The Tampa camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans is dealing with a secession of its own.
The Gen. Jubal A. Early Camp No. 556 was chartered nine years ago and had boasted more than 100 members. But earlier this year, about a dozen Sons, unhappy with the group's direction, created their own confederacy, the Judah P. Benjamin Camp No. 2210.
"We just differed in our philosophy," said Early Camp Commander Mike Herring. "They left and I think they're doing great. We lost a few members, but we've made them up. We're moving on and we wish them well."
Both groups fiercely defend their Southern heritage and seek to honor their ancestors' actions on the battlefield, but that may be where the similarities end.
Early Camp members still march in parades, make some public appearances and participate in memorials and Civil war re-enactments from Crystal River to Tampa. Much of the focus, though, is on charity work with its "mechanized cavalry" of motorcyclists who do poker runs and toy collections for worthy causes and needy families.
The Benjamin Camp aims for a higher profile and stages public appearances and events heavy on pomp, circumstance and guest speakers. The group's leaders say a main goal is to preserve historical sites around the Tampa area and show them off to the public with an educational slant.
Another difference: The Early Camp ended its close relationship with the local United Daughters of the Confederacy chapter, which was chartered at the same time. The Benjamin Camp welcomed the women into their fold.
The Early Camp might be mostly closely associated with the huge Confederate battle flag that flies over U.S. 92, visible by motorists on Interstates 4 and 75, and the granite informational memorial at its base. The group continues to maintain the memorial site.
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