Pvt. Lorenzo Leigh Bennitt Camp #773
Sons of Confederate Veterans, Durham, North Carolina
We are a brotherhood of men from Durham and surrounding counties who honor our Confederate ancestors for their sacrifices during the War Between the States.
We heartily welcome prospective members who want to learn more about their heritage, and who believe our endangered Confederate legacy is worth preserving.
We are good neighbors to all, and loyal Americans without question. As such, we reject those persons who would use our history, symbols and organization to further racist causes or divisive political agendas.
As such, our statement of purpose is as follows:
“We, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, having been commissioned by the Confederate Veterans themselves, retain our responsibility and right to adhere to the founding principles of the United States of America remembering the bravery, defending the honor and protecting the memory of our beloved Confederate Veterans, which includes their memorials, images, symbols, monuments and gravesites for ourselves and future generations.“
“To you, Sons of Confederate Veterans, we will 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 which he loved and which you love also, and those ideals which made him glorious and which you also cherish. Are you also ready to die for your country? Is your life worthy to be remembered along with theirs? Do you choose for yourself this greatness of soul?
Not in the clamor of the crowded street,
Not in the shouts and plaudits of the throng,
But in ourselves are triumph and defeat…” (print pdf)
This appeal, known as The Charge, was made by former Confederate Lt. General Stephen Dill Lee on April 25, 1906 at the 16th Annual Reunion of United Confederate Veterans in New Orleans, and continues to guide our organization as we enter the 21st century. As proud descendants of the Confederacy’s soldiers and sailors, it is most appropriate that we assume the lead in keeping their memory alive. Our acceptance of the duty to see that the true history of the South is presented to future generations forms the basis of all that we strive for as members of the Lorenzo Leigh Bennitt Camp.