Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-06-20
THINNING GRAY RANKS
MAINTAIN HIGH IDEALS
Defeat and Disaster Convert
ed Into Pillars of Support
for New South.
L. G. v. WAS BORN IN 1889
various ORGANIZATIONS Brought To-
Erthcr rhirty-Tbrcc Years Ago In
Sew OrlcnnS-Nirgininn Enrly 10
rcrpctuntc Memory OF "Lost Cause
u. c. V. WAS BORN IN 1889
BS y. N1nrk lutE.


81 TO 60 pass over tho river. those
who stiil remain are cndeavoring in
peace, as in war, to follow the high
Ideals for which they were willing to
lay down their lives. Fearless. with
the consciousness OF duty well done
they wait-and to pass those ideals
on they have formed organizations
among themselves that will reach
down the ages and make the Lost
Cause" ConscCratcd in defeat.
After four years OF arduuus SER
vice. marked by unsurpassed courage
ana fortitudc, the Army OF Northern
Virginia was compelled to yield to
overwhelming numbers and re-
sources as Lee so beautifully put il.
But they had the satisfaction that
proceeds from the consciousness OF
duty faithfully performed" and they
sought TO convert defeat and disas-
tcrs into pillars OF support for fur
Their manhood and noble woman
hood.
Early Sought Organization.
They We're a people with memories
OF suffering and sacrifices that CON
*ttutes a people with Il history and
Il movement 10 organize Confederate
veterans was begun as early as the
fall OF 1865. eliminating in 1889.
when the association. known rs the
United Confederate Veterans. was
brought into being,
With the ending OF the war and
the slough OF despair III which the
South found herself. those officers
who had striven so bravely for their
rights realized that their work had
just begun. on their shoulders. more
than on those OF any other class
rested the burden OF caring for the
PEOPLE who had lost their all in de-
Tending their homes and standing by
their principles. These strong men,
trained 10 command, again came to
he front when the cry Of distress.
which sounded throughout the South
,rn states. reached their ears. In
q great and peaceful war for exist
cncc they but added fresh laurels to
these already won the fields OF bat
tie.
Aimed 10 Help Needy.
Charitable purposes was the main
reason FOR the forming OF the early
associations. hivouaCs. camps and
other organizations. These bcnevo-
lent and charitable associations were
10 care for the disabled and impov-
"rished soldiers OF the South TO give
them decent and suitable burial, and
To sGCCor the widows and orphans OF
those who had given their lives to
their country. The Oakwood and
liol!yw God Memorial Associations
w-rc among the earliest formed. both
dating hack 10 the spring OF 1866.
While later societies OF histori-
cal and frate:nal character were
formed they were generally local
Soon ihcy were followed by efforts
for State ana general bodies. DR..
Joseph Jones went TO New orleans
where there Were twnty major and
hriEadicr- generals residing, and or
panizcd the southern Historical, So
"iety, later transferred To Richmond.
The most valuable contributions to
the history OF the Coufcdcracy today
is ofund in It's collection of papers.
Maryland took up the work next
and in 1871 the Society Of the Army
and Navy OF the Confederate states
in Maryland was formed. with Gen
cral bradley r. Johnson president;
Captain Augustine J. smith recording
secretary. ana john +. Hayden. cor
responding secretary. Baltimore.
Norman Urged L. c. V.
Colonel George Moorman. 81 Ken
;uckiau. who had served on the STAFF
of General Roger ..Hanson. orphan
Brigade. led in urrti'e general or
ganizatton at New- orleans February
IS. 1855. This was mainly tor cav
alrymea. At an initial general meet
ins held at Sew Orleans on March
3. 1859. Lieutenant Johu Il. Gordon
was made commandments chief with
with EriEadjcr-Gcncral Clement \.
Evans as chief Of staff and adjutant-
general. Thus Sew orleans oriri-
mated this organization and Ken
tuckian Colonel Norman made il
Il success.
Many strong organizations had been
established prior TO TINS united move
rneut. aud these had performed no
'ahlc service for the Lost Cause.
among THOSE Of particular note being
those bands ~ veterans organized In
Virginia. the battle-ground Of the
great war. wuici more than any other
section had suffered the bitterness
and sorrow which followed close on
IA" heels n the surrender OF one Of
the nObleSt armies that was ever
mustered out. -ts ever, Virginia was
the arena and center of historic in
ridcnts and events of world wide
fame and OF romantic and thrilling
interest.
%. g.. Lrr Cnmn Formed.
II. T.. Lee Camp. 40 J. OF Rich
mond. wac formed on April is. 1859.
and secured It's charter the follow
inr year. March II, 1883. Charles
L. Williams was the nrst commander
Of tho camp ana J. j. ~. Bruce was
the FIRST adJutant An extensive and
intcrcfiIng collection 81 'pnfcd"rat 70
portraits IS In the possession OF the
camp today.
Talk - organizing an association
on a. brood scale FOR III" perpetuat!ou
rf tho memory - the deeds a., South
cru iucu ON southern hattl"Gclds was
heard Tor many years after the war.
nLi NOR. important issues faced these
men. They were not surfcitod and
"la,cd vita The Victories of pcac..
hut had the taste FOR the lesser and
more tragic Victories Of Way. Those
who had been rich were now poor.
4 man who had mad Thousands OF
acres under cultivation uoSy tooK the
plOw IN hls own hands and !ahOred
throughout the day that his family
might not want
spirit "f C"mnrndcri- Aiiv-.
Somehow the spirit o.; Comare-
derie established during the four
years of war still continued The
little mat some could earn Was di-
vided win tnosc VINO We're less for
tunate. and IT Was this sa me spirit.
Of discipline and morale. stern pui,
Tose. -sl!-sacriace. heroisn. and en-
ihusIasm, koyt Up through ali the
years. that faally resulted in the
Organization Of the United Confed.
crate veterans.
Little bands ~ men who Rad fought
h.. -