Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-05
THE RECORD or VIRGINIA.
The War Movement 60 Make I'D the
Virginia Rolls.

Virginia Rolls.
RIchmond Wing, october 20, lsSi)
We believe that q large portion OF the
people of virginia, and even consider
able portion OF the army. are unapprized
OF the existence OF the Office OF the Re-
corder of Virginia Forces, or at least
have but a faint idea OF the Importance
OF the duties IL has in charge, and or
the vast value which II will be to the
State, the people. and the country at large
IL those duties are properly discharged.
With better opportunities than the gen.
eral public enjoy OF knowing what has
been done, what II is proposed TO do, ana
the probabilities of the contemplated plan
being put into execution, and with pro-
found conviction that the work should be
fostered ia every possible manner, we pro-
posa from time to time publishing such
facts in connection with II as VIII enable
the public to understand Its objects and
progress, viii lead them to appreciate us
present and future value, and induce
them to render 1t that aid which Is so
essential to its success
over two years ago the Legislature d.
rected that q record should be made OF
all the soldiery which Virginia had sent
or should send into the field during the
present war, and that this record should
be preserved among the archives or the
State as a proud memorial OF the services
OF her gallant sons. No action was taken
in the matter, and IL slumbered until the
early part OF the summer Just past, when
the appreciative mind Of Governor smith,
recognizing the value OF such work
the high duty 10 our soldlery Of having
the record of their services perpetuated,
and the great injury resulting from delay,
established the Office OF Recorder OF Vir-
gna Forces and entrusted ito management
to Mr.. Joseph Jackson, Jr., OF this city.
The act of the Legislature merely in
dicted its general desire to raise an en-
during monument to her gallant children
who had not only upheld her ancient
glory, but wreathed new laurels around
her proud old brow. The work was
hedged in with many difficulties. 1t was
vast in its proportions, delicate In its
character, and could be performed only
upon a system combining extreme accu-
racy with great hexibility. 1t could be
accomplished only by interesting the COM
munlty in the subject sufficient TO vol
unfairly render aid, for the act gave no
power to require assistance from even a
single person. IL was entirely novel In it's
character, and consequently there was no
chart or landmark to be guided by. II
was to be done in period OF trouble. diff
hculty and confusion. when the simplest
duty becomes a serious labor. Impedi-
ments. Obstacles. and hinderances Of every
sort were in the way. but the energetic
will of Governor Smith, aided by the zeal
and intelligence OF the Recorder, have,
to a great extent, overcome them. A gem
eral plan OF the whole extent of the work.
has been arranged, and some OF the
branches have been worked out in detail,
ready to be put into practice as soon as
other circumstances permit, while others
are already in successful operation.
AS now arranged. it will be the Record
of Virginia during the war, and will
show all that she has been, has done
and has suffered during all these long
years OF battle, bloodshed, and fiery trial
How much that all Ia none ever OF her
own children can imagine until this re-
cord is done; and when It Is completed,
the world will look with establishment
upon her prowess and fortitude. and her
sons will desire no higher name or
prouder title than that OF Virginian.
This record will show how Virginia
deliberately and devotedly threw hersel,
between the foe, and her sister States,
taking upon herself the heaviest brunt
OF battle and the fercest fury OF the
storm. How from hill, valley. and city;
from plantation, workshop, and counting
ROOM from the pulpit and the bar; from
every position and vocation in life, the
children Of labor and OF luxury alike
came forth 10 do battle for their country;
beardless boys, strong men and gray
haired sires. side by side In the devoted
lines. bearing hardship. privatlon, and
suffering in every form unmurmuringly-
facing disease and wounds and deaths as
none but the fearless children of freedom
ever can, and too often taking their last
sleep In the bosom OF that mother whose
rights they had died in maintaining How
widowed mothers have sent forth son
after son. until the last smooth-cheeked
boy went TO Ill the gap made by his
brethren's fall. How wives gave up their
husbands, and daughters their sires, and
sisters their brothers, and maldens their
betrothed, and then. with strong hearts
and firm purpose, gave themselves 20
labor for their country's cause; how they
nursed the sick and tended the wounded
and clothed the naked. giving to the
needy from their slender stores more
than could be spared from their own
wants. How, when coward foeman,
unable 10 conquer by manly arms, has
resorted TO fire and famine, waste and
destruction, insult and cruelty; when
lands have been devastated and home
steads burned and fertile sections
changed into charred deserts, II has only
awakened sterner purpose and more I'M
quailing courage. How, In all these Ions
years In which she has been the battle
ground OF nations, In which she has had
10 maintain our own armies and bear
all the injuries which the demoniac
malice Of a relentless enemy could infiict,
her cheek has never blaached or her eye
quailed, but with defiant courage, she
always has. does now. and always will
oppose her Scared bosom 10 the foe. an
inpenetrable barrier which he is powerless
10 pass.
What a grand thing II Ii TO make up
this record now amid the stormest hours
Of her terrible trial-a record such as nc
people have ever attempted TO make be-
fore under even the most favoring cir