The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-11-01
Capt. S. a. Ashes Reply.

At the request of the News and OBJ
server, Capt. S. A. Ashe yesterday wrote
the following reply to Judge Christians
report:
To the Editor: / have your favor ask
ing me for some comments on the pub
hshed report OF Judge Christian, chair
man OF the History Committee of the
Grand Camp of Virginia Confederate Vet
Grams: and necessarily can at the mo-
mcnt write only currente caiamo. Judge
Christians paper when published in full
VIII doubtless receive careful consldera-
tion from some more competent North
CarollnIan.
l would premise by saying that the
feelings of North Carolinians toward Vir-
ginia are necessarily very different from
those of Virginians towards North Caro-
lima. The illustrious men of Virginia
Washington, jefferson, Madison, Monroe
and the great host of other distinguish
ed characters produced by that State
have given glory TO the whole South
land; and North Carolinians measurably
rejoice with pride in their high fame and
entertain proper sentiments towards Vir-
GINA on that account.
And again, for four years our soldiers
to the average number of say forty or
fifty thousand-more than hundred
thousand in all-lived in the fields, III the
valleys, and in the trenches in Virginia,
and these along with their associates from
Virginia and other States. underwent all
the hardships of our arduous struggle.
They became familiar with Virginia, as
the scene of their great and glorious ex
ploits Their blood ensanguined her soil
The Wondering remains of their fathers
and brothers sanctify her hallowed
ground They were led to glory by Lee
and Jackson, Virginia's honored sons.
Because of such associations, North
Carolina fees differently towards Virginia
from what Virginia can possibly feel to-
wards North Carolina.
1t was natural that at some proper
time the war record of North Carolina
should have been made clear and Eer
sacrifices in the cause of Southern indie
pendence have been spread out ut large,
and whatever was glorious in the career
of her sons be indelibly engraved on the
tablets for the benefit of our posterity.
Patriotic North Carolinians have attempt
ed to do this We have published our
claims and have appealed to the records
TO justify them. In performing this duty
we have had no purpose to detract from
Virginia. Judge Christian mentions (No.
81 that there has been a suggestion that
the effects of the fighting at Bethel was
the possibility holding Virginia Iin the
Confederacy.' / do not remember to have
ever heard of such a suggestion. 1t rar-
tainly has cut no great figure IN North
Carolina publications.
fur hnH a n
more than 1851 900 troops to the Confed-
eracy; it remains to be seen how Judge
Christian arrives at his conclusion that
Virginia furnished $4,000 more than that
number.
So, also it remains to be seen how Judge
Christian reaches the conclusion stated as
to the exempted men.
The legend inscribed on our volumes OF
North Carolina Regiments, has seemed
to us entirely justified: First at Bethel:
Farthest to the front at Gettysburg and
Chickamauga, and last at AppomattoX.
Virginia troops were at Bethel: yes.
But it so happened that the brGnt Of
that first clash of arms on Virginia soil
fell to the lot of North Caroinlans, and
the orly life sacrificed on the altar OF our
sacred cause was that of a North Carolina
solder Wyatt was the frs victim OF
the war. for Independence.
An so, it likewise happened that the last
clash of arms at AppomattoX was, as we
understand it, between North Carolini&ns
and the common enemy Judge Christian
says that the claim here preferred is also
claimed by several other Southern States.
Very well. Rut l do not understand him
OF make any claim For Virginia N that
matter.
In regard to Chickamauga. the record,
we think is dear; but neither does that
interest Virginia.
The chief point of difference between
North Carolina and Virginia is n regard
to the charge at Gettysburg. Some fiji
teen years ago, after a very careful study
of that charge, in all It's Details wrote.
1T was indeed field of honor IS vel
as a field of blood, and the sister States
of Virginia and North Carolina had equal
cause to weave chaplets of laurel and of
cypress. On their sons the heaviest blows