The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-06-13
An Appeal of the Ladies' Memorial AS
ISOLATION for Confederate Dead, in

ISOLATION for Confederate Dead, in
TERED at OakwO0d Cemetery, Rich
mond, Virginia. .st
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE SOUTH:
"The Ladies' Memorial Association for Con-
federate Dead of lakewood" near Richmond,
Virginia, was organised permanently on the
10th of April, 1866, for the purpose of res
cuing from oblivion the names and graves of
the gallant Confederate Dead, who sleep at
lakewood Cemetery. N on
This Cemetery situated one mile east of
the city, contains Sirteen Thousand Confede-
rate Soldiers Graves, a larger number than
any other in the South, including representa-
tive dead from every Southern State
The graves are in neglected condition, the
names of the occupants marked only by rude
pieces of board carelessly and slightly put in
the earth. The grounds are desolate and I'M
enclosed. aaffeN 35 saat .IIagGErIY r.
| The Common Council of the. city Of Rich-
mond has undertaken the work-of enclosing
the Cemetery, and has made the requisite ap-
preparation for that purpose. sss.
The work of love, gratitude, and duty,
which this Association proposes for itself, is
simply this i s sass'ig w. syh'
| First. To turf each grave and mark it with
neat wooden head-board, upon which is to be
inscribed the name of the occupant, his State,
regiment, and company, and other informa-
ton in regard to him. ~ vrrlH&01
Secondly. To lay out and decorate the
grounds, and to redeem them from their pre-
sent condition of utter cheerlessness and des-
citation. And I
Thirdly. At some future day, when the
finances of the Association shall permit it, to
replace the wooden head-boards with enduring
marble, and to erect handsome monument
for each State of the South, concentrating
its dead EE3a4 }a 5000 4ts5<5s
To effect these purposes it is necessary
| to appeal to the people of the South for
pecuniary assistance. The Association is poor
the people Of Richmond are poor, and theil
work to be done is for the honor and credit
of the entire South. 1t would be an indeli-
BILE shame and an ever present disgrace if
having the power to honor our dead, to per-
petuate their names and memories, and te
| preserve and protect their graves, our people
should suffer them to lie neglected and forgot
| ten until the frail record of their names
death, and burial places are totally destroyed
/ by decay, and the task rendered impossible
How many families throughout the South
have representatives sleeping at lakewood
Cemetery 7 How many mothers, and sisters
and fathers, and brothers, and friends, would
be soothsd and gratiied to know that Their
brave dead were honored, and their graves
cared for and tended Who would not BE-
shocked and panied to witness the present
lamentable condition of these graves, and te
see how rapidly the hand of Time is oblitera.
ting all traces and memorials of the gallant
dead who died for us .gng
Could the people Of the South look upor
the lonely, desolate, and neglected graves, nc
appeal would he necessary - The lsilentlre-
buke of these forgotten heroes, would reach
the hearts and eonsciences of every Christian
man and woman of the South = -
| i The Association is not for day or a year
it is not the, passing fancy of an hour, or the
ephemeral creature Of a momentary impulse
Fit lis permanently organized, with already
two hundred and fifty active members. Il
will know no rest until it's purposes are sue
cesssfully and fully achieved. 1t will not
fail, it cannot fall until the manhood of the
South has lost its chivalry and until its ao-
men have ceased to mourn for their children
because "they are not. 80 ~, p .i.,, .
In this work of piety and love the Associa-
ton solemnly pledge its honor to the people
of the South to apply, faithfully and econ
onlically, the funds which may be contribu-
! ted. aJlIOl
Editors friendly to the purpose of this as
sociation will confer favor BY copying into
their papers this appeal. % '''"' .7'''' 7oos !
Contributions urgently solicited. They
may be sent to the Rev. John, E. Edwards,
Rev. A. E. Dickinson, Rev. VIM Norwood,
Rev P B. Price, Rev. J. A. Proctor, Rich
mond, Va, or to Mrs E. S. Turpin, Treasur-
er of lakewood Memorial Association, Rich
mond, Va. Eaf 80 i'ts or 70. ya9NA q
! Mrs M. H. SAITH, President. t. I