The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1904-12-23
Virginia Muster Poll

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with the duty Of collecting the original
muster rolls ana like data touching
Vlrginians who served 10 the army
and navy Of the Confederate States.
This information is being collected at
the instance Of the Federal Govern
ment, as provided by a recent act Of
Congress. In order to facilitate the
work in Virginia Major Hunter has is
sued the following appeal to Confede-
rate veterans in this State, and in West
Virginia;
Richmond, Va, Dec. 10, 1904
The compilation Of the "Roster Of the
Officers and Enlisted Men ofthe 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 ofour General Assembly Of
March 7, 1904, directs that the Secre-
tary Of Virginia Military Records shall,
by every proper means at his COM
mand, seek to obtain the muster rolls
and records "of the several companies,
battallons, regiments and other military
organizations from Virginia in the
army Tor other military,) marine or
naval service Of the Confederate States,
and the names OF all Virginians, Of
whatever rank" in said service.
Many valuable rolls and records have
been secured, but 1t 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 spectators.
These latter are the property Of the
United States, or the State Of Virginia,
and are held without legal right.
1t was not thought by the Congress
OF our Legislature that these muster
rolls would ever become merchsudise,
and no provision was made by either
for their purchase. On the contrary it
was confidently believed that all Vir-
ginians, glorying in the States incom-
parable record, would eagerly embrace
the opportunity to rescue from obliyion
the names Of her sons, whose heroism
so largely to its achieve
ment, and specially, that all officers
who were honored with commands
would be as solicitous for the enduring
fame Of their men as they were proud
Df their bearing In battle. The results
30 far have fallen short Of expectation;
but there is still time, II all interested
will bestir themselves.
As it will be impossible to make our
roster complete ifany rolls are withheld
for any reason whatever, again ur-
gently appeal to my comrades through
1ut Virginia and West Virginia, to the
Sons and Daughters OF the Coniederacy
IN their individual and organized capa-
city, and to the newspapers Of both
States, to come actively to my aid in
order that this noble work may not
'ail. II not done now, it will never be
lone. To my comrades still living,
iay that no one Is warranted from mer-
,enary or other motives, in depriving
soldier Of his place upon this roster;
hat you haye right to demand that
your names be placed there, and
that 1t is duty we owe
o our valiant dead to see that they are
lot robbed Of the fame they have won
with their blood.
The State asks only the loan Of these
muster rolls, and, 1t is hoped, she will
lot be forced to assert her right to
hem. Under the ruling Of the War
"only cOntemporaneous
'fficial records OF the war period will
,e accepted as a basis for the roster.r
Jopies Of the rolls will not answer.
The originals are required. As they
re Punishable, and likely to be lost,
hey should be sent to me at once, that
hey may be copied at the War Depart
nent, and thus saved from the chances
( destruction. Their value will be en-
HANGED rather than impaired by the
Of the official roster.
ipecial care will be taken Of them, and
he faith OF the State and the United
itates alike is pledged for their return
o the lenders IL desired.
Packages Of papers, too large to be
ent by mail, may be sent by express
t the expense Of this office.
Il. w. HUNTER,
ecretary Of Virginia Military Records,
lirginia State Library, Richmond, Va.