The Captain David L. Payne Camp 2, Oklahoma Department, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
A Member of the Oklahoma Webring
"Winner of the Warner Award for 1998 and 1999" also "Winner of the Cunningham Award for 1999" (Southwest Department). "Winner of the Erickson Award (gold) 2003", "Winner of the Erickson Award (silver) 2003" "Winner of the Erickson Award (gold) 2004", "Winner of the Erickson Award (silver) 2004" (Oklahoma Department).
Background tune "Cruel War".
Stillwater, Oklahoma
Cyber Memberships Welcome!
If you are interested in becoming an internet member of our camp, write for information to Cdr Capt. David L. Payne Camp, SUVCW PO Box 1892 Stillwater, OK 74076 or email the camp commander.
The Captain David L. Payne Camp of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War was organized on January 29, 1997. The Captain David L. Payne Camp is only the second SUV camp to be established in Oklahoma, and formerly the sixth camp of the Southwest Department (composed of Oklahoma and Texas at that time). It is now a part of the Department of Oklahoma, established May 4, 2002. The camp is named for Captain David L. Payne, a veteran of the Civil War for whom Payne County is named. Captain Payne is also known as the Father of Oklahoma and led several groups of settlers into the area of Indian Territory, now the site of Stillwater, Oklahoma. Payne served in the 10th Kansas Infantry Regiment during the war. A memorial has been erected over his burial site in Stillwater's Boomer Lake Park. The site is marked by the original gravestone erected by the James Shield Post #57 of the Grand Army of the Republic of Wellington, Kansas where he was originally buried. Biography of Captain Payne
Original Gravestone in Boomer Park
Note the GAR inscription at the top of the memorial as well as the map of Oklahoma showing the original boundaries of the "Unassigned Lands". David L. Payne, cousin of the Captain, wrote the new copy on the monument. (Photo by Walt Cross).
The camp is intended to remember and honor the men who served in the Civil War and to preserve the memory of the Grand Army of the Republic. Many members have ancestors that served both in the Union and Confederate armies. Additionally, the camp is intended to be an historical society, a focus point for those individuals who have an interest in the Civil War as well as other aspects of American history. The principals of the Grand Army of the Republic are: Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty. These ideals are well expressed in The American's Creed.
Membership
Membership is open to all male descendants, whether through lineal or collateral line, not less than fourteen years old, who are blood kin of soldiers, sailors, marines, or members of the Revenue Cutter Service, who were regularly mustered and served honorably in, or who were honorably discharged from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps or Revenue Cutter Service of the USA during the War of the Rebellion 1861-65 and who have never been convicted of any infamous or heinous crime, or who have never voluntarily borne arms against the Government of the United States of America. Associate memberships are available to those who have not or cannot document a Union soldier ancestor, but who are still interested in the Civil War.
Programs
The camp's next meeting is the last Wednesday of the month at 7pm in the Stillwater Public Library. The public is invited to attend.
A camp guard (a uniformed and armed infantry company for reenactments, ceremonies, and parades) has been organized and designated Payne's Rifles. Brother Phil Bevers is the appointed Captain of the Guard.
