Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-21
THE S0UTH'S MUSEUM
THE JEFF DAVIS MANSION ne
COMING A GREAT REPOSITORY.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY RECORDS THERE
Descriptions of Articles I'm the
Rooms Representing the Various
stafes-InterestinG Documents ON
Display.

federate Museum grows apace
At no other place can II be truly said
that the Confederate cause conferred; in
no other spot was there officially domi-
ciled the only President and head Of the
Confedoracy; nor has any other museum
so large and valuable volume OF hiss
toric reliques and original official Con-
federate papers.
Since II has become generally known
that this museum has been established
here. and Is now the official home Of the
Southern Historical Society. documents
and precious reliques are daily pouring
into Il; and. with the advantages en-
5oyed by Richmond as a centre, easy Of
access. It is beyond question that the
collection IS destined to rank in time
among the great historical museums of
the world.
Tho Southern Historical Society has
recently put on exhibition, framed, In
the different rooms Of the building, most
valuable official autograph-letters from
Lee. Jackson. Johnston, Beauregard,
Bragg, and other leaders commanding
our armies. dealing with the military
movements of their famous campaigns.
Where else should these records be?
Around the capital of the old Con-
federacy should cluster all that is most
precious and valuable that will perpetu-
ate the glory. sufforings, and the sub
lime self-abnegation of patriotic peo-
ple. and a dauntless soldiery battling for
independence.
INTERESTING RECORDS.
OF the records Of the Southern Histori-
cal Society-as invested with intense and
general Interestingly be cited the copy
of the paroles of the Army of Northern
Virginia" surrendered at Appomattox
Courthouse. April 9, 1866. with the sigma
lures OF the officers OF all grades. There
are two sets Of the paroles, made for
Generals Lee and Grant. and this set Is
that Of General Lees
These paroles possess a singular claim
10 the regard OF those whose names they
so honoringly include. and they will
scarcely appeal less to posterity. They
are comprised. with historical introduc-
ton, in the fifteenth volume OF the Official
publication of the society.
The inestimably valuable records OF
the Southern Historical Society include
original autograph-letters. reports. dis
patches, papers, addresses, correspond
ence, ETC., concerning the Southern Con-
federacy from its foundation.
These records. together with the pub
ucations of the society--the twenty-four
volumes of the Southern Historical So
ciety Papers Che only officially recoS-
nized collection)-are the sources from
which most Of the data concerning the
South in the war was obtained Tor the
publication Of the War Records, at Wash
ington. y. @.
Nowhere else can this reliable informa-
ton be found; and the historian, student,
and the seeker after truth must get
their knowledge Of the Confederate
States Of America here.
In this article it is proposed TO give
some slight idea of the character of the
reliques contained in the rooms OF the
several Southern States.
Each room is distinctive with its rep
resentative regent or SUPERVISOR, but all
have about them an appealing interest
for the visitor, whether he comes from
the North. South, East, or West and his
sensibjlfties are irresistbly enlisted In
viewing these mute but eloquent memo
rails. 1t his been said In the North
that this museum of southern reliques
&c calculated 10 keep alive sectional ami
mostly, and perpetuate the hostile feel
ing between the North and the South
To the contrary. II may be urged that
the effect must be the opposite, and tina.
sentiments of sympathy. admiration, ana
regard can only be excited. This. at
least. has been the spontaneous test-
mony. as constantly expressed, without
q single exception, by the multitude from
the North and East who have visited the
museum.
THE VIRGINIA ROOM.
The "Lares and Penates' of Virginia
are scarcely less dear and sacred TO the
other Southern States than TO her-the
mother OF them all She has gathered
within the four walls Of one room Urea
sures which, in their silent grandeur OF
association with Lee, Johnston. Jack
son. Pickett, Stuart, and A. z. Hill,
bring tears to the eyes of gray-haired
men and Hottest inspiration to the hearts
NJ those who should come after them.
Here Is the coat of spotless perfection
IN which the broken-hearted leader ar
rayed himself to surrender his ragged III
lie army, UNFOLDING in appearance as
an his demeanor of gentle, reserved dlg-
nifty, the honor OF his cause ana OF MS
country. Beside It is the tin cup ana
Mate used by him during the war, re-
Sustna better service when offered him,
.a,,inp che would use what was useu
nv his men" AS with him, so with ms
.-enerals-the bent cup and plate OF stone
wall jackson and that OF the gay
and dashing Stuart beside MS saDie
nlumes tell the same silent STORY Oh
sbose who indeed endured hardshlps as
900 soldiers" ere they CROSSED over the
,,ver 10 rest under the shade OF
tba trees" Individual cases hold relics
~ these heroes--the saddle ana spurs
The gauntlets and boots of Lee Qhe same
used by Valentine in modelling his match
less recumbent figure, and by Mer-
cIer for his equestrian statue), the gauht.
let's of that grand soldier, Seheral
Joseph +. Johnston; Jacksohs haVel-
sack held-glasses, epaulettes, and spurs
80 the handkerchief, dyed with his LIES
HOOD that staunched the fatal wound
on that mournful day at Chancellors-
vile: Stuart's cavalry boots and saddle
fhe sabre of Fftz Lees gallant charges;
sbe can and cape OF A. p. HILL and relics
+ba, cannot be duplicated, and OF value
bevond all words or price. SIDE by SIDE
are the pictures of the gallant young
Pegrams Looking upon these races one
cannot hut hear the cry of the new-made'
neautiful bride, Speak TO me, my love;
sneak 10 me once more" as tolting in
az rough ambulance, over burrows ana
rocks from the battlefield, she held close
fhe dead form OF her knightly bridegroom,
General John Pegram, killed at Hatch
ers RUM
A pair Of clutches stand here handed
down together with the love OF liberty
and native land. through three gene
rations, telling of the manned pa
ertots OF three wars--lT6, 1872 1861
Plaited-straw, homemade bonnets. and
gloves: samples OF homespun, woven on
the plantations and worn by the southern
girls as they knit the socks OF their