MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The West Virginia division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans is seeking permission to hold a parade in Martinsburg in celebration of southern heritage and the birth of the Confederate flag 155 years ago.

The group’s request to use portions of Queen and Race streets on March 5 for the procession is to be considered Thursday by the Martinsburg City Council.

The council’s regular February meeting is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. in the J. Oakley Seibert Council Chambers at Martinsburg City Hall at 232 N. Queen St.

“If we don’t get approval to use the street, we’ll use the sidewalk,” said Paul Williams, the division’s commander.

Williams said in a Jan. 15 letter to city officials that he expects 100 to 300 people will take part in the parade.

Including a number of “mechanized-calvary” members riding motorcycles, the group intends to “gather peacefully and celebrate,” proceed north on Queen Street from town square to Race Street, and stop outside the Belle Boyd House, Williams said in the letter.

“At that point, we will proceed with speeches,” Williams said in the letter.

Boyd, who grew up in Martinsburg, is considered to be one of the Confederacy’s most famous spies during the Civil War.

Williams said in the letter that the “birth” of the national flag of the Confederate States of America was on March 4, 1861.

On Monday, Williams said the group would celebrate all of the Confederate flags, not just the first banner, which was composed of seven stars in a blue box and three horizontal bars.

The Berkeley County Historical Society, which owns the historic Boyd home, is not involved with the proposed parade, and has limited involvement in heritage activities that are held in Martinsburg, historical society President Todd Funkhouser said.

“We appreciate all individuals who have an interest in Berkeley County history, however, we are not affiliated, nor would we endorse, any organization for any events outside of the traditional Martinsburg Heritage Days (celebration),” Funkhouser said.

Williams, who also serves as commander of the Martinsburg-based Berkeley Border Guards Camp 199, said the local unit of the organization has about 30 members.

Williams said the national Sons of Confederate Veterans organization, which is based in Columbia, Tenn., has encouraged similar celebrations to be held in every state.

The organization has more than 30,000 members nationally, Williams said.

Organized in 1896, the organization’s website said it continues “to serve as a historical, patriotic and nonpolitical organization dedicated to ensuring that a true history of the 1861-1865 period is preserved.”

Membership is open to all male descendants of any veteran who served honorably in the Confederate armed forces, according to the website.

Confederate group requests permission to hold parade in Martinsburg - Herald Mail Media: West Virginia