The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-01-26
Army Of Northern Virginia.
ADDRESS OF GEN. JUBAL A EARLY.
From the Richmond Wing, Jan. Is.

ADDRESS OF GEN. JUBAL A EARLY.
From the Richmond Wing, Jan. 49,
At = meeting Of the Executive Committee
of the Army of Northern Virginia, held in
this city, the following address from Lisuten
ant General EARLY, President of the Assooia.
ton of the Army of Northern Virginia, was
read {:
To the SMpiying Officers and Soldiers of The
Arnsy Of Northern Virginia:
Comrades-At large meeting of officers
and soldiers of the Army of Northern Virgin
ia, held at Richmond, Va, on the 4th inst.
and composed of members of that army from
several Of the States which furnished soldiers
for it, it was determined to form an associa-
ton fer the purpose specified 10 the resolutions
which are hereto appended, aod preliminary
organization was adopted. A more perfect
and thorough organization is contemplated,
in which all portions Of the said army shall be
represented, and, in order to bring about thst
organization. the undersigned, who was ap-
pointed President at the above named meet
ing, was vested with the power af appointing
Central Executive Committee for the Asso
citation. and Vice President and two assist
ants for each State which furnished soldiers
for the army of Northern Virginia In &C
cordance with that power the Central Execu-
tive Committee and the Vice Presidents and
assistants, whose names are subjoined, have
been appointed.
The persons designated as vice presidents
and assistants, if they shall accept the posi-
tions rendered them, are respectfully urged to
take steps at once for enrolling all the survi-
vors of the Army of Northern Virginia, in
their respective States, who approve of the
objects of the Association, and who are desir
GUS of becoming members of it. Officers and
soldiers residing in the District of Columbia,
or in States which did not furnish any regu-
lar organized force ter the army aforesaid can
be enrolled with those of the commands to
which they respectively belonged, and we will
recognize as entitled to membership in our
Association all who At any time served hon
orably with the army, whether when it was
known by the designation of 'eTae Army Of
the Potomac" or after it became better kaoxp
as "The Army Of Northern Virginia" pfovi-
ded they did not desert during the war, and
have not deserted since its close.
Our lamented and our glorious leader con-
templated writing history of the memorable
campaigns of his army, but, unfortunately,
death has prevented the execution of his de
sign One of the important objects Of the
proposed Association is to collect the materi-
ais for an accurate hiatory Of those campaigns,
SO as to transmit the truth to posterity. Of
course those who believe that the principles
Of right can be settled by the arbitrane At
of arms, or, in other words, that ''might is
right are not expected to sympathize in the
object of our Association but we desire the
co operation of ell comrades who have faith in
the eternal duration of the principles Of jus.
tice, of truth and of right. IF success is tn e
true criterion of ali merit, then, indeed, is the
aspiration for virtue and truth in vain. Ley
US, my comrades, repudiate so infamous sen
tment, and present to future ages the specta
Gle Of citizen soldiers, who we're willing to in
cur every possible privation aud danger in .,
almost superhuman struggle for right and JUS
tiee, aud when forced to yield to oFerpower
ashamed of their principles on the efforts they
had rasde to uphold them
In this material and progressive age. ours
may appear to some al Idle and improbable
undertaking, but let US be assured thst our
work will not be without it's uses and it's re-
ward Vixen the revelation Of ages shall
have buried in the dust the powers and prin.
cipaiities now controlling the destinies of man.
kind, the memory Of the deeds and sacrifices
of the soldiers Of the armies Of the Confeder-
ate States, will live as an encouragement to
the good and true, and brave, in ell times, to
struggle for the right, though IN the conflict
the right may, for time, be overwhelmed ia
the triumph Of wrong.
We hope to see associations similar to ours
organized by the officers and soldiers of all the
Confederate armies, ana also Of the Confed
crate navy, and that bond Of union and
fraternity may be established among all who
struggled for the same cause, the influence OF
which for good may be long felt.
Our plan contemplates reunion of the
members of the association at stated periods
and as soon as the necessary arrangements are
completed, there will be call for a general
meeting of all the members at some suitable
point. J. A. EARLY.
President Association of the Army Of
Northern Virginia.