Chapter Activities and Community Impact

The July 4^th parade in Falls Church in 1957 was an important public event for the chapter. This print was not only in observance of the 200th anniversary of the city of Falls Church, but it was the first big public event for the group to participate in. Other groups involved in the parade include local military units, the chief of police, state officials, and veterans groups. The members of the chapter wore historic clothing and carried Confederate flags. The CofC chapter and the UDC chapter held leadership roles in the production of the parades and they were responsible for commemorating the graves and memorials of Confederate soldiers. They were paid by the Virginia state government to help maintain these sites. The irony of the celebration of secessionists during the national celebration of independence day was never recognized aloud. Instead, the local support showed a clear acceptance of southern heritage ideals in Northern Virginia.

Mildred Dalton a librarian from George Mason junior-senior high school, was thanking the chapter for their involvement in getting the “Civil War Times” magazine at the school. The letter is not only appreciative but in support of the organizations advanced research. This shows not only that schools where often and good favor with local CofC chapters but were a welcomed help.

The group was also very successful in creating good relationships with the local schools and libraries. One of the ways they were successful was by either donating books or petitioning to add pro-Confederate Civil War material. In the letter from Mrs. Mildred Dalton, a Librarian from George Mason Junior-Senior High School to the John Mosby Chapter, she thanked the members for their persistence in adding the “Civil War Times”[1] magazine to its collection. In another letter from Mary Deatheagem, a librarian at Layton Elementary School wrote to the then President Ben Bookout. The letter thanked the president for a book donation to the library[2]. These examples of the group being close with education involvement gives Then more legitimacy of possible support in education materials.

This letter addressed to miss. Margeret stull informing her of the new committee position she is assigned too.

Fundraising became a key component for the group’s success. In a letter from Cenis Moon, the Chairman of the Flag Committee of the COC to the president of the local chapter of the COC it became clear how important the event was to the organization. The organization sold small flags to the public to make money for the organization and chapter projects. The letter included the cost of the flags, how to order them from the parent organization. The most interesting aspect of the letter is the inclusion of marketing techniques. These were suggestions on how to get more donations, for example, “most people will donate gladly is you explain what the money is used for.”[3]They were encouraged to tell people that the fundraising was for scholarships and other programs like the Randolph Relief Fund, which was a relief fund for veterans families.

This letter is describing the upcoming Flag Day sale event.

[1] Dalton, Mildred. Letter to members. “Col. John S. Mosby Chapter Children of the Confederacy.” Falls Church, VA: George Mason Junior-Senior Highschool 7124 Leesburg Pike, April 5, 1967.

[2] Deatheragem, Mary. Letter to Ben Bookout. “Mr. Ben Bookout.” Fairfax, VA: Layton Hall Elementary School, May 23, 1958.

[3] Moon, Cenis. Letter to Miss Jane Stull, President Col. john S. Mosby Chapter COC. “Dear Jane.” Scottaville, VA: p.o. box 155, March 13, 1967.