Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1867-06-27
Ashby Memorial Association.


these proceedings:
Fslloto Comrades ofhe AsIby Brigade:
Another year has gone,-gone TO swell the
overfowing tide Of time. and we hsve, by the
blessing Of God, again been permitted TO assem- |
BILE here to consummate our plans, % devise !
means. and to take into consideration the erec- |
ton of monument in commethoration Of the |
virtues and illustrious services of our noble |
Ashby, to whom not only We, his c. mrades,
hut this whole Valley; must ever feel a deep
debt Of gratitude.
The patriotism and vaor Of General Turner
Ashby, need with us, no towering marble to
commemorate them. for they are too deeply en-
craven on our hearts; but il is 10 hand down
to future generations the glory OF his achieve
meuts, from which they may catch the inspl-
ration of his patriotism, that we propose th'S
Monument
This day renews 10 us the sad but interest
ing ceremony, and is % have connection with,
and to illustrate page in our countrys histo,
ry, which will be read with interest by all and
more especially by those who come after US
That history, and those who have contributed
to adorn its pages, and to make it what 1t Is
are TO be the subjects Of future panegyric, and
il is only from the melancholy ruins Of the past,
that we can gather the richest stores for the
future.
II is there, too, we learn how vain are all
earthly hopes, how fleeting all earthly friends
how frail even the strongest cords Of aifec-
ton and love. Ii is there too, my comrades,
we should learn that it is our duty TO prepare
for another state Of being, which the lessons OF
the pas, teach US most forcibly-that must son
be our lot. So far we have made but little
progress towards commencing the work for
which the association was formed. The vari-
ons Vice Presidents, whose special duty it was
10 take up collections in different sections OF
the State, have made no report that am aware
! o.: Shortly after our organization, addressed
letter to Capt E. C. Randolph. member of
our old Brigade and one of the Vice Presidents
Of this Association then residing nCharottes-
Vile and requested him TO examine the books
1 of the Banks Of that place, and try and ascer-
tain what had become Of the funds which had
been contributed by the Brigade for the erec-
! tion Of monument 20 Gen. Ashby.
After a long and careful search, for which l
| tender him in the name Of the association, our
| grateful thanks, he ascertained that on the 9th
! of June 1862. there was deposited in the Mon
,icelo Bank to the credit Of Turner Ashby,
! 1851, and on the 23d Of July, S571, making
an aggregate amount Of Sl222. which amount
| on the % Of April 1864, was converted into
! Sl0l. in specie by whom. or by what authori-
ty. the officers of the Bank were unableto show,
| subsequently this SOL, 90 in specie was drawn
/ from the Bank as the officers alege, hut have
not been able to find the check, nor do their
b b,oks show by whom il was drawn. There
was. also another collection Of some S400 or
$500. made during the war, and placed IN the
hands Of Mr.. Andrew Parish. who informs me
that he invested the same in Confederate bonds,
which he says. was lost Under these circum-
stances we must again appeal to the members
of the Brigade, and TO the patriotic sons and
daughters of Maryland and Virginia tn come
forward and give their aid to the work. Don't
le. the matter be longer delayed The first step
should he taken at once Let us act promptly,
and start the ball and we may rely upon 1t,
others will come TO Our assistance.
hope every member of the Brigade will
again avail himself Of the opportunity of con-
trihuting his mite.
There is a hall,wed remembrance Of the dead,
70 which we turn even from the charms OF the
living. May the virtues Of our noble comman-
der ever retain their influence. and when ener-
nV ana courage arc dHdlI tdllt'i w tiihif hiAg
we and our children emulate his example.
The Treasurer made his report (which was re-
ceived. The Chairman expressed his great
pleasure on hearing that the Masons"f Virgin
! ia and MARYLAND were interesting themselves
in behalf Of the Ashby Monument, and. on
motion of Major F. II Gaines appointed the
following gentlemen Major F. a. Gaines, IL.
C. II. Vandivere, and Rev. James Is. Avirett.
10 address circular letter 10 the Masons OF the
country. and urge them % cooperate with the
A. NJ. 4. in rearing suitable monument 10
the memory Of General Turner Ashby, their
brother and our comrade.
On motion. the Chair instructed the Secre-
tarv. to write TO the President of the Monticello
Bank. Charlottesville. Va, relative to thedeposIt
Of funds belonging 10 the Association GuTing
\ the late war.
On motion Of Private James Bartlett, J. was
resolved that the thanks Of the Association Re
hereby rendered to Rev. James B. Avrett for
his beautiful volume Of Ashby and his COM
peers in which the sad yet stirring story Of
our Chieftain's eventfnl life of patriotic devo-
tion is 81 aptly and correctly told
On motion Of Gil. r. W. Baylor. il was re-
solved that for the purpose of keeping alive the
i hallowed associations Of the Ashby laurel
Brigade. it's survivors do meet s0cially in some
of the counties represented in its organization
every last Thursday in October. and that our
first social reunion be at Charestown on Thurs
day. the 31st dav of October next.
On motion Of It. Vandivere, ii was resolved,
that. as the late Chaplain of our Brigade, has
been invited by the ex-committe Of the Ashby
Memorial Association. 70 visit the Piedmont
Valley and South Branch counties. with the
view nf raising funds inr the monument. in the
event Of his doing So he is hereby most kindly
commended % the good people Of the above
named sections Of Virginia, in bis most com
| mendable labor.
On motion il wss resolved that these proceed
| ines he furnished TO the papers Of WincheSter'
with the request that the other papers NJ the
/ Valley. ;hoseof the Piedmont and South braneh
/ sections Of Virginia and the Baltimore Gazette
and other papers of Maryland be requested to
| copy.
On motion the Association adjourned IN the
grave Of Ashby. inining in the floral offering to
tho Confederate dead. TO reassemble in Charles
town the last Thursday in October next.
2. w. BAYLOR.
JB. AvIsTrT. President.