1. What is the SUVCW, or Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War?

The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, or SUVCW for short, is a non-political hereditary membership organization composed of male descendants of Union (Federal) military veterans who served during the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865. Its purpose is to promote the heritage of the Civil War through preservation work, historical lectures, scholarly research, and the marking of Civil War veteran's graves.

2. What is, or was, the GAR or Grand Army of the Republic?

The Grand Army of the Republic, or GAR for short, was a Union military veterans organization composed of the former soldiers, sailors and marines who served in the United States armed forces during the War of the Rebellion from 1861 to 1865, commonly known as the American Civil War.

3. Who was Edward Lea and what is a "camp" ?

Edward Lea was a Union naval officer killed in the 1863 Battle of Galveston. A "camp" is the local unit of membership comprising the SUVCW. The story behind Lea's death is a poignant example of how the American Civil War divided not only the country, but also individual families. Given the significance of Lea's death, and because he is buried in Galveston, Texas, our local camp was named in his honor.

4. Who was Sarah Emma Seelye and why is she significant?

Sarah Emma Seelye was a woman who served in U.S. Army during the Civil War while disguised as a man. She became the only woman to receive a U.S. government pension for her Civil War military service and the only female member of the Grand Army of the Republic. She settled in Texas after the war and is buried at Washington Cemetery in Houston, Texas. The Sarah Emma Seelye Auxiliary to the Edward Lea Camp is named in her honor.

5. Are the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War "anti-Southern" or "anti-Confederate"?

Absolutely, positively not! As noted above, the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (a.k.a. SUVCW), is a non-political hereditary membership organization with the sole purpose of promoting the heritage of the Civil War. While this includes honoring the Union soldiers who served in that war, it also means respecting the heritage of the Confederacy and the men who fought for the South. For more about our philosophy, click here.

6. What are the projects and activities of the Lea Camp and its Auxiliary? Are you re-enactors?

Neither the Lea Camp nor its Auxiliary are considered re-enactor groups. While some of our members might be re-enactors, this is not the primary purpose of either organization. The Edward Lea Camp has conducted a variety of projects and activities during its brief history. These have ranged from cemetery clean-ups and grave restoration projects to Veterans Day and Memorial Day services held in honor of Civil War Veterans. For details, click here. The Sarah Emma Seelye Auxiliary has supported the Lea Camp in these pursuits and also conducts charity work. Visit their page to learn more.

7. How often does the Lea Camp and the Seelye Auxiliary meet and what are the meetings like?

The Lea Camp meets monthly (except August) and our meetings usually consist of a dinner, followed by a program and a short business session. Our programs often feature guest speakers ranging from local authors and academics to amateur historians with "expertise" in Civil War related topics. For details, click here.  The ladies' auxiliary conduct their own meetings on a bi-monthly basis and occasionally join the camp for special programs. Visit the Seelye Auxiliary page for details. Dress code for our meetings is informal but "proper attire," as required in most restaurants, is the standard.

8. When and where are your meetings and may guests attend meetings?

The Lea Camp meets at the Spaghetti Warehouse Restaurant at 901 Commerce Street   in downtown Houston at 7:00 pm on the second Tuesday of each month except January and August. Click here for a map showing the location. Guests are most welcome to attend and, after doing so, are encouraged to join our groups should they desire. The ladies' auxiliary usually meets six times a year at various locations. Consult the Seelye Auxiliary page for details.

9. Are wives, girlfriends or any females welcome to attend the Lea Camp's meetings?

In general, Camp dinners and meetings are open to anyone interested in our activities. Thus, wives and girlfriends are welcome to attend and observe. For women seriously interested in our organization's goals, however, we encourage them to pursue membership in the Sarah Emma Seelye Auxiliary. Auxiliary members occasionally attend camp events but also have their own meetings.

10. How does one join the Lea Camp or its Auxiliary? Do I need an invitation to join?

Any applicant who meets either groups' membership criteria is welcome to join. No "invitation" is required. Our goal is to increase our ranks and not to be exclusive or snobbish by restricting our membership. We are historical in nature, not social. Persons of all backgrounds who support our goals are encouraged to join.

11. What are the qualifications for membership? Are "non-Yanks" eligible?

Persons with Union ancestry may join either group as Hereditary Members as defined by each group's respective guidelines. Those without Union ancestry, (i.e. "non-yanks") but who support the goals of the organizations, may join as Associate Members. For example, wives (or girlfriends) of Lea Camp members may join the Auxiliary as either Hereditary Members or Associates, depending on which category is applicable to them. Likewise, husbands (or boyfriends) of Auxiliary members may join the Lea Camp as either Hereditary or Associate Members depending upon their qualifications. For details, consult the Lea Camp's Membership Criteria page and/or the Seelye Auxiliary web page.

12. After I join, is attendance mandatory for all camp and/or auxiliary meetings and activities?

Absolutely not. While we encourage our members to attend as many functions as practical, we understand that personal and professional commitments come first. Therefore, attendance is not mandatory. In most cases, the prompt payment of annual dues is all that is required to remain a member in good standing.

13. Where do your members come from and what are they like? Must one be a "expert" historian?

Our membership comes from the greater Houston area and surrounding southeast Texas counties. Our roster includes descendants of both officers and enlisted men as well as our non-hereditary associate members. The backgrounds of our members are equally assorted. We have both white collar professionals and blue collar skilled workers in our group. And while there may be a historian or two among our ranks, no one is required to be an "expert." Through our programs and activities, we teach and learn about the history of the Civil War. Thus, while we may come from different educations and experiences, we all share a common interest in Civil War heritage.

14. I live outside the greater Houston area. Can I join the SUVCW or its ladies' Auxiliary?

Of course! While applicants are encouraged to join the local camp or auxiliary nearest them, we understand if there is simply not one in your neighborhood. Thus, applicants may join either group as "At-Large" members regardless of their proximity. SUVCW applicants should consult the SUVCW Home Page for details. Auxiliary applicants should review the Seelye Auxiliary page for details about auxiliary "At-Large" memberships.

15. This all sounds great - but - I just gotta ask: Why a "Union" group in a "Confederate" state like Texas?

While it may first seem that we are a "fish out of water," when one studies the state's history, it makes perfect sense. Not all Texans supported secession and some of them actually served in the Union Army. Furthermore, many Union veterans settled in Texas after the war. This is evident by the several GAR posts that once existed across the state. Thus, persons whose families have been in Texas for many generations may, in fact, have a "Union" ancestor. (Many of these persons may ultimately discover they had ancestors on both sides!) Finally, given our modern mobile society, persons whose roots lie in the North continue to settle in the state and add to our "pool" of potential members. See our Historical Background for details.

Top | FAQs | Camp History | Meetings | Membership | Lea Biography | Confederates | Auxiliary | Home