Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-07-22

tant.Caenerui James Mcdonald, deceased,
a 10 this belief. no suggested that II
might have originated IN the fact that
copies OF all rolls Of troops mustered into
the service Of Virginia IN 1851. by Colonel
John II. Baldwin, Inspector General. were
ordered to be deposited In the once OF
the Adjutant-oeneral.
Upon inquiry an TO the fate OF sucn
rolls. General Mcdonald informed me that
no found none on file upon his accession
TO Office. II they were deposited. they
may have been taken by tho Federal
authorities upon the occupation OF Kicn'
mond. in April, 1895. and. n 20. they are
doubtless preserved in the War Records
ONCE. at Washington.
In March. 1884, an appropriation was
made by the General Assembly OF n,SOo.
20 be expended by the Adjutant-General
in ''the preparation of rolls OF troops fur-
nishcd by the State Of Virginia to the
army OF the Confederate States. ana
of the militia Of the State In active SER
vice during the war between the Con-
feierate States and the United STATES
and TO prepare rolls OF the same, corre-
spondng rs near as may be to the usual
form of mustcr-rolls In military service.
I had several conferences with Genera
Mcdonald IN regard to the performance
OF the duty committed TO him. ana was
under the impression that he secured
muster-rojls TO some extent, but from a
conversation some time since with Adju-
tant-Generai Anderson, inferred that
the results OF General McDonald's Efforts
were unimportant.
/ have had correspondence ana CONVEX
sations as to the number OF troops fur-
n.shed by Virginia during the war. and by
general assent the number has been Is,
,imated at about 10000. Counting local
trosps"--''boys and old men," who In
cxicencies were vitality efficient. there
must have been largely more than this
number.
This II not a discreditable onering
when 1, is considered that West Virginia.
"raped' from the generous mother. as
pungently put by that old Roman. henry
A. Wise. had its influence in coercing troops
IN contiguous territory and that portions
~ the old state were for lengthy periods
in the occupancy OF the Federal army
A desire to emphasize your admirably
provldent proposition has induced this
communication. With sense. 1t must
be admitted. Of humiliation. virginia
must bear the reproach incurred OF oner-
ing deficient records and rosters OF inc
services of her sons IN every struggle
in which they have honored her-wars OF
the Colony. OF the Revolution. of 1877. the
Mexican, and the late noblest exemplinca-
ton. VIII her legislators allow the stigma
OF supnenss In the cause or virginia
history TO be permanently affixed?
Individuals and favored families may
marshal and aggrandize efforts pious and
patriotic but party and partisan dicta'
ton should not control the record OF a
States history. This glory should nave
separate support and properly qualineo
and distinct service.
With myself. the passion to gather
books. memorials. and facts Is INFORM
II has grown with the systematic indui-
gence of more than quarter or cen
fury. and the chains of long habit may
not now be cast off without violence. ]
shall hope to die In the cherished place
of my birth. plodding along. II need De-
n single plodder in the way / have sc
long trodden.
MY manuscript gleanings. illustrative
OF the history and progress OF my native
State In various phases. and Of the ser
vices OF her people comprehend the
equivalent OF fully 1000 folio pages
which are daily being augmented. They
have been freely accorded 10 Virginia's
cause and 10 her people. II Is alike sus-
tanning and gratifying that they are moi
held useless now by those without my
native State.
Faithfully yours. r. A. BROOK.
+ Richmond, Va, July l6. 1881