Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-11
REPORTS OF REGENTS.
PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT OF
THE CONFEDERATE MUSEUM.
ITS CONDITION is PLOURISHIEG.
Financial and Membership Commit
tees-Many Valuable and Priceless
Relies Have Been Added-The Col
lection During the Year.

The annual meeting Of the Confederate
Memorial and Literary Society, held at
the Museum on the 9Th instant, was not
only unusually busy, but unusually IN
teresting as well. a large part OF the
session was devoted 10 the reception OF
the reports OF the vice-regents for the
different States and the committees. These
show that the society has made remark
able and rapid progress.
The financial affairs are In very -four
ishing condition. rejecting great credit
on the management Of the committee,
which has held eight meetings during the
wear. Twenty-Five annual and eighteen
life members have been added to the list
during the past twelve months. and no
less than 46 written communications have
been sent out by the Membership Com
mlttee since the last annual meeting. A
catalogue has been prepared and over a
thousand copies placed on sale.
During the past year souvenirs made
from wood taken from the rooms OF
the Virginia Historical Society-the old
home OF General Lee-haye been added
10 the collection made from the wood Of
the Davis Mansion. These. with the pho
tographs OF the grave Of Miss Winnie
Davis. are at the Museum as relies, or
souvenirs that are Of much interest TO the
visitors.
The reports Of the yice-regents are
given below:
THE VIRGINIA ROOM.
The relics which have been received du-
ring the year are Of much value and in
terest Notably, are two letters written
by President Davis. one of them the
last letter written by him before the
evacuation 70 his hOusekeeper, Mrs. Mary
Ornelia. giving directions about the dis
posal of his personal effects. and COM
mending her 10 the kind care or the
Mayor of the city. The letter was pre-
sented by Mr.. j. l.. Phillips, Of Richmond
Miss Lucy Lee Hill sent, as a loan, the
sword and spurs Of her father, General
A. =. Hill. The spurs are OF silver band
sOmely engraved with his namS, were
presented by his lady friends OF South
Carolina Maps OF Richmond, Petersburg.
and vicinity, true plan Of the battle
near Leesburg Va, and a map OF the
battle-ground OF Greenbrier river have
| been received. The latter is the only
known map Of that battle-ground. md
has been pronounced 70 be of much value
by a member OF General Jacksons staff.
Many other relics have been received
worthy Of mention. which, added to the
rare and valuable ones of former years.
makes the collection priceless beyond
measure. We are TO be congratulated
that so many things come 10 US dnso-
licited. and that more and more our pco-
pie are realizing the importance OF plac-
ing their treasures OF the Lost Cause"
IN a place OF safety. A source Of income
has been from the sale of the souvenir
spoons bearing the flags OF the Confede-
racy on the handles.
Respectfully submitted,
Mrs. j. TAYLOR ELLYSON.
Vice-Regent Virginia Room.
Miss Mildred Lee, Regent
Virginia papers are requested 10 copy.
NORTH CAROLINA ROOM.
The North Carolina Room In the past
year has received some valuable contri-
buttons in oil paintings and other relies.
Mrs Branch has completed the collection
IN honor III her husband, General l.. OBJ.
Branch. by a life-sized portrait OF him.
In this collection are original dispatches
10 him from General Jackson. a hand
some oil portrait OF Colonel Frank NJ
Parker, the oldest living Confederate in
North Carolina, has been given by his
son. Mr. +. NJ. Parker Jr.. and Major
William Burnett. This was presented by
Or. Hunter Mcclure. an old friend. and
received in behalf OF the Museum by DIR.
j. Allison Hodges d son OF the OLD
North State. Valuable papers have been
received from Mrs Kate ". Lee. a pic
| turs OF her husband, and his sword and