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Project
Description
- The John K. McNeill SCV Camp 674 of Moultrie,
Georgia has begun the process of rebuilding and
restoring the most significant piece of Confederate
history in the area of Colquitt County. We would like to
give a brief synopsis of this area and why we feel it
deserves the efforts of the Georgia Division for the
Sons of Confederate Veterans.
- The area of Greenfield was established in or about 1848
and was a centralized hub of activity before and during the
WBTS. The town of Greenfield was unique because of 2 types of
businesses that were established prior to the WBTS. Those were a
barrel factory and also a wool processing factory. The
Confederate Naval Department needed barrels in which to pack
meat, flour and other provisions to be transported to the
soldiers in the field. Wool was also needed to be woven to make
winter clothes and blankets for the soldiers. Under the
Confederate Sequestration Act of 1863 the barrel factory was
confiscated and placed under the control of the Confederate
Navy. When the Confederate Government established recruiting
centers throughout the south and place doctors at each one to
examine the recruits, Greenfield served as a recruiting station
for the men in Colquitt and Thomas counties respectively. During
the war, the church at Greenfield also served as a field
hospital for injured soldiers coming back to the Greenfield
community. The original cemetery has been known as the “Old
Confederate Cemetery” and numerous Confederates are buried
there.
- The purpose of our camp in this project is the
restoration of the roof structure of a log cabin that currently
sits on this historic property. This pioneer log cabin was built
in 1881 by John Plymel whose father, Zion Plymel, fought in
Company E, 50th Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Infantry. The
current roof must be replaced to prevent the entire structure
from total collapse. The money John K. McNeill SCV Camp 674
seeks is to fund and replace the current wooden roof with a new
metal roof that will still resemble the current wood pattern but
give us a roof that will be weatherproof and sustainable for
many years to come. The interior of the cabin is in remarkable
shape and therefore our focus is on the restoration of the
exterior. The members of the John K. McNeill SCV Camp 674 will
be responsible for the removal of the current roof and adding
the framework to stabilize the current structure. All other
exterior work planned for this project is being derived from
private and member donations.
- The members of John K. McNeill SCV Camp 674 intend to use
this site for educational purposes to enlighten and teach our
local youth through re-enactments and living history events.
Upon completion of this project, we intend to partner with
churches, civic groups, and local school organizations to tell
the true story of the Confederacy and to celebrate Greenfield’s
role in our heritage. Our camp believes that the only way to
truly live the charge is to pass on the principles that every
Confederate soldier believed and cherished.
- In closing, the John K. McNeill SCV Camp 674 was
chartered at Greenfield over 20 years ago and looks at
Greenfield as an opportunity to teach the public and the youth
our message of the confederacy. In fact, the church building has
the same bricks that were made across the street over 150 years
ago when it was built. Greenfield is a testimony to the will and
determination that the people of the Confederacy so cherished.
After 150 years this structure still stands and with the help of
the members of the John K. McNeill SCV Camp 674 and the Georgia
Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans we will continue to
maintain this important area in our heritage.
© John K. McNeill SCV Camp #674,
Moultrie, GA
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