The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-08-13
CONFEDERATE ROSTER
Memorial of Commissioners
to Secretary Root.
impossible to Obtain Full Records on Account
of DepredatonS- That Pension
Lists BE- Used.

The Confederate Roster Commission,
composed of DR.. B. F. Dixon, State Audi
tor of North Carolina; M. p. Dribble,
Commissioner of Confederate Rolls, South
Carolina; Allen d. Gambler, Compiler OF
State Records, Georgia; Thomas M. Owen,
Director Department Archives and HIS
tory, Alabama; Dunbar Rowland, Dlrec-
tor Department Archives and History, Mis-
sssippi, and Leon Jastremski, Private
Secretary, Louisiana, have prepared a me-
mortal addressed to the Hon. Elihu Root,
Secretary of War, in which it is stated
that it was found that anything like even
an approximately complete or perfect ros-
ter OF the Confederate troops could not be
made During the progress of hostili-
ties" they say, "and since the close of the
war, the official records of the Confeder
ate States Government were subjected to
depredations and in many cases destruc-
ton. Many of these records were captured
during the war, and fortunately some of
them so taken are preserved in your De
partment, but in other cases the most
valuable records were burned. In other
cases these records were concealed, and
before being brought from their hiding
places had suffered in many ways. :.
Inevitably, therefore, grave injustice will
be done the South, and the memory of
many gallant and meritorious soldiers
The memorial urges the following:
First. That there should be no undue
haste in publishing the proposed com
pilation, but that all the time necessary
be given the States to complete their
rosters as far as possible before they are
placed on permanent form.
"Second-That prior to final publica-
ton, the representatives of the several
States be given an opportunity of exam
ming the proof sheets of the compilation,
for the purpose of correcting errors in
names, dates and facts therein, and that
they be also allowed to suggest correc~
tions or alterations, to be embodied, eth
er as foot notes or in some other appro-
pirate way, IN the roster when published.
"Third-That each State may be permit
ted to submit to your department its
Confederate pension records for use In the
said compilation.
"Fourth-That your Department as
soon as practicable supply to the only ap-
pointed commission from each State, who
1udy dpply IDGItIOI, anu upOH Clt pay
ment of lawful fees for transcription,
check list of the rosters and rolls of the
commands from said State, in order that
the said Commissioners may more intelli
gently direct their labors towards sup
plying deficiencies. This list need show
nothing except mere statement of the
regiments battalions, or other commands
with the rolls and the date of each that
may be on file.
"Fifth--That in the said compilation the
detailed record of each soldier be given as
far possible, and, finally
"S5ixth-That in each and every case
where no roster of command is to be
found, or where only an imperfect or in
complete roster is preserved, you will adj
nit for the purpose of said compilation
a compiled roster certified by the Govern
CT of the State offering the same as care
fully, accurately and correctly made up,
and as being the only available record OF
said command discovered and known to
this after dlgent search on the part of
the commissioners or their representatives
Of the State charged with making search
for same