NM SCV 2005 Division Meeting Report

February 27, 2005 -- Val Verde Hotel; Socorro, NM

Jim Red -- NM SCV Division Commander -- called the meeting to order at 1:40pm
NM SCV camps in attendance with representatives included:
Camp 1385 -- represented by Jim Red, camp commander
Camp 1826 -- represented by Steven Grizzell, camp commander
Camp 2037 -- represented by John Smith, NM SCV Division southern brigade commander
Camp 2075 -- represented by Ed Whitted, camp adjutant
Alamogordo provisional camp -- represented by Larry Pope

Commander Red gave opening welcome to all and presided over the Pledge of Allegiance to the US flag followed by Salute to any of the three flags of the CSA. Commander Red then introduced the camp representatives and the southern brigade commander as listed above.
Commander Red then gave the State of the Division listing the accomplishments and financial support the Division provided in 2004 and will provide in 2005.

The following donations/ purchases were consummated in 2004:
A book titled The Confederate Army of New Mexico by Martin Hardwick Hall  
$250 presented to Jeff Davis Monument in Mississippi
$500 in food for re-enactors - Socorro Event
$250 donated to the Friends of Ft Selden
$250 for purchase of the Division Guide-on
$200 donated to Camp 1826
$200 donated to the 1st New Mexico Volunteers
$50 donated to the 4th TX Volunteers for supplies
$200 donated to Camp 2033
$200 donated to Camp 2075
$150 donated for college scholarship
$1180 SCV Conventation
$248 for NM Division Website
$200 donated to the Albuquerque Youth Basketball Association   
$100 donated to the Alliance for Retired Americans
$24 for purchase of the SCV Camp muster program
$395 donation for Chama Event insurance
$1000 food for poor of Albuquerque -- Thanksgiving
$74 Socorro donation
$100 Socorro Project
$200 donated to the Socorro Gun Club for supporting reenactor live fire shooting competition annually in Jan
 
The following donations are planned for 2005:
$50 to be donated to 4th TX Volunteers for supplies
$642 to be donated for insurance for New Mexico reenactor events
$400 to be donated to the 4th TX Volunteers
$200 to be donated to each of New Mexico Division camps
$200 to be donated to Friends of Ft Seldon
$200 to be donated to Friends of Ft Fillmore
$200 to be donated to Friends of Ft Stanton
$200 to be donated to Friends of Ft Craig
$1000 to be donated to feed the poor of Albuquerque - Thanksgiving
$200 for the Socorro Project
$200 for the Val Verde Monument Project
$300 for NM Camp Commander's Training
$1000 for the SCV National reunion
$1000 to be donated to the Cubero Project
$300 for GPR Training
 
Commander Red's State of the Division presentation was followed by remarks from the camp representatives regarding the respective camp accomplishments for 2004 and goals for 2005. Each camp representative's remarks are as follows:
Camp 1826: Commander Steven Grizzell stated the major effort of Camp 1826 is the recognition and preservation of the Fort Fillmore cemetery located on private property. Commander Grizzell further stated that the property on which the cemetery is located is for sale, but the property owner will deed the cemetery parcel to Camp 1826. Commander Grizzell said that there is compelling evidence that there are graves outside the current cemetery boundary and that a survey should be done to accurately determine the cemetery boundary. Commander Grizzell closed by stating that the ruins of Fort Fillmore also are located on private property -- but not the same property as is the cemetery. The Fort Fillmore ruins are located within a pecan orchard and the property owner wishes a monument be placed on the fort ruins to commemorate it's existence.
Camp 1385: Commander Jim Red stated that a flagpole and fence will be constructed at the Cubero, NM cemetery where three 7th Texas Mounted Volunteer soldiers are buried -- these soldiers died in March 1862 from disease.
Camp 2037: Southern brigade Commander John Smith stated that Camp 2037 supports Camp 1826 in it's Fort Fillmore cemetery project and will participate in a Confederate Memorial Day ceremony at the Shakespeare, NM cemetery on April 24.
Camp 2075: Adjutant Ed Whitted stated that this is a new camp and it's goals mirror those of Camp 1385 as both camps are located in Albuquerque and have joint meetings.
Provisional Alamogordo Camp: Larry Pope stated that this camp has enough members to be chartered. This camp will be named in honor of Capt James Walker, CO of Company D, 2nd Texas Mounted Rifles. This company occupied Fort Stanton for about four weeks during Aug-Sept 1861.

After the camp reports Commander Jim Red reported on the location of the approximately 40 Confederate soldiers KIA in the battle of Valverde and buried at an unknown location on or very near the battlefield. The Texas UDC Division provided a document that implies the location of the burial site is co-located with the village of Val Verde cemetery. The village of Val Verde was abandoned prior to WWII and is in a state of ruin. The village ruins are located 3+ miles from the Valverde battlefield. A team of 6 individuals including Commander Red and Dr. Don Alberts -- noted author of the CW in NM -- after careful review of the Val Verde cemetery and in consideration of its distance from the battlefield concluded that it is highly unlikely that the Confederate soldiers are buried in the Val Verde village cemetery. Commander Red stated that the Division will continue it's efforts to locate the burial site.

Ed Whitted reported on his trip to Waco, Texas (Jan 29, 2005) to, in turn, provide a presentation to the annual Texas UDC Division forum meeting. Ed's presentation focused on Sibley's NM campaign and the Texas Confederate soldiers who lie buried in unknown locations within NM. Also, Ed briefed the TX UDC ladies regarding the TX UDC-owned San Marcial monument, the damaged it has suffered, and the need to re-locate the monument to Fort Craig where it will be protected and have much better visibility to the public.

John Pittsenbargar next briefed on the bronze Confederate monument that was located at the Texas visitor center at the TX-NM border near El Paso, TX. The monument was removed a few years ago and allegedly placed in storage. John stated that he inquired regarding the current status of the monument and received a letter stating the monument has disappeared. John has some information the the monument is owned by the Texas UDC Division. John said that he will send the letter to Ed Whitted who, in turn, will query Ms. Janice Langford, TX UDC president, regarding the monument.

Commander Red next queried the camp commanders regarding the location and date for the Division retreat. It was decided to have the retreat in Albuquerque sometime during the summer 2005.

Ed Whitted stated that he has enrolled in a ground penetrating radar (GPR) three-day course to be taught by an acknowledged expert in using GPR for archaeological mapping such as for locating graves, etc. The course will be taught at the University of Denver in early May 2005. Ed stated that after taking the course if he believes that GPR mapping can be used to identify the correct boundary for the Fort Fillmore cemetery, locate the Valverde KIA soldiers, etc. at an affordable price then he will purchase a GPR system.

Commander Red awarded SCV medals to John Pittsenbargar and his son, Kurt, for military service in Viet Nam and Iraq, respectively.

Last item of the meeting was the auctioning of a 1st National flag donated and hand-made by John Pittsenbargar. Commander Red presided over the auction and stated that the proceeds of the auction will go to the Division's Socorro project to reinter 27 Confederate soldiers who died during March-April 1862 from wounds suffered at the battle of Valverde. The flag received a high bid by Duane Shaw of El Paso, TX for $225.00.

Commander Red adjourned the meeting at 3:50pm.

Uploaded 3/05/2005