The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) is aiming to start a New Mexico ‘camp’ for local descendants of Union servicemembers. The proposed Captain Alexander McRae Camp would be stationed in Albuquerque, becoming the fourth SUVCW camp in the Southwest Department which covers Arizona and New Mexico.
Dating back to 1881, the SUVCW was founded to provide assistance to Union veterans and honor their memories and legacies. The group was officially charted by the US Congress in 1954 and currently consists of more than 240 local camps with members “dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of veteran heroes who fought and worked to save the Union in the American Civil War.”
David Swanson, a member of General U.S. Grant Camp #3 in Flagstaff, AZ is organizing the creation of the New Mexico camp. Swanson says he chose Albuquerque for its central location in the state but hopes that more camps will form as participation grows in New Mexico. “We have six members from throughout New Mexico who are members in the various Arizona camps,” Swanson said. “Their memberships will transfer to the McRae Camp once it’s up and running.”
SUVCW membership is open to male descendants of Union Civil War veterans who served honorably, with those under the age of 14 being “Junior” members. Men who are interested in joining and supporting the mission of the SUVCW but don’t have an eligible Union veteran ancestor are able to join as associate members.
The group engages in a variety of activities to promote the legacy of Union Civil War veterans and provide education about the Civil War. SUVCW members in the Southwest Department have presented medals to students in JROTC and ROTC programs across the region, including in four high schools on Native American reservations. There is also a scholarship fund available to SUVCW members in high school and college.
While reenactments are a popular activity for Civil War buffs, they are not an activity the SUVCW engages in directly. However, some members do participate in such reenactments. Many SUVCW members have authentic uniforms and Civil War paraphernalia which they may wear in public for special events and parades while representing the SUVCW.
Initial membership fees and dues range from $47 to $74, prorated for the year based on when the member joins. Following that, annual dues are $44 paid at the beginning of each year.
Local camps are free to set their own meeting cadence, but the Arizona camps meet quarterly. SUVCW activities may occur at any time, and there are annual meetings for the National SUVCW and the SUVCW Department of the Southwest which are open to all members.
The New Mexico camp will be named for Captain Alexander McRae who served the Union despite his familial connections to the Confederacy. McRae had four brothers serving in the Confederacy, and his father implored him near the start of the war to change sides. However, McRae stayed committed to the Union and was put in charge of a six-gun artillery battery. He was wounded twice and eventually killed during the Battle of Valverde while defending his artillery as Confederate troops charged his position. McRae was buried at Fort Craig in present-day Socorro County.
Anyone interested in more information about the SUVCW or joining the McRae camp should reach out to David Swanson at swanson1854@yahoo.com or use the contact form on the Department of the Southwest website. Inquiries can also be mailed to PO Box 17173, Munds Park, AZ 86017.
