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Major Edgar Burroughs & Princess Anne Cavalry Chapter 281, Military Order of the Stars & Bars | ||
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Officers Community Events |
Our Chapter History: Several members of the SCV Princess Anne Camp 1993, decided in 2003 that there was a need to form a new MOS&B chapter in Virginia Beach. Membership in the camp had grown from its inception a year earlier, to over 50 members. Several members had ancestors who were officers, so the stage was set to proceed with a charter application. After consideration amongst the prospective members, a name was chosen that would reflect the makeup of both the area and the member's ancestors. Since Virginia Beach was formerly known as Princess Anne County, that was to be a part of the name. Likewise, the 15th Virginia Cavalry was active almost immediately after secession and that needed to be incorporated as well. We searched for a an officer who was recognized as a local hero and a standout among the Confederate officers who served the Confederacy, as well as Princess Anne County and it's surrounding areas. The officer selected had a varied background and was murdered while in a Norfolk prison hospital. Our chapter name, as long as it is, has significant meaning to the area as well as its members. Major Burroughs was with the 15th Virginia Cavalry until 1862 when he resigned his commission due to poor health. In June of 1863, through Major Oscar F. Baxter, Jr. MD., he was authorized by the Secretary of War to organize a company of partisan rangers in Princess Anne County, to harass the Union forces around the county and in the Norfolk area, Known as the Burroughs' battalion Partisan Rangers, they were very successful throughout Princess Anne, Currituck County of North Carolina and along the Atlantic seaboard of both states. When Major Burroughs was finally caught, again due to poor health, he was admitted to the Smallpox Hospital in Norfolk where he was shot by a guard. The guard maintained that he had been trying to escape through a window. (yeah, right!) Our 2005 Commander Kenneth Harris, a charter member, is a direct descendant of Major Burroughs and was instrumental in establishing this Chapter. Our Charter was presented to us March 29, 2004 by Va. Society Commander Clarke Magruder. We continue to grow and hope that you will consider our Chapter to honor your Confederate Officer Ancestor. |
