MAJOR GENERAL THOMAS H RUGER CAMP #1

Camp #1 is named in honor of Major General Thomas H Ruger. Ruger was an American soldier and lawyer who served as a Union general in the American Civil War. After the war, he was a superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.

2026 Camp Meeting Schedule

Saturday, May 2nd (Department Encampment - Cary, NC)
Saturday, July 11th @ 11:30AM
Saturday, October 10th @ 11:30AM
Saturday, December 5th @ 11:30AM

Camp Operational Area

MG Thomas H Ruger Camp No. 1's operational area includes Montgomery, Richmond, Moore, Hoke, Scotland, Roberson, Cumberland, Sampson, Bladen, Columbus, Brunswick, Duplin, Pender and New Hanover counties.

2026 Camp Officers

2026 Elected Camp Officers

Douglas Elwell - Camp Commander

Robert Kennedy - Senior Vice Commander

Harvey Hutchison - Junior Vice Commander

John France - Secretary

John France - Treasurer

Gerard Devine - Camp Council Member

Max Speers - Camp Council Member

Thomas Rightmyer - Camp Council Member

2026 Appointed Camp Officers

Roger Dostall - Chaplain

Gerard Devine - Patriotic Instructor

Camp Charter

The organizational meeting of the Major General Thomas H. Ruger Camp #1 was held on September 16, 1995. This date was selected to commemorate the joining of military forces under General Sherman and General Schofield at the end of the Civil War.

Rev. Dr. Maurice E. Ankrom, who had served as the camp organizer since March 1995, called the meeting to order. Dr. Ankrom was then chosen by acclamation as the first Camp Commander.

Commander Ankrom recommended the camp be named in honor of Major General Thomas H. Ruger whose military record included action in the Battle of Wyse Fork, North Carolina in March 1865; and after the war, served as Commander of the North Carolina Department and later Superintendent of West Point.

The camp’s charter application was approved on July 30, 1996 with its headquarters in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The Ruger Camp was designated Camp #1, the first SUVCW camp chartered in North Carolina.

CAMP ACTIVITIES

153rd Anniversary of the Battle of Fort Fisher

Fort Fisher's 153rd anniversary commemoration focused on telling the stories of those who displayed bravery and valor during their actions at Fort Fisher. Open to the public, the program was held 9 am to 4 pm.

Brothers of Ruger Camp #1 present included: Frank Newhouse – Chaplain, John France -Secretary /Treasurer, Ed Gibson – Camp Commander, Jim Johnson – SVC, Carol Jutte – DUVCW, Harvey Hutchison, Max Speers - PCC, Council Member, Dennis St. Andrew PDC – Commander, Department of North Carolina

The Major General Thomas H Ruger Camp #1 as present. This is the seventh year of participation by the Brothers of the Ruger Camp #1. The Camp set up and staffed an information tent on the grounds of Fort Fisher just in front of the Fort. Throughout the day, visitors strolled the grounds enjoying the day and the activities. The Ruger Camp tent was busy all day with families stopping by to view our displays of artifacts and personal memorabilia. We also distributed literature and general information concerning the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. One potential new member filled out an application for membership to the Ruger Camp.

During the day, reenactors were present simulating daily life at the fort. Infantry units were on hand to talk with visitors about camp life, garrison duty and conducting the manual of arms during firing demonstrations. Artillery units conducted drills and firing demonstrations consisting of the Historic Site's Rifled and Banded 32-pound cannon, the Site's bronze 12-pound Napoleon cannon, and a 10-pound Parrott Rifle. Authentic 19th Century music, as provided by Masonboro Parlor group directly across from our tent adding to the festive atmosphere of the day.

Wreaths Across America

Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery

Major General Thomas H Ruger Camp #1 had sponsors for 27 wreaths donated this year. All were delivered to the estimated 1,000 people in attendance at the annual Wreaths Across America event honoring American veterans on Saturday afternoon at the Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake.

“Remember. Honor. Teach” is the mission of Wreaths Across America. Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 2007 by Morrill Worcester. Since its first humble beginnings, this year 1.2 million wreaths were placed on markers across the country in 1,238 locations.

The Sandhills event started with the posting of the colors by the Terry Sanford High School JROTC, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by attending children and their parents. The ceremony included the singing of the National Anthem. Guest speakers were present to speak, participate and hear the playing of taps by a member of Rolling Thunder. A little more than 2,000 wreaths were placed on graves throughout the cemetery.

This was the first year for Major General Thomas H Ruger Camp #1 participation. Following our humble start with 27 wreaths, sponsored through the Camp’s program, we plan to continue to support this worthy cause again in 2018.

Wilmington National Cemetery

Brother Jim Johnson SVC, Major General Thomas H Ruger Camp #1, Department of NC, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, with his wife Carol Jutte, Daughter of Union Veteran of the Civil War, Tent #91, Department of Ohio, both participated in the distribution and laying of holiday wreaths at The National Cemetery in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Carol is not only a DUVCW but also an active member of the DAR, Colonial Dames XVIIC and Daughter of 1812, all of

which help to organize Wreaths Across America at Wilmington’s National Cemetery. Brother Jim organized the Major General Thomas H Ruger Camp #1, Wreaths Across America project this year. Sponsors donated 27 wreaths to be place on the grave sites at the Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake, NC, just outside of the Fort Bragg Army Base near Fayetteville, NC. A humble start with great potential.

152nd Anniversary of the Battle of Fort Fisher

Major General Thomas H. Ruger Camp #1, participating at the 152nd Anniversary of the Battle of Fort Fisher on Jan 14, 2017.

Brothers: Max Speers - PCC, Dennis St. Andrew - PCC, PDC, Jim Crabtree, Ed Gibson - CC, Harvey Hutchison, John France - and Jim Johnson.

Assisted by: Heidi Crabtree, Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and Carol Jutte, Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War & Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

Brothers of Ruger Camp #1 wishes to extend a special thank you to the ladies of the Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans and Daughters of Union Veterans for their support.

Camp Memorial Day Activities

Major General Thomas H. Ruger Camp #1 Brothers Ed Gibson and Jim Johnson participated in the Memorial Day Program at Wilmington National Cemetery on May 30, 2016.

The Ruger Camp #1 wreath was placed at the central flag pole in honor of all military heroes from all branches of the US Armed Forces.

The names of 634 local armed forces personal who had past since last Memorial Day 2015 were read out-loud during the ceremony.

A visit was also made to the Oakdale Cemetery in Wilmington to honor additional war heroes.

At the cemeteries a total of four graves were individually honored with roses placed on each headstone.

At the Wilmington National Cemetery Brother Ed Gibson’s father, SGT Elwood Watson Gibson USMC, was honored for his service in Vietnam.

In the Oakdale Cemetery, William Broughton, a North Carolinian who serviced in the Union army during the Civil War was also honored.

Sargent William Broughton was an Englishman who served with a Union Virginia Regiment and died in Wilmington in April 1865.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead... have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.

A. Lincoln

Gettysburg

November 19, 1863

JROTC Awards

Major General Thomas H. Ruger Camp #1 participated in recognizing Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) cadets at various high schools in our area.

Camp and Departments of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, through the ROTC program, are encouraged to participate in recognizing deserving cadets. Such participation is voluntary and includes the awarding of certificates of recognition and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War JROTC Medal with Bar.

Our definition of a deserving cadet is one that “shows a high degree of patriotism to his/her Nation and has demonstrated a high degree of academic performance and leadership. Camps and Departments are encouraged to work with their local JROTC units in determining any additional requirements that may be used to determine a “deserving cadet.”

2016 Area High Schools with Honored Cadets:

Cape Fear High School, Central Cabarrus, Surry Central High School, E.E. Smith High School, Lumberton Senior High School, North Brunswick High School, Pinecrest High School, Seventy-First High School, South Brunswick High School, Southview High School, Terry Sanford High School, Union Pines High School, West Brunswick High School, Westover High School.

Presentations were made by Ruger Camp #1 Brothers:

• James Crabtree

• Gerard Devine

• Jim Johnson

• Pattric Patterson

• Wendell Small Jr.

• Max Speers

A special thank you is extended to all those Ruger Camp #1 Brothers who assisted in making these awards and medal presentations possible.

Camp Vietnam Veterans Honored

“A Lasting Memento of the Nation's Thanks”

At the Major General Thomas H Ruger Camp #1 April 14th Meeting, all Brothers of the Ruger Camp having served in the United States Armed Forces during the Vietnam War period were honored for their service.

The United States of America Vietnam Commemoration is providing Vietnam Veteran Certificates and Lapel Pins to Commemorative Partners for presentation to living U.S. military veterans who served during the Vietnam War period, as a lasting memento of our nation's thanks.

Brothers of Ruger Camp #1 Recognized

Bishop, Richard D.

Champion Sr., Darl H.

Elwell, Douglas P. *

Fields, Roy L.

Hutchison, Harvey C.

Norris, Joel R.

Small Jr., Wendell G.

Speers, Max *

St. Andrew, Dennis *

Tubbs. William*

* Receiving their awards during the Camp Meeting are Brothers; Dennis St. Andrew, Max Speers, Doug Elwell and Bill Tubbs.

Those Ruger Camp #1 Vietnam veterans not present were honored with the reading of their names aloud during the Camp presentation ceremony. Each Brother will receive a certificate and lapel pins mailed to their home residence.

Sister Carol Jutte's Presentation Speech

“The Brunswick Town Chapter, National Society Daughters of the

American Revolution is a Vietnam War Commemorative Partner. The Commemoration’s primary mission, as penned by Congress, is to thank and honor our Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice on behalf of our nation.

Since the birth of the United States, no single generation of Americans has been spared the responsibility of defending freedom by force of arms. More than forty-four million American men and women have sacrificed and served during time of war, many here are counted among them. Your collective service and individual sacrifices have safeguarded the cherished concepts embodied in our Constitution. Whether deployed in harm’s way, while watching over your buddies as they watched over you, or when training and serving at home station… you all sacrificed.

Our county, our families and our children owe you a debt of gratitude. No distinction is being made between veterans who served in-country, in-theater or who were stationed elsewhere during the Vietnam War period. All were called to serve and the overwhelming majority served honorably and admirably.

We thank and honor the United States military veterans who served during the Vietnam War period in the U.S. Armed Forces during November 1,1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location.

Today, the Brunswick Town Chapter presents each of you with a certificate and a lapel pin in recognition of your valor, service and sacrifice during the Vietnam War.”

Carol A. Jutte

Regent, Brunswick Town Chapter - National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

Sister, Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War

The Major General Thomas H Ruger Camp #1 wishes to thank Sister Carol Jutte, and husband Brother Jim Johnson - Senior Vice-Commander, for arranging this special ceremony honoring our Vietnam Veterans.

Sister Carol Jutte, Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War (DUVCW) and Regent of the Brunswick Town Chapter, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) presented all Vietnam Veterans in attendance with a special certificate and lapel pin honoring their service during the Vietnam War.

Mayme Tubbs, wife of Brother Bill Tubbs and Regent with the Colonel Thomas Robeson Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, assisted Sister Carol Jutte during the award ceremony.

Opening Ceremony at McRae Monument

Part of the Sesquicentennial 150th Anniversary of the Civil War

On February 14, 2015, as part of the Sesquicentennial 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War, the Major General Thomas H. Ruger Camp #1 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, held it's opening ceremonies at the Captain Alexander McRae monument honoring his service during the Civil War.

Captain Alexander McRae Monument Dedication

On May 18, 2013 a stone marker was dedicated in front of the Old Cumberland County Court House in Fayetteville, NC. This marker was dedicated in honor of Captain Alexander McRae. Captain McRae was a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina and a West Point graduate in 1851. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Alexander McRae was assigned duty to the southwest territory. He was assigned to the desolate region at Fort Craig New Mexico.

In February of 1862 Captain Alexander McRae died during action, some 1,800 miles from his hometown of Fayetteville, NC, near a town called Valverde, at a ford on Valverde Creek. What makes this dedication a little unusual is that there were five McRae brothers who fought during the American Civil War, only one was a Union officer. Alexander McRae’s four brothers fought for the Confederacy. Captain Alexander McRae chose to retained his Federal commission in the service to the Union Army.

Though Captain McRae served valiantly and died a hero during the Civil War, for a long time there was little to remind his hometown about his courage and bravery. That is until, Doug Elwell a member of Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Major General Thomas H. Ruger Camp #1 heard about it.

Fayetteville local city historian Bruce Daws told Captain McRae’s story to Doug Elwell and immediately the wheels were set in motion. With the help of many, including the MacRae family, fellow members of the Major General Thomas H. Ruger Camp #1, Socorro County Historical Society and Fayetteville History Museum the concept of placing a memorial honoring Captain McRae was on the move. With the efforts of many from across the country, a 275-pound slab of volcanic rock from the battlefield area was secured. The bronze marker was made and attached with the stone being placed outside the old historical Cumberland Courthouse on Gillespie Street in May 2013. The property on which the old court house stands was once part of the McRae family homestead.

Dedication Ceremony

Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Color Guard

Robert Alverz, minister of St. John’s, MacRae family's church,

Lee Harford, Jim MacRae, Doug Elwell and Heidi representing the City of Fayetteville

MacRae Family Members

Family and Attendees

Bentonville Battlefield Union Monument Dedication

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Major General Thomas H Ruger Camp #1 Dedicate Monument to Union Solders.

March 17, 2013 (UPI) -- Nearly 150 years after the end of the American Civil War, a monument was dedicated to Union soldiers in North Carolina, officials said. The Department of North Carolina, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War presented the $10,000 monument at a ceremony Saturday at the Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site, The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer reported.

"[Now], we honor all participants for their willingness to die for a cause they believed in," Jerry Devine, of the North Carolina Thomas H. Ruger Camp 1, Sons of Union Veterans, said at the unveiling ceremony.

The ceremony came three days before the 148th anniversary of the Battle of Bentonville. About 80,000 men fought in the battle, 60,000 of whom were Union soldiers, Devine said.

The Battle of Bentonville was fought from March 19 to 21, 1865, and was the largest Civil War battle to be fought in North Carolina, which was part of the Confederate South.

"It's a confirmation that when it comes to recognizing service members, whether they were Confederate soldiers or Union soldiers, what's important for people is that they were American," said Doug Elwell of Fayetteville, the chairman of the monument committee.

The Battle of Bentonville, March 19-25, 1865, was the climatic finale to the Carolina Campaign of the late Civil War. It was the last large battle in which a Confederate force mounted a tactical offensive against Sherman’s army, and the largest battle fought in North Carolina. 60,000 Union men fought against 20,000 Confederates. General Joseph Johnston surrendered to Sherman at Bennett Place near Durham on April 26, 1865.

Efforts to place a monument to the Union troops of the Battle of Bentonville began in 1993, a century after the Goldsboro Rifles History Club built a monument to honor the 360 Confederate soldiers buried in in a mass grave in the former battlefield. The battlefield is now a North Carolina state historic site.

The monument was first proposed in 1993, but efforts to build it were stymied by then-Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, who opposed the monument. Opposition was based on the continued resistance to the memory of General William Sherman of the Union Army, who left a swath of destruction across the South during the Civil War.

The monument was re-proposed in 2012 by the Monument Committee from the Department of North Carolina, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and approved by the North Carolina Historical Commission in 2013.

Bentonville Battlefield is still used for Civil War reenactments that often take place close the anniversary of the battle. It is also open to the public, who can visit the visitor’s center or any of the monuments at the site.

Contact Major General Thomas H Ruger Camp No 1:

Camp Commander Douglas Elwell

Email: elwellds@embarqmail.com

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