The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-07-01
No. $40 Broadway. New York.

Nv dear Colonel.-Your esteemed favor
Of June LIST is before me. 1t is remarka-
BILE with what wonderful accuracy you
have interpreted my dream Of n great
memorial hail and Battle-Abbey, dedi-
cated TO tine great men and women OF
tho South. and TO the advancement OF
civilization ana science.
1 have never been more impressed than
by the seeming inspiration OF your bril-
liant conceptions. and | thank you from
the bottom Of my heart for your kindly
assistance in the development of my
plans you have not exceeded my wishes
or my intentions. but you have OWNED
my purpose and you have laid out before
me a great work. that has become in its
purpose the realization OF my desires.
IL IS no longer a dream the reality is
within our grasp, and the attainment OF
this object, With the cooperation OF my
countrymen, can be fulfilled.
Possessing. "a you DO. my entire con-
hdence. and feeling the strength of your
sustaining influence. l hope we shall be
able 20 accomplish. with my means and
your fundamentally on the one hand, and
TIE combined llberality OF our people
upon The other, a work that will be n
great pleasure 20 all who have taken
or may take an interest in II. Your
thoughts feelings. and tastes are in
unison with my own. and it must be your
province 10 represent me in doing my
part lu planning and arranging the me-
moral nan and Battle-Abbey, as n trib-
Ute or devotion OF Southern men and
"ome to nations pride and glory.
Nothing narrow or cotracted has intrud
ed Itself upon the plans which you have
formulated and presented 10 me. they
m
nave my entire approval. and oou have
"t authority, accompanied by my best
wishes. 10 carry them out.
a nation VIII endorse our plans and
visitors from foreign countries can be edi-
ieh Dy the lights OF knowledge or Things
past ana present, which Will be- created
ass much Tor them - for ourselves. Al
though nrge factor myself. L am put
AN humble instrument IN the hands or my
comrades and friends, 10 assist them IN
l'ipeitatins the glorious deeds OF orr
heroes, ] am proud 10 feel that 1 am TO
zoe an assistant IN developing the true
history OF oar great country. The pages
mac Will be written from the archives
VIII n' collected by the Battlc-Abboy As
ao'lhlioh' ana which has remained so long
4N"T'l'h' VIII ,he sacred 10 truth ana
Justice. and 1 hope that my countrvmcn
memory the justice 10 believe that In
Offering 20 devote a half million OF dol
lars To- tho great objects that we wish 10
obtain, mat l have done Il with a sing
ness or purpose OF devotion TO my fell
bowman. and an unselnsh desire 20 honor
mo good ana great OF our country.
your long continued ana disinterosted de-
Foilon 20 The same object has won for Won
my aiccuou ana esteem, and 1 trust Won
implicitly 10 stand with mo. 10y me. ana
TOT me- in carrying out with promptness
ana energy our part or tho purpose or
our mission. All money necessary TO
carry ont these plans viii be placed al
your disposal ard fund Of money TO The
extent OF $4,000 Will be so arranged thar
you and the rest OF our associates VINO
VIII constitute the Board or Governors
can make proper disposition or IT, as NAV
Doe required. To this you can consider me
pledged AS well as my heirs ana assigns.
and ] have farther the honor 10 81 to Tor
your Information that my great pleasure
Will Dee 90 see the work begun as soon
as my partners. my beloved country
men. OF every State and Territory. IN the
south are ready. and pushed forward 10
completion with all the rapidlty common
surate with prudence and good work
ln years, and we must hurry up a niue
n wo are 10 be permitted to see the re-
suit OF our patriotic enterprise.
1.-THE Temple TO tho Lost Cause mus,
De founded upon tho Rock Of Ages. its
Importance Will develop with time. and
whatever exalted estimate may be placed
upon II to-day. I trust VIII be intensified
by coming generations of men. so that II
VIII always stand as part OF the history
OF cur great Republican Government
Your letter describes the situation ex-
actly, tho condensed history you have
given OF the proposed Memorial Hall. ana
an that led up 10 IL. my plans. and agree
ments find correctly stated. and without
going into details ! authorize you 10 full
OH my promises. by meeting the views
and decisions Of the Convention that will
be- appointed at Richmcnd and who will
represent the wishes OF the United Con-
federate Veterans. as 10 the location OF
the building. etc.
sincerely trust tho matter will meet
with 40 delay but be definitely settled
az the Reunion. / am ready at any time
90 meet my engagements as to this work.
and wherever II Is decided 10 build the
Battle Abbey I will be IN accord with the
T.. g. VS.. and hereby authorize you TO
act about the money / have advanced as
working capital as you think proper, as
10 is best .hink that you should be gov
crncd by surrounding circumstances. In
your letter 10 me you have seemingly
covered the whole ground" in your an
ticipations as to what may occur II the
800 600 has not been raised In the South.
| must leave all that 10 you, know that
sou join ma In the hope that everything
will be ready 20 proceed 10 definite and
final ARRANGEMENTS provided "the Temple"
Is 10 be located In one Of the Southern
states or Territories. II, however. my
cepted. and Washington is selected as
the location. which proposition / request
my countrymen TO consider dispassionate-
Is. and seriously before making a final
decision, then you will proceed TO make
such arrangements with the representa-
tiyes OF the T.. G. VS. as you may think
necessary. and the then existing circum-
stances may require, all OF which actions
upon your part hereby confer in ad-
vance.
c. B. ROUSS.
Colonel \. G.. Dickinson. No. si5 Broad
way. City:
MY dear Colonel,-You have again kindly