The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-07
.HOfFBAUtR WRITES
FROM FRENCH FRONT
Confederate Museum to Go to War
Writes Hon. J. Taylor Ellyson.

Hon. ]. Taylor EIiyson has received
another interesting letter from Gu
Hoffbauer. the French artist who left
his work here on the Confederate Mu-
scum to answer the call of his coun-
try.
The letter follows:
I December is. 1915.
+ Hon. J. Taylor EIyson,
! Lieutenant Governor,
Richmond. Va.
Dear Mr.. EHyson;
Have got your letter of October II
and the two packages of photographs
you have been kind enough TO send
me. The photos were delayed for a
long time, and | was rather disturbed
about it. The delay was certainly
due TO the misspelling OF the address.
which was neither French nor Eng
Hsh That word Camovfiage is new
word in military vocabulary. and was
never heard OF before the war as, in
deed the thing itself did not exist
before 1918 That word is spelled
Ca ~ o-v-f-i- -e-e---nothing to do
with cannon
was very much pleased to get the
pictures Of the Confederate Memorial
Hall The building and the grounds
look fine now But was especially
plea sed With the pictures of nay own
weTk-it was SO funny TO see II again
/ spend hours looking at them, and
Ia NY Imagination seeing my work
ius~hed--aud. Of course. as splendid
as could he-always in my magma
ton We always fall short of our
dreams, alas I beg TO thank you very
much. dear Mr. Ellyson. for sending
me these pictures 7 was So impa-
tert TO get hack at them and paint
that for whole day / could do moth
tnE hot sketches for General Lee
panel or General Jackson horse. etc,
etc
Wei. hope IL will come some day
bat whom I don't believe X will he
-oon--not before next fan. or course.
the German propositions of immediate
pnaCe witt i1s tffsreFarded ht the al
lies, AS somebody said. Germany
chose her moment to make war, we
VIII choose our moment 10 make
peace" That jos must he thorough
~ finished. once for all, We will
stand as long az necessary. The
morale 81 the soldiers Is splendid.
especially since the last Nerdnn fight
OF December 10. The retakine OK the
forts Of Douaumont and Naux ana the
villages in front of them proves how
strong and decided the French still
are. They laugh at the German peace
ard take the propositions for sign
81 Increasing weakness. I have learn
cd TO be more conservative. But I
really think the Germans begin TO
need peace badly, They are afraid
OF the future. Although boasting all
the time Of their invincihle linden
burg they feel uneasy about 1917. AS
for rs we must be exceedingly care
ful and must keep cool head Peo-
pie in America thought the French
were a nervous and excitable nation.
What about It now?
have got a charming letter from
Mrs Ellyson Will you be kind
enough to give her my hest regards
and all my wishes for Xmas and the
New Year 1917? My wishes extended
to the whole Of your family, of course.
] have got letter from Mr.. VAL
entine. too. Tell him ! am going TO
write him soon and will make the
sketch he asks for. But the days are
very short and dark. and my hands
arc very COOL rather difficult TO find
time to work,
Nv mother SAYS she has received a
package from you containing sol
diers knapsaCk She saws. however
that no leggins We're Included In the
package Have they been stolen in the
way or could they 10 found into my
studio? 1t is too bad for am sadly
in need of them, being in mud and
water all day long.
Dear Mr. FllYs0p | must leave you
now | thank Won again for all the
trouble you took on account of me
I Please give my best regards to Mr.
Valentine and Judge Christian Ac-
cept my best wishes for the New Year
1917 and believe me