Camden Reinterment Ceremony / Celebration - 2023

https://www.historiccamden.org/

camdenburials.org

https://www.scbattlegroundtrust.org/camden-coffin-craftsmen

From the Event Organizers:

There is a caveat, in attendance for the ceremonies, there are going to be several dignitaries with security details.  At first, I was told the Governor probably would not allow other weapons anywhere near the ceremony.  So I actually talked to the SLED Executive Security guy for the Governor and they were OK with you having your muskets.  But there is still Congressman Clyburn, who is adverse to other weapons being close to him - we are checking with his and Senator Scott's details.  We may get others.

Then the lawyers got involved.  It's the liability if something did happen.  So here's what they came up with:

• I will need the name, address, Drivers License number of every reenactor who is planning to carry a musket, by Friday, April 14.  They are going to do a quick Drivers License Background check.  Those will be the only one able to march in the Cortege.
• On the morning of the event, when you muster the marchers for the Cortege, you will: 
  • Remove all Flints from each musket.
  • Conduct an inspection and sign a document declaring the musket flints were removed
  • SLED may also do a check as you do yours

   All other groups who plan to march with weapons have to do the same thing. We know of an VFW Color Guard and a SAR Color Guard.

• At the battlefield, I recommend the pallbearers leave their muskets on the bus?

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Notes: This is a reinterment ceremony and celebration.  More info to come.

All Members:

Length of Event: All Weekend 10am – 4pm public hours

Arrival Time For Regiment: 9am each day

Parking: Please park at designated location for reenactors  

Restrooms: Portapotties

Food and Beverages Provided: Yes – by Regiment or event organizer

Encampment Setup Level: None

Soldier Specific:

Impression: Delaware Continental uniform preferred.  Late war impression.  Regimental or Hunting Frock.

Kit Level: Full kit

Musket Firing: Yes

Musician Specific:

Contact Musician Sergeant-Major for music to be played at this event.  Military calls also to be demonstrated too if possible.

Civilian Specific:

Impression: Civilian followers of a military camp.

Table Displays Permitted: No – fully functioning military encampment.  Check with Officer of the Day or Civilian Camp Coordinator (if applicable) about any displays or demonstrations.

Supporter Specific:

Please assist in setup or breakdown and with photographs or video.  

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From the Event Organizer:

We can start setting up camp on Historic Camden Thursday, will need to know your numbers for the logistical support-firewood, let me know if you need straw, etc. There is a leaders rehearsal on Thursday, I plan on being there to make sure where we fit. The caskets will arrive at Columbia and after a ceremony, travel a route through several schools before being brought to the Kershaw House. An Army team from Fort Jackson will be the pallbearers to move them inside the house. A vigil should be started that evening (active duty USAF I think).

Friday evening there will be a military band concert (Fort Jackson I believe). Camp set up, depending on where the loading of the caissons will be in front of the house will determine where we camp. May be in our location across the bridge and behind the tavern. Making sure parking for us be located over behind the stadium.

SAT: Early morning, may be around 0800. We will stage while the caissons are being loaded by the Army team from Fort Jackson. We will practice reverse/mourn arms. If we have enough music, we will mass music but mostly for keeping a beat, the Old Guard Fife and Drum is leading the procession. We will march behind the caissons. Route of the procession, we leave Historic Camden, and head into Camden on the main road. Pace will be the speed of the caissons, for about three blocks to route 1. Turning left, go 1 block to the church. We will be standing for the ceremony, so if need be, folks who need to sit can go behind if needed. Once the church service is over, the caskets will be loaded onto HUMVEEs to be taken to the battlefield. We will make a corridor to clear spectators so the vehicles can leave and head to the field. We will move to our busses that are staging. Minimum we need is 48 for the caskets, though I believe we can take up to 100 (2 lifts).

At the battlefield, we will get lunch, though I do recommend bringing snacks. We are waiting for the caissons to be trucked out, hitched, etc. Then the caskets are transferred to the caissons, we form up behind them again. We go the ceremony site, which is across the street from the De Kalb monument for the ceremony. The caskets will transferred to the stands by the Army, we will stage off to the side. The speakers, including the Governor and others will commence. The Army will fire the volleys and play taps, including a fly over by AH64 Apaches. We will reverse arms. Then the modern flags will be folded and the Army is done.

We as the pallbearers will have flags to drape, then we begin to move the caskets to the burial sites nearby. A site is too far away to walk, so we will load those two on a HUMVEE and with a detail, service that site. Once we have placed all of the caskets into their sites, we will return to Historic Camden.

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Registered as Attending:

1. Russ Smith - Military- Soldier