Editor’s Note: The Albemarle Observer has been covering the several legal cases involving the Confederate monument in Edenton, including the involvement of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Scott Perry, who served as adjunct of the SCV Camp Martin battery in Elizabeth City, said that a Memorandum of Understanding was the best chance for a compromise. However, tensions have emerged between different factions of the organization over how to handle the monument issue. The disagreement has escalated to the point where Perry, who supported the collaborative approach with local government, has faced disciplinary action from the organization’s leadership. Perry’s response to the calls for disciplinary action is published below.
On the evening of Saturday, August 2, 2025, I received a phone call from a representative of the North Carolina Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) leadership, informing me that the SCV was considering disciplinary action regarding my alleged communication with Mr. Hood Ellis. The concern appears to center on whether this correspondence involved the disclosure of the NC Division’s legal strategy.
To clarify, the message I shared was rooted in transparency and focused on lawful cooperation between Camp Martin and local authorities, as per North Carolina General Statute §100-2.1. This statute enables communities to work collaboratively to protect historical monuments, and Camp Martin’s approach has remained consistent with both the letter and spirit of that law.
As a legally recognized nonprofit organization, Camp Martin operated within its full legal rights and ethical responsibilities. Our goal has always been the preservation of history through constructive engagement, not unnecessary confrontation and street performances. Any implication that lawful correspondence undermines legal integrity is both inaccurate and deeply concerning.
What appears to be at issue is not the act of communication itself, but a broader discomfort with independent judgment and open dialogue. When lawful cooperation is met with internal disciplinary threats, it raises crucial questions about the organization’s direction, priorities, and general paranoia.
Over the past several months, Camp Martin has maintained strong relationships with local government and community stakeholders. We’ve built a foundation that supports monument preservation within legal and civic frameworks. I am proud to report that Camp Martin remains well-organized, with stable membership, adequate funding, and a plan for continued public-facing engagement.
I have named a successor to my current administrative role within Camp Martin, and I will assist with all remaining procedural matters to ensure a smooth transition through September 1.
My record in civic and veterans’ organizations — including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Sons of the American Revolution, and as a former Rotarian — has never been questioned. I have consistently supported the missions of these groups through leadership, labor, and integrity. I leave Camp Martin stronger than I found it.
While I disagree with the Division’s legal and strategic posture in ongoing litigation concerning historical monuments in Northeastern North Carolina, I respect the importance of civil discourse and the principles of due process. The NC Division of SCV withdrawing from this litigation would serve the public interest and preserve these monuments more effectively in the long term.
I remain committed to lawful preservation, responsible leadership, and meaningful community engagement.
Respectfully,
Scott Perry
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