Confederate camp responds to call for flagpole along I-85 to come down

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - This week a large Confederate flag was raised along the interstate in Spartanburg County, but officials said the owner has 20 days to make changes because of a problem with where the flag is located.

A FOX Carolina crew spotted the flag from Interstate 85 near Teaberry Road.

According to Spartanburg County councilman David Britt, the flag pole violates the county’s 1999 land use ordinance.

Britt says the property owner was issued a notice because the flag pole is located on a parcel of land that does not have a “principal activity.” According to county ordinance, flags and flagpoles are considered “an accessory activity” and must be located on a parcel with a principal activity like a residence or business.

The owner has 20 days to come into compliance and take the pole down. If the owner does not comply, zoning codes will take next steps, Britt said.

Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) Camp #68 owns property on Teaberry Road where the flag was erected, according to property records.

An SCV camp in Charleston claims the flag, which was raised on Oct. 22, is the largest Confederate flag in South Carolina and its location means “tens of thousands of commuters will see it monthly.”

The Sons of Confederate Veterans released the following statement:

“In Petersburg, Virginia, the July 30th, 1864 pre-dawn stillness was shattered by a
massive explosion opening the Union attack upon Confederate defenses. The
Battle of the Crater ensued, and by the end of the day Spartanburg County lost
more men in a single day of war than she had ever before. That explosion was
underneath the 18th and 22nd South Carolina Regiments. These units, mostly
from the Upstate of South Carolina, experienced immediate and devastating
losses. At the end of the day, only 1 man answered roll call from 18th S.C.
Infantry Company A, only 2 from 22nd S.C. Infantry Company B, and only 3 from
22nd S.C. Company C.
The Adam Washington Ballenger Camp 68 of the Sons Of Confederate Veterans
recently erected a large flag pole on its property along I-85 for the purpose of
remembering and honoring those soldiers who answered the call of South
Carolina during the War Between the States and never returned. More than 250
of them were killed instantly in this one Union offense.
These soldiers, killed-in-action or missing-in-action, gave their all to their beloved
State. We remember and honor them by flying a variety of historical flags under
which they fought. This includes the flag of the State of South Carolina that flew
on the pole for the past months. Camp 68 is currently flying the Confederate
Naval Jack and will continue to alternate the flags that it flies. The Camp looks
forward to providing an array of historical flags and hopes that their presence
spurs further interest of our citizens in the rich history of Spartanburg County and
South Carolina.”
The Adam W. Ballenger Camp 68 Veterans Memorial Park