The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-05-18
For the Virginian.
AN APPEAL FOR THE CONFEDERATE
DEAD.
STANTON, MAY 10TH, 1871.


To the People Of augusta County,:
At the instance of the Executive Commit
tee of the Augusta Memorial Association for
the Confederate dead, | appeal to you for
aid to enable the Association to accomplish
the ends it has in view. 1t was organized to
take charge Of tine graves Of our deceased
Soldiers, to put and keep them in becoming
order, and to provide that suitable honors
should be paid on one day in each year to
their memory. The bodies of about sixteen
hundred Of our soldiers are Inferred in the
Cemetery at this place, and it is humilia-
ting fact that their graves arc neither snddeas
nor marked in any mansner, but are being
overgrown with weeds and brambles, and all
trace < linem rapidly ooliteratcd by every
storm mat falls upon them. Surely the brave
who left their homes at the call Of their coun-
try, and yielded up their lives at out doors, in
defence of our hearth-stones, deserve that we
should bestow upon the spot hallowed by
their remains every care which gratitude and
affection can suggest. Let US bear in mind,
that should we withhold from them the honor
which is their due, we do most grievously
dishonor ourselves.
[ am sure, fellow-citizens, that the facts
which [ have stated have not heretofore been
known to you, and that now that you are in
formed of them you will rapidly respond to
the call | make upou you for the means to
put this Soldiers Cemetery in proper condi-
ton. We need money to turf the graves,
and to mark them with head and foot-boards,
and as there are about sixteen hundred to be
thus provided for, considerable sum will DC
required but:if every man and woman in
the Town and County will contribute some
thing, the work can be done. Let those who
are able to contribute literally Of their album
dance, let those whose means are small give
whatever they can afford, though it should be
but triae. I appeal to each man and wo-
man who reads these lines to give something.
Let every one only ask himself or herself the
question, if [ had a father, son, or brother,
lying i'll one Of those neglected graves, and
among strangers, would not bless the per-
son who would help to rescue that grave from
oblivion, and bestow appropriate honors on
it? Let every enc answer this question, and
then do as they would be done by"
In conclusion, [ will state that Capt Chas.
S. Arnal is the Treasurer Of the Association,
that he is authorized to receive all contribu
tions, and that he may be found at all times
at the National Valley Bank in this place
[ would respectfully urge upon the Com
mittees who were appointed last fall, and
whose names have been twice published, to
bestir themselves in this good work, and
make all the collections in their power: bit
few of them have thus far reported, and up.
to this time lightweight dollars have been
collected from the Town, and only eighty dol
lars from the entire county.
If persons are willing to give, and are not
called on by the Committees, let them send
their contributions by any one coming to
Town, to be handed to Capt. Arnall at the
Valley Bank.
Finally, on election day (the 18th Of this
month"; two ex-Confederate soldiers (whose
names will be given bcreafter) will be re-
qucsted to attend at each place Of voting in
the county to solicit contributions in behalf
Of the graves Of their deceased comrades,
and it is hoped that their appeals will meet
with kind reception, and as liberal re-
Spouse as each mans name will allow.
Respectfully, Your Fellow Citizen,
JAMES EFT. SKINNER,
Pres't Augusta Memorial Association.
In compliance with the above the follow
ing gentlemen are requested to attend the
polls on election day.. (25th of this monthly
and solicit contributions for the Soldiers
Cemetery: IA, v8
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