Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-04
WILL BUILD A HOME.
FIRST STEP TOWARDS CARING FOR
INDECENT CONFEDERATE WOMEN.
pICKETT'S AUXILIARY MAKES MOVE.
Their Proposition Embraces PIans
for n Great Festival I'm May-An
Earnest Appeal for Practical Aid
Hearty Endorsement.

The appended appeal is calculated to
touch a responsive chord in the heart OF
every loyal Virginian. 1t has been issued
by the Ladies Auxiliary OF Pickett Camp,
with the object of raising a fund for the
erection of home for the poor and desti-
tute women of the Confederacy. To too
many of these noble creatures. who offer
ed themselves and their cherished ones a
willing sacrifice TO the cause they loved
so well. has been melted out the portion Of
want and final resting place in Potters-
field. 1t is now proposed that they shall
be tenderly cared for. and that their eyes
shall close as they rest in the arms of the
sons and daughters of the Confederacy,
upon a monument erected to their heroism,
their patience, their zeal, and their no.
bility.
The pla. proposed by the Ladies' AuXili-
airy comprehends a Confederate festival,
to be conducted on most ambitious lines
in the Regimental Armory from the 18th
10 the Goth OF May.
THE APPEAL.
The text of the appeal is as follows
Richmond, Va, March 2S 1897.
Vjrginians II there is anything in
which the southern people. and particu-
larly the people OF Virginia. have shown
high character since the war II is in their
loyal response to every appeal and every
obligation growing out of that immortal
struggle. And yet read this circular, and
YOU cannot deny that the most pathetic
of all these appeals is still unheeded-the
tenderest of all these obligations still un-
discharged.
You have provided generously for the
disabled survivors Of our heroic Confede-
rate soldiery in their declining years;
you have built proud monuments to the
deathless dead who died for u.s. and have
decked their graves with flowers; yet to-
day I'm sight of the beautiful home you
have thrown open TO the living. and under
the shadow of the lofty pillars and pyra-
mids you have erected TO the dead. those
dearer to the living and the dead than
life itself are shivering and cold and al
most naked, starving for lack of proper
food, dying for lack of proper care.
In plain words-in calm, clear state
ment-what we mean Is this Here In
Richmond, and. as We are informed ana
believe. throughout the Commonwealth
widows and sisters and daughters of dead
and disabled Confederate soldiers are IN
dire distress-through age, sickness.
poverty-leaking adequate and suitable
shelter. food. fuel. clothing, medicines,
attention-everything.
We are sure YOU agree with us. There
Is. there can be. but one question In the
premises: "Are these things SOP
We can answer for Richmond. Our re
lief work as members of the Ladies
Auxiliary OF Pickett Camp-the disburs-
ers OF our meagre fund for alleviat-
ing the necessities and distresses of the
very class for whom we plead-has
wrought vivid realization of the mortify-
ing truth. the humiliating story-the
howell, the garnet. the Potter's field. AS
eur funds are expended. the work
stretches out before and around us. and
the utter inadequacy Of our means is
moro and more painfully apparent We
must do something. and at once. After
full conference. we have concluded:
THE PLAN OF CAMPAIGN.
1. There seems to be real and urgent
need for "home" for aged, feeble, de-
pendent women--the widows, sisters,
daughters, OF Confederate soldiers of
virginia.
& That we would appeal, as We hereby
10. TO you, the people Of the Common
wealth, especially TO the members and
cfYicers OF the Confederate camps and or
carnations throughout her borders. as TO
whether and 10 what extent in
your respective communities and neigh
borhoods, does such need exist: or, more
exactly. whether you know of women
connected with Confederate soldiers,
living or dead. who need such home
and whether. and in what way and to
what extent, you are willing 10 co-ope |
rate with US in founding and maintaining
enc.
3. We shall test the heart and practical I,
interest OF Richmond In this matter. by |
holding In our Regimental Armory, from |
the 18th TO the 10Th OF May. confede- I
rate festival. with evening entertainments !
of varied and interesting character in |
Sanger Hall adjoining.
4. II sufficiently encouraged by the sue |
cess OF this special effort. and By the |
character OF your responses 10 this appeal \
We shall then ask your aid and advice In !
affecting = more appropriate and efficient
organization. for the vigorous prosecution /
- the great work before US. But If. by