Summer 2002
The Darlington Flag Newsletter
WAR BETWEEN THE STATES
VETERANS, presented by the Old Darlington District Chapter, SCGS and the War
Between the States Museum. Edited by E. Frank Melton.
This idea was born in December 2000 at a chapter meeting of the ODDC SCGS.
How could we both preserve and make available the likenesses of those soldiers
who served in the War Between the States? After much discussion, E. Frank Melton
suggested that we ask our membership to contribute photographs of ancestors who
served in this war along with genealogical information. The ODDC could then
offer these likenesses for sale in both a CD ROM version as well as a
traditional book version. Our membership responded with nearly one hundred
photographs, family stories, and numerous genealogies. In the fall of 2001 the
ODDC was joined by the War Between the States Museum of Florence, SC in this
project. The Museum became a partner and contributed over one hundred
photographs of Confederate soldiers, as well as a few Union soldiers. A total of
349 soldiers are presented in this collection. Most, but not all, have ties to
the Pee Dee area of South Carolina. Of these 349 soldiers, 208 photographs are
presented. Many photographs were taken during the war, but others show the
veteran after the war along with his wife and family. At a minimum, each veteran
is identified and his unit given. A full citation provides the above information
as well as parents' names, birth and death dates, wife's maiden name, children's
names and spouses, and a short biography. As a bonus, the CD ROM version
presents over 500 pages of additional information. The most notable example is
histories of the majority of Confederate units in which these veterans served.
In many cases complete rosters are provided as well as a listing of the battles
and campaigns the unit fought. The CD ROM version is viewed as a WEB page by
Microsoft Explorer, available on most IBM compatible computers. Each CD page can
be printed if the owner so desires. The old cliché is applicable in this
situation; this was a total team effort. The ODDC SCGS membership is to be
applauded for submitting veterans' photographs, genealogical information, and
biographies. The War Between the States Museum should be saluted for willingly
making its collection of veterans' photographs available. Hats go off to Brenda
Melton for providing valuable assistance to Frank during a "road trip"
to the War Between the States Museum to scan each photograph in its collection
and for providing over a year's worth of support to Frank during this project.
Finally our highest accolades go to E. Frank Melton for his dedication and
attention to detail in this project. Many will be disappointed that they did not
submit information on their own WBTS ancestors and will clamor for the
production of a Volume II. E. Frank Melton can only answer to the feasibility of
an additional volume. If interested, please contact Frank at: efrankmelton@juno.com.
This project rates a best buy and is highly recommended by this reviewer.
Book Version: © 2002, Library of Congress Control Number:
2002105569, 297 pages, soft cover, index. Price-
$30.00
plus
$4.00
shipping and
handling. Order from: Old Darlington District Chapter, SCGS, P.O.
Box 175, Hartsville, SC 29551-0175.
CD ROM Version: © 2002, Library of Congress Control Number:
2002105569, 800+ pages, index. Price-
$25.00
plus
$4.00
shipping and handling.
Order from: Old Darlington District Chapter, SCGS, P.O. Box 175,
Hartsville, SC 29551-0175.
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