April A to Z Challenge – I’m writing about history.

U is for United Daughters of the Confederacy

The UDC, without the name, began before the civil war as quilting circles and hospital associations that aided the soldiers throughout the war. After the war, they continued their work in cemeteries, veteran’s homes, and other such organizations.

Today’s UDC was officially founded in Nashville, TN in 1894 by Caroline Goodlett and Lucian Raines and grew out of the original sewing circles.

The organization finally incorporated in 1919, and its bylaws state its objectives are historical, benevolent, educational, memorial and patriotic. Its goals are as follows:

1. To honor the memory of those who served and those who fell in the service of the Confederate States.
2. To protect, preserve, and mark the places made historic by Confederate valor.
3. To collect and preserve the material for a truthful history of the War Between the States.
4. To record the part taken by Southern women in patient endurance of hardship and patriotic devotion during the struggle and in untiring efforts after the War during the reconstruction of the South.
5. To fulfill the sacred duty of benevolence toward the survivors and toward those dependent upon them.
6. To assist descendants of worthy Confederates in securing proper education.
7. To cherish the ties of friendship among the members of the Organization.

I joined the UDC in Meridian, MS under the service of my great, great grandfather, Joel Bluett Culpepper (photo). He is only one of eight (that I’m aware of) of my grandfathers who served. The others were 2nd great William Henry Blanks III, 3rd great Rice Benjamin Carpenter, 3rd great Rev. Joseph M Culpepper, 3rd great William Thomas Fisher, 3rd great William Lafayette Brown Jr, 3rd great George Washington Spencer, 3rd great James C Howington. I am very proud of the Confederate blood that runs through my veins and always will be.