The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-01-27
RULES THAT GOVERN
BESTOWAEOF CROSSES
Origin and History Of Beautiful Gus
tOm-All Veterans Entitled to
the HOn,r.

The Confederate cross of honor
awarded by the Daughters OF the Con-
federacy, originated with Mrs. Mary
Cobb Erwin of Athens, Ca, and the de-
sign offered by Mrs. S. e. Gabbett, of
Atlanta, Ga, was adopted at Richmond,
Va, in November, 1899, at the annual
meeting OF the U. O. d., says Col. j. A.
Hoyt, in the Greenville Mountaineer.
The custodian Of the crosses is Mrs.
Gabbett, who adheres strictly to the
regulations prescribed for their pur-
chase and presentation. Only four
years have elapsed since the first
crosses were given to Confederate vete-
rams, aud there has arisen in this brief
period a great deal OF misconception
add misunderstanding as to the object
of making the presentation and upon
whom 1t shall he bestowed. A cum
mary of the points contained in the
rules and regulations will enlighten
many persons who are interested in
this impressive and beautiful custom,
which was observed in this city on the
10Th inst, while honoring the birthday
of Robert E. Lee.
L, Certificates of eligibility are filled
out by the applicants, who must be
veterans, endorsed by two or more Of
ficers of the camp to which they be-
long.
2, These certificates are forwarded to
the custodian in Atlanta by the presi-
dents of u, d. @. Chapters when re-
mitting money for the crosses, and are
to be returned to the chapter for pre-
servation.
B. Each chapter keeps record of the
name and command of every soldier
who receives the cross, so that there
may be no possibility of bestowing q
second cross upon the same person.
d. In case any veteran has the mis-
for.une to lose his cross he cannot re-
ceive another, aid veterans are re-
ques.ed to have their names engraved
upon the tin bar, but in case the owner
loses either the tin bar or the cross
neither part can be restored.
5. A veteran dying without heirs
may have the cross buried with him,
but otherwise it must be sent to the
Battle Abbey or a Confederate museum,
and Veteran may bequeath his cross
to any descendant that he may select.
o. The cross cannot be worn except
by the veteran upon whom bestowed {;
no descendant or representative can
wear 1t, and Legislatures ara asked to
make it penal offence if this rule is
violated.
Z. Before a descendant can secure
the cross in any county, three consecu-
tive moathly notices must be inserted
in the newspapers of such county, ask
ing veterans to send in their applica-
tions, and at the expiration Of three
months, II no other applications are
sent in the bestowal OF crosses upon
descendants may begin.
The foregoing are the prominent ard
essential features OF the rules and reg
u!atiops for conferring the crosses of
honor, except the days designated for
the ceremonies which are the birth
n. E Lee Jan. 10y, and the general
Memorial Day, which is usually the
10th Of May, the anniversary of Stone
wall jackson s death
The crosses are being distributed
among the veterans by the hundreds
and thousands on the days designated,
and it will no. be many years until
every veteran living will have received
| thiS honor at tha hands of the woman
of the South. an honor and distinction
tina; is highly appreciated by all the
veterans. 1t has been said that the
crosses are made from cannon used in
battle during the war between the
States, which would be most appro-
pirate as these weapons of warfare a:
a general rule passed from the North
to the South, and hence the tribute Is
from both sections of our common
country, fthe statement be true.