The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-19
To Commission Many
For History Work

Plans for gathering full and COM
plete statistics of the activities Of
every county. city and hamlet and tic
history OF all Virginia military or
aanixations in the world war were
discussed at an enthusiastic meeting
of the Virginia war history com1nis-
sion last night in the senate chamber.
In order to compile accurately this
information the names of 366 persons,
three for each county and city in the
state will be shortly submitted to
Governor Davis, who will commission
them to take part in the work These
persons were nominated by the COM
mission last night.
Arthur Kyle Davis. of Petersburg,
who is chairman of the commission.
suggested that in writing the histories
of Virginia military organizations.
their present records should be linked
up with their past. forming histori-
cal background. This. he said. would
apply particularly to organizations
like the Richmond Blues or Norfolk
Blues. whose births date before the
War Between the States.
The questionnaires which wifi be
sent throughout the state asking
questions for the desired information,
arc being eompiiesf' and will shortly
be ready for distribution. Circulars
OF information as to how to answer the
questionable are already being sent
out
General Omar Bundy. OF Camp Lee.
and Homer l.. FERGUSON. president OF
the Newport News Shiphuilding DOM
pany. were both invited to speak at
the meeting last night, but sent their
regrets that other engagements pre-
vented them from doing SO.
The next meeting OF the commission
will be held on April Is. and ii is espe-
ctally urgent that all members be
present Chairman Davis said that
they must have the fullest co-opera-
tion of the members in order to carry
out the work.
The COMMITTEES shairmen of the COM
mission are Colonel w Gordon McCahe,
Bishop Collins Denny. Douglas Gordon.
Marry ST. George Tucker. General ID.
w. Nichols, Dr Douglas Freeman, DR..
II. r. McIlwaine. Judge Robert r.
prentiss, DR. J. r. Mcdonnell. Mrs W.
G. Stsnnard. Bishop q. J. O'Ccnnell.
Rabbi f. n Calisch. Bishop Beverly p.
Tucker. General 10 Lane Stern. Arthur
Kyle Davis. chairman. Colonel c. r.
Kelley is secretary of the commission.
An interesting letter was read last
night from Major Jennings G. wise.
who has been commissioned bv the
governor 10 write a history of the Vir-
xinia regiments in the Eightieth divi-
sion. His letter 10 follows:
General Headquarters
American Expeditionary Forces.
Historical Section. G. s.
February %, 1919
His Excellency. the Governor of vir-
49,, ginia. Richmond. va, ...@ es-
My Dear Geyernor.--Your very kind
letter was received by me yesterday
Just as I was leaving my command of
tho Eightieth division for Chaumont,
where have been placed on duty with
the general star as a member OF the
historical section. which IL being or
ing. Jr,. for the purpose Of preparing
ganized by General oliver l.. Spauld-
an official history of the war. 1t was
an odd coincidence that your letter
and the commission which you sent
me rs member of the Virginia his
torical commission should have come
Just at this time, I am greatly hon.
ored by the appointment, and appre-'
cfate your thought of me more than
can tell you. shall Of course accept
the appointment with pleasure, feel
ing a. 7 do that my present assign
ment places me in position of pecu-
liar advantage to serve on the vir-
Einia commission. When 7 shall re-
turn to Virginia I cannot say. II 10
my purpose at present to remain in
the service until matters become set
tied az cannot afford to abandon the
military profession a third time under
present circumstances. Fate seems to
dictate that ! be q soldier, and for
the present shall abandon the strug~
gle against that thing. though / can
conceive OF no greater unhappiness
than being separated much longer
from my family. home and friends In
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