The Monticellonian., 1903-10-01
Appeal to the People.

The historical committee of Confed- crate Veterans, to whom has oeen assigned the task of writing a history of Arkansas part in the Confederate armies and the collection of a roster of the names of every Confederate soldier who enlisted in this state, has issued a lengthy appeal to the people at large to contribute toward defray- ing the necessary expenses to accom- plish the work. The committee is without a dollar of state or national aid and if this duty is to be performed the money must be voluntarily con tributed by the people. The circular says
 The executive committee has now exhausted every means possible to ob tain financial aid from both the state and national governments and have failed in procuring even the value of a postage stamp for their six months effort. But one more course is open to them for the immediate beginning of this most important and patriotic work. That is. an appeal to a gen erous public for contributions sufi- cient to carry on the work until an appropriation can be secured from the next legislature. of which they feel there is no doubt They hope for no aid from the general government, fur ther than the printing of the partial records in the war department, at some time in the future. now un known. This will be of much value when done. but must necessarily fall far short of what needs to be done to procure a complete roster of our he roes of '61-62, both in Confederate and state service. It must be apparent to every one that this will be a long, tedious and difficult work, and will require much careful and painstakng labor, besides expenses now impossi- ble to estimate. No time can now De lost if We are to grasp and hold the scant evidence now possible to obtain. Every day removes some testimony which 1t may be impossible ID after ward procure. In only a shorr time all the active participants in the most important and sanguinary epoch of state history will have answered the last call to earthly duty. Whilst their memories can still respond to the be- nests of history this testimony must be secured. No other course is open The preservation of history is a public duty, and this special history, tat tered. torn and beggarly in it's present condition, appeals to every imp"lsa of patriotism and good citizenship. The duty left undone coming generations will rise up and condemn. For these reasons the executive board of the historical committee of Arkansas Con- federate Veterans makes this public appeal Recent investigations lead us to believe that some records are still to be found in the state capitol of great value The board therefore asks that each camp of Arkansas Confederate Veterans at once raise a sum. equal at least to s1 per mem Der, in the communities in which they live, not by assessment, but by solici- tation in their respective communi ties. Few public spirited citizens will hesitate to contribute one or more dollars. The committee also asks that the various chapters of the Daughters of the Confederacy supplement his fund in any manner they nay deem expedient to adopt
 "The Sons of Confederate Veterans. who honor the memories of their pa triotic and heroic progenitors. are called upon to take a special and ac- tive interest in raising this fund to an adequacy to carry on the work till the state has had another chance to do her glorious duty.
 ITO the general public the commit tee appeals for help. without regard to affection or utilization. The state press, the great coadjutor and promot- CT of every good and public duty, is urged to disseminate this appeal. and as many as will make special collec- tions for the cause and send to the treasurer. Gen. James F. Smith of Little Rock has been elected treas urer of the committee, and all con tributions should be sent to him.
 "Col. S. H. Nowlin, chairman of the state historical committee. has been chosen manager of the compilation of this roster for the state. and also state commissioner to cooperate with the United States war department All muster rolls and historical data should be addressed to him at Little