The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-21
BATTLE
ABBEY FOR
RICHMOND.
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CONTINUED from First fdBeD
himself I'm communication with the Vete-
rams nv circular letters. submitting 10
them the outlines of plan of commemo-
ration. and soliciting their views. The
theory of this plan was declared 10 be:
THAT every Confederate veteran should
have n proprietary interest in the insu-
tuition: that each one OC them should ieel
he had contributed something toward per
petuating the memories OF the great
struggle in which he had borne a part
AR Rouss held that a moderate con-
tributlon from each would aggregate an
amount amply adequate to all require
rnents. and he appealed TO them TO unite
in an effort ito pay deserved tribute 20
the heroic deeds Of their fallen COM
rades; TO furnish an inspiring object leS-
son 20 their descendants, ana 10 leaNo
10 postsrity endearng proofs or the coui-
age. loyalty and devotion to duty OF the
Confederate soldier.
THE PLAN ENDORSED.
Mr.. Rouss' plan and appeals were ~
once effective and met with universal en-
dorsenent except I'm a few instances.
where local interests were held superior
70 a1 others. There was a prompt and
favorable response. Veterans, Sons OF
Veterans. Daughters of the COnfederacy,
and Confederate sympathzers were en-
thusiastic I'm their expressions or approVal
and liberal I'm their assurances OF sup
mort General stephen d. Lee, Of Missls-
sippi and General William J.. CabeH' or
Texas. az well as prominent officers OF
the United Confederate veterans gave
their approval by official endorsement.
Mr. Rouss was anxious TO nave Collected
I'm the proposed Battle Abbey" relics OF
- 4 DAD
Of every sort which might be useful in
compiling history He formed the pur-
pose than the association should be COM
posed Of Confederate soldiers their wives.
children and friends under the control OF
the Confederate Veterans
A PRINCELY GIFT.
when Mr.. Rouss became fully aware OF
the extent Of the sentiment favorable to
his plan he submitted II formally 70 the
veterans assembled at Houston. Tex, In
May. 1895. during the nth annual reunion
Of the organization. lie sent 10 Houston
a check for 100000 which was presented
by Col. Robert C.. Wood. TO be delivered
TO the Confederate Veterans Association.
whenever an equal amount was raised by
the Southern people as an endowment
fund, and chartered by the Confederate
Veterans Association.
Mr. Rouss' proposition was received
with great enthusiasm. and the immediate
result OF the proposition was the ap-
pOntment by the United Confederate
Veterans then In session OF a commit
tee to examine and report upon the ac-
cOmpanyng plan. This committee, con-
sistlng OF one from each division OF the
United Confederate Veterans. met in At
lanta. Ga. on the 18th of October 1895.
The composition Of the body was Of the
highest order Their deliberations Were
careful and conscientious. Every feature
OF Mr.. Rouss' plan was given thougntfIl
study, which. with slight notifications.
was unanimously approved. The modih
cations were in the line Of rensuriag each
division of the United Confederate Vet
Grams a representative of its own selec-
ton upon the Board of Administrators
ana of increasing eligibility TO member
ship. and. at the same time. reducing the
cost.
THE MEMORIAL COMMITTEE.
The names and addresses OF the orig,
nal Rouss Memorial Committee were Ss
follows:
General George II. steuart. South River,
Nd
Colonel ]. r. Mcintosh Meridian Miss
General George ID. Johnston, Tusca-
loosa. Ala
Colonel j. b. Cary, Richmond, Va.
General J. A. Chalaron. New Orleans.
La.
Captain B. n. league. Aiken. S @.
Major W. Il. Garrett, Nashville, Tenn.
Colonel John o. easier, oklahoma CITY,
Okla
General W. d. Chipley. Pensacola, Fla.
colonel J. c.. Cravens. Springfield. Mo.
Captain John II. Carter Avon, Fayette
county. Ky.
Colonel Howard William . Atlanta, Ga.
Hon w. G.. Radcliffe. Little Rock, Ark.
General w. l.. Cabell. Dallas Tex.
Major Thomas S. Keenan,, Raleigh, ~
Or. T.. c. Tennent. McAlester. I. r.
Captain John NJ. Hickey, Washington,
D. C.
CAPTAIN c.. s. white. Romney. W. Va
An executive committee consisting OF
Colonel j. r. Mcintosh. of Mississippi
General j. A. Chalaron. or Louisiana
and CAPTAIN w a. Garrett. Of Tonnes
see. was appointed and charged with the
execution Of the plans adopted by the
committee by way of securing the neces-
sary funds.
Work was commenced without delay
and has continued TO be prosecuted with
zeal and vigor The results have been
most gratifying. but being constantly
cumulative. il is impossible TO express
them I'm positive figures or terms. IL may
be said. however. that they have been
entirely satisfactory.
The first efforts of the committee were
directed 20 enrolling every surviving Con-
federate soldier as subscriber.
PASSED THE LIMIT
To this end subscription books were
prepared and placed I'm the hands OF the
commanders OF an the veteran camps.
The amount of 81 entities the subscriber
10 membership I'm the memorial associa-
ton Every dollar thus secured finds us
way into the memorial fund without tho
payment of a penny for cost OF collec-
ton. commission. or for any other pur-
pose.
II will be remembered that Mr.. Rouss'
gift Of 100000 was conditioned upon
like amount assured from other sources.
II was estimated that the sum Of S2OOOD
would accomplish all that was necessary
TO the execution OF the original plan or
commemoration. II is believed that the
5000 limit has been passed. and the
veterans are now looking forward 70 tho
establishment Of an institution wider In
scope. grander in proportion. and more
impressive in every respect tnan the one
al crst contemplated.
The Battle Abbey will not be dedicated
alone 10 the history and deeds OF the civic
and military heroes of the greatest or
civil wars. but within its sacred por-
tails sufficient and conspicuous space VIII
be reserved for the names and fame OF
the hefoines OF the South"
b., an~nuarfffon for lilo location