Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-10-18
Letter from General JubaI A. Early.

| From the Winchester Times
| The following letter from General Early
to lady of Winchester will be read with
deep interest by the people of the Lower
Valley, and more especially by the ladies,
whose self-sacrifcing devotion during our
late struggle, and noble efforts to rescue
from oblivion the remains of our fallen
heroes, have called forth his warmest thanks
and admiration. The letter does honor
alike to the Generals head and heart.
TORONTO, G. W., Sept. ~, 1866.
| DEAR MADAM:-A letter from gallant
and esteemed young friend who fought in
all the battles around Winchester, informs
me that some time in the ensuing month
there will be dedication of the Cemetery
which has been set apart under the auspi-
ces of the ladies of that town and its vicin-
| ity for the Confederate dead who fell in the
lower Shenandoah Valley. In the distant
City Of Mexico, [ read the account of the
steps inaugurated by the ladies of Win
chester for collec ing the remains and mark
| ing the graves of the brave men who lost
their lives in the defence of their country
in and around the latter place, and it is i'm
possible for me to give expression to the
emotions of gratitude and admiration ex-
cited in my bosom on threading that account.
[ knew that many of those whose remains
were to be thus cared for, fell fighting I'M
der my command-among them being a
number of valued personal friends-and
this sad and touching tribute to their mem
cries affected me very deeply. Since then
[ have an1iously desired an opportunity to
convey to the noble women of Winchester
and the lower Valley of the Shenandoah,
the expressions of my heartfelt thanks, not
only for their care for the remains of the
dead, but for their devoted kindness and
attention to the sick and wounded of my
command, and [ now beg to do SO through
you. / fully appreciate the self-sacrificing
virtues displayed by all my countrywomen
during the war, butthere are peculiarreasons
why l should entertain sentiments of the
warmest admiration for and gratitude to
the ladies of Winchester 1t was the for
tune of the troops under my command to
relieve that place from the presence of the
enemy three times during the war, and I
had abundant opportunities of ascertaining,
as well the heroic fortitude with which the
ladies endured all the horrors of it's occu-
patton by our most cruel and Vindictive
foes, as the unwavering fidelity to our cause
which they maintained under circumstan-
ces of unusual temptation to succumb. 1
was also fully appraised of the care taken by
them to honor our dead and provide for our
wounded, not only when we were success
full, but also when reverses compelled us to
leave them in the hands of the enemy.
When many of my countrymen, in igno-
rance of the great disadvantages under
which labored 1T the time of my reverses,
judged me harshly, it was from a lady of
Winchester that I received message, sent
through the lines of the enemy, that, what
ever others might do, the ladies of that
place, who knew the tremendous odds with
which [ had to contend, attached no blame
to me- 1t Is not to be wondered, therefore.
that feel so deeply towards them. God
knows how well love my native State and
all her unfortunate sisters of the South, and
how cheerfully my life was risked and would
now be yielded in their defense +; but, to
all of us, there are some spots peculiarly
sacred. With me, the first among these is
the place where [ was born and where now
repose the remains of my mother the next
IS Winchester, the plains around which
were watered by the blood of SO many of
my brave comrades, and where now so many
true women weep over the graves of
the fallen. It is sad, sad indeed to be
an exile from my country, and still sadder
to mourn the loss of the most Just and
sacred cause for which man ever fought
but there is some comfort in know
ing that the struggle which developed so
much herOlsm on the part of our soldiers
and so many virtues in our women has not
been all in vain and wherever may wan
der will bear with me the proud consola-
ton derived from the knowledge that my
who were SO faithfuland de-
voted during all the trials and vicissitudes
OF our dreadful contest for independence,
now that it has gone against us, remain
true to the memories of the dead Power |
and money may procure costly monuments
and testlmonlalsto commemorate the names |
OF those who fought for the successful par
ty, but all the power and wealth of the |
world cannot command so rich tribute as
that paid to the memories of the heroic |
dead of the Confederate armies by the tears
of the women of the South
beg that you will communicate this ex-
preston of my feelings to the ladies of
Winchester and the lower Valley, and may
the choicest blessings of Heaven rest on |
you and them.
Very truly and respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JUBAL A. EARLY.