The Savannah morning news., 1902-06-04
REARED BY VETERANS.
The Monuments Testify to the Love
of Comrades.

Capt. D. G.. Purse, chairman Of the
McLaws and Barlow Monument Com
mittee. in introducing Gen. Evans.
told the story of the movement for the
establishment of the monuments.
At the close of the annual reunion,
Georgia Division, United Confederate
Veterans, Gen. C. A. Evans, command
er, held in Savannah, Nov 22-24 1899.
Of the fund so generously contributed
by the veterans of local camps and cit
liens generally, there remained, after
liqudating all claims incident to the
reunion, balance of $43S, which, by
resolution of the Executive Committee,
having in charge the reunion, at a
meeting held Dec. 4, 1899, was placed
in the hands of a committee as trus-
tee, until a final disposition of it
should be ordered. The committee was
composed of Col. John Screven, Capt.
Purse, Mr.. f.. D. Bloodworth, Capt. J.
r. Dillon and Mr. c. r. Woods
But before the committee had taken
any action. it was called upon to
mourn its distinguished chairman, who
had so ably, as chairman of the Exec
utive Committee, by his devotion and
untiring zeal, contributed more than
any other one to the eminent success
that attended the reunion. Col Screw
ems death brought a deep sorrow to
every Confederate heart, made more
poignant by recent very close associa-
ton with him in events which partic-
ularly afforded opportunity for the dis
play of his superior powers as leader
and organizer, his scholarly attain
ments and his qualities OF heart, gem
tie as generous.
Monument to McLaws.
On Jan 10, 1900, at a meeting of the
executive committee, the vacancy in
the Committee of Trustees. caused by
the death of Col Screven, was filled
by the appointment of Col. ]. H. Es-
till The Executive Committee, at this
same meeting, by unanimous vote, or
dered $500 of the unexpended balance
appropriated to the erection of a mon
ument to Gen. Lafayette McLaws, who
had been president of the first asso-
citation of Confederate Veterans form
ed in Savannah, and at his death was
honorary president. The resolution ap-
propriating funds for the erection of
the monument to Gen. McLaws also
provided that the duties of the Com
mittee of Trustees be continued, and
that they "be authorized to carry out
the project and make their final report
TO the several confederate organiza-
tions of this city" and then, after APP
propriatng the remaining 1913 of the
unexpended balance to the Daughters of
the Confederacy for needed work in
the soldiers lot, in Laurel Grove Gem
etery, the Executive Committee brought
its labors to a close by an adjourn
ment sine die.
The original purpose of the Exec
utive Committee in appropriating
funds for the erection of a mon
ument to Gen. McLaws was to mark
more distinctly his resting place in
Laurel Grove Cemetery; nothing more
pretentious or imposing being permit
ted by the means at their command .
Therefore, it was that Laurel Grove
Cemetery only was at first considered
in connection with the location of the
monument.
1t seemed however, to the Commit
tee of Trustees that the distinguished
services of Gen. McLaws deserved
more conspicuous consideration at the
hands of his fellow citizens, and it was
decided, before proceeding to execute
their trust, to afford them the oppor-
tunity for testifying to this apprecia-
ton by asking them to add to the fund
in hand.
Barlow Was Included.
1t was known to the Committee of
Trustees, Some of whom were parties
to it, that several years ago, the Ogle-
thorpe Light Infantry, the company,
with which Gen. Barlow, as captain,
entered the Confederate States service
| had, within themselves started fund
| for erecting a monument to comment
crate his heroic death on the plains OF
| Manassas, where a common halo OF
| glory covered the company, and it's
! former commander, and Savannah be-
| came house of mourning for her gall
| liant sons slain or MANNED upon that
| scene of terrible carnage.
When assured that this fund $1S6
| would be turned over to them. as a
| nucleus, if the Committee of Trustees
determined to enlarge the scope of their
| work and make the effort to erect a
monument to Gen. Barlow in connec-
| ton with their efforts to erect a more
stately memorial to Gen. McLaws than
| that originally contemplated as COM
! panion memorials. they decided to as
sumo the additional responsibility.
Capt. c. L. Chestnut. commander
| Lafayette McLaws Camp, u. C. V,
| with a committee, undertook to raise
additional funds for the monument to
| Gen. McLaws, and committee, ap-
! pointed from the Oglethorpes, with Mr..
| H. A. Crane as chairman. took upon
| themselves the work of raising by gem
eral appeal the additional amount nee
| essary to erect the monument to Gen
| Barlow. From the start, both COM
mittees received liberal responses,
| which greatly encouraged them in pur-
suing their labors of love.
Committee Had Work Enough.
While these canvasses for funds were
| progressing, the Committee of Trus-
tees had a plenty to engage their at
tention in deciding upon material for
the monument and their character and
hight, comforting with the Mayor and
| Aldermen and Park and Tree Commits
sion about sites, and in correspondence
| with sculptOrs about busts and collect
ing such valuable facts and material
as might aid the sculptor selected in
the execution of his work.
On Feb. IA. 1901. so Gathering had
been the progress of the soliciting COM
mittees, the Committee of Trustees felt
justified in entering upon their work
! of erecting a more fitting monument to
! Gen. McLaws, and another, similar in
every particular. TO Gen. Barlow in
the most suitable spot that the Mayor
| and Aldermen would grant for the no.
bic purpose Messrs. VI . A. Crane and
j G. l.. Chestnut We're elected members
Of the Committee Of Trustees, the for
mer being also made treasurer aud the
latter secretary. and the body. for its
/ dual work thereafter assumed the
| name ~ the "McLaWs and Barlow
| Monuments Committee"
ON March 20. 1901. the canvassing
Continued on sixth Pagel