The Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) stands as the direct successor to the United Confederate Veterans (UCV) and holds the distinction of being the oldest hereditary organization for male descendants of Confederate Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines. Founded in Richmond, Virginia, in 1896, the SCV remains committed to its role as a historical, patriotic, and non-political organization with the mission of preserving the authentic history of the 1861–1865 era.
Membership Eligibility
Membership in the Sons of Confederate Veterans is available to any male who can trace honorable service in the Confederate States armed forces through his ancestry. Eligibility includes both lineal descent (a direct bloodline, such as from a grandfather or great-grandfather) and collateral kinship (relatives who share a common ancestor, such as uncles, cousins, or siblings of a direct ancestor).
"To you, Sons of Confederate Veterans, we 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 he loved and which made him glorious and which you also cherish. Remember, it is your duty to see that the true history of the South is presented to future generations."
The United Confederate Veterans Robert E. Lee Camp Camp No. 158, was established in Fort Worth, Texas, in August 1890 by approximately 40 Confederate veterans. It quickly became a central hub for former Confederate Soldiers and Sailors in Tarrant County, offering Camaraderie, support, and a means to preserve their shared wartime experiences. By 1909, the camp had grown to 661 members, making it the largest U.C.V. camp in Texas. Members included notable local figures such as Khleber M. Van Zandt and B.B. Paddock, who were instrumental in civic development and veteran affairs. The camp was active in organizing memorial events, maintaining Confederate graves, and recording personal histories, including descriptive lists and memoirs. It remained a vital part of Fort Worth’s veteran and historical community until it was officially disbanded in 1934 as the last Confederate Veterans in the Fort Worth Area Passed Away.
On the 3rd of November 1991, the Robert. E. Lee Camp No. 239 was established as a successor to the original United Confederate Veterans Camp No. 158, continuing the legacy of honoring Confederate ancestors through historical preservation and commemorative events. Chartered under the S.C.V.’s Texas Division, Camp No. 239 carries forward the name and traditions of its predecessor, including memorial ceremonies at local cemeteries, participation in heritage parades, and educational outreach. Active in the community, the camp holds regular meetings, hosting annual events such as Chili Cook-Offs, and maintains gravesites of Confederate Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines.
As part of the S.C.V.’s 3rd Brigade, Camp No. 239 remains committed to its mission of preserving Southern History and Heritage by honoring the memory of those who served in the Confederate States Armed Forces.
