The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-06-16
OAKWOOD CEMETERY.

The Ladies' Memorial Association for
Confederate Dead Of Oakwood" " has been
formed for the purpose of improving and
preserving the graves of fourteen thousand
men who died in the military service OF
the Confederate Government, and were
buried in the lakewood Cemetery, near the
city of Richmond, Va.
The work undertaken by the Associa-
ton is one of such magnitude that they
could not enter upon it unless sustained
bv ardent affection and sincere desire by
the help of God to perform duty which
seems to be Imposed upon them by His
providence a duty to fallen countrymen
greatly beloved and warmly cherished in
memory and to relatives and friends all
over the land who survive the lamented
dead To these relatives and friends, and
to all who have any sympathy with the
object in view, in every place where these
lines may come, an appeal is now presented
for pecuniary assistance.
Under ordinary circumstances those who
come before the public with this solicita
ton would rejoice to do among themselves
all that is required; but the great calami-
ties which have fallen upon the city where
we dwell have taken away our ability
! The same war which struck down SO many
of our countrymen deprived us of the
means which We would, if we were as IN
DAYS past, delight to devote to cause
which lies so near our hearts. We viii
endeavor TO do our part, and we VIII DO II
cheerfully. We ask that all may contribute
what they can, hoping by the aggregation
of great number OF offerings, however
small many of them may be, to accumu
! late that vast sum which is needed to com
plete the interesting task in the manner
prescribed. Speaking, therefore, to oul
countrymen, and countrywomen who nave
suffered with us, and feel as we do in re
! spect TO this deep concern, we would say
we are poor, very poor, as well as deepl!
afflicted people. But are we too poor t
pay the last, the only tribute that We cal
/ now render to those whose lives were sacri
feed in a conflict waged in our behalf
| 4 cause in which we who live were equal.
interested, and equally enlisted with them
selves! We sorrowed, we toiled, We wep
together. They died, we survive. Bu
shall death have power over sympathy
Shall the grave interrupt the flow OF afiec
tion
| - E en- in their ashes live their Wonteu nres
Their heroism, their wounds, and ago
nies on the battle -tield--their long an
miserable days and nights in the wards
crowded hospitals-awakened our adm
ration, and excited US to effort in thei
behalf, while they lived; and as we visi
their neglected graves, their patriotism
and courage, their virtue, their seli-sacfi
flee, their piety, are fresh in our recoiiec
ton. We feel that, in the memory ol thei
character and their deeds, they stu sur
vive--our countrymen, our Dro'hc.e' a.
before us, around u.s. and now, as III w
dark and bloody days OF the neroic st.ae
demand our service, though tney aSA
not. As their exquisite anguish appeale'
TO MS while they endured the throes OF NOR
tai main. and often when manliness AM
sortitnde prevented sigh Of complaint, o
the audible expression of q request, 70 no,
do their silent graves put forth an eloquen
voice which the lips forever closed In deaf
have no power to utter. We cannot fee
them, nor clothe them, nor nurse them
but, by all the love we bore them, whic
led Us to do these things when We conl,
we are now called upon TO honor them,
give them that decent burial, that comel
resting place, which the generous enem
would desire tor his conquered antagonis
which even the benighted hesthen crave
for his fallen brother. May that righteou
yet mercifal God, whose Christening har
for our transgressions against Him %
severely smitten US, spare VS. tue det
/, afiiiction of living among the unturfe
unmarked, and sunken graves Of our dea
May He deliver Us from that hesdaess