The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-12-12
VALUABLE
Commander Metts of Ca pc Fear Camp
Receives an Interesting Letter From
President of Memorial Society.

Commander J. I. Nets. of Cape Fear
the following letter yesterday which
will be read with interest by confeder-
ate veterans and their friends through
out the state, TO wit:
There has been on exhibition in
this city a series of thirty-one oil paint
ings, made at Charleston, South Caro-
lima, between the dates Of September
16, 1863, and March Is, 1864, by Mr..
Conrad Wise Chapman, who left his
studio, in Rome, to take part with US
in our struggle. The paintings are of
extraordinary interest, not only as
works Of art, but because they repre-
sent wildly the actual daily life and
appearance of the men, batteries and
boats, who successfully defended
Charleston against every attack made
on it from the waterfront.
These pictures you'd have great
value for any museum as works of art,
but for the south-for this museum.
which holds the memories and relies of
the entire C~onfederacy, they are price
less. They were executed On the spot,
often under heavy fire; and were paint
ed under the strong impetus of per-
sonal enthusiasm, by the young artist
who was detailed for the specific pur-
pose. They exist today without paral-
lei. and, above all, they prove the fact
(too often o~verlooked) that the Con-
federacy achieved remarkable results
in the field of military service and in
vention.
ITO describe them as they deserve
will be impossible at this time; only a
few striking points can be mentioned
in this brief letter.
Picture No. IA represents the sub
marine torpedo boat H. L. Hurley
This was the first submarine boat ever
constructed. She sank the Keokuk,'
and was herself lost, with all her crew.
We have, therefore, the only authentic
picture of a boat whose creation show
ed the power of the southern mind to
invent, and whose end proved once
moe the courage of the Confederate
heart to dare any peril for the cause
for which we fought.
I'm No. 4 we have the only picture of
The David the first topedo boat ever
used in naval warfare, and thus made
forever famous
mo. II shows a night bombardment
by calcium search lightS-since become
one of the most powerful aids in wag-
ing war.
"Thus it will be seer that in each of
the thirty-One pictures is represented
some notable event Of historic interest
to us-and all future generations
Whlcn we cannot dIIOfu 10 let pass
away from us. We look to you to help
us in securing them; we cannot do it
alone. Can you not raise for this pur-
pose one hunderd dollars III YOU
honored state? If each will raise 500
toward this fund we will soon have
the privilege of placing them in a per-
manent form in the Confederate Me-
mortal Museum.
cit is necessary to act in concert and
with expedition in this matter. The
failure on the part Of one means failure
for all.
Surely there are twenty men in your
loyal state who will give S. towards
his purchase. I trust that yOu state
may take the lead in this important
work. In all confederate work we have
never yet appealed in vain to you-no1
will we now.
please publish this letter in your
daily papers,, and also take such other
steps as may seem best to you for the
accomplishment of this end.
IT am yours cordially in the work,
BELLE S. BRYAN,
president Confederate Memorial Lit
erary Society"