Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-12-08
SHILOH MONUMENT FUND.

SHILOH MONUM MENE FUND.-
To the Editor Of the Alexandria Gszstte;
We desire publication through the
columns of your paper of the following
article, because U. D. O. chspser oil
Alexandria will In the near future MAKE
au earnest effort to earn 8 contribution
for the Shiloh monument fund. ibis
represents the fret special effort made 10
the state OF Virginia for this worthy
cause. The success of this effort will
mean an example worthy OF imitation by
every chapter OF the Virginia division.
The United Daughters of the Oonfed'
eracy, after the completion Of the Jeffer-
con Davis monument, undertook the
work of erecting Confederate monu-
ment on The battlefield Of Shiloh. at
that time the Confederate section OF this
burial spot was 10 a deplorsble condi'
ton, covered with thorns and weeds.
10 one long trench alone we're buried
four thousand southern soldiers; record.
ed 10 history ss young men-"Ihe
flower of the souths young manhood"
Many years have passed since the "Wsr
between The states"
And vet these sacred clo1s reveal
Today mournlul sight,
Where still in chastity mute appeal
Their bleaching bones gleam white.
Scarce hid by mother earth they lie
Unmatched; forgot; unkept,
Aud to the south for justice cry,
Neglected and unwept.
The south has as yet placed no stone,
70 memorial there to tell Of the splendid
courage, heroism aud devotion OF the
southern soldier; while above, about
and around them tower more lEan one
hundred shafts erected by northern states
to commemorate the vslOr oil northern
heroes. The north has already expend-
ed more than two hundred Thousand
dollars in monuments alone at Shiloh.
Il not the vauquished as worthy as the
victor?
Shiloh is now a national park, and
this means appropriation from the United
States government. The question might
we'll be asked, and Virginia did raise
the issue: Why is the northern section
made an ideal resting place, while the
southern section is left out side, neglect
ed aud unkept? This government knows
no norlb, no south, no east, no west.
Three years OF active, earnest and united
work OF the U. d. o. Shiloh committee
has resulted 10 very much improved con-
ditions al Shiloh; thorns and weeds have
disappeared; that gruesome story OF thu
loog trench with human bones protrud-
ing Is a thing Of the past, ss "a tale
that has been to d." The work of col.
lecting funds for the Shiloh monument
is steadily progressing. Fifty THOUSAND
dollars is a large amount OF money to be
raised; bat every year the amount In our
Shiloh treasury is growing more and
more; while the amount still to be COL
lected Is growing less and less.
81 much Confederate monumental
and memorial work has been erected In
the state Of Virginia. The entire south
has contributed to make of Richmond
Che capital city 8 beloved "Meccs;"
surely now 1t is incumbent upon Wiz
glnis to respond generously TO this cap
peal for Shiloh" Let Us hasten the
lime, that at lesst few of the Surviv-
ors of this bloody battle may live to see
this long deferred hope for Shiloh real
izsd. 1t is our privilege to honor Davis
and Lee 10 life as we'll as In death. The
hero Of Shiloh wss slain in battle; be
gave his life, precious sacrifice, when
life was sweet; replete with youth and
hope. The Daughters Of the OOpted'
eracY will honor the memory Of Albert
Sidney Johnston. Arlington is worthy
of all honor, but Virginia must not for
get the ten thousand "Men Of the
South" who sleep their last sleep on the
battlefield of Shiloh.
MRS A. CORNELIUS WYCKoFF.
Director (Virgiuis) Shiloh Monument.