Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-16
A CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL
Proposed Erection of. Home and Battle
Abhy.
Delegates Going From Here to At
lanta-Mr. RouSs' DonatiOn-Wash-
ington Favored ms n Site.

Capt ]. NJ. Hickey leaves washington this
evening for Atlanta on a mission OF no in
considerable interest to the city. He goes
as a delegate to represent the Confederate
Veterans Association Of the District of Co
lumb!a in the meeting to be held in Atlanta
the 18th instant of committee composed OF
a delegate from each confederate veterans
camp, to discuss and formulate plans for
the location and erection of memorial hall
and battle abbey, to be devoted to the in
terests OF ex-confederate soldiers and the
historical aspect of the civil war. The Idea
OF the erection of such a building, which
has been under advisement for some years.
has materialized into the appointment of a
committee to put the movement upon an
actual basis
At the last reunion of the United Confeder-
ate Veterans, held at Houston, Tex, the
long agitation of the question was brought
to practical point by a letter from Mr..
Charles B. Rouss, now a resident of New
York city, native Of Winchester, Va, and
a private in the confederate army, offering
to donate 100000 toward the erection Of a
home, memorial hall and battle abbey at
some place to be determined by the veterans.
Mr.: Rouss is known for his interest in char
ltaple ana phflanthropic work. Notwith-
standing the fact that he has lost his eye
slght, ne takes the keenest interest in what
ever pertains to the development of the
souths resources. He believes many latent
historical facts about the war can be crys-
tallzed and recorded and much charitable
work encompaSsed by the establishment of
great temple of the kind as suggested.
Acdns upon this belief, he offered to make
the donation, as stated, provided the ex-con-
Ieaerates Will do their part, which PROPOSE
tion was accepted, and it is proposed to Sc
cure at least 100000 to carry out the plan.
of
1ses to be a troublesome one to solve A
number or cities have come forward With
offers OF sites. buildings, donations etc.
toward securing the prize. ranging in lati-
put 1T appears from surface Indications
mat IN the end the real fight will be be-
tween Richmond and Washington. Some
OF the Tar south cities, such as New Or
leans NOM gomery, Atlanta, &c. will make
nara hsnts and present arrays of Turing
Inducements, but Richmond having been
the capital of the confederate states with
It's southern white house, has largely the
ava from a sentimental point of
view. Many, however. believe that such
an institution as proposed should be To-
Gated in Washington
While Mr.. Rouss himself has not openly
SAID as much. close friend of his. in
speaking to an attache of The Star (thoueh
not speaking for him), in regard to the
matter. said he knew Mr.. Rouss was most
iaVorably impressed with Washington for
wv teosoiS, HISt, us location at the ma
tional capital would effectualfy forestall
any local or sectional aspect and secondly,
In this city 1t would be visited and known
and assisted by thousands to hundreds IL
located else where.
Aside from many other considerations
favorable to this city, Washngton's chances
OF securing the building are enhanced by
Its being the second choice of nearly all
those who favor, primarily, their own
cities. This has been clearly manifested by
recent developments.
Furthermore two sites have already been
ohered-as a donation-one a square in the
northwestern suburbs. the other lot two
hundred feet square in the neighborhood of
Holmead Manor. The matter has been dis
crssed by numbers of business men, some
of whom are on the board of trade. and all
of whom have manifested great interest in
a scheme that would be so largely bene
fetal to Washington, and have promised
practical assistance.
Altogether, the chances of Washington
securing the contemplated site bright.
The Confederate Veterans Association
here has not been idle, and Capt Hickey
leaves tonight well equipped to make a
strong and attractive showing. He will be
by Dr. S. E. Lewis as an as
sistant, and they will be Joined at Atlanta
by Maj. Albert Akers. 1t is not probable
that this meeting will come to definite
conclusion, but it's progress will, at all
events be sufficient, no doubt, to make 1t
possible to tell what the decision will
finally he.