COBB CAMP HISTORY & INFORMATION

The first SCV camp was formed in 1896, the same year the SCV was created in Richmond, Virginia. It was designated camp # 79. The camp lost its charter in 1911/12 for failure to pay dues. In 1912 camp # 680 was formed; that number was assigned because that was how many SCV camps had been formed since SCV was started in 1896. It is not known at this time when that camp went out of existence and it is uncertain what that camp’s name was, but it may have been the Troop Artillary. Both of these camps were mainly made up of sons of the veterans, and their primary purpose was to look after the veterans, their widows, and their families, and to gather and preserve the history of the Confederacy. The Brig. Gen. T. R. R. Cobb Camp #97 was chartered the 10^th of April 1985. Camp #97 was named for the highest ranking Athenian killed during the war – Brigadier General T. R. R. Cobb, a prominent local active in educational, religious, and political arenas before the war.

Camp #97 has grown from that small group of 25 charter members to over 100 as of the date of this publication. Through the years members, as well as former members, have moved and formed at least three other camps. Camp members have been called upon to serve as division officers and act as part of the committee to draft the latest division constitution. Member Eugene Malcolm was instrumental in initiation the Robert E. Lee commemoration held at the capitol each January 19. Member Clyde Noble is the bandmaster of the 37^th Georgia Band which has played in many concerts, and also had a part in the movie Glory.

Since its chartering, Camp #97 has observed Confederate Memorial Day by placing flags on the veterans graves in Oconee Hill Cemetery and other area cemeteries in Clarke, Oconee, Jackson, and Oglethorpe counties. A ceremony is held each April 26 in conjunction with the commemoration of the day. The camp has contributed to efforts to mark the deeds of Athens soldiers in other places and has continued to mark graves of veterans with government-supplied stones. In addition, Camp #97 has regularly contributed to the Oconee Hill Cemetery and has purchased Southern history books and visuals for public and school libraries.

Camp meetings are held each month on the first Thursday evening at the community building in Watkinsville. The varied and interesting programs related to the Confederate period presented by authors, scholars, experts, and informed members and guests have become hallmarks of the monthly meetings. An outing is hosted each July by the camp, as is a Christmas party each December.

Members receive a subscription to the camp newsletter The Cobb Courier, the division newsletter, The Georgia Confederate, and the international magazine, The Confederate Veteran. All members of the local camp are also members of the Georgia Division and the international organization of The Sons of Confederate Veterans.

(For a more in-depth article concerning General Cobb click HERE.)

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