Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1896-01-21
Headquarters United confed-
crate Veterans.
New ORLEANS, La,
December z. 1895.

NEW ORLEANSf 6A.s-
December z, 1895.
GENERAL ORDERS, No 155.
The progress made by the able and
distinguished committee appointed
in General Orders Nos. 145 and las
from these headquarters to examine
into and report upon the plan sub
mitted by the great philanthropist
and benefactor, Charles Broadway
Rouss, for the establishment OF
grand Memorial Hall where Confeo'
crate relics and mementoes are to be
deposited for all time, and which is
to become the ''Battle Abbey" of the
South, mus be very gratifying to the
old veterans and to all those who
cherish the memories of the courage
and heroism of her sons, and the un-
PARALLEL devotion of her noble and
self sacrifi cling women.
This splendid committee has now
successfully launched the grand en-
,terprise. and through the action and
that of the subcommittee, have for
mulated mode of procedure which,
# energetically carried out, cannot
fail of success.
1t will be remembered that the gen.
erous and large hearted donor, Mr..
Charles Broadway Rouss, who alone
conceived this project for the per-
petuation of the history and glory OF
his countrymen, presented plan for
its consumation to the veterans at
the Houston reunion, at the same time
subscribings1O0, 900 as his individual
subscription to assist in carrying out
his grand views and ideas, condi-
toned upon the veterans raising a
like amount.
To raise this 500, 600 additional
and enough more to endow and in
sure the perpetuation Of the institu-
ton, is the problem which now oc-
cupies the attention and efforts OF
the committee.
It is believed that one half of the
amount required will be raised
through the subscription of the more
than $4,000 members of the q. G.
". Association. and which will entitle
them to certificates showing their
contributions, thus giving each con-
tributor an interest in this glorious
enterprise which is so near and so
dear to the heart of every veteran
and it is considered to be sure and
beyond peradventure, that the other
half or balance, whatever may be re-
quired, will be raised by the noble
women of the South.
The committee suggests that the
most feasible manner of reaching the
desired object is to set apart "Me-
mortal Festival Day." and they ask
that the General Commander will
designate the date, and issue a gem
eral order.
The General Commanding, there
fore, in compliance with the request
of the committee, designates Friday,
May i, 1896, as the most suitable
for @Memorial Festival Day." to
be set apart for the use of the woman
of the South in raising funds for this
great Memorial Hall. A
All the details and exercises ofthis
s.Memorial Festival Day. are to be
planned, conducted and carried out
entirely under the orders, control,
ideas and management of the women
of the South in their respective To-
calities.
For, in whose hands could this sa-
cred trust more properly be placed,
and with more certainty of success.
than into those of the gentle women
of the South, who have never YET
faltered or failed in the performance
of any duty, either in war or in peace.
imposed upon them for the Southern
cause.
Their spirit and determination ami
mated the men of the South at the
scene of the first conflict; they were
the most constant and unremittiDe
patriots and workers during their
country's mighty struggle; and the
last TO abandon the sacred cause af-
ter Southern hopes vanished behind
the clouds at Appomattox.
The true history of their deeds and
triumphs has not yet been told.
No historian has yet written the
story, nor muse sung the song, MOI
minstrel strung the Tyre, which fly
celebrates their praise.
The straits to which they were re-
duced for food and clothing, the self
abnegation and hardships endured
by them during those dark and
gloomy days of the war, finds nc
parallel in history; their patriotism
and courage will be written in golden
letters upon the tablets of time, in
effaceabIe while memory lasts; and,
as ministering angels, their names
will live upon the pages of poetry
and in romance as long as chivalr,
| exists in the hearts and minds OF
mankind.
This "Battle Abbey" will not be
dedicated alone to the history and
deeds of the civic and military heroe:
of the greatest of civil wars; but the
General commanding will see thai
within its sacred portals sufficient
and conspicuous space will be re
served for the names and fame Of
the ''Heroines of the South" I"
! As yet only wandering trouba
dours, like the bards of the middle
l...1. sa.r-a-;-r 4r0rn raofIa IN aaa.