupted he enlisted in the 41st Tennessee Infantry Regiment. As Fort Donelson fell in 1862, Cunningham was captured and later sent to Camp Morton as a prisoner-of-war. He was exchanged at Vicksburg and returned to his command where he served until the end of the war. After the war he engaged in several businesses including the ownership of the Chattanooga Times, which he edited for two years. In 1883 he edited a magazine in New York entitled Our Day; however, his fame was secured in January, 1893 when the first issue of the Confederate Veteran appeared. In the next forty years, the Veteran became the voice of the South and officially represented the United Confederate Veterans, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and the Sons of the Confederate Veterans. This article & picture were reprinted from the 1984 Confederate Veteran, written by Ronald T. Clemons, Editor-In-Chief.

Sesquicentennial

Sesqui = one and one half     centennial = one hundred years

The time is almost upon us.  One hundred and fifty years ago, our divided country was about to embark on a journey that would in 4 years decimate it’s resources, land, and population.  It would take many subsequent wars for over a hundred years in all parts of the globe to equal the loss of life caused by this great tragedy.  Many have written eloquently the many reasons why this needless war begun.  It is now history.  Let us try to tell some of it here, where much of it manifested itself on the fields, in the towns, and cities.

To all who served and died in battle

To those who witnessed and lived to tell

To those who lost a brother or father

To all here on earth who lived the hell

Amen

Sumner Archibald Cunningham

Sumner A. Cunningham

Our SCV camp is named in honor of S. A. Cunningham.  Who was Sumner Archibald Cunningham?

S. A. Cunningham b-July 21, 1843 in Bedford County, Tennessee   d-Dec 20, 1913 in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee-He was buried in Willow Mount Cemetery in Shelbyville, Bedford County, Tennessee.

S. A. Cunningham was the founder, owner, and editor of the Confederate Veteran magazine. It is still being published today, and is considered the “Official Journal of the Sons of Confederate Veterans“.  S. A. Cunningham served in Co. B, 41st Tennessee Infantry (Confederate) and obtained the rank of Sergeant.

Welcome to SCV Camp 1620 located in Shelbyville, Tennessee

Les Marsh-past Camp Commander 2006-2011 & Rod Lindsey-current Camp Commander 2012-2013

We welcome visitors, friends, and members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans to attend our meetings on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:00 P.M. located at the New China Buffet on Madison Street (old Shoney’s building).

Larry Morphis, Ronnie Stafford, and Rod Lindsey are on the committee to get SCV Camp 1620 on the web.

If you just beginning your genealogical search and need a little help, notice our links listed under Blogroll, or look at our Researching Ancestors page on the bar above.

Currently you can contact SCV Camp 1620 by email: the current address is:

rod.lindsey49@yahoo.com