(more background for what it is worth - I am sharing as i knew NADA about the CV before moving here, or let's say I had many misconceptions from my schooling in the CALF school system).
There is a photo in the paper of the event, they set off canons and had the reenactors there, so it was a big deal for their family. Issuing the Iron Cross of Honor by the UDC. Asking about this I was told about these soldiers not being allowed in the V.A. and so they could not have the engraved stone cross, but were able through petition of the UDC receive this honor. So this was why they were all here, to bestoy this iron cross on the grave of their great grandfather.
The
Southern Cross of Honor is the name of two separate and distinct military honors presented to Confederate military personnel and veterans. The original wartime medal,
aka Confederate Medal of Honor, was a military decoration meant to honor officers, noncommissioned officers, and privates for their valor in the armed forces of the
Confederate States of America during the
American Civil War. It was formally approved by the
Congress of the Confederate States on October 13, 1862,
[1] and was originally intended to be on par with the Union Army's
Medal of Honor.
During the war, however, there were shortages of
metals, and many medals were not minted or awarded. The names of these soldiers were, however, recorded in an Honor Roll and preserved in the Adjutant Inspector General's records.
The postwar version of the medal, which is a separate award than the original wartime medal, came into being following a reunion in 1898. The idea of bestowing the Southern Cross of Honor to Confederate veterans of the American Civil War was conceived in Atlanta in July 1898 by Mrs. Alexander S. (Mary Ann Lamar Cobb) Erwin of Athens, GA, at a reunion of Confederate veterans. Mrs. Erwin and Mrs. Sarah E. Gabbett of Atlanta are credited with the design of the medal. The medal was at this point authorized by the UDC to be awarded to any Confederate Veteran who had provided "loyal, honorable service to the South and given in recognition of this devotion."
[2]
The design for the face of the
medal consists of a Maltese cross with a
Confederate battle flag surrounded with a
laurel wreath, with the inscription "The Southern Cross of Honor." On the back of the medal is the motto of the Confederate States of America, "Deo Vindice" ([With] God [As Our] Vindicator), and the dates 1861 1865. Post-War versions (starting in 1898) added the inscription, "From the UDC to the UCV." (UDC stands for the
United Daughters of the Confederacy; UCV stands for the
United Confederate Veterans.) The Southern Cross of Honor could only be bestowed through the United Daughters of the Confederacy. It could not be purchased; it was given in recognition of loyal, honorable service to the South and only a Confederate veteran could wear it. The first Cross ever bestowed was upon Mrs. Erwin’s husband, Captain Alexander S. Erwin, by the Athens (Ga.) Chapter on April 26, 1900.
The Southern Cross of Honor is also used as a symbol on the graves of Confederate Veterans who served honorably. It can take two different forms which can sometimes both be seen on the same soldier's grave.
One form is an outline of the Southern Cross engraved on the actual gravestone of the veteran.
[3] This symbol is still available to be placed as an optional symbol of belief on a U.S.
Veterans Administration issued gravestone.
[4] This symbol will only be issued by the V.A. to be placed on the grave of a Confederate Veteran.
[5] The symbol is also available to be placed on existing gravestones by some private monument companies and stone carvers.
The second form of the Southern Cross of Honor seen on Confederate graves is a two-sided, cast iron replica of the medal.
[6] This cross stands atop a metal rod placed into the ground at the veteran's grave. It is sometimes referred to as the "Iron Cross of Honor" or "SCV Iron Cross." The cross is typically placed on Confederate graves by local chapters of the
Sons of Confederate Veterans or by family members or interested parties related to the Confederate Veteran. The iron cross version of the SCH is available for purchase through several SCV chapters as well as several private foundries throughout the
United States.
[7] The grave of any Confederate Veteran who served honorably is eligible for placement of this symbol.
(Info from wiki again, not saying it is accurate in the least, but it was handy to cut n paste!).