History of Camp 469

The first Rome chapter of a Confederate veterans organization in Rome dates back to the year 1904, with a Colonel Yeiser as its first commander.  The Rome Camp, along with other Camps throughout Georgia, was started in response to a growing wave of adoration for the dwindling ranks of Confederate veterans. However, as increasing numbers of those men passed away over the next few years, it appeared that the Rome camp might also too pass into eternity by the mid-1940’s.

That is, until 1989 when it was revived by a small band of Roman sons and grandsons of those revered Confederate Veterans. After a visit to the Dallas, Georgia Camp, members Ed Byars, John Carruth and Bill Edwards chartered a new camp in Rome – Camp #469, named after General Nathan Bedford Forrest.  With compatriot Mark Harrison elected as its the new Commander, the reincarnated camp slowly began to grow until the present day.

Today, camp 469 has been responsible for completing numerous projects in the local community.  These projects include such things as hosting memorial services and placing military markers on the graves of area Confederate soldiers, erecting and repairing historical roadside markers (such as ones at the site of the Battle of  Farmer’s Bridge, and the location where General Forrest captured a much greater Federal army led by Col. Streight), the donation of microfilm records to Sarah Hightower Regional Library, participating in local parades, and the presentation of Living Histories in area elementary schools.

One of our members, Gilbert Smith, was instrumental in having Fort Norton - situated in the center of Rome - preserved as a Civil War Battlefield site on October 20, 2001. Sadly, Gilbert 'crossed over the river' in December of 2000, but his memory will last forever since the primary trail meandering through the site is named in his honor.

Camp 469 also has numerous members who are always willing and eager to speak to and educate organizations on various aspects of the Civil War.

2012 Officers:

Commander: Bo Youngblood
1st Lt. Cmdr: Dale Carpenter
2nd Lt. Cmdr: Josh Johnson
Chaplain: Austin Goggans
Adjutant: Benny W. Terry

Past Camp Commanders:

Mark Harrison              1989 – 1990
Ed Byars                    1991 – 1992
Bo Youngblood            1993 – 1994
Mike Rice                    1995 – 1996
Larry Barwick              1997 – 1998
Mike Ragland              1999 – 2000
Buddy Autry               2001 – 2002
Don Adams                 2003 – 2004
Hugh Durden              2005 – 2006
Ben Terry                  2007 – 2008
Jim Dugger                 2008 – 2009
Tony Warren               2009 – 2011