The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-21
CONFEDERATE MUSEUM.
FoR THE RECORDS OF THE SOUTH
ERN HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

DiHeEenN SNaNeH-OA " Aht 49,
ords COnsist-InfOrmatiOn of the
Greatest Historical Value-Ench
Room to Have a SupervisOr-othc n
Matters of General Interest.
The interest in the records of the South
ern Historical Society and the Confederate
Museum grows apace.
At no other place can it be truly said
that the confederate cause centered; in
no other spot was there officially domi-
ciled the only President and head of the
confederacy; nor has any other museum
so large and valuable a volume of his
toric relics and original official confeder-
ate papers.
Since it 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 relics are daily pouring into
It, and, with the advantages enjoyed by
Richmond as a center, easy of access, il
is beyond question that the collection rs
destined to rank in time among the great
historical museums of the world.
The Southern Historical Society has re-
different rooms of the building most val
uable 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 confeder-
cBn al, oil hut l.
cious and valuable that will perpetuate
the glory sufferings and the sublime self
abegnation OF a patriotic people. and a
dauntless soldiery battling for independ-
ence,
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. 1865, with the sigma
lures of the officers of all grades. There
are two sets of the paroles, made for Gems.
Lee and Grant, and this set is that of
Gen. Lees.
These paroles possess a singular claim
to the regard of those whose names they
80 honorably include, and they will scarce
]y appeal less to posterity They are
comprised with a historical production in
the fifteenth volume of the official publi-
cation of the society.
The inestimably valuable records of the
Southern Historical Society include orig
anal autograph letters, reports, dispatches.
papers, addresses, correspondence, etc,
concerning the southern confederacy from
its foundation
These records. together with the publ
cations of the society-the twenty-four vol
M
papers (the only officially recognized col
lection)-are the sources from which most
OF the data concerning the south in the
war was obtained for the publication of
the war records at Washington, D. c.
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 II 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 supervisory, but all
have about them an appealing interes
for the visitor, whether he comes from
the north, south, east or west, and his
sensibilities are irresistbly enlisted in
viewing these mute but eloquent memo
rails. 1t has been said in the north that
this museum of southern reliques is cal
culated to keep alive sectional luminosity.
and perpetuate the hostile feelings be-
tween the north and the south. To the
contrary, II may be urged that the effect
must be the opposite, and that sentiments
of sympathy, admiration and regard can
only be excited. This, at least, has been
the spontaneous testimony, as constantly
expressed, without a single exception. bv
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 treas
ures which, in their silent grandeur OF
association with Lee, Johnston Jack.
son, Pickett, Stuart. and A. p. hin
bring tears to the eyes of gray-haireC
men ana lottiest inspiration to the hearts
OF those who should come after them.
Here Is the coat of spotless perfection
IN which the broken-hearted leader ar
rayed himself 10 surrender his ragged lit
lie army, UNFOLDING in appearance. a.
IN has demeanor of gentle, reserved dis.
NIFTY, the honor of his cause and of hi,
country. Beside 1t is the tin Gun ant
plate used by him during the war. re
fusing better service when offered him
uSek
by his men," AS with him. so with hi
generals-the bent cup and plate of Stone
wall jackson and that of the gay an,
dashing Stuart beside his sable plume
tell the same silent story of those who
tndeed, endured hardships as good sol
diers, ere they crossed over the river e
rest under the shade of the trees" Indi
Nidual cases hold relics of these heroes
the saddle and spurs, the gauntIets an,
boots of Lee (the same used by Valentin
In modelling his matchless recumbent fig
ure, and by MERCER for his equestrian
statue, the gauntlets of that grand sol
der, Gen. Joseph +. Johnston; Jackson
haNersack, held-glasses, epaulettes an
spurs, and the handkerchief dyed wit
his iife's blood. that staunched the fata
wound on that mournful day at Chancel
lorsvile; Stuart's cavalry boots and sad
die, the saber of Fitz Lees gallan
charges; the cap and cape Of A. =. Hill
ana relics that cannot be duplicated. an
of value beyond all words or price. sid
by side are the pictures Of the gauan
young Pegrams. Looking upon thes
races one cannot but hear the cry OF tn
new-made, beautiful bride, Speak TO me
my love; speak to me once more" as Jolt
Ing in the rough ambulance, over furrow
and rocks from the battlefield she he'll
close the dead form Of her lnightly bride