Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-08-01
THE MOSBY MONUMEN T.

such is correct be must have based MS
statements upon information derive d
from some one poorly Inform d. [
think that all peti ions to the monu.
ment committee have been foiwarde d
to me and am not aware of single
petitioner who has "apologiz-d for
his action in the matter and revOk
ed his signature to said petition"
Please give names Of the number who
had signed q petition" | do not believe
MIR. Biedler would make a statement
that ws1 not sustained by facts, conse.
quently believe there must be some
mistake. Hope wi be pardoned for
doubling the correctness Of this inter
view as there are only few and not
many" of MosDy's men either in or
very near Manassas.
NV business leads me in this section
from two to four times q month and as
was the only original member, ex
cepting Col. Mostly, think ought 10
bs equally we'll posted about the COM
mano as most any one.
Not single member OF our com
maud in the counties of Rappahan-
nocs, Culpeper, Fauquier, Loudoun,
Pcince William, Fairfax and Alexan.
dria with whom have had an opportu.
nifty to gather an opinion as to the To-
cation of this monument but who sus.
tains my views on this su' ject and
nas readily signed petition askin2
for change in location. Many of them
are our oldest members and wear the
marks of var in sabre cuts and gunshot
wounds. l can give long list OF
ames whose opinions are entitled to
consideration. We are of the opinion
that the committee was expected 10 re-
fleet the wishes of the members and
would not pay Difference to the wishes
of those who were not connected with
the command.
The object of this monument was to
)mmemorate and perpetuste the mem.
cries of the incident connected with the
death of those whose names are in
scribed on it and we believe this object
will be best promoted by placing it in
the most conspicuous place obtainable
where every one who comes to Front
Royal will see it and will naturally
want to know the history connected
with it, thereby making it an eduoa.
tional object for future generations and
at the same time teaching all who may
follow them that good and brave men
at all times and in all climes have had
and will continue to have honor paid to
their memories. Our objection to the
location 10 the cemetery is due to its
isolation and the great prejudice which
is known to exist in the minds of many
against grave yards" thereby hiding
it, as il it were, from observation. There
i monument in the cemetery at War
renton, erected to the memory OF the
soldiers buried there. | have taken
pains to interview several prominent
residents concerning it. O0e of the
most prominent men in the county
who has always lived ia or near
Warrenton, Mr.. j. P. Jetfres, Com'
monWealth'5 attorney OF the county,
admitted that he had never been 10 the
monument no did he know single IN
scription that Is on it. Similar admis'
sions were made by others and eimiial
ooscurity will eventually await ours Il
similarly located. So great has become
| the interest in the location of this mon
ument that am in receipt of unsollclt'
ed messages and letters from men who
| did not belong to our command ap'
| proving our action in opposing the
| cemetery as proper location. Among
these letters is ore from the command
er of Camp in Nashville, Tenn, who
recites the fact of several similar errors
having been made in that State anc
after lapse of 8 few years an add
tional expense had to be undergone IL
removing these monuments to a more
suitable place, that arrangements are
cow being made to have one costins
| $4,000 removed from the beautiful
cemetery at Nashville for the same rea
son. Our commander, W. Bel
Palmer, of Richmond, Va, states, II
writing on this subject, that be doe
not propose to be 'pig headed" and
we can induce the otter members o
the committee to arrive at the SAM
conclusion, we feel that we petitioner
will be accorded the courtesy that eacl
member of the command is entitled Il
"a respectful hearing. Before making
any effort in this matter called upol
Mrs. Davis, president Of the From
Royal Ladies' Memorial Association
and was assured by her that the asso
citation of which she is president woul'
cheerfully look after and care for To
monument wherever placed.
make this statement because 1t wa
told be in Warrenton rs coming from
prominent Front Royal gentiema
: that unless it was placed in the CEN
etery that the ladies of the association
would not have anything to do with Il
This is doing the ladies an lnlustic
aud I wish to correct it.
There are three locations IN From
; Royal obtainsble provided the res
. dents urge 40 opposition.
The chairman of the supervisors
i, Warren county assured me that an
point in the courthouse yard ca
t be gotten if desired. Mr.. Robel