Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1904-12-06
Major Hunter Wants the Records.

| The following letter is sent out by Major
Robert w. Hunter, the secretary of Virginia
Military records:
/ The compilation of the Roster of the
officers and enlisted men of the Union and
Confederate Armies provided for by Act
of Congress, is now in progress. and work
will soon be begun on the Virginia rolls.
The act of our General Assembly, Of
March 18th, 1904. directs that the Secretary
of Virginia Military Records shall, by every
proper means at his command. seek to OBJ
tain the muster rolls and records, ofthe sew
eral companies, battahons, regiments, and
other military organizations from Virginia in
the Armies Tor other military marine or
naval service of the Confederate States. and
the names of all yirginians, of whatever
rank.
| Many valuable rolls and records have been
secured, but, it is known, there are many
Others in the hands of persons who have not
been reached, or who are reluctant to part
with them Many are held as souvenirs, and
many have fallen into the hands of speeula-
tors These latter are the property either
of the United States or the State of Virginia,
and are held without legal right.
1t was not thought by the Congress or
our Legislature that these muster rolls would
ever become merchandise, and no provision
was made by either for their purchase. On
the contrary, it was confidently believed that
all Virginians, glorying in the States incom-
parable record, would eagerly embrace the
opportunity to rescue from oblivion The
names of her sons, whose heroism eontribut-
ed SO largely to its achievements. and spec
tally, that all officers whowere honored with
commands would be as solicitous for the en-
during fame of their men as they were proud
OF their bearing in battle The results so far
have fallen short of expectation but there is
still time, if all interested will bestir them
selves.
As it will be impossible to make our Ros-
ter complete if any rolls are Withheld for any
reason whatever, again urgently appeal to
my comrades throughout Virginia, and
West Virginia, to the Sons and Daughters
of the Confederacy. in their individual and
organized capacity, and to the Newspapers
of both States to come now actively to nv
aid in order that this noble work may not
fail. If not done now it will never be done.
To my comrades still living, say that no
one is warranted, from mercenary or other
motives, in depriying soldier of his place
upon this Roster, that you have right to
demand that your name be placed there,
and, furthermore, that it is duty we owe
to our valient dead to see that they are not
robbed of the fame they have won with
their blood.
The State asks only the loan of these mus
ter rolls, and it is hoped she will not be
forced to assert her right to them. Under
the ruling Of the War Department only
contemporaneous official records of the War
period will be accepted as a basis for the
Roster" Copies of Rolls will not answer.
The originals are required As they are per-
ishable and likely to be lost. they should be
sent to me at once, that they may be copied
at the War Department, and thus saved from
the chances of destruction. Their value will
be enhanced rather than impaired by the
authenticatisn of the Official Roster. Spec
ial care will be taken of them and the faith
of the State and the United States alike is
pledged for their return to the lenders, if
desired.
Packages of papers, too large to be sent by
mail, may be sent by express at the expense
Of this Office.
Il. w. HUNTER,
Sec'y Va Military Records.
Address Major Robert W. Hunter, secre-
tary, care Virginia State Library, Rich
mond, Va.