Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-11-07

OF NOrtn .ern virginia.
The N Getting was called to order by General
Fitz LIE e, who stated that misunderstanding
as to tn place of meeting had made the as
semblas re smaller than it otherwise would have
been but inasmuch as many of the soldiers
would be compelled to leave the city to day, it
was de emed best to proceed with the organiza-
ton Of the society for which they had met
Rev. DR.. Minnegerode offered fervent
prayer
Gen. Lee said that to the impartiality of a
distinguished commander he owed the part
that had been assigned him., He shrank from
the duties not because he wished to shrk them,
but because he did not feel himself competent
to their discharge.
He reviewed the action of the meeting held
in this city last October as foreshadowing the
purpose for which this meeting was called He
thought that Richmond should be the place of
annual meetings, because of it's associations
connected with the war, and because of its be-
ing the resting place OF SO many soldiers. 1t
was necessary that there should be such an or
ganization as was proposed, and that it should
hold annual meetings to keep alive the truth of
history in regard to the part played by the
South in the late war, and cited from the evi
dence taken before Congress an instance of the
falsehood of the Federal report-McCle
giving the number Of Confederates at the bat
tie of Sharpsburg as seventy-fve thousand.
and Gen. r. E. Lee giving the figures as forty
thousand, If, said Gen. Lee, we had had that
number we would not be here to- night He
referred IN touching terms to the death of Gen.
Lee. e5 Il /.
Gen. Bradley T. johnson moved the appoint
ment of committee Of ten to perfect per
manent organization, The following gentlemen
were appointed to constitute the committee :
Gen, Bradley T. johnson, Gen. W. Ell. +. Lee,
Col Thos. Carter, DR.. D'Orsay Cullen, COL
Richard Dulaney, private A. G. Babcock, Maj
Jno. w. Daniel, Gen. Thos T. Munford, Col.
VIM. Smith, and Gen. P. T. Moore.
Col. r. E Withers moved the appointment
Of committee of five to prepare a constitution
for the society. Adopted, and committee
consisting of r E Withers, Gen. i. W. john
son, Gen. Seth Barton, COL Joseph Mayo, and
Col. ". E. Robins, appointed.
During the absence of the committee In pre-
pairing the work that had been assigned them,
Gen. Tallaferro was called on. and In eloquent
terms urged the necessity for such an associa-
ton as was proposed. 1t was an aphorism that
the history of every revolution was written by
the conquerors and never by the conquered =
He wished TO see it disproved in the present in
stance. He wished to see rolls prepared of the
brave and gallant dead. but he did not wish TO
stop there, but he wished also to see a black
roll of those who deserted their country In her
hour of need. He wished also to see in every
clerk office roll of the deeds and services of
every company and regiment of the State
Now was the time to do this work Soon those
who participated in the struggle, and who can
speak what they know, will have passed away,
and the task must then be left to those who,
however true to us, could not give the truth
as it can be told now. This can be done by
every member of the association and every SOL
dier of the army writing his own personal ex-
periences; not for glorifcation, but for the
cause of truth, and giving the association the
benefit.
The committee on permanent organization
reported the following
President-Gen. Fitz. Lee. 5,rs.4a
First Vice President-Ge General Ed. John
ston.
Second Vice President General James A.
Walker
SECRETARIES General J. e. Lane, and COL
Joseph Mayo.
| Treasurer Major Robert Stiles.
Executive Committee Gen. Taliaferro, of
Gloucester; Gen. Payne, of Fauquier, Gen.
Wesiger, of Petersburg COL Holiday, of
Winchester; Col. Skinner. of Stanton
Gen. Lee returned thanks for the honor con-
ferred upon him, and promised faithful per-
formance to the best of bis ability.
! The Committee on the Constitution reported
one which, though brief, was adopted
The paper recites the purposes of the asso-
citation to be the preservation Of the military
record Of all who participated as officers or sol
diers in the Army Of Northern Virginia, and
to secure all material available out Of which
may hereafter be prepared complete and
truthful history of the war 1t also provides
for the appointment Of superintendent for
each county, with authority to appoint two as
slstants, to carry out the plan.
1t defines as a prerequisite for mem bershlp
honorable service in the Army of Northern
Virginia, and admits as auxiliary members
those who served in the navy, and resident sol
diers who served honorably in other depart
ments.
Capt J. NJ. Hudgin moved the appointment
of some member Of the association to deliver
an address before it at its next annual meeting.
The motion was amended so as to instruct the
Executive Committee to make the appoint
ment. f11ah ss
| At late hour the meeting adjourned.