The Southern Brotherhood Militia was founded in Scottsburg, Indiana, in 1928 by James Melvin Bruce. James M. Bruce was a veteran of the Spanish–American War. His fellow army veteran friends had strong feelings for the southern Confederacy, and therefore chose the name Southern Brotherhood. James M. Bruce was murdered on June 6, 1936. James M. Bruce's son, Melvin Russell Bruce, also known as "Pop" became president of the Southern Brotherhood. Melvin R. Bruce had established a Patriarchy, where friends and family of the original members would lead the newer units created. Melvin died in 1993, passing the leadership role down to his two grandsons. When the two sons took over, they changed the name of the Southern Brotherhood to Southern Brotherhood Militia, because of problems with copycats using the already well-established name of the Southern Brotherhood. Now known as the Southern Brotherhood Militia (SBM).[clarify] The SBM has expanded internationally, with units in Northern Ireland, Serbia, Canada and Argentina. It has become one of the largest underground American militia groups; units known as "Wolf-packs" have 21 men, are located in every state in the United States. It is believed[by whom?] they have created over 100 Wolf-packs just in the United States, that are underground cell groups. The Southern Brotherhood Militia operates a nine-region-system in the U.S., that don't allow their Wolf-packs to mix with other Wolf-packs from other regions.[clarify] The SBM created a female-only splinter group called the Southern Belles of SBM. SBM has never advocated the overthrow of the US Government. They have a very large influence[peacock prose] in the American Militia Movement[clarification needed] and right-wing groups. SBM has very strong support[peacock prose] from the Serbian people in Serbia, because of a pact they had made with a Serbian general for the defense of Serbian refugees fleeing to the United States.[clarify]
